FAR 8.405-6 (a)(1)(i)A - An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays.

This requirement is essential in order to continue services within the Information Technology Service Management tool, which consists of ServiceNow commercial software, and implementation support services. The goal of Service Now is to provide a streamlined process to support the agency’s need for agile delivery services, including user-centered design, agile software development, and DevOps. The agency intends to prepare for the future by both purchasing and configuring commercial off-the-shelf products and by building replacements with modern technology. The Service Now support services will encompass all facets of capability support to include but not limited to program and agile project management of the existing SBA Service Now platform, the governance and technical configurations and management of platform sustainment of existing capabilities, technical configurations required to adhere and comply with federal and SBA cyber security requirements. In addition to the governance, compliance, management, and sustainment of existing capabilities, support for new Service Now capabilities are also required. Support for New Service Now capabilities include, but is not limited to, the program management, agile project management, and technical configurations of Service Now. Additionally, the Service Now support will assist with meeting other various agency Service Now requirements, such as, but not limited to, the integration of Service Now capabilities with existing or new SBA Information Systems, automation of business processes and workflows utilizing Service Now capabilities, reporting and dashboarding of information.

iTech AG has been successfully performing work under the current contract and has all the infrastructure, IT systems, processes, quality control measures and trained staff in place to continue performing the requirements. Due to the extreme urgency and not enough time for a transition, other potential contractors would not have been able to perform these services in the time that was required to execute the required services. Even with an expedited procurement process, it would have taken too much time to solicit, evaluate, negotiate, select, and award an agreement to another vendor. After award, the contractor would require start-up time to integrate with the SBA’s systems and processes and would also need to hire and train additional staff. The time needed for award and start-up would adversely affect the SBA’s ability to successfully support the Service Now requirement.