04.04_SSJ_-_Final_version_Redacted_-_signed.pdf

OFFICE OF ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT

Sole Source Justification (SSJ)

Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT)

FAR Subpart 13.5, including Brand Name

J&A-19-0164

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Pursuant to the requirements under the authority of simplified procedures for commercial items at 41 U.S.C. 1901 as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 13.501 and consistent with the content requirements of FAR 6.303-2.

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Acquisition Management (OAQ), proposes to enter into a contract on behalf of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Cyber Crimes Center, on a basis of other than full and open competition.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

(a) Type of action: Firm-Fixed-Priced (FFP) Purchase Order

(b) Amount the current J&A is justifying: $498,495.00

(c) Brief Description: OAQ intends to procure, on a sole source basis, This action is being taken pursuant to the authority of FAR 13.501. The vendor listed below is the only company that can provide the required training services for HSI cyber investigations.

3. Description of Supplies/Services. Describe the supplies or services to be acquired.

Provide the estimated total value (including options, if any).

This requirement is to provide the ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Cyber Crimes Center, Cyber Crimes Unit a customized dataset hardware license which offers coursework and practical exercise development for

Coursework, contained within the enterprise hardware license, is structured to first introduce investigators to the technologies utilized by , all through hands-on and

Once introduced to the foundational technologies listed above, trainees are then led through tasks, labs and scenario-based exercises specific to the methodologies used by http://uscode.house.gov/

Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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The , which enables traditional criminal investigators and analysts to operate within the .

More specifically and in concert with has designed modular training coursework which utilizes technologies such as virtual machines as well as network protocols, such as to create controlled scenarios which exemplify what investigators may encounter in the field. Encompassed within an enterprise hardware license, these scenarios, the corresponding labs, practical exercises and evaluation material, will allow trainees to hone investigation techniques in all categories of

Each training component of the hardware license is modular and can be pieced-out for more specific or narrow training needs. Total length of the cumulative coursework will be approximately four (4) weeks. These four weeks will be paired with an initial two (2) weeks of legal instruction and A+ certification preparation and testing, for those personnel who have not yet achieved said certification.

Following these applied learning exercises, trainees will be shown the available to investigators for identifying criminal actors and dismantling their criminal enterprises.

Trainees are then taught how to acquire the to secure and preserve evidentiary data. This includes advanced topics such as content management and case reporting techniques.

Period Time Price Total Base 12 mos. $498,495.00 $498,495.00

4. Identification of the authority.

This acquisition falls under 13.5, Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items.

Acquisitions conducted under simplified acquisition procedures are exempt from the requirements in Part 6. However, this sole source justification is prepared using the format 6.303-2, modified to reflect an acquisition under the authority of the Services Acquisition Reform Act of 2003 (41 U.S.C. § 1901) as implemented in FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i); 13.501(a).

The rationale for limiting competition is: Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will satisfy agency requirements.

Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

ICE/OAQ intends to procure a specific owns a prioprietary virtual training environment that they have developed to teach investigators how to . This virtual environment is not available from any other training platform. It is a

While other sources were sought, no other digital forensic training will suffice. This dataset is designed and specifically aligned with the investigative training needs of HSI and covers theory, practical exercises, and real-life digital forensic incident examples.

The procurement of this specific dataset license will allow the ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Cyber Crimes Center, to meet critical investigative training requirements customized specifically for the Faiulire to provide this requirement will negatively impact mission critical training in support of the HSI cyber mission.

6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

Extensive market research was conducted. The mandatory strategic sourcing contracts were searched and no sources were located that can provide this comprehensive, complex continuous eduction training. GSA e-library contracts were searched to determine if a vendor was capable and it was determined otherwise. A robust interenet search identified other vendors who offered digital forensic training, however those vendor’s training did not provide a virtual training environment.

7. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

Based on the market research conductedand pricing data received from , the CO will use pricing analysis techniques as provided under FAR part 15.404-1(b). The CO plans to request commercial pricing data for similar products and services provided to the industry and from historical prices paid by the government and law enforcement customers as a means to determine a fair and reasonable price.

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8. Description of market research.

C3 conducted considerable searches through GSA Advantage and First Source II for similar dataset requirements, however no other provider met the specific demands for the customized modular training needs. At the current time, is the only provider of this product with the capabilities required for the does not have any resellers for their product.

9. Any other facts supporting the justification.

None.

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

No other sources have provided, in writing, any interest in this acquisition.

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

HSI/C3 will continue to monitor sources and meet with other Government agencies to determine if new items/services or vendors are available that meet the technical requirements and mission.

12. DHS intends to post the requirement pursuant to FAR 13.501(a)(1)(iii) and 6.305(a).

13. Technical/Requirements Personnel Certification.

I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

Technical Representative/COR Date

14. Contracting Officer’s Certification.

I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Date