Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition- RAND National Defense Research Institute (NDRI)

The RAND Corporation operates the National Defense Research Institute as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center, primarily funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment to provide independent, objective research and analysis in support of the Department of War and other non-Department of War agencies. This arrangement ensures access to private sector expertise for mission-critical research, development, and analytic tasks that government resources alone cannot fulfill effectively, preserving NDRI's role as an impartial and specialized institution. The contract is justified under a non-competitive acquisition based on the unique and irreplaceable capabilities NDRI provides, reinforcing its long-standing strategic partnership with the Department of Defense. The solicitation number for this action is WHS-2025-1564, posted on July 16, 2026, and falls under NAICS code 541715 for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. The awarding activity is Washington Headquarters Services under the Department of Defense, with the office located in Washington, DC, and performance taking place in Arlington, Virginia. Primary point of contact is Sabrina Watkins-Rock, with Elizabeth Vaeth as the secondary contact, both reachable via official military email addresses. This contract reflects a sustained federal investment in NDRI's ability to deliver high-quality, unbiased analysis critical to defense acquisition and sustainment missions.