70B04C22P00000641 - JA - Bunker Pouches.pdf

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Justification and Approval For Other Than Full and Open Competition

For contracts or orders above the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT)

August 1, 2022 PR #2013-1127

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States (U.S.) Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Information and Technology Contracting Division (ITCD), on behalf of the CBP Office of Information and Technology (OIT), proposes to use a brand-name specification for an open market solicitation.

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

Pursuant to FAR 6.302-1(c), this justification supports a sole source acquisition of solar-powered, portable powerbank pouches. The intended source is Bunker Supply Company, LLC in Goleta, California.

The total estimated value of this action is $776,442.15.

Delivery of all equipment shall be within 45 days from Date of Award.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The customized Survivor Kits are one of the components that has been tested and piloted in U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) sector locations across the United States as part of the Agent Visualization Platform (AVP); CBP conducted an officer safety pilot program to meet the CBP Commissioner’s requirement for a “Blue Force Tracking” solution to maximize agent’s situational awareness. USBP has a significant need to continue the deployment of the “Blue Force Tracking” solution beyond the limited pilot quantities in order to meet safety and technological requirements. This is in direct support of DHS and CBP in its mission critical initiatives to protect the borders of the United States and providing for officer safety.

The previously purchased Survivor Kits V2 (SKV2) consisted of a customized solar battery back and cable. Since USBP agents work in a unique field environment, specific customization requirements were required of the items that consist of the Survivor Kit to be compatible with the USBP uniform and withstand the physical constraints and environment in which the USBP agents daily work. Being that the previously purchased Survivor Kit powerbanks were customized by Bunker to be compatible with the USBP uniform and withstand the physical constraints and environment in which the USBP agents daily work, it is now necessary to procure Bunker customized pouches that will simultaneously store a smartphone and previously purchased Bunker TAK 20Ah Solar Battery Pack (PWR-TAK-A- BAT-001) for security and in-situ charging and are also compatible with Samsung S20FE + Juggernaut Case (SKU Series: JG.IMPCT.GLXY.S20FE). The Bunker brand items were modified to meet USBP’s requirements.

4. Identification of Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open

Competition.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C.

3304(a)(1) pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 entitled, “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.”

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

The AVP utilizes the Team Awareness KIT (TAK), which is a situational awareness (SA) mobility application. The mobile app is downloaded on USBP agents and officers’ mobile devices for daily use in the course of CBP missions. The TAK application paired with the Survivor Kit V2 (SKV2) allows for prolonged use of the application without the smartphone battery being drained. The SKV2 allow USBP agents to charge them in remote, field locations where they do not have access to traditional charging options. When applicable, the SKV2 has the ability to charge inductively and be hardwired simultaneously while performing enforcemement duties. This capability enables the officers to continue to report on their current situation and send communications without the risk that their mobile device, which is their main source of communication, has no power. The pouches sought in this procurement for the previously purchased SKV2s serve as a case and will allow USBP agents to simultaneously store a smartphone and Bunker TAK 20Ah Solar Battery Pack (PWR- TAK-A-BAT-001) for security and in-situ charging. The SKV2 protects both the battery pack and mobile device while charging in rugged terrain and provides the user with minimal restrictions in movement while sustaining optimal battery levels. The SKV2 allows the user to charge their device while maintaining a hands free posture and is constantly reporting situational data.

It is imperative that CBP procure the pouches that meets the customized requirements of compatibility with the Samsung S20 FE and fitting the Bunker Supply Power bank while allowing for the combined storage and inductive charging capability with specifics listed below. Bunker Supply’s SKV2 pouch is the only product available in the marketplace that satisfies every USBP-specified requirement below:

• Simultaneously store a smartphone and Bunker TAK 20Ah Solar Battery Pack (PWR- TAK-A-BAT-001) for security and in-situ charging.

• Compatible smartphone + case dimensions are 6.598-7.000 inches (167.6 - 177.8mm) long X 3.401-3.799 inches (86.4 - 96.5mm) wide X 0.611 - 0.689 inches (15.5 - 17.5

mm) thick.

• Maximum smartphone case thickness at rear panel for wireless charging compatibility of 0.165 inches (4.2mm).

• Compatible with Samsung S20FE + Juggernaut Case (SKU Series:

JG.IMPCT.GLXY.S20FE) or future USBP Android devices, that fit within the dimensions noted above.

• Built-in retention for secure device storage.

• Allows for in-situ wireless smartphone charging.

• Durable thermoplastic urethane (TPU) battery cage.

• Adaptable sizing system for user-adjustable fit.

• MOLLE-compatible for vest and bag mounting.

Because this procurement will provide pouches (i.e., protective cases) for the previously purchased SKV2 powerbanks that were deployed to several USBP sector locations, continuity in the program is critical. Changing the components or switching to a different product brand will negatively impact progress to date and CBP’s mission to protect our country’s borders and provide for officer safety since the Bunker brand items were modified to meet USBP’s requirements.

Introducing or deploying a different brand product(s) would pose the following risks to agents performing their duties:

• Jeopardizes officer safety.

Securing control of the battery pack and phone, while maintaining a continuous charge, is essential for situational awareness and agents’ safety. Other products lack the ability for an agent to charge their phone on the move while also remaining accessible during performance of duties. Other products evaluated during the initial pilot either did not have a mechanism in place to secure the battery pack or provided only a single point anchor;

• Disruptions to performance and mission.

