1sole_source_justification_redacted.pdf

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

Security Marking (select from the drop-down list)

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NOTE: If a Justification was approved for the preceding acquisition, a copy of the approved Justification for the predecessor action must be included in the staff package for approval of the instant Justification. This applies to Justification staff packages that are submitted for review and approval at a level above the contracting officer. The predecessor Justification will be used as a reference document by the approving official.

Is this a new or amended J&A Document? New Amended ( Prior to Award Only! )

Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan? Yes No

Funding level for this acquisition: >SAT and < $750K > $750K and < $15M

Contracting Activity: SSC/PKO

Purchase Request / Local ID Number: TBD

Program / Project (and PE, if applicable): SSC/AC FME

Program Type (PEO or Other Contracting): PEO

Authority: AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 3572, Implementation of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (41 U.S.C. 1901)

AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 3403, Special Emergency Procurement Authority (41 U.S.C. 1903)

Estimated Contract Cost (including options): $$651,800.00 Justification Type: Class Individual

COORDINATION ( AFFARS 5306.304(a))

APPROVAL (AFFARS 5306.304(a) )

Date Contracting Officer

Signature

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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I. Contracting Activity.

SSC/PKO

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.

The United States Air Force seeks to award a contract to Idea Entity for the deployment, configuration, and ongoing support of the RhyBus software platform. This contract will enable the Air Force to automate critical processes while adhering to the highest levels of security and efficiency. RhyBus will be deployed on the Office 365 environment without triggering an ATO process, thus expediting deployment. Additionally, RhyBus is capable of handling Personally Identifiable Information (PII) on the AFNET, providing secure, compliant solutions that meet Air Force requirements.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

The requirement is for the RhyBus software to be deployed, configured, and maintained on the AFNET for the Air Force's various automation needs. The contract includes the licensing, configuration, and ongoing support for RhyBus, which will streamline Air Force operations such as personnel management, process automation, and task management. Additionally, Idea Entity will provide cleared personnel capable of handling classified information, ensuring that all activities related to the contract are conducted securely. The software’s ability to operate in the Office 365 environment without an ATO process will significantly accelerate deployment.

IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The statutory authority for this sole-source justification is FAR 6.302-1, "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements." This authority permits the Air Force to award a contract to Idea Entity due to its unique ability to meet the technical and security requirements necessary for the RhyBus deployment.

V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority).

Idea Entity is the only vendor with the expertise, facilities clearance, and proven capability to deploy, configure, and maintain the RhyBus platform within the Office 365 environment without triggering the ATO process, which is critical to the timeline of this project. Their ability to handle PII on the AFNET further sets them apart from potential competitors. No other vendor is capable of delivering the required combination of software, configuration expertise, and ongoing support while adhering to the stringent security requirements needed by the Air Force.

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

Market research and preliminary inquiries identified Idea Entity as the only vendor capable of providing this solution with the required qualifications. Given the unique nature of the RhyBus platform and its integration with the Office 365 environment, the Air Force found no other vendors with the capability to deliver the same services without requiring an ATO process. Further efforts to identify other capable vendors were conducted, but none demonstrated the required security clearances or expertise in deploying RhyBus on the AFNET with the capability to handle PII.

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer has reviewed the pricing proposal submitted by Idea Entity and has determined that the costs are fair and reasonable. The pricing was evaluated against similar services and products in the industry, and the streamlined deployment of RhyBus without an ATO process contributes to significant savings in time and administrative costs. The unique combination of software, expertise, and security measures provided by Idea Entity justifies the proposed cost as competitive and reasonable.

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

Comprehensive market research was conducted to identify vendors with the capability to deploy RhyBus on the Office 365 environment without triggering an ATO process and the ability to handle PII on the AFNET. Idea Entity remains the only vendor capable of fulfilling all necessary requirements.

IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

The unique ability of RhyBus to be deployed on the Office 365 environment without triggering an ATO process is a critical factor in supporting the sole-source justification. This capability significantly reduces both deployment time and security risks. Furthermore, Idea Entity's ability to handle PII on the AFNET and provide cleared personnel strengthens the rationale for a sole-source award. These capabilities are not currently available from any other vendor.

X. List of any sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

No other vendors have expressed interest in providing this solution. Idea Entity is the only vendor identified through market research that has the capacity to meet all requirements for this acquisition, including security, automation, and deployment without the need for an ATO process.

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

To increase competition in future acquisitions, the Air Force will continue to conduct ongoing market research and issue Requests for Information (RFIs) to identify other potential sources. Efforts will be made to encourage competition by sharing technical requirements with other vendors to enable them to develop similar capabilities. Additionally, future acquisitions may include industry day events or solicitations to further gauge vendor capability.

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.