SafeNet Encryptors & Optical Transceivers for the Common Mission Network Transport (CMNT)

Justification & Approval for FAR SUBPART 16.5 Acquisitions Multiple Award Schedule / Multiple Award Contract Orders under MAC/Fair Opportunity, FAR 16.505, DFARS 216.505-70, PGI 216.505-70 BRAND-NAME JUSTIFICATION Upon the basis of the following justification, I, as the Contracting Officer, hereby approve this brand-name justification for the proposed contractual action pursuant to FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B), as the particular brand-name, product, or feature is essential to the Government's requirements, and market research indicates other companies' similar products, or products lacking the particular feature, do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency's needs. 1. REQUIRING AGENCY AND CONTRACTING OFFICE: Requiring Agency: Defense Information Systems Agency Program Executive Office (PEO) Command and Control Capabilities (C2C) Multinational Information Sharing (MNIS) Program Management Office (PMO) P.O. Box 549 Ft. Meade, MD 20755-0549 Contracting Agency: Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Information Technology Contracting Office - National Capital Region P.O. Box 549 Ft. Meade, MD 20755-0549 2. NATURE/DESCRIPTION OF ACTION(S): This justification for other than full and open competition is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) action solicited on NASA SEWP IV contract for the procurement of SafeNetEnterprise SONET Encryptors and SafeNet Optical Transceivers for the Common Mission Net-work Transport (CMNT). All equipment will be installed into the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) and Tier III test bed laboratory. The PEO-C2C MNIS PMO new contract action will use FY2013 Procurement Funds and will be awarded as a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) type contract. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541519. Delivery location: DISA Government Warehouse Facility DISA PEO-C2C (CMNT SafeNet Encryptors) ATTN: Kevin Stobbe 6906 Cooper Avenue, DISA WHS Ft. Meade, MD 20755 - 7086 Period of Performance: 30 Days from Date of Award (DOA) 3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES: The SafeNet Enterprise SONET Encryptors and SafeNet Optical Transceivers will be integrated with previously acquired and installed components from the DISA Approved Products List into the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) and Tier III test bed laboratory. Per DISN requirements, the communication flow on the CMNT network must be encrypted via SafeNet SONET equipment. This device provides CMNT with a dedicated security solution to protect the CMNT networks with FIPS validated 140-2 cryptographic modules and employs a highly secure, federally endorsed AES algorithm, with the flexibility to be integrated into any network. This equipment list is comprised of two line item components described below, and will be integrated into the Defense Information System Network (DISN) Tier Ill test bed. - SafeNet Enterprise SONET Encryptor (2) - SSE OC-192- Bulk encryption SSE Type Ill OCI92 SR-I & IOGBASE-LR/LW, LC, SM, 13IONM, ROI-lS (4) DISN core requirements have dictated that SONET Encryption is the only brand name component valid for communication encryption. 4. SUPPORTING RATIONALE: It is essential that the SafeNet brand components procured for the DISN match to the exact make, model and configuration of the listed equipment for integration and capability with other communication networks components. Without this match, interoperability issues could arise which would seriously impact the availability of the DISN and the Warfighters ability to use the DISN effectively to accomplish operational and mission objectives. The objective is to provide assurance and quality of service to the DISN network operators and customers. The Brand Name SafeNet, Inc. manufactures the device SafeNet Enterprise SONET Encryptor and IRl Transceiver, which are required to match the hardware currently deployed. The Optical and Satellite transport Network are a critical element in the availability and assurance of DISN services. Because DISN customers and network operators rely on the DISN to provide information superiority in combat support functions, long-haul communications capability is critical for providing assurance of DISN services. If another brand item was introduced, additional accreditation testing, based on historical invoice costs and timelines, would result in increased schedule slip of 6-12 months and financial harm to the Government in duplicative testing costs and will not function correctly on the existing network. Using like HW/SW eases the requirement load on MNIS personnel by standardizing HW and SW products, reducing training requirements, and enabling personnel to better matrix staff to support the requirements. In addition, using like HW/SW enables additional savings by consolidating maintenance support contracts. If any new capabilities or non standard products are introduced, the MNIS PMO would then have to fund initial training as well as the costs associated with the appropriate HW/SW certifications for these personnel. Costs for HW/SW certifications can be projected up to $XX,XXX given current market rates, and would introduce additional schedule slip and costs should these be re-accreditated as previously stated. The DISA Ft. Meade certifiers are familiar with this equipment and have made certification recommendations to the DISA Designated Approving Authority (DAA) for similar equipment in MNIS operational systems at the MNIS DECCs/ESCs. The core component encryptor, comprised of SafeNet capabilities, will support the same model of previously procured and installed components in the CMNT architecture and is the only brand that can function within the designated environment. Should another brand be introduced, network failure will occur given the configuration, architecture, and technical settings for this type of equipment providing CMNT network functionality. This capability eliminates the cost of procuring and operating duplicative encryptors and associated software for the CMNT networks. Should inconsistencies with brand names be introduced to this environment, system and performance degradation will result in decreased performance metrics and functionality loss. All of this brand name supporting equipment is crucial for the CMNT acquisition to support worldwide network operations. 5. COST/PRICE FAIR AND REASONABLE DETERMINATION: IAW FAR 15.403-1(b)(1), the contracting officer has determined that prices agreed upon are based on adequate price competition and has made the determination that the prices/costs for this acquisition are fair and reasonable based on market research and a comparison to the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) that was developed for this procurement. Additionally, two or more responsible offerors, competing independently, submitted priced offers that satisfy the Government's expressed requirement. Award is being made to the offeror whose quote represents the best value where price was a substantial factor in the selection of the awardee and there is no finding that the price of the otherwise successful offeror is unreasonable.