Upcoming USDA Solicitation – Consolidated Operational Teams and Support Services

United States Department of Agriculture Determination and Findings (D&F) Authority to Consolidate Contract Requirements Solicitation Number: 12314426Q0100 Page 1 of 6 Rev. 4/9/26 This D&F is prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 7.107-2 (a) to support a consolidated acquisition over $2M. FINDINGS 1. Mission Area and Contracting Activity. Requesting Activity Agency: FPAC Contracting Activity: OCP-POD 2. Acquisition Information: Solicitation/Contract/Order Number 12314426Q0100 Period of Performance 07/01/2026-06/30/2031 Estimated Total Amount $44,065,708.98 3. Description of the Requirement: The requirement consolidates the ongoing requirement for AWS cloud operational support services that currently sustain approximately 400 business applications. Historically, the network services were fulfilled using four separate contracts. These contracts contained overlapping and related requirements. Market research determines that the consolidation of these commercially available services would result in significant cost savings, reducing administrative burden, and improved mission support. The proposed consolidation includes the following scope of work: Contractor Contract Number Base Year Value Base Year + 4 Option Periods Business Size Tista Science & Technology (Fig) 12314422F0363 $8,003,038.98 $62,741,538.98 Large AT-Impact LLC (Cypress) 12314422F0720 $7,355,821.05 $52,353,567.94 Large Alpha Omega Integration LLC (Rowan) 12314422F0596 $3,222,720.16 $25,414,090.35 Large Centennial Technologies 12314423F0695 $2,660,496.00 $10,195,509.60 Small, 8a, Hubzone $21,242,076.19 $160,877,095.17 4. Selection of Acquisition Strategy a. Market Research Summary: Market research included a review of multiple federal and USDA acquisition channels, including the GSA Polaris Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), the USDA Sustainment Operations of Applications Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), the USDA STRATUS Pool 2 Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) -- 1 of 6 -- United States Department of Agriculture Determination and Findings (D&F) Authority to Consolidate Contract Requirements Solicitation Number: 12314426Q0100 Page 2 of 6 Rev. 4/9/26 vendors, and the NIH Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC). STRATUS Pool 2 includes a broad base of qualified vendors, with 21 small and 15 other-than-small businesses responding, demonstrating robust competition consistent with USDA cloud procurement policy requirements. USDA Departmental Regulation DR-3650-001 requires mandatory consideration of STRATUS cloud acquisition vehicles. The STRATUS program is further characterized as a preferred and modernized cloud acquisition platform designed to support federal agencies with scalable cloud solutions, per USDA cloud policy and vendor program descriptions. STRATUS’s competitive structure and wide vendor base are documented benefits, including rapid access to cloud capabilities and maximized contractor competition. Compared with other acquisition pathways reviewed, specifically GSA POLARIS, USDA’s Sustainment Operations of Applications BPA, and NITAAC, the STRATUS BOA offers the most targeted alignment with USDA’s cloud governance framework, providing cost optimization, streamlined ordering, and defined compliance with USDA IT policy. STRATUS is consistently identified as the preferred next-in-priority solution when internal BPA options either do not apply or do not provide equivalent technical breadth or capacity. Given the documented vendor diversity within STRATUS Pools, especially Pool 2, which includes dozens of awardees across the small business track as demonstrated in publicly posted award information, this acquisition vehicle ensures ample competitive opportunity for small businesses, aligning with USDA small-business utilization goals. Based on these findings, the contracting officer can be assured that utilizing STRATUS will provide a highly competitive environment with meaningful small business participation and represents the most efficient and policy-aligned acquisition strategy for this requirement. b. Alternative Contracting Approaches: If the projected efficiencies and cost savings are not realized, the USDA could transition to individual contracts to cover the requirement. This alternative may be less advantageous as it results in increased administrative burden, firewall and network security risks, higher costs and reduced efficiency. c. Coordination: The determination has been coordinated with the Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization Office. d. Impact on Small Business: This acquisition will be set aside for small businesses, ensuring continued opportunities for small business participation, mitigating the risk that consolidation could otherwise concentrate work among larger contractors. The USDA has taken significant steps to ensure minimal disruption to small businesses while achieving substantial cost savings through consolidation. This approach balances the need for efficiency with the commitment to supporting small businesses. By leveraging the STRATUS Pool 2 small business track, the USDA creates a competitive environment that encourages innovation and cost-effectiveness among participating vendors. This strategy underscores the importance of a collaborative relationship between the government and small businesses, fostering growth and maintaining high-quality service delivery. -- 2 of 6 -- United States Department of Agriculture Determination and Findings (D&F) Authority to Consolidate Contract Requirements Solicitation Number: 12314426Q0100 Page 3 of 6 Rev. 4/9/26 5. Benefits of Consolidations a. The consolidation was justified in accordance with FAR 7.107-1 and FAR 7.107-2. By consolidating these requirements, the Government anticipates projected efficiencies. Consolidation reduces duplicative efforts, eliminates technical debt, strengthens security, and ensures consistent best‑practice implementation…