Bridge Action J&A for SAF/FM QA Program Support

This bridge action supports a four-month extension of services to the SAF/FMF Quality Assurance (QA) Program Support commercial services contract, FA7014-21-C-0039. This extension is accomplished via contract modification to Assent Advisory Group, LLC for a 31 March 2024 - 31 July 2024 period of performance. Assent Advisory Group, LLC is currently operating under a six-month option provided for by the contract's FAR Clause 52.217-8, Extension of Services (period of performance 27 September 2023 - 30 March 2024).

During acquisition planning for the follow-on QA Program Support effort, the Government team encountered unexpected delays due to significant organizational turnover and limited resources to address numerous competing priorities, along with requirement approval system functionality issues. Furthermore, the team's assessment of market research conducted originally indicated that a non-competitive approach under FAR 19.1406 would be most prudent for the follow-on contract.

However, upon receiving counsel from the Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) Small Business Office on 4 March 2024, the team discovered a subtle oversight in regulatory analysis that necessitated shifting gears to pursue a competitive award. In order to ensure fairness and promote competition to the maximum extent practicable while meeting mission requirements, the Government acquisition team now intends to competitively award a follow-on contract.

Doing so, however, requires a four-month extension of the current contract to ensure mission continuation while allowing time to solicit, evaluate offer(s) and award the follow-on with adequate contract transition time.