SMTC_Mod_JA_18-0010_PARCsigned-r_Redacted2.pdf

AQ Control No. 18-0010 Contractor: Martin Federal, Inc.

Program: SMTC

"For Official Use Only”

Principal Assistant Responsible for Contracting:

Melissa A. Cossentino DSN:

Signature: _ Date: __________

Program: SMTC

"For Official Use Only”

LIMITED SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

1. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: National Guard Bureau (NGB), Operational Contracting Division (NGB-AQ), 111 South George Mason Drive, Arlington, VA 22204-1382.

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION: The Army National Guard Human Recruiting and Retention office (ARNG-HRR) requests a firm fixed price modification to the competitively awarded Strength Maintenance Training Center (SMTC) Technical Services Task Order # W9133L-16-F-0024 with Martin Federal Inc. The Government intends to execute a $4.764 million modification using Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Army Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funds.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES: The Strength Maintenance Training Center (SMTC) Technical Services task order provides Training (i.e. Instructor), Training Development and Training Administration for 13 Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) validated courses. The courses are conducted in both a resident and non-resident environment. The level of Training services is based on the instructor to student ratio identified in the Program of Instruction (POI) divided by the number of programed training requirements as identified in the Army Program for Individual Training (ARPRINT). SMTC Trainers train an average of 2,000 students annually.

SMTC Training Developers develop all instructional products and supporting administrative documents in accordance with (IAW) TRADOC policy and regulations.

Specifically, courseware is developed using the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) curriculum design method. The ADDIE process is a framework used to organize and manage educational programs. ADDIE organizes all course and curriculum development activities using a disciplined process that ensures classroom instruction accomplishes the institution's educational purpose.

The Strength Maintenance Training Center (SMTC) Technical Services task order provides thousands of training development man-hours through this process.

Services also include various training management activities which include, but is not limited to: maintaining course and student administrative data in the Army Training Requirements and Resources System (ATRRS), processing student exceptions to policy and waivers, producing training certificates, and coordinating lodging and transportation for students attending SMTC resident courses.

Training Management and Training Development services are performed primarily at SMTC, North Little Rock, AR. Training/Instructing services are performed in both resident and non-resident locations.

4. AUTHORITY CITED: FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B): Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized.

5. REASON FOR AUTHORITY CITED:

Program: SMTC

"For Official Use Only”

In June 2017 the United States Army announced it will increase the ARNG operational force as directed by Congress via Sections 401 and 411 of the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), reversing the previously programmed reductions for 2018.

The FY18 NDAA authorizes the Army to maintain an end strength of 1,026,500 soldiers, consisting of 483,500 soldiers for the Regular Army (RA) force, 343,500 soldiers for the Army National Guard (ARNG) and 199,500 soldiers for the Army Reserve (USAR.)

As part of the ARNGs effort to increase its end-strength by 8,500, from the original 335,000 personnel to the adjusted 343,500 personnel, the ARNG Recruiting and Retention Force intends to train an additional 443 Recruiting and Retention Non-commissioned Officers (RRNCOs). Consequently, SMTC has been tasked by ARNG-HRR via the Director, ARNG to increase its annual throughput to support the training of those NCOs.

Shortages of available instructor staff have led to reductions or cancellations of several courses normally provided until additional instructors can be identified, hired and certified for the increased throughput. The SMTC has cancelled 11 iterations of “ARNG 79T CONVERSION”, “ARNG RECRUITING COMPANY PRE-COMMAND”, 2 iterations of “ARNG LIAISON MANAGERS”, “ARNG MARKETING AND ADVERTISING”, “ARNG RECRUIT SUSTAINMENT PROGRAM (RSP)” and 2 iterations of “ARNG OFFICER STRENGTH MANAGER” in order to focus on NCO training.

The inability of the ARNG-HRR to provide these courses to the existing Recruiting workforce while simultaneously increasing student throughput is expected to adversely impact the ARNG’s ability to achieve its end strength and the DARNG’s Readiness Goals mandated by the NDAA.

Properly trained RRNCOs, Unit Readiness NCOs (URNCOS) and other strength maintenance personnel play vital roles in ensuring that ARNG manning levels are sufficient to meet mission requirements. The average RRNCO recruits 13 enlistments per year. An additional 443 RRNCOs are expected to yield approximately 5,750 new enlistments which will be essential to achieving the supplementary 8,500 new accessions required. Without the increase in RRNCOs, ARNG cannot achieve the FY18 end strength directed by Congress. Consequently, 5,750 Soldiers represent two brigade-size elements that may not be filled by ARNG units. The potential enlistment shortfalls may impact the level of readiness and the ability to deploy combat ready soldiers required in the defense of the Nation. If the ARNG is unable to meet its end strength goals, it will not be able to provide readily trained forces to support the warfighting efforts as directed by NDAA. The ARNG is a critical component of the United States military forces and has been a participant in its defense since 1636. The ARNG is counted upon to defend the nation both within the Continental United States (CONUS) and Outside (OCONUS).

