Caspian Maritime Security Coordinator

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE; THIS IS A NOTICE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENT TO ISSUE A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT: FOR A BASE YEAR WITH ONE SIX MONTH OPTION IN SUPPORT OF THE U.S. EUROPEAN COMMAND STRATEGY POLICY AND ASSESSMENT DIRECTORATE. The Government intends to award a contract to the incumbent contractor (SAIC) for the period of Sept 1, 2009 thru Feb 30, 2011, on a sole source basis pursuant to FAR PART 6.302-1(a) (2), only one responsible source and no other services will satisfy the agency's requirements. U.S. European Command Strategy, Policy, and Assessments Directorate (EUCOM J5) currently has a contract that provides services to coordinate and manage maritime security on the Caspian Sea. EUCOM is in the process of establishing a DoD civilian billet to perform these tasks, but there will be a gap between the expiration of the current contract and the establishment of the new position due to timelines required for processing and approving a DoD civilian billet. This proposed sole source contract would continue performance of the required services until the civilian position is approved and filled. Justification 1. Contracting Agency and Activity. Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy 2. Nature of Action Being Approved. Caspian Maritime Security Coordinator 3. Description of Supplies or Services. The non-personal services to be rendered under this contract call for an - Integrating Contractor (hereinafter Caspian Maritime Security Coordinator) to provide day-to-day support and coordination of Caspian maritime security cooperation. This coordination will consist of facilitating the implementation of a coordinated Caspian maritime security approach across USG service providers, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), other DoD agencies, select littoral state country teams and, once the implementation of projects begins, providing monitoring and coordination of Caspian maritime security-related programs to U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command, the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia Policy, and the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Central Asia Policy. 4. Estimated Dollar Value. The value of the anticipated procurement will not exceed $500,000. 5. Statutory Authority. The Statutory Authority for this requirement is FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The required service will be procured under a short-term, follow-on, bridge contract. This bridge period is anticipated to be 18 months, which will cover the period between expiration of the current contract, and assignment of a Government hire to continue permanent performance. 6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation Above. Continuing services from the original source is the most efficient and cost-effective approach for this short-term, follow-on requirement. 7. Other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as: U.S. European Command Strategy, Policy, and Assessments Directorate (EUCOM J5) currently has a contract that provides services to coordinate and manage maritime security on the Caspian Sea. That contract with options ends on 31 Aug 09. EUCOM is in the process of establishing a DoD civilian billet to perform these tasks, but there will be a gap between the expiration of the current contract and the establishment of the new position due to timelines required for processing and approving a DoD civilian billet. This proposed sole source contract would continue performance of the required services until the civilian position is approved and filled. Justification for the sole source is as follows: - Provides for continuity and quality of performance over the abbreviated bridge period. - Given the short 18 month period of performance, there is insufficient time for a new contractor to ascend the learning curve required to ensure successful contract performance under the anticipated requirement. As a result, the Government does not expect to recover the duplication of costs that would result through competition of this action and possible award to a new source. For these reasons, award of a follow-on contract to the incumbent source until a DoD civilian is hired is the most cost effective approach for fulfilling this short-term requirement. 8. Efforts to Identify Additional Sources. None. 9. Future Plans to Permit Competition. This service will be performed by a DoD civilian in the future; no further contract is envisioned at this time. 10. Recommendation and Certification "Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on the basis of other than full and open competition. I certify that technical data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel and which form a basis for the justification are complete and accurate."