20125311 - USBP UGS Parts and Accessories - SSJ - Redacted for GPE.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

UNDER FAR SUBPART 13.5 PROCEDURES IN ACCORDANCE WITH 41 U.S.C. 1901

(For the acquisition of supplies/services greater than the SAT but not exceeding $7.5 million)

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

Contracting Office: Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Acquisition, Procurement Directorate, Border Enforcement Contracting Division, Pacific Branch.

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

CBP intends to award a contract on a sole source basis to upgrade and maintain fielded sensor hardware. The name and address of the proposed contractor is as follows:

Vortex Systems LLC 3731 Rutledge Road NE Albuquerque NM 87109 US

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The requirement is to replace/upgrade aging sensors that no longer have parts available for purchase while expanding the overall sensor count across the border regions of the United States at a total cost of Over 30 line items will be purchased including a range of sensors, power supplies, cables, batteries, coverings, and replacement parts. Notably, the main costs derived from the Program purchase are from 909 sensors and 2228 cables.

4. Identification of Statutory Authority Permitting Sole Source Acquisition.

The statutory authority permitting this sole source acquisition is 41 U.S.C. 1901 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). The procedures in FAR subpart 13.5 are being used in accordance with FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii).

5. Demonstration That the Nature of the Acquisition Requires Use of the Authority Cited.

The USBP has an extensive sensor infrastructure in place, primarily comprised of Vortex hardware, that supports particular frequencies and data encryption that only supports a limited number of devices. Given the extensive existing deployment of Vortex products, incorporation of other brands or protocols of sensors would not be feasible due to interoperability concerns and manpower limitations. Further, given the existing deployment of Vortex sensors, introducing an alternate product would result in a significant increase to the overall program cost.

The Vortex sensor system requires an assortment of proprietary accessories that program and expand the sensor capability. The sensor accessories are an integral piece of the sensor acquisition process so the USBP is able to have repair parts or accessories that are compatible with existing equipment.

The requested parts are essential in maintaining continuity of deployments for sensor technology. Only Vortex Systems LLC makes parts that are compatible with existing equipment or inventory. The current needs include the following:

All equipment shall seamlessly integrate with the Intelligent Computer Assisted Detection system (ICAD), the Border Patrol’s command and control system of record. Devices shall be

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

UNDER FAR SUBPART 13.5 PROCEDURES IN ACCORDANCE WITH 41 U.S.C. 1901

(For the acquisition of supplies/services greater than the SAT but not exceeding $7.5 million) able to work with ICAD immediately and COTS with no additional system development work and without the use of additional end-user hardware or software requiring significant supplemental cost.

Shall be compatible with interface connection protocols and able to meet related DHS security policies.

All equipment shall seamlessly integrate with existing communications and repeater network so that they may be implemented anywhere in the nation where Border Patrol operations exist.

Shall be 100% compatible with and direct replacement parts and accessories for the current inventory of Vortex and Monitron sensors.

All sensors shall be of appropriate size and weight to allow for easy concealment in the anticipated operational environment, and to allow safe and easy transportation of at least 4 units in an agent’s standard issue medium size ruck styled backpack.

Image capable systems shall have the ability to transmit images using Radio Frequency (RF) on existing CBP owned infrastructure to a computer with CBP network access, or with a cellular network already certified for use with the CBP network.

All equipment shall use commercially available, non-proprietary batteries.

Vortex is the original equipment manufacturer for the current infrastructure and the only vendor that can provide the necessary products and services.

Due to the sensitive nature of sensor technology and frequencies the vendor does not make sensor available for resale. Any acquisition of accessories other than Vortex will require completely new purchase of the actual sensor technology that would come at a significant cost to the government in-turn would require the replacement of all deployed UGS assets in the field.

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

The action will be posted to the Government Point of Entry for review by Industry. All potential providers will be invited to provide a solution that may meet future needs for this requirement.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable.

The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated price will be fair and reasonable based on existing and historical pricing for current standalone solutions.

8. Description of Market Research.

Research was conducted online as well as in discussions with subject matter experts that are familiar with other sources of ground sensor technology. Based upon the research, the conclusion is that Vortex is the most suitable option. They are the original equipment