Justification for Exception to Fair Opportunity - NCATS Communications and Public Liaison Support Services

The purpose of this sole source modification is to extend the final period of performance for Task Order HHSN263201800058I/ 75N95024F00001 through January 23, 2026 at no additional cost to the Government. Task Order HHSN263201800058I/ 75N95024F00001 was originally awarded under the Public Information & Communication Services Contract (PICS II) however, due to a continued need for the services performed under this contract, the availability of remaining funds, and to prevent a lapse in critical services provided to NCATS due to a protracted government shutdown, it is necessary to complete a sole source modification to extend the period of performance to avoid the interruption of mission critical communication support services and resources necessary to develop and implement creative, scientifically accurate, fresh and cost-effective outreach strategies that support NCATS’ mission. These services are a logical follow-on to the predecessor PICS II task order HHSN263201800058I/75N95024F00001, for communications and support services and resources. The PICS II contract is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Logistics and Acquisition Operations to enable federal health agencies to procure a comprehensive range of public information, communications, marketing, and strategic outreach services. The contract vehicle supports agencies in developing and implementing communications strategies, creating public health educational materials, conducting research dissemination, managing conferences and events, producing multimedia content, and executing targeted public awareness campaigns. Its broad scope allows agencies to efficiently acquire professional communication services that may not exist internally, with a focus on supporting public health, medical research, and government health initiatives. Task Order HHSN263201800058I/75N95024F00001 was awarded to Scientific Consulting Group INC on September 23, 2024, to provide communication’s support services and resources necessary to develop and implement creative, scientifically accurate, fresh and cost-effective outreach strategies that support NCATS’ mission. The original Task Order included a 6-month Base Period which was funded using FY24 funds, and a 6-month option period funded with FY25 funds. Under the PICSII contract the limitation of task orders to 12 months after the issuance of the task order. This task order was issued on March 24, 2025. This modification shall allow the Task Order to continue its work while not exceed the 12 month limitation set-forth in the Task Order. This was determined to be allowable by the PICS contracting team despite the expiration of the Parent Contract on December 15, 2025. NCATS still has a critical need for these services, and the extension of the current task order will allow these critical services to continue from December 15, 2025, through January 23, 2026, at which time a new task order under PICS III is planned to be awarded. Option Period 1 was funded using FY25 annual appropriations for severable services. These funds have a period of availability of up to 12 -months from the date of obligation on March 24, 2025. NCATS and NIH have conducted an analysis of the remaining unexpended funds available under the current period of performance and have determined that the funds are adequate and available to accommodate this change and cover the performance costs through January 23, 2026.