Exception to Fair Opportunity for the MACRO Bridge Task Order
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 General Services Administration (GSA) Assisted Acquisition Services (AAS), supporting the Department of Defense (DoD), has issued a Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity for a sole-source Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) Task Order (TO). This Mission Awareness Capabilities Ramp-up and Optimization (MACRO) Bridge TO provides critical system engineering services to prevent a gap in support until the competitive Integrated, Next-Generation, Versatile, Intelligence, Capabilities, Technologies, and Applications (INVICTA) TO is awarded. The bridge TO was awarded on March 25, 2026, to the incumbent, Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA).
Scope of Work
This bridge effort provides comprehensive system engineering services, including:
- Program Management Support
- Analytical and Execution Planning (AEP) Services
- Engineering, Development, Integration, and Sustainment (EDIS) Services
- Assessment, Experimentation, and Demonstration (AED) Services
- Test and Evaluation (T&E) Services
- Training Support
These services are essential for DoD mission awareness capabilities.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) Task Order Bridge
- Vehicle: GSA ASTRO Multiple Award IDIQ Development/Systems 47QFCA26F0015 Pool
- Award Date (Bridge TO): March 25, 2026
- Period of Performance: 6-month base period with one 6-month option
- Set-Aside: Not applicable (sole-source justification)
- Published Date: April 15, 2026
- Place of Performance: Tampa, FL 33609, United States
- Follow-on Acquisition: The competitive INVICTA TO is anticipated for award in January 2027.
Rationale for Sole Source
The sole-source award to Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) was necessary due to urgent agency needs. Providing fair opportunity would have resulted in unacceptable delays, significantly increasing the risk of mission failure for the U.S. Army and DoD, as MACRO services directly impact national security interests and readiness. This bridge ensures continuity of mission-essential activities.
Cost Determination
The price for this sole-source TO was determined using the most recent historical cost and fee data, along with FPRA and other sources. A cost realism analysis was conducted on the incumbent's proposal. The contract type transitioned from Cost-Plus-Award-Fee (CPAF) to Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF).
Relevance to Bidders
This notice serves as a justification for the sole-source bridge contract, explaining the critical nature of the services and the rationale for bypassing standard fair opportunity. It provides important context for the upcoming competitive INVICTA TO, which is the long-term solution for these requirements.