2_JA 2122063 Cloudlink Connections Zayo Fiber Optics.pdf

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition at or Below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Project Title: AWS Direct Connect into the RDCF – Zayo - DCOT

I. Identification of the agency and contracting activity

NIAID/OD/OSMO/OCICB/OEB

Address of the requesting lab/office: Rockville, MD

II. Description of the project, and supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs

A. Period of performance, inclusive of options: 1 YEAR FROM PURCHASE DATE B. Project Background

10G AWS Cloudlink Connections from 5601 Fishers Ln C. Description of Supplies/services to be purchased

Network service III. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition

X 41 USC 1901(a)(1) a n d F A R P a r t 13.106-1(b) : Only one responsible source

IV. Demonstration that the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

A. Name and address of the proposed contractor(s):

Zayo - Herndon, VA

B. Describe why only the requested supply/service will meet the government’s needs

NIAID’s Data and Cyber Operations Team (DCOT) require a direct connect interface from Amazon Web Services (AWS) into the 5601 Fisher Lane Data center (RDCF). This interface will permit the transfer of backup data from the numerous storage and compute devices within the RDCF into the Amazon cloud. Failure to acquire this interface will result in the inability for DCOT to use the Amazon cloud and force NIAID to expand its ageing tape backup infrastructure. This direct connect interface needs to be provisioned within the RDCF as the source data exist primarily in this facility, and there is insufficient network bandwidth to support transferring the expected amount of data through any other facility.

C. Describe why only the proposed contractor is capable of providing the requested supply/service

Zayo Group is a public utility company licensed to provide services in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. Zayo Group owns and leases its fiber optic cable in pair segments to other utilities, wireless communication companies, large Government agencies and commercial customers. These are private line connections offering full fiber bandwidth and full security as no connection is shared or routed through a central communications office. Zayo Group has provided a fiber route connection between the NIAID locations listed in the SOW. The fiber pair will be exclusively utilized and operated by NIAID. Zayo Group is uniquely positioned to provide these infrastructure services due to the availability of their existing fiber network within the local area, which accelerates the delivery timeline by eliminating construction. Utilizing any other telecommunications service provider to provide the service of the existing fiber routes is not possible as part of the physical fiber is owned by Zayo and no one but Zayo can access the fiber infrastructure at this time. There is no alternate infrastructure to provide this service. Based upon the above findings there is reasonable basis to conclude, at this time, that minimum need can only be satisfied by Zayo.