(b) Justifications for using less than full and open competition may be prepared by the technical office initiating the contract action when it is recommending the use of the justification authority, or by the contracting officer if the technical office does not make such a recommendation.
(c) The contracting officer shall send a copy of each approved justification or D&F that cites the authority of FAR 6.302-7 to NASA Headquarters, Office of Procurement, Program Operations Division, unless one of the exceptions at
FAR 25.401 applies to the acquisition. The transmittal shall indicate that the justification is being furnished under
FAR 6.303-1.
(d) NASA Headquarters, Office of Procurement, Program Operations Division shall be notified of all actions citing the authority of FAR 6.302-2. Notification shall be accomplished in two steps. Step One: The contracting officer
shall notify the Program Operations Division of actions requiring the use of an unusual and compelling urgency justification as soon as the requirement is determined or the need is identified. This written notice shall be emailed to the Program Operations Division analyst and shall provide a short summary of the purpose and need behind the justification and also provide the anticipated award date of the contractual action. The purpose of this notification is to initiate a telephone dialogue between the Center and HQ's Program Operations Division to discuss the need and the anticipated contracting approach. The Center shall be responsible for initiating this telephone dialogue with HQ to ensure receipt of the written notification. This notification shall be accomplished prior to approval of the justification and prior to award of the contractual action unless the urgent nature of the situation does not allow time to submit the notice. Step Two: The contracting officer shall send a copy of each approved justification or D&F that cites the authority of FAR 6.302-2 to NASA Headquarters, Office of Procurement, Program Operations Division within three days of its approval. Transmission of this copy can be by facsimile unless NASA Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is determined necessary. The purpose of the notice is for informational, record and analysis purposes and will provide the Program Operations Division the opportunity to identify any systemic issues associated with the various justifications.
