JUSTIFICATION FOR EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY (JEFO)

This document is a Justification for Exception to Fair Opportunity form submitted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a brand name limited competition procurement.

The procurement is for HID ActivID ActivClient/Axiad Software and Support services under Acquisition Package ACQ-27-0051, managed by the Enterprise Infrastructure Delivery Office (EIDO) with Program Office POC Cynthia Johnson and Contracting Officer Stephan Batt. The requirement is a renewal of ActivClient software and support and Axiad products, continuing from the current firm-fixed-price delivery order (Document Number: 1333BJ24F00282002, Contract Number: NNG15SC82B). The estimated value is redacted. The anticipated type of JEFO is Brand Name With Limited Competition, competitive to vendors who can fulfill the brand name requirements.

The base period runs from November 1, 2026, through October 31, 2027, with four option periods extending through October 31, 2031. Supplies and services include 17,000 units of HID ActivID ActivClient Software; 17,000 units of Premium Renewal for Validation Authority Per User; 4 units of HID ActivID VA Responder Premium Support; 1 Annual subscription for Axiad Cloud Virtual Private Cloud; and 500 units of Workforce CBA subscription per user identity devices (YubiKey, PKI Tokens, virtual smart cards). Unit prices and total estimated costs are redacted. The justification explains that ActivClient is a critical and essential component of USPTO's smartcard authentication infrastructure, serving as middleware for GSA-issued PIV and PIV-I cards, supporting user authentication, secure workstation login, and email encryption across approximately 1,500 employees and 18,000 desktop machines. Market research identified SafeNet Authentication Client (SAC) and Cryptovision SCinterface as comparable alternatives, but neither meets all essential HSPD-12 requirements, including troubleshooting tools and PIV-I standard support. The contracting officer will finalize price reasonableness determination prior to award through the Acquisition Form Documentation (AFD). The document includes certifications from the Technical Representative, Contracting Officer, Office of General Law Counsel, Level Above Review, Competition Advocate, and other required approvers.