Justification & Approval for Antarctic Support Contract Extension

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has published a Special Notice announcing a Justification and Approval (J&A) for other than full and open competition regarding the Antarctic Support Contract (ASC #NSFDACS1219442). This notice details the NSF's intent to extend the current contract's period of performance by twelve months, from September 30, 2026, to September 30, 2027. The extension is justified under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-3, which permits non-competitive procurement based on industrial mobilization, engineering, developmental, or research capability, and expert services. The NSF is releasing this J&A for public review in compliance with FAR 6.305 transparency requirements. The Special Notice was posted on January 8, 2026, and comments may be submitted through the NSF email alias provided.

The primary objective of this extension is to allow sufficient time for the NSF to complete source selection for a follow-on Antarctic Support Contract while ensuring operational continuity and a safe transition period. The estimated value of the twelve-month extension is $225 million, which will support critical logistics services including flight operations, cargo movements, facilities management, and construction essential to the United States Antarctic Program. The deadline for submitting comments on the J&A is February 7, 2026. Interested parties should note that response to this release is voluntary and at their own expense, and failure to respond does not preclude participation in future competitions or subcontract opportunities with the NSF. The extension is particularly justified by the complexity of Antarctic operations, the difficulty of hiring seasonal workers, and the need for a full transition cycle covering both Antarctic winter planning and summer execution phases.