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JETS 2.0 Opportunity Summary
The Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Information Operations (J6) has a requirement for the J6 Enterprise Technology Services (JETS 2.0) vehicle. This procurement will replace the active JETS vehicle, which is primarily an internal DLA vehicle. However, there are opportunities for other DoD agencies to utilize the vehicle as well, though such cases are rare. This vehicle is DLA’s primary IT vehicle and is utilized to procure IT services such as application support, software support, network and telecommunications services, technology services, Enterprise Service Delivery (ESD), cybersecurity, IT program management, business system management, cloud services, data services, and more.
Hot Buttons Vendors Should Outline in Their Proposals Relevant to JETS 2.0
Overcoming Varied Obstacles to Meeting Customer Requests
Maximizing Data Utilization
Supporting Cloud Migration Initiatives
Leveraging COTS Software Products
Modernizing Mission-Critical Technologies
* For an in-depth overview and a multitude of direct quoted statements from our discussion with DLA J6 IT Portfolio Manager Melissa Pratt on the above hot buttons, view the full report.
DLA’s perception of the active JETS vehicle
We engaged regarding the perception of the active JETS vehicle with DLA J6 IT Portfolio Manager Melissa Pratt, who explained, “I mean, JETS really is our primary [IT contract] vehicle; if you’re going to use anything other than JETS there’s kind of an exception process. Any IT service that we need, the default is JETS,” and continued, “JETS is the primary vehicle, so there’s lots of critical things that are being supported through that.” We inquired if JETS and the vendors that support DLA through it are viewed positively, and she replied, “The vehicle itself meets several needs, it meets the needs it was intended to meet.” However, Ms. Pratt explained, “Sometimes, the processes around getting to use the vehicle, and the time that it takes, are more of the pain points.” We pressed for further details on this topic, and she replied, “The time from when we start internally identifying a requirement to the time that it’s awarded, based on process, policy, different things that we have to do in terms of market research. All of those different things that have to be done - it’s just a long lead time, so I think that’s more where the frustrations are.” We then inquired if there are potential solutions to this challenge, or if it is to an extent a fundamental feature of the contracting process, and she replied, “I think there’s both, I think there are efficiencies that can be made, but I think some of that is just required to make sure that you do have open and fair competition, and to make sure that the requirements are understood by the individuals that are trying to get the work. I think it’s a little bit of both.” Considering this feedback, we posited that this challenge would be best resolved by internal DLA contracting staff, and any industry support would need to be focused on achieving success with this somewhat static context rather than being able to significantly alter the contracting process, and she replied, “I think so.” The sum of this feedback from Ms. Pratt indicates that while frustrations exist within DLA regarding procurement lead times for JETS opportunities, the vehicle itself and the vendors which support it have met expectations to a satisfactory degree. We also engaged with DLA Associate Director of Small Business Programs Rosita Carosella regarding DLA’s perception of the JETS vehicle, and she explained, “JETS one, at the final award stage, we had no protests,” and continued, “I think we’ve got it pretty much covered so that we have a safe path [for the recompete],” suggesting that the customer is satisfied with the vehicle and that communication between DLA and JETS vendors has been positive, as the fact that JETS was awarded without protest suggests that there is a clear understanding of DLA’s requirements and needs among its industry partners. Ms. Carosella additionally explained regarding JETS, “It gets a very high level of scrutiny and review at the DoD level.” This information further indicates that DLA is likely satisfied with the current JETS vehicle, as it is likely that any major challenges would have been identified and resolved in the review process alluded to by Ms. Carosella. However, we note that while DLA has spent more through JETS than any other IT vehicle since FY2018, with $1.8B in reported spending through JETS during that time frame, DLA has also spent $1.7B through GSA MAS during the same time frame, suggesting that at times the JETS procurement process may be viewed as difficult by various DLA and other contracting offices with IT needs, and there are areas in which the vehicle could improve, such as those described above by Ms. Pratt. Nevertheless, the sum of this feedback indicates that DLA is generally pleased with the active JETS vehicle.
Contract Details Recent Developments
In our efforts to determine the value of this effort, we engaged with DLA Associate Director of Small Business Programs Rosita Carosella, who informed us that overall, JETS 2.0 will “be similar” in scope to the active JETS vehicle. In our research into this effort, we found that DLA stakeholders stated, “The total amount of all orders placed against all IDIQ contracts resulting from this solicitation shall not exceed $6,014,804,859.39,” indicating that the total ceiling value of active JETS vehicle is approximately $6B. However, we note that DLA Contract Specialist Nichole Raffle informed us, “We are in the early stages of planning,” and thus the value of this effort is subject to change.
Continuing our conversation with DLA Contract Specialist Nichole Raffle, we inquired of her if a solicitation release is likely to occur in FY2023, as the government previously communicated, and she answered, "Yeah, that sounds right to me. This is big, so it will take some time to get through the procurement," speaking to the fact that the contracting office will need ample time to conduct the procurement of this large requirement. Given this feedback, it appears likely that an award will be made in FY2024, likely mid-to-late FY2024. JETS 2.0 will be a multiple award IDIQ and SAM.gov will be the platform utilized to procure this effort. Ms. Raffle also shared with us regarding the competition type for this effort, "There will be large and small [businesses awarded] - it will be a mix since there will be so many companies [awarded]." This comment suggests there will be awards made to businesses of all kinds in order for the vehicle to have ample representation of business types for the potential of set-aside use at the task order level once this contract vehicle is awarded.
As we continue to monitor the progression of the JETS 2.0 procurement, we will record all developments within our VoicedIQ™ platform. To learn how to stay up-to-date on this effort and gain a competitive advantage over your competitors, schedule a pressure-free conversation with us.