Exception To Fair Opportunity - Emerging Technology & Design Acceleration Support
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), specifically the Emerging Technology & Design Acceleration Branch (ETDAB) within OCIO, has issued a Justification for Exception to Fair Opportunity for Emerging Technology & Design Acceleration Support Services. This action is a bridge contract to ensure continuity of critical services while a follow-on competitive acquisition is finalized. The ETDAB provides consultation, evaluation, guidance, and support for new information technology and health informatics solutions, leveraging human-centered design principles.
Scope of Work
The required services are a continuation of the current task order and are crucial for CDC's public health mission. Key areas include:
- Human-Centered Design & User Engagement
- Prototype Development (paper, visual, non-functional, functional)
- R&D Cloud and Infrastructure Support
- Technology Evaluation & Transition Support
- Solution Architecture & Informatics Support
- Innovation Pipeline & Process Support
- Project Management, Technical Writing, and Reporting
- Training, Outreach, and Knowledge Transfer A significant focus is on supporting CDC's rapidly evolving Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives, including AI use cases, prototype development, risk management, and responsible adoption.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Justification for Exception to Fair Opportunity (Bridge Contract)
- Authority: FAR 16.507-6(b)(1) - Unusual and Compelling Urgency
- Period of Performance: February 1, 2026 - April 30, 2026
- Current Contract Vehicle: GSA Alliant 2 GWAC (Time and Materials)
- Published: February 11, 2026
- Response Date: Not applicable (This is a justification, not a solicitation)
Evaluation
This document is a justification for an exception to fair opportunity, not a solicitation for proposals. Therefore, there are no submission or evaluation instructions for bidders. The exception is based on FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) for unique or highly specialized services, citing the incumbent contractor's extensive knowledge and readiness.
Additional Notes
The delay in the follow-on competitive acquisition was attributed to a federal government shutdown, impacting the Procurement Acquisition Lead Time (PALT). This bridge contract is intended to prevent disruption to critical ETDAB innovation, R&D, and AI-support activities. Pricing has been determined fair and reasonable based on the incumbent's existing labor categories and hours, with adjustments for inflation and market conditions.