J&A for Modification to BlackBerry AtHoc ENS contract

Background
The Office of Acquisition Management is justifying an exception to fair opportunity to issue a modification under Delivery Order (DO) 70CTD019FR0000228 for the BlackBerry Enterprise Notification System (ENS). The modification aims to extend the Period of Performance (PoP) by up to an additional six (6) months of license and support services for BlackBerry AtHoc ENS until the single award Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-wide Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) vehicle is awarded. The justification emphasizes the criticality of the Blackberry AtHoc system in addressing emergency event management and notification requirements within the ICE environment, integrated with multiple other DHS components for collaboration in support of FEMA Federal Continuity Directive 1 (FCD 1). It also highlights the necessity to ensure that licenses and maintenance remain active to fulfill the FEMA FCD 1. The extension is considered a logical follow-on to the existing order already issued under contract, aiming at economy and efficiency while maintaining mission essential services. Additionally, it mentions that ICE is currently in the process of competitively awarding a DHS-wide strategic sourcing vehicle (SSV) for Blackberry AtHoc licenses and services for use across all DHS components, anticipating an award late Fiscal Year 2023.

Work Details
The work details include the initial order awarded to Blue Tech, Inc. on September 20, 2019, using full and open competition through fair opportunity procedures. The order included licenses for Blackberry AtHoc Interactive Warning System (IWS) and support services to configure and install notification capabilities for all employees and contractors. The current modification aims to add three options, extending no more than six (6) months to the period of performance. It emphasizes that Blue Tech is familiar with and uniquely able to provide the required capabilities in implementation of Blackberry AtHoc IWS Alerts emergency alert and notification solutions, application installation on networks, subject matter expert (SME) in software and systems integration, program management experience installation and implementation of IWS Alerts in the DHS environment, and familiarity with the ICE System Lifecycle Methodology (SLM). The extension is deemed as the most advantageous method for continuity of operations considering the time it takes to issue a new award.

Period of Performance
The current order expires on September 25, 2023; however, ICE requires software licenses and maintenance in support of the AtHoc application beyond this date. The modification aims to add no more than six (6) months to the period of performance.

Place of Performance
The place of performance is within the ICE environment integrated with multiple other DHS components for collaboration in support of FEMA Federal Continuity Directive 1 (FCD 1).