JA_Log_JA17020_redacted.pdf

Control No: JA17020

Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition

1. Contracting Activity:

The Contracting Activity responsible for this action is the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity.

2. Description of Action:

This request is for a three month contract extension of W81XWH-12-F-0046 under the Federal Acquisition Regulation ( FAR) clause 52.217-8, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract. This extension is requested to prevent a break in service because a follow up contract was unable to be awarded in time.

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) has a need for Information Technology Support Services to support the computer users and general IT operations of WRAIR. WRAIR is seeking a contractor to manage and maintain the WRAIR network and systems to ensure consistent network connectivity, network security, internet access, manage e-mail services, applications support, information assurance support, operate the Help Desk and provide customer support. The primary goals of the contractor will be to ensure the WRAIR networks and systems deliver a consistently high level of performance with reliability; develop and provide high quality solutions; and provide customers with excellent service that resolves issues quickly for all WRAIR IT users.

4. Authority Cited:

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C.

2304(c)(1) as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii)(B), services may be deemed to be available only from the original source in the case of follow-on contracts for the continued provision of highly specialized services when it is likely that award to any other source would result in unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's requirements.

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

There has been a delay in award of the follow-on contract for this requirement. As Vision Technologies is the incumbent contractor currently performing the required Information Technology non-personal support services under VETS GWAC task order W81XWH-12-F-0046 on behalf of the WRAIR and it’s 1,600 network users, this vendor is uniquely qualified and currently in place to perform these services. Extending the current VETS GWAC task order will maintain continuity of non-personal support services in this mission critical effort that oversees on-going Information Technology projects being performed at the WRAIR.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

No effort will be made to solicit offers from as many potential sources, as this is a short-term requirement extending an existing VETS GWAC task order by three months in order to provide the time required to finalize the follow-on award. A Sources Sought Notice (W81XWH-17-S-0001) was published in the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) on 4 November 2016 to identify the requirement for the 3-month extension. Submissions received by interested parties in this short-term requirement will be evaluated and a determination made if a competition is warranted. A Notice of Intent shall be published in FedBizOpps to award this 3-month extension prior to award.

Given the security requirement associated with the provision of IT personnel and the limited amount of time required, there is no expectation that effective competition will result from this notice.

7. Actions to Increase Competition:

The acquisition strategy of the follow-on to VETS GWAC task order W81XWH-12-F- 0046 is that award shall be made on a competitive basis. The Sources Sought Notice (W81XWH-17-S-0001) published in the FedBizOpps on 4 November 2016 was used to identify the requirement for the 3-month extension and to determine companies available to perform the follow-on effort. The follow-on will be competed to the greatest extent possible.

8. Market Research:

Market research constituted of reviewing the current GSA Schedule 70 and the NITACC GWAC information. In addition, a review of pre-competed contracts offered through CHESS was also performed. These companies included Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI and InterImage. GSA 8(a) STARS II Pricing Tool was also consulted. This tool allows users to view the fully burdened labor hour ceiling rate for three hundred ten 8(a) STARS II industry partners.

9. Interested Sources:

In accordance with FAR 5.207(c)(14), a notice shall be published in FedBizOpps announcing the Government's intent to procure the 3-month extension of W81XWH-12- F-0046. Inquiries from interested parties shall be evaluated accordingly by the Contracting Officer prior to the issuance of a sole source contract modification.

10. Other Facts: Discuss any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition, such as the following:

a. Procurement history.

(1) Contract numbers and dates of the last several contracts for these same requirements.

W81XWH-06-C-0380; MicroTech LLC; 1 July 2006 - 31 August 2011

W81XWH-11-F-0156; Innovative Management Concepts, Inc.; 1 September 2011 - 29 February 2012

(2) Competitive status of these actions.

W81XWH-06-C-0380 was competed on a full and open basis as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Set Aside.

W81XWH-11-F-0156 was competed on a full and open basis against the GSA VETS GWAC schedule.

(3) Authority previously used for less than full and open competition.

Not applicable

(4) If a justification was prepared to support the procurement made before this one, a summary of the contents of paragraph 7 of the justification for that procurement and an explanation of the results.

Not applicable

(5) If any prior award was accomplished by full and open competition, include a detailed explanation of the changed circumstances causing this action to now limit the sources.

There has been a delay in award of the follow-on contract for this requirement. As Vision Technologies is the incumbent contractor currently performing the required Information Technology non-personal support services under VETS GWAC TO W81XWH-12-F-0046 on behalf of the WRAIR, this vendor is uniquely qualified and currently in place to perform these services. Extending the current VETS GWAC TO will maintain continuity of non-personal support services in this mission critical effort that oversees on-going Information Technology Support Services to support computer users and general IT operations of WRAIR.

(6) An explanation of any unusual patterns which may be revealed by the history, e.g., several consecutive, urgent buys.

Not applicable

(7) If a justification was prepared to support the procurement made before this one, briefly describe the circumstances justifying the buy and whether there have been any significant changes.

Not applicable

b. Other facts. Provide any other facts necessary to justify limiting competition that were not previously stated.

(Certifications will normally be provided on a separate page at the end of the J&A to allow minor, administrative changes during the review process.)

Not applicable

11. Technical Certification:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

12. Requirements Certification:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination:

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. The price established for the required services will be determined to be fair and reasonable by using a price analysis technique.

14. Contracting Officer Certification:

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Approval

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of a 3-month extension of task order W81XWH-12-F-0046 to provide continued non-personal IT support services for WRAIR on an Other Than Full and Open Competition basis pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C.2304(c)(1), subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and property herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.