Multi Functional Devices for Office of Naval Research

Description of action being approved: This document approves the issuance of a delivery/task order against a General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract (GS03F0151X), on a sole source basis to Cartridge Technologies, LLC (CTI) for the continued provision of Multi-Functional Device (MFD) lease and associated service, including equipment, maintenance, and supplies for the Office of Naval Research (ONR). These services are critical for daily continuity of operations. This justification is made on an Individual basis.

Statute and/or Regulation supporting determination: Pursuant to FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i), an urgent and compelling need exists, and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays. The Contracting Officer (CO) shall document the decision that only one source is available and the basis for that decision. This requirement is valued at $REDACTED. The CO considered the acquisition history, government risk, and most logical solution in the best interest of the government.

1. Agency and Nature/Description of the action being approved: This document approves the award of a 60-day lease action, on a sole source basis to Cartridge Technologies, LLC (CTI) for the continued provision of 47 Multi-Functional Devices (MFD) and associated services for the Office of Naval Research (ONR) / CIO Code 53. These services are critical for daily operations and mission support.

2. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs: The Government had a contract with CTI (Prior DLA Task Order: SP7000-21-F-0269 / RA 21-0152) for the provision of 47 MFDs located throughout ONR. The preexisting leased MFDs were not renewed as of April 1, 2026. A DLA waiver dated April 2, 2026, authorizes a one-time exception to the DoD Single Manager for Document Services policy to utilize non-DLA contracting resources to retain use of these MFDs. This proposed action covers the remaining service gap while a new long-term competitive contract is finalized and awarded. The period of performance for this requirement is 1 September 2026 to 31 October 2026, and the estimated dollar value is $REDACTED. ONR 02 Contracts intends to execute this action.

3. Rationale: An urgent and compelling need exists. CTI is the incumbent contractor, and the current MFDs and printers utilized by ONR are under an active lease. Allowing the current lease to lapse while attempting to compete a 60-day requirement would result in the immediate removal of all 47 MFDs. A change in the servicing contractor would necessitate a complex logistics phase: the outgoing vendor must reclaim the 47 leased assets, while the new vendor must deliver and configure replacement equipment. A 60-day lease term presents a significant barrier to competition, as few vendors will find it economically viable to deploy and retrieve 47 devices for such a short duration. The time required for a new vendor to deliver, install, and configure replacement equipment would cause unacceptable delays and a critical disruption to ONR's continuity of operations.

4. Market Analysis and Efforts to Solicit Competition: Formal market research is not practical or required for this acquisition pursuant to FAR 10.001. The extreme brevity of a 60-day lease for 47 MFDs makes commercial competition non-viable, as no vendor will absorb the high logistical costs to deliver, configure, and retrieve hardware for such a short duration. Additionally, delaying the procurement to conduct formal research would risk a critical lapse in coverage, leaving ONR without the essential printing capabilities required for day-to-day operations.

5. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost: The Contracting Officer has determined that the order represents the best value and results in the lowest overall cost alternative to the Government. This action will ensure the continuity of critical printing services at ONR and avoid significant mission disruption.

6. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition: Because this 60-day lease is a temporary gap-filler, the Department of Defense's (DoD) Single Manager for Document Services policy mandates the use of DLA; therefore, resolving any barriers to competition falls solely under DLA’s purview. Since this is a one-time bridge action to prevent an operational gap, DoD’s policy restricts agencies from using non-DLA contracting resources. Consequently, the responsibility to address and overcome any barriers to market competition rests entirely with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) rather than ONR.

Approving Authority:

MARY HELEN DENT Contracting Officer