U.S. Embassy Tashkent - S Visit/organization and technical support of event in Samarkand in October 2026

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

SECTION 1: IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND THE CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

Department of State Contracting Activity

Overseas Post U.S. Embassy Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Requiring Activity

U.S. Embassy Tashkent- S Visit/organization and technical support of event in Samarkand in October 2026

SECTION 2: NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING

APPROVED

Approval is requested to solicit and award a firm-fixed-price contract on a sole-source basis to GUP "lnterForum" (State Unitary Enterprise InterForum) for integrated event organization, technical and design support services for S Visit in Samarkand in October 2026.

SECTION 3: DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY'S NEEDS

The Government requires one venue and contractor to plan, coordinate, furnish, install, operate the event services during S Visit. The scope of work includes:

• Venue spaces in Congress Hall: Ballroom, Sun Hall, Sapphire, Ruby, Topaz, Lazurite, Amber, and one-quarter of Grand Hall;
• Service personnel, table setting, and furniture rental;
• Event lighting and sound equipment; 150 square meters of LED screens; high-speed internet;
• Congress Center photo-zone banners, including 5 x 3 m and 12.7 x 5 m installations; floral arrangements;
• Visual identity, print and wayfinding materials, slides and screen graphics, animation, 3D

Global Acquisitions

U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE

renderings, decoration designs and drawings, production oversight, and event coordination; and

• Simultaneous-interpretation equipment: 10 equipment units, 200 headsets, and IO booths, as specified in the estimate.

Total value: UZS 3,487,503,140 including base estimated services ofUZS 2,830,765,535 a 10% InterForum service fee ofUZS 283,076,554 and 12% VAT ofUZS 373,661,051.

SECTION 4: IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 3304, as implemented by FAR 6.103. Proposed authority:  FAR 6.103-1 - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

SECTION 5: DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR'S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED

GUP "InterForum" is only one company who has a venue capable to provide specified conference rooms and halls for high level visits, including the installation and operation of equipment, required decor, and the delivery of required services for the event dates.

SECTION 6. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS WERE SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS IS PRACTICABLE, INCLUDING WHETHER A NOTICE WAS OR WILL BE PUBLICIZED AS REQUIRED BY FAR SUBPART 5.2 AND, IF NOT, WHICH EXCEPTION UNDER

FAR 5.201 APPLIES

The proposed contract was synopsized on August 18, 2026. The following other hotels were reviewed but were not adequate because of the following:

Movenpick Samarkand - doesn't meet security requirements.

Hilton Garden Inn - does not have sufficient event facilities for required services

SECTION 7. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT IS FAIR AND REASONABLE

The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated UZS 3,487,503,140 cost to the Government for the supplies/services covered by this J&A is expected to be fair and reasonable. This determination is based on the fact that the venue rates, service and equipment

quantities, rates for design and production are reasonable and competitive with comparable market rates.

By signing this justification, the Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated UZS 3,487,503,140 cost to the Government is fair and reasonable.

SECTION 8. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED (SEE PART 10) AND THE RESULTS OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASON MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED

Market research included requests for information sent to hotels and event facilities in Samarkand, as well as audiovisual and interpretation providers, florists, and design firms. The research assessed their capabilities, including IT support, and their availability during the required period in October 2026.

SECTION 9. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

The acquisition supports a time-specific U.S. Embassy Tashkent visit and event in Samarkand during October 2026 and requires coordinated venue access, event design, installation and operation of AV and interpretation systems, internet, decoration, and on-site management during a time-specific event.

SECTION 10. LISTING OF THE SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN

WRITING, AN TEREST IN THE ACQUISITION

To date, no other sources have written to express an interest in this acquisition.

SECTION 11. STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE

TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED

For future requirements, the U.S. Embassy Tashkent will continue to conduct advance market research and assess whether other facilities can meet the Government's conference, security, location, capacity, design technical requirements. If market conditions change or additional capable sources become available, future acquisitions for similar services will be competed to the maximum extent practicable.