Eustis_JA_2017_51_5JUL17_Redacted.pdf

Control No: 2017-51 Company: Highgate Training Systems, LLC

Program: TRADOC G2 TEFOR NIE 17.2 Event

Version – February 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

JUSTIFICATION REVIEW DOCUMENT

FAR PART 6 JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Program/Equipment:

The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC)'s Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence (G-2) Threat Emulation Force (TEFOR) serves as an honest broker for the implementation of the Operational Environment (OE) in training threat emulators and capabilities development for test and evaluation, including the Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) 17.2 event to further progress towards the completion of the Mission Command Network (MCN) 2020 Focused End State (FES) Objectives.

Authority:

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(5) as implemented by FAR Part 6.302-5 -- Authorized or Required by Statute. (Refer to FAR Part 6.302-5(b) for specific US Code authorities for purchasing from mandatory sources identified in FAR Part 8 or 19.)

Amount: The total estimated cost of the effort is $ .

Prepared by:

Contracting Officer

Technical:

Requirements:

Program: TRADOC G2 TEFOR NIE 17.2 Event

Version – February 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Reviews:

I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support other than full and open competition.

Program: TRADOC G2 TEFOR NIE 17.2 Event

Version – February 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

FAR Part 6 Justification and Approval for Other than Full and Open Competition

1. Contracting Activity:

Mission Installation Contracting Command (MICC), 705 Washington Blvd., Fort Eustis, VA 23604

2. Description of Action:

TRADOC's G-2 TEFOR requests a firm-fixed-price, new contract with Highgate Training Systems, LLC, 1501 13th Street Suite F, Columbus, GA 31901-2384. The Government projects award for June 2017 and fiscal year 2017, Army funds will be used.

An acquisition plan is not required because this procurement does not meet the threshold at Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 207.103(d)(i)(B).

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

TRADOC G-2 TEFOR requires technical and subject matter expertise (SME) support to assist in the replication of the Operational Environment (OE) threat portrayal and enable the Director of TEFOR to certify the OE replication at NIE 17.2. TRADOC (JMC/ Army Capabilities Integration Center (ARCIC) Lead) in coordination with Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) G-3/5/7, G-8, Chief Information Officers C-6, U.S. Army Forces Command, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) (ASA(ALT)), and ATEC will plan and conduct a Live, Virtual, Constructive Force-on-Force exercise at Fort Bliss, TX, and White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) from 20 JUNE 17 to 9 AUG 17 in order to inform key fielding decisions and to accomplish NIE 17.2 objectives.

TRADOC G-2 TEFOR requires technical and subject matter expertise (SME) support to conduct TEFOR’s NIE 17.2 event to further progress towards the completion of the Mission Command Network (MCN) 2020 Focused End State (FES) Objectives. The primary efforts of NIE 17.2 are the Programs of Record (PORs) designated as Systems Under Test (SUT) for Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) network.

The NIE 17.2 End State Objectives that will be assessed to determine capability are as follows:

• Select potential Force Modernization concepts and capabilities assessed and demonstrated that assist in achieving integrated network capability for the Future Force.

• Validate that evaluated components, integrated with network, add operational value and do not increase complexity.

• Successful demonstration and assessment of concepts and capabilities that address selected Focused End States (FES) and Army Warfighting Challenges (AWfCs).

Period of Performance (PoP): 20 JUNE 17 to 9 AUG 17

Total Value: $

Program: TRADOC G2 TEFOR NIE 17.2 Event

Version – February 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

4. Authority Cited:

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(5) as implemented by FAR Part 6.302-5 -- Authorized or Required by Statute. (Refer to FAR Part 6.302-5(b) for specific US Code authorities for purchasing from mandatory sources identified in FAR Part 8 or 19.)

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

The Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) program was enacted into law as part of the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 1997. The program falls under the U.S. Small Business Administration. The program encourages economic development in historically under used business zones through the establishment of preferences.

MICC Fort Eustis has not reached HUBZone Goals for the 3rd Quarter of FY17. The emphasis is on soliciting and awarding to a qualified HUBZone Small business to assist MICC Fort Eustis in meeting its HUBZone Small Business Achievement Goals.

As described in FAR 6.302-5(a)(2)(i), full and open competition need not be provided for when a statute expressly authorizes or requires that the acquisition be made through another agency or from a specified source.

As described in FAR 6.302-5(b)(5), this authority may be used when statutes, such as the following, expressly authorize or require that acquisition be made from a specified source or through another agency: Sole source awards under the HUBZone Act of 1997—15 U.S.C. 657a (see 19.1306).

The contracting officer does not have a reasonable expectation that two or more qualified HUBZone small businesses will submit offers. Additionally, the contracting officer has determined that the qualified HUBZone small business (Highgate Training Systems) is responsible, and the contract can be awarded at a fair price.

Alternatives:

A full and open competition or 100% small business set-aside is another method that was considered. Although this method could result in a viable contract vehicle, none of the exclusions in FAR 19.1304 are applicable.

An 8(a) direct award IAW FAR 19.808-1 was also considered for this award.

There were no known 8(a) vendors capable of providing these services and market research did not reveal any suitable candidates.

Another alternative is to forgo services. This is not a viable alternative as no other capability, civilian or military, can perform the tasks necessary to complete the NIE 17.2 event.

Soliciting and awarding to a qualified contractor with HUBZone small business designation is highly encouraged. The intended awardee is also a Veteran-Owned Small Business. Awarding to this HUBZone small business on a sole source basis provides the most viable and lowest risk alternative. It provides TRADOC’s mission accomplishment in the most effective and efficient manner and will facilitate reaching MICC’s small business procurement goals. This approach was coordinated with the MICC-Fort Eustis Small Business Specialist.

Program: TRADOC G2 TEFOR NIE 17.2 Event

Version – February 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

This effort requires a highly specialized skillset that is not readily available within the commercial community. Market research focused on locating other small businesses that would be suitable and none were found. A Sole Source Synopsis Notice of Intent was posted to Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) on 03MAY17 for 7 days which yielded zero responses.

7. Actions to Increase Competition:

The Government will continue to monitor the marketplace for the necessary skillsets to perform the duties required to fulfill the NIE 17.2 event.

8. Market Research:

In accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 205.205-71, DFARS 206.302-1(d), and DFARS Procedures, Guidance and Information (PGI) 206.302-1(d), a sources sought was posted to FedBizOpps on 31MAR17 for 15 days. Highgate Training Systems, a HUBZone company, was the only response received. No other vendors expressed interest or capability for this requirement.

Accordingly, research indicated only one company has the capability to perform all required task areas.

9. Interested Sources:

To date, no other sources have written to express interest in the acquisition.

Preliminary technical information submitted by Highgate Training Systems in response to the FedBizOpps notice has been reviewed by the requiring activity who has advised that Highgate Training Systems’ product may be acceptable; however, final determination will be made after evaluation of Highgate Training Systems’ formal proposal, when submitted.

10. Other Facts:

Procurement History: Not applicable. This is a new effort.

Program: TRADOC G2 TEFOR NIE 17.2 Event

Version – February 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

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.

Program: TRADOC G2 TEFOR NIE 17.2 Event

Version – February 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. The techniques identified in FAR 15.404-1(b), Price analysis for commercial and non-commercial items, will be used to ensure award will be at a fair and reasonable price.

The Independent Government Estimate (IGCE) will primarily be an analysis of the contractor’s proposed cost. Certified Cost or Pricing data will be required.