NET Analyst Support

USSOUTHCOM'S NET Analytics requirement was housed under a GSA FEDSIM's task order named Global Threat Mitigation Program (GTMP). The GTMP Contract Officer Representative (COR) informed USSOUTHCOM in late April that the requirement would be removed from the contract vehicle effective 22 September 2018. This action deprived USSOUTHCOM of four (4) previously planned option years on the aforementioned vehicle, and forced USSOUTHCOM into an abbreviated timeline to create a contracting package, and develop a suitable acquisition strategy in line with command priorities. The premature and unanticipated end of service also severely limited USSOUTHCOM's ability to adhere to the Army's published Procurement Acquisition Lead Time (PALT) guidelines, in accordance with published Army Contracting Command policy, and have led to the possibility of an unacceptable break in service.
Alternatives proposed to mitigate the potential break in service within the current time constraints have proven to either be unacceptable, inadequate, or create substantial risk to real world operations and National Security. The loss of USSOUTHCOM NET analysts would greatly impact operations in the USSOUTHCOM AOR, and pose a threat to national security, to include the homeland. The daily support provided by the NET analysts to the Intelligence and Law Enforcement enterprises is vital to securing our southern approaches. Specifically, USSOUTHCOM's NET currently leads four (4) other combatant commands in planning a major, collaborative Joint Staff-directed pilot operation. The unusual and compelling urgency derives from the execution timeline of the initiative. The operation will transition from planning to ground and air operations in September 2018. Proven analytical expertise will be critical during this period.
The current task order does not include a phase in and phase out period. The absence of this clause limits the government's ability to mandate that the incumbent vendor conducts necessary knowledge transfers, such as creating a continuity book, or "left seat right seat rides". It also precludes the government from mandating that the incumbent participates in any potential phase in period without amendments to the task order. Proper knowledge transfer by the incumbent and knowledge capture by any potential awardee is critical to the expert analytical support necessary for continued operational success. Any contract transition will require the potential awardee to rebuild target familiarity, align themselves with USSOUTHCOM's mission set, and may result in considerable delays and duplication of efforts.
. Awarded Vendors: Booz Allen Hamilton. Contract Award Dollar Amount: 888,522.44. Contract Award Date: 2018-09-17.