Limited Competition Justification and Award Notice Outbound Shipments

The purpose of this notice is to comply with posting requirement, FAR Part 5 and Subpart 6.301. Competition was restricted to a limited number of vendors capable of meeting current operational requirements, including the ability to ship via alternative routes. This restriction is necessary due to constraints imposed by ongoing regional instability, which has rendered standard shipping routes unreliable or unavailable. Limiting competition to qualified vendors ensures continuity of outbound shipping services under current conditions. The security situation in the region remains fluid and subject to sudden escalation. Recurring, rapid changes in regional security conditions are affecting carrier availability, shipping routes, transit times, insurance requirements, and overall logistics reliability with little advance notice. Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz and other regional transportation corridors is unreliable and dangerous, with a result of limited bookings available from limited shippers. In accordance with FAR 12.201-1(c)(2)(ii), simplified acquisition procedures, quotations were solicited from three vendors determined capable of meeting the Government s requirements under current operational conditions. Three quotations were received and evaluated based on technical capability, compliance with the required scope of services, demonstrated ability to meet urgent logistical and delivery requirements, relevant past performance, and price reasonableness. The selected contractor was determined to represent the lowest-priced technically acceptable quotation $26,908 and demonstrated the capability to successfully perform the required services within the required timeframe and operational constraints. The contractor also demonstrated a strong record of relevant past performance supporting U.S. Embassy Kuwait requirements, including reliable and quality performance under similar operational conditions. Award to this contractor will support Shipping in maintaining uninterrupted mission operations and accomplishing mission requirements