Other charging systems require placing the smartphone on top of the battery pack, in a non-moving state, in order to maintain charging – whereas simply storing the mobile device inside the secure SKV2 case will maintain charging due to its solar-powered capability. Maintaining charging capability by the least disruptive method is critical in field conditions as agents are constantly on-the-move and using battery-draining TAK applications on their mobile devices to maintain situational awareness.

The Survivor Kit enables sustained operations, allowing agents to continue performing their duties while maintaining optimal battery levels on their mobile device and SKV2 by using the SKV2’s solar-powered charging capability. Other charging systems require downtime to charge mobile devices inductively as they do not provide a mechanism to continue inductive charging while patrolling (i.e., Horse Patrol, ATV Unit, Boat Patrol, Foot Patrol) under unsteady conditions.

• Unacceptable delays.

The time required to re-do the engineering modifications of other brand(s) products and would compromise current officer safety and the CBP mission. In order for the battery pack to be utilized in the capacity for which it was intended, the procurement of the Bunker Supply molle pouch product is crucial to the continued operational needs of TAK users in the field. Currently, TAK users in the field do not have a carrying case for the battery pack and the S20Fe issued phone, and must keep the phone attached to the duty belt mount, and the battery in a separate location. This poses a risk to TAK users as they may have limited space on their person to carry the battery. Without the Battery, TAK Users may lose the ability to utilize the phone as TAK is battery intensive and loses charge quickly. Procuring the Bunker brand customized Survivor Kits pouches would ensure the pilot is successful, on schedule, with low risk to officer safety, and avoids unacceptable delays in deploying the final components of the “Blue Force Tracking” solution.

The Bunker product has been field-tested and proven to provide a safe and effective means of charging. Additionally, the way the SKV2 battery pack is carried and firmly secured has been widely approved in the field as determined in the initial pilot. Again, there are no other vendors with a similar commercial off-the-shelf product capable of modifying and meeting USBP’s specific requirements.

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

The solicitation will be sole sourced. Bunker does not have any authorized resellers that CBP could solicit. An analysis of available vendors indicates that only one manufacturer, Bunker Supply Co., is able to meet USBP’s technical requirements to provide the solar powered portable powerbank pouches. Having all of CBP’s required capabilities in one device and package is proprietary to Bunker and makes their product truly unique. While similar solar powered portable powerbank pouches can be procured via the First Source II (FSII) contract vehicle, market research results indicate that only Bunker Supply Co. can satisfy the technical specifications required by CBP.

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 prices will be fair and reasonable based on commercial pricing for similar cases. Furthermore, the final price will be analyzed against the Government’s Independent Cost Estimate.

8. Description of Market Research.

USBP initiated a pilot program to establish a “Blue Force Tracking” solution, which is a CBP Commissioner initiative to address officer safety and improve mission critical operations across the United States. A smaller quantity of the customized Survivor kits had been previously purchased for the initial phase of the pilot. The pilot program encompassed different charging solutions, mobile devices and cases. Similar products could not self-charge, or provide sufficient battery life to cover a full-duty shift. Additionally, similar products could not be secured and used efficiently while performing regular duties. Similar products were deemed unsafe by third party assessment specialists during the pilot phase coordinated by DHS S&T. The Survivor Kits are not commercially available as the items are customized to meet USBP’s specific requirements. Because the previously purchased Bunker SKV2s are being used by USBP agents in the field and are critical to their mission-critical work, the pouches are needed to serve as a case that will allow USBP agents to simultaneously store a smartphone and Bunker TAK 20Ah Solar Battery Pack (PWR-TAK- A-BAT-001) for security and in-situ charging; the pouches are customized to meet USBP specifications and can only be manufactured by Bunker.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

The specifications required by USBP ensures the required items work seamlessly with the mobile devices using the TAK application, and the SKV2 meets these specific requirements necessary to operate seamlessly with the TAK device. Although many products can charge a mobile device, the engineering of this Bunker-customized product ensures positive control, continous charging for prolonged periods of time, and minimizes potential user interaction or downtime. This seamless integration is crucial because the required equipment directly impacts officer safety and mission critical operations of USBP agents in the field.

If the equipment purchased is not the customized Bunker brand to support the previously purchased SKV2 powerbanks, and a product that does not meet the technical requirement is purchased, it could severely impact the day-to-day missions of the agents utilizing the equipment as part of the TAK application.

An initial pilot led by DHS S&T provided a third party assessment group that evaluated every product being integrated with the TAK device. The Bunker product met initial requirements, and was customized to satisfy USBP’s specific requirememnts. USBP is expanding the program to additional USBP sectors and requires additional quantities in order to support the AVP / TAK pilot program. The items are not commercially available due to the customization requirements and only Bunker’s products currently meet USBP’s requirements.

The manufacturer’s familiarization with the necessary modifications minimize risk to the program and ensure continued success of the pilot, thus the Bunker brand products are required. Introducing another brand of equipment would create unacceptable delays in the pilot program because of the time it would take to re-do the engineering modification of another brands’ product, creating commonality issues in the field which could compromise the objective of the pilot.

10. A Listing of the Sources, if Any That Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the

Acquisition.

N/A

11. A Statement of the Actions, if Any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome

Any Barriers to Competition Before Any Subsequent Acquisition for Supplies or Services Required.

CBP is committed to performing market research to ensure fair opportunity to support its various program. USBP will continue to evaluate and review similar products from other manufacturers to see if they improve the design and products to meet the technical requirements needed for these items.

12. Posting Requirement. CBP intends to post this requirement on SAM.gov pursuant to

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(ii)(D).