26Q0008 BNLS_Redacted.pdf

This is a memorandum justifying the use of other than full and open competition for a simplified acquisition threshold procurement from Cox Communications Hampton Roads L.L.C. for telecommunications services. The required delivery period is March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027, with the stated purpose to sustain current mission-essential telecommunications services.

The acquisition is justified based on restrictive rights held by Cox Communications over the existing proprietary telecommunications infrastructure in place. Current lines are applied to existing structure that is proprietary to Cox Communications, and external carriers do not possess rights to connect to this structure. Cox Communications owns the current infrastructure and will not authorize usage by other carriers. The justification document indicates that the current infrastructure has been in place for many years and provides capability to sustain current telecommunications support with no downtime. Research has found that the cost to replace the infrastructure alone would create a significant financial burden beyond the costs to maintain current connectivity, resulting in downtime for mission-essential functions. The government's best interests are therefore to maintain sustainment for current services due to change in infrastructure costs alone outweighing the benefit to maintaining services on what is currently in place. The anticipated dollar value of the procurement is redacted in the document. Signature blocks and certifications are provided for technical and requirement certification but remain unsigned.