Renewal of Time Warner Cable & Internet Services for TRO-S

I. Contracting Activity Tricare Management Activity, Contracting Operations Division-Falls Church (COD-FC) is the contracting organization responsible for this individual justification for other than full and open competition. II. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Approved This approval is being requested for a new firm fixed price contract utilizing O&M. The estimated value, including options is $6,000. The purpose of this acquisition is for a sole source award to purchase commercial Internet and Cable services from Time Warner Cable for the TRICARE Regional Office-South located in San Antonio, TX. III. Description of the Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency's Needs This requirement is to purchase Internet and Cable services for the TRICARE Regional Office-South Office located in San Antonio, TX. The period of performance for this requirement will be for 12 months from the date of award. The contract requirement is for commercial internet and cable service. IV. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304 (1) as implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) Circumstances of the Contract Action Deem Only One Responsible Source Available. V. Demonstration that the Contractor's Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (Applicability of Authority) In 2005 the state of Time Warner Cable negotiated a seven year cable franchise agreement with the state of Texas to provide service to provide service statewide. Although Time Warner Cable's franchise agreement expired in September 2012 competition is severely limited because a substantial capital investment is required to construct a modern cable system and the franchise fee for new cable/internet service providers is significantly more expensive. Time Warner being a legacy company with cheaper fees for renewing their franchise agreements and an existing modern cable system throughout Texas are significant advantages that has severely limited competition making them the only responsible source despite competition being able to now obtain a franchise agreement. It is appropriate for the government to execute a limited sources contract for the listed services. This service is vital for the daily operations of TRICARE Regional Office-South. The ability of having this service provides a tool to keep a consistent message through the organization and to keep current the interagency communications between TRICARE Management Activity and TRICARE Regional Office-South. Time Warner Cable provides a reliable cable services to include cable, internet and VTC and provides alternatives for savings. Time Warner Cable has been providing outstanding service for the past several years to the TRICARE Regional Office-South and is the only ISP that can provide Internet and Cable service to meet TRICARE Regional Office-South mission needs. VI. Description of Efforts Made to Ensure that Offers are Solicited From as Many Potential Sources as Deemed Practicable Other commercial internet service provider (ISP) was sought, but Time Warner Cable is the only ISP that can provide the cable and internet service required by the TRICARE Regional Office-South. VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable The price will be fair and reasonable based on historical comparison of catalog prices for Time Warner Cable cable/internet services.