A.02 J&A Sole Source FAR Part 13 _Redacted.pdf

CUI//SP-SSEL

Control Number:

CUI//SP-SSEL

(Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)

2 SEP 2021

The minimum needs of the government include a modernized interview system that digitally records audio and video interviews and interrogations, providing an authentic record of the events with both audio and video components. The system should also reduce the need for prolonged delays during questioning for notetaking, allow real-time collaboration among investigators, and facilitate continuous improvement through reviewing interviews for training and evaluation purposes.

Specific, Relevant Technical Requirements: The technical requirements of the Case Cracker Onyx system are essential to fulfilling the government's needs. The system must have all the following features:

1. Advanced digital recording and seamless playback capabilities to capture high-quality audio and video during interviews and interrogations. This is crucial to ensure the accurate documentation of testimonial evidence, especially in cases where physical evidence is limited or absent.

2. The system must be user-friendly and intuitive, allowing investigators to focus on the interview process rather than dealing with technical complexities.

3. Additionally, the system must have the ability to provide real-time collaboration features. That is essential for effective team efforts during interviews, enhancing the likelihood of obtaining valuable information.

Exclusive Features of Brand Name Product: The above described essential technical requirements can only be met by the specific features of the CaseCracker brand name product. Case Cracker Onyx offers proprietary software that allows for seamless playback of recorded interviews, ensuring accessibility and compatibility among CID offices, Trial Counsels, and Commanders' computers. The unique real-time collaboration features of the Case Cracker Onyx system enable multiple investigators to watch the interrogation simultaneously and relay suggestions to the interviewer, fostering effective teamwork and information sharing. Other competing products lack these specific proprietary features, making them unable to meet the government's needs.

Inadequacy of Other Similar Products: As described in more detail in section 8 below, extensive market research has been conducted, revealing that no other manufacturer produces a competing product that meets the specific technical requirements of the Case Cracker Onyx system. Other interview systems lack the necessary combination of digital recording capabilities, proprietary software for seamless playback, and real-time collaboration features. While other competing systems may be able to meet aspects of the technical requirements referenced in bullets 1-3 above, there are no other products that can fulfill all 3 of the technical requirements as a comprehensive system Additionally, competing products cannot be modified to meet the all of the essential technical requirements as a comprehensive system, as they lack the proprietary elements that make CaseCracker unique and Cardinal Peak has not licensed their proprietary software to any other companies. The absence of suitable alternatives demonstrates that CaseCracker is the only brand name product capable of meeting the government's essential needs.

CUI//SP-SSEL

Control Number:

CUI//SP-SSEL

(Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)

3 SEP 2021

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: The manufacturer of Case Cracker Onyx Systems, Cardinal Peak, has stated that the Case Cracker Onyx system is not available via the Army CHESS procurement system. An ITAS waiver dated 9 June 2023, for the CaseCracker Onyx system, exists in this contract file. Furthermore, the president of Cardinal Peak has said the reseller New River Systems is the only authorized reseller of CaseCracker to service Army CID, as stated in the following excerpt:

“New River Systems has supported the Army CID’s CaseCracker military law enforcement system implementation and support since 2012 and completed all CONUS and OCONUS Army CID system implementations to include EUCOM.

Based on their experience, their credit history, and past performance servicing military locations world-wide New River Systems is the only company authorized by Cardinal Peak Technologies to service Army CID”.

CaseCracker Onyx is a proprietary, mission critical, Interview Recording and Management System (IRMS) for federal and military law enforcement purposes.

New River Systems maintains an active registration in the federal government’s System for Award Management. Their SAM entity information is New River Systems Corporation, DUNS (799154450), or CAGE code (4RNU2).

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The will continue to conduct market research in order to potentially identify future additional point of sale sources that allow hardware and software interface with Competition point of sale systems.

Furthermore, this justification will be publicly publicized on sam.gov IAW FAR subpart

5.2 to allow notice of the Government’s requirement.

8. Market Research:

The market research was conducted between 15 Feb and 01 May 2023 by the Requiring Activity. This market research revealed that there are no competing products available in the market that fully meet the specific technical requirements of the CaseCracker Interview Management Systems. Multiple manufacturers and vendors were contacted to inquire about their interview management and recording systems' capabilities, and it was found that none of them offered a product with all the essential features required to meet the minimum government need or that their products could be effectively modified to meet the minimum need.

Competing Manufacturers Contacted: The Contracting Representative conducted internet searches and reached out to various manufacturers and vendors known to produce interview management and recording systems similar to CaseCracker and was not able to identify any competing manufacturers who could meet the minimum need of the Government.