Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition
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 Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has published a Justification and Approval (J&A) for an Other Than Full and Open Competition award. This document justifies a sole-source Time & Materials (T&M) letter contract to Pate Construction Co., Inc. for urgent construction support services at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), NM. The estimated Not-to-Exceed (NTE) value of this initial contract is $1,185,659.00. This action is critical for enabling a "real-world" national security ordinance test.
Purpose & Justification
This J&A, made public in accordance with FAR 6.305, details the rationale for a sole-source award under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, citing "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements." The justification is based on:
- Urgency: A compelling need for immediate support to meet a non-negotiable test schedule within 2-3 weeks, which would be significantly impacted by competitive award delays.
- Unique Capabilities: Pate Construction Co., Inc. possesses over a decade of indispensable, site-specific knowledge of the subterranean test facility at WSMR.
- Exclusive Mobilization: Pate Construction Co., Inc. is the only contractor currently fully mobilized at WSMR with the required heavy equipment and security-cleared operators.
- Risk Mitigation: Due to the "no-fail" nature of the test, introducing a new contractor presents an unacceptable risk of mission failure. Pate Construction Co., Inc. has a proven record of success.
Scope of Work
The contract requires immediate and mission-critical enabling services, including:
- Highly specialized remediation and operational preparation of a subterranean test facility.
- Provision of all necessary management, specialized labor, cleared personnel, and heavy equipment.
- Ensuring the test site is certified and ready to meet the Government's urgent test schedule.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Time & Materials (T&M) letter contract
- Estimated Value: Not-to-Exceed (NTE) $1,185,659.00
- Set-Aside: Other Than Full and Open Competition (Sole Source)
- Product/Service Code: Y1HB - Construction Of Government Owned Government Operated (Gogo) R&D Facilities
- Place of Performance: ROAD FORKS, NM
Agency & Contacts
- Department: DEPT OF DEFENSE
- Sub-Tier: DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY (DTRA)
- Office: DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY
- Primary Contact: James Melancon (james.a.melancon.civ@mail.mil)
- Secondary Contact: Ryan Margraf (ryan.d.margraf.civ@mail.mil)
Additional Notes
This J&A is an informational notice, not a solicitation. Market research confirmed no other source could meet the minimum criteria. A follow-on, competitive IDIQ contract is being pursued for future requirements, with an award anticipated in November 2027. The current sole-source action serves as a temporary bridge due to the expiration of the previous IDIQ ordering period.