MerakiBNJ.pdf

TABE Testing Lab Equipment Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

(1) Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The Office of Job Corps needs to acquire network equipment and equipment required to support testing centers at Job Corps Centers.

(2) A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs (including the estimated value including all options).

The equipment in the table below is required to meet the agency’s needs.

Item Type Model Quantity 1 Switch Meraki MS250-24P-HW [Brand Name] 172 2 License Meraki LIC-MS250-24P-5YR [Brand Name] 172 3 Cables Meraki MA-CBL-40G-50CM [Brand Name] 86 4 Optics Meraki MA-SFP-1GB-SX [Brand Name] 172

5 Headset Logitech H111 STEREO HEADSET 3.5mm jack [Brand Name or Equal] 2,455

6 Surge Protectors

Belkin 7-Outlet Commercial Power Strip Surge Protector with 7-Foot Power Cord, 750 Joules [Brand Name or Equal]

1,227

(3) An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

Section 303(c)(1) of the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA), Pub. L. 98-369, as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1 at allows the executive agency to use procedures other than competitive procedures when the property or services needed by the agency are available from only one responsible source and no other type of property or services will satisfy the needs of the executive agency (41 U.S.C. Section 253(c)(1)).

(4) A demonstration that the proposed contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

Job Corps has custom-made its wireless network by utilizing Meraki switches and wireless access points to manage its cloud based operations, enabling Job Corps to instantaneously make changes to its network, affecting to thousands of Job Corps devices network wide. Further, the Meraki cloud based management platform enables Job Corps to update device firmware in a timely manner in the event a vulnerability is discovered. Introducing a different manufacturer would negate the value inherent in Meraki’s cloud based management platform, making the Job Corps network operations less efficient and require more labor to manage.

The Meraki products are available from multiple resellers.

(5) A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.

Cisco Meraki products are proprietary. Cisco Meraki is the developer and manufacturer of these products and holds the rights and the patents.

Job Corps market research has identified that HUBZone vendors are available to compete on this action.

(6) A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The cost of this equipment will be deemed to be reasonable based on a HUBZone open market competition.

(7) A description of the market research conducted (see Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Cisco Meraki products are proprietary. Cisco Merkai is the developer and manufacturer of these products and holds the rights and the patents. Market research was done by requesting quotes from HUBZone vendors.

(8) Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as:

(i) Explanation of why technical data packages, specifications, engineering descriptions, statements of work, or purchase descriptions suitable for full and open competition have not been developed or are not available.

Technical data packages were not developed as this action is for commercially available hardware.

(ii) When 6.302-1 is cited for follow-on acquisitions as described in 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii), an estimate of the cost to the Government that would be duplicated and how the estimate was derived.

N/A – not a follow on.

(iii) When 6.302-2 is cited, data, estimated cost, or other rationale as to the extent and nature of the harm to the Government.

N/A – not citing 6.302-2

(9) A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

N2Grate Technology GovProIT

(10) A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

OJC continually reviews other alternatives in the event the current requirement no longer meets our needs. The Job Corps has standardized on Cisco equipment and a replacement or re-investment in other network vendors is cost prohibitive at this time.

Approval

Supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel (e.g., verifying the Government's minimum needs or schedule requirements or other rationale for other than full and open competition) and which form a basis for this justification is certified as complete and accurate by the technical or requirements personnel.

Technical or Requirements Personnel Date

Contracting Officers - Certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer's knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Date