Failure to increase the scope of this Task Order (TO) may also adversely impact the retention of qualified Soldiers resulting from the URNCO class reduction and

Program: SMTC

"For Official Use Only” cancellations. Maintaining qualified URNCOs are critical components of a successful retention program. Retention of qualified, experienced soldiers enhances mission preparedness, mobilization readiness and reduces program costs. ARNG retained 31,530 Soldiers in FY17 and those numbers are anticipated to increase in FY18. The National Guard’s RRNCOs are charged with a three tenet mission which includes Recruiting, Retention and Attrition Management of the ARNG force. When experienced soldiers leave, the National Guard loses critical skills and incurs additional expenses to replace them. On average, the costs associated with qualifying a soldier is approximately $76K over a period spanning from 6 to 18 months. Retaining 31,530 Soldiers saves the Government approximately $2.3 Billion and countless man hours associated with training them.

Retained Soldiers are Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) qualified and can contribute immediately to the ARNG.

This modification addresses the immediate SMTC instructor shortages and provides sufficient time to re-compete this effort for an FY19 contract award. Qualified instructors are needed to teach prospective RRNCOs the required skills to recruit and ensure mastery of those skills through practical application. SMTC already operates under a proponent approved waiver for Instructor-to-Student Ratio (ISR) 1:25 versus the TRADOC standard of 1:16. With the additional student throughput, the ISR would increase to 1:31 if no new instructors were obtained. The proponent will not grant an additional waiver to increase the ISR as the deviation (approximately double) from TRADOC accreditation standards, and it will result in instruction degradation. Without additional instructors, the SMTC will have to cancel other critical courses provided to current RRNCOs to support the training of the 443 new RRNCOs. While training of new RRNCOs is a priority and necessary to boost the recruiting and retaining mission, the ongoing training of current RRNCOs is also required to achieve the overall recruitment mission.

Any attempt to transition these services from the incumbent to another contractor would require at least 90 days as any incoming contractor would need to hire and train new staff members. A transition would include time and effort to hire/ramp up staff and time associated with familiarization with POIs and development of the curriculum. An immediate competition in lieu of this scope increase would take at least six months to execute, resulting in a costly duplication of time and effort with no significant benefit to the Government. However, based upon the increased effort, the ARNG has begun developing a follow-on requirement and competitive solicitation to replace the current action within the next 9 to 12 months.

6. ACTIONS TO INCREASE COMPETITION: This modification is being executed to meet the immediate surge and future training requirements. The Government intends to compete this action amongst 8(a) contractors in early FY19 and as a result of the increased effort, will forego part of the final option year. During the second option period, the contract will be resolicited as a Competitive 8(a) set-aside. The Acquisition Strategy has yet to be determined as the requirement is still under development. The

Program: SMTC

"For Official Use Only”

Government plans on issuing a Request for Information (RFI) in early 2018 to identify potential contract vehicles and determine vendor capabilities in the marketplace. Once an Acquisition Strategy has been selected and approved, the Government will issue a draft Request for Proposal to solicit feedback and generate interest.

7. MARKET RESEARCH: In conducting market research for this modification, Internet searches were conducted to determine whether other Government agencies may be procuring the same or similar types of services. General Services Administration (GSA) Advantage was also utilized in this market research to provide insight into a multitude of companies that have the ability or have provided the same or similar types of services to the Government. GSA also provided insight into the type of business (8(a), woman-owned, veteran-owned, etc.), links to the company’s webpage (which provided information on their capabilities), commercial clients, and additional company information. Market Research determined that there were no companies capable of fulfilling the immediate surge requirements.

8. OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING JUSTIFICATION:

a. Procurement history.

(1) Previous contract numbers and dates for this same requirement were:

W9133L-15-C-0022, which was a 9-month 8(a) direct award, which provided continuity of services while NGB solicited and awarded a follow-on 8(a) competitive TO (see below.) The Period of Performance was from 10 Sept 2015 through 09 Jun 2016.

(2) Task Order # W9133L-16-F-0024, was a competitive 8(a) procurement under a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) and was awarded on 07 Jun 2016 and included a one-year base period and two one-year option periods.

9. 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.

Date:Typed Name: Mr. Albert J. Scott Title: ARNG-PEC-SMT Chief of Training Management

Signature:

10. 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.

Program: SMTC

"For Official Use Only”

Typed Name: Date:____________ Title: ARNG-HRR DivisionChief Signature:

11. 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 IAW FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)(ii), (iv) and (v).

Typed Name: Mr. Neal H. Dedicatoria Date:____________ Title: Contracting Officer Signature:

14. CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION:

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

Typed Name: Mr. Neal H. Dedicatoria Date:____________ Title: Contracting Officer Signature:

Approval

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of SMTC Technical Services on other than a competitive basis pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 251 et seq, FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and property herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

Signature: ______________________________ Date:____________

MELISSA A. COSSENTINO

Principal Assistant Responsible

For Contracting