47QFMA21K0003_LSJ_UNO_PLANNER for posting_Redacted.pdf

ASSIST Acquisition ID: 47QFMA21K0003 GSA, FAS Mid-Atlantic Region

Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity Product Manager Tactical Cyber and Network Operations (PdM TCNO)

Unified Network Operations (UNO) Planner

Note: This document is prepared in accordance with the requirements of FAR 16.505(b)(2)(ii)(B).

1. Identification of Requiring Activity and Contracting Activity:

The requiring activity is the United States Army, Program Executive Office Command Control Communication-Tactical (PEO C3T)/Project Manager Tactical Cyber and Network Operations (PdM TCNO) located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The contracting activity is the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), Mid-Atlantic Region - Philadelphia, PA.

2. Nature and/or Description of Action Being Approved:

The action being approved is a task order to develop software for Project Lead Interoperability, Integration and Services (PL I2S), Product Manager Tactical Cyber and Network Operations (PdM TCNO).

The anticipated period of performance is Jan 2, 2021 to Jan 1, 2022.

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required To Meet the Agency's Needs:

The Army has deployed various upper and lower tier internet components to provide Command and Control (C2), Situational Awareness (SA) and voice services for mission needs at echelons Brigade and below. Currently, the Army is modernizing the tactical networking capabilities to address concerns about the complex processes required to plan, manage, train, and maintain those networks. To meet these capability gaps, PdM Tactical Cyber and Network Operations (TCNO) sought to establish to the maximum extent possible an automated data processing system to improve the Army’s Network Operations (NetOps) capabilities at the tactical edge.

The Army’s upper tier integrated NetOps planner application, Katana 1.0, focuses on designing, coordinating resources, and generating configurations for upper tactical internet WAN systems, for both terrestrial and the SATCOM system. Collectively, these systems enable soldiers to seamlessly plan, complete, modify, and distribute their tactical level system and radio plans and configuration files.

The requirements for this action, the UNO Planner, are necessary to expand the Katana scope to enhance the current Katana v1.0 application by including additional planning capability and improved integration with external systems. Additionally, UNO Planner absorbs the requirements of Atom v1.2 for the Lower Tactical Internet (LTI) planning application, in producing a truly integrated planning product for the whole Integrated Tactical Network (ITN).

The anticipated value of services for this requirement is estimated to be $9,918,885.36.

4. Identification of Exception to Fair Opportunity and the Supporting Rationale:

The authority for this action is FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) – Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized.

Perspecta Labs is the current Katana v1.0 developer. As the sole developer of the Katana v1.0 application, Perspecta Labs has developed the upper tier integrated NetOps planner (Katana) as part of an effort by PdM TCNO to develop applications that integrate various Government off-the-shelf (GOTS) and Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) NetOps solutions under one common user interface.

Perspecta Labs has provided acceptable support for the development of Katana v1.0 application since August 2018. Continuing to use Perspecta provides a seamless integration by expanding and enhancing on the scope that is already provided to TCNO. Retaining this contractor is necessary to fulfill the Government’s requirements for the development of a truly integrated and unified planning product for the whole Integrated Tactical Network (ITN).

A deviation from this baseline support would hinder PdM TCNO’s critical mission, as the Army would need to procure or develop a new tool that would allow soldiers the same upper tier NetOps capabilities that Katana v1.0 currently provides. This would impede TCNO’s mission because there would be negative consequences associated with replacing Katana v1.0 with a new system that can provide the same capabilities. Given that TCNO’s Network Operations is largely integrated, a time delay for a new upper tier NetOps planner could jeopardize communications across the tactical network. Development of a new tool would introduce sunk costs, as the government has already invested in the Katana application that was developed by Perspecta, Perspecta Labs has established a significant and sufficient development team that could be easily extended to support additional planning capabilities for the upper tier integrated NetOps planner (Katana), as well as absorbing the requirements of lower tier tactical radio planner (Atom) for workflows and visualizations simplification. Perspecta developers bring critical background knowledge of the system’s complex applications and their intricacies.

There is significant amount of expertise required to gain an understanding of the previous developed Katana phase. Perspecta will leverage this expertise to enable the continued development of an intuitive, user-friendly, common user interface and with an open, event-driven architecture to easily extend the integration with 3rd party GOTS/COTS software that will help TCNO in improving its NetOps capabilities.

Continuing development of the UNO Planner, Katana v1.1 application is necessary to enhance the exchange of information within NetOps so that the Army can close the capabilities gap to improve Command and Control (C2), Situation Awareness (SA) and voice services for mission needs at the tactical edge. Newly enhanced and simplified NetOps/Cyber tools, including UNO Planner, increase visibility across the network and its systems and increase the automation of tools and reporting. Perspecta’s development on the Katana v1.0 application and extension to UNO Planner requirements will make it easier for communications officers to manage the Army’s extensive tactical network. This will provide life-saving information on-the-move, anywhere in the world, within timeframes necessary to complete the mission.

The information detailed above serves as justification to limit the sources for this requirement to Perspecta. Given that Perspecta is the current Katana v1.0 developer and sole developer of the Katana effort, Perspecta serves as the only source capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique and highly specialized.

5. Fair and Reasonable Determination:

The assigned GSA PM will complete a technical evaluation on the contractor’s technical submission to ensure that the quoted labor mix and number of hours are acceptable and commensurate with this requirement and that the contractor has adequately responded to all technical requirements. The assigned GSA Contracting Officer will complete the price evaluation by conducting a price analysis ensuring that there are no math errors or pricing caveats and that quoted labor rates do not exceed the contractor’s current GSA Schedule contract rates.

6. Other Facts Supporting the Justification:

Market Research was conducted in accordance with FAR 10. A review of the technical scope of Perspecta’s GSA OASIS contract showed that the contractor offers the required services under its Pool 1 contract (GS00Q14OADU128).

7. Actions the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome Any Barriers that Led to the Restricted Consideration prior to Subsequent Acquisition For the Supplies or Services:

If future expenditures and allowances are granted for continued support during the period of performance of this task order, all efforts will be made by the Government to seek alternate sources of service for the support. However, it is important to note that many variables will play into this alternative source potential, such as changes in Government priorities within the current operations, and shifting needs.

CERTIFICATION:

As evidenced by signatures below, the technical and contracting personnel have certified that any supporting data contained herein is both accurate and complete.

Technical Representative Certification:

I certify that the foregoing justification is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

GSA/FAS, Mid-Atlantic Region

Contracting Officer's Certification:

I certify that the foregoing justification is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Katie Hughes, Contracting Officer