A02 CUI - Fidelis Brand Name FAR 16 JEFO Redact FINAL_Redacted.pdf

(Source Selection Information - See FAR

2.101 and 3.104-4)

JUN 2025

JUSTIFICATION REVIEW DOCUMENT

FAR Part 16 Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity

Program/Equipment: Fidelis Security System Products

Authority: Title 10 United States Code 3406(c)(5) as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) and FAR 16.505(a)(4), Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized.

Prepared by:

Technical:

Requirements:

Department of the Army Justification for Exception to Fair Opportunity - Brand Name

Under Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery Contracts

1. Requiring Activity: US. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) Software Engineering Center (SEC) for Department of the Army agencies, 6585 Surveillance Loop, Aberdeen Proving Gound, Maryland 21005

2. Contracting Activity: Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Grounds, ATTN: Digital Capabilities Center of Excellence (DC3oE), 6472 Integrity Court, Building 4401, Aberdeen Proving Grounds MD 21005

3. Description of Action: Request is for a new Competitive Delivery Order for Fidelis Security System Products brand name under CHESS with period of performance from 30 September 2025 to 24 January 2026. The U.S. Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT) requires a comprehensive cybersecurity solution with premium software support and real-time threat intelligence feeds to secure its mission-critical command and control (C2) systems, air operations infrastructure, and cloud compatible applications within the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility.

AFCENT’s operational environment includes the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, which manages air tasking orders (ATOs) using the cloud native Kessel Run All Domain Operations Suite (KRADOS), and distributed units like the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, which provides real-time air domain awareness via tactical data links.

4. Description of Supplies/Services: The required solution for this effort must include a Network Detection and Response (NDR) platform with premium support and threat intelligence feeds to deliver the following capabilities:

Real-Time Threat Detection and Analysis: The solution must process network traffic and logs at a rate exceeding 100,000 events per second, leveraging threat intelligence feeds to detect advanced persistent threats (APTs), malware, data exfiltration, and command and & control (C2) communications in real time, ensuring uninterrupted air operations.

Deep Packet and Session Inspection: The platform must provide Deep Session Inspection (DSI) across all ports and protocols, including encrypted traffic, to identify and analyze threats embedded in network communications, critical for securing AFCENT’s tactical networks.

Automated Threat Response: Automated workflows must enable rapid response actions (e.g., blocking malicious traffic or isolating compromised assets within seconds) to maintain operational continuity in high-tempo environments.

Cloud-Native and Hybrid Support: The solution must support hybrid cloud and on-premises environments, ensuring scalability and low-latency analytics for systems like KRADOS, handling petabytes of telemetry data.

b. Alternatives:

o

c. Impact if Not Approved: Fidelis Network’s premium software support and threat intelligence feeds, with their integration of DSI, real-time threat intelligence, automated terrain mapping, DLP, dedicated support, cloud-native scalability, compliance workflows, and analytics, ensure it is the only solution capable of meeting AFCENT’s cybersecurity needs. Competing platforms introduce risks such as delayed deployment, reduced compatibility with AWS-based KRADOS, limited threat detection, and inadequate support, compromising AFCENT’s ability to secure C2 systems, protect cloud-based applications, and maintain DoD compliance. Fidelis’ certifications (e.g., DoD UC APL, EAL2+) and track record in government deployments further validate its suitability for AFCENT’s mission-critical operations.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: Efforts have been undertaken to promote broader market participation in future acquisitions. Commercial software publishers are routinely encouraged to expand their network of authorized resellers to enhance competition opportunities. All CHESS ITES-SW2 and DOD ESI vendors that are authorized will be given a fair opportunity to quote.

9. OTHER FACTS:

a. Procurement History

The previous contract 47QFSA23C0003 and 47QFSA24K0002 was part of a large effort by Defense Information System Agency (DISA) Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO) and General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Acquisition Services (FAS). ACC does not have access to the contract file or associated documentation. As a result, no information is available to determine the circumstances justifying the previous procurement or whether there has been any significant change since that acquisition.

10. Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

11. Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

12. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. Competition is expected on this requirement in order to determine reasonableness. However, if reasonableness is unable to be determined by competition, a price analysis, comparison to Independent Government Cost Estimate, comparison to historical prices, and/or comparison to commercial prices may be done. Additionally, certified cost or pricing data will not be required in accordance with FAR 15.403-1(b)(3), as a commercial item is being acquired.

13. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Approval

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of Fidelis Network’s premium support and threat intelligence feeds on an Exception to Fair Opportunity basis pursuant to the authority of Title 10 United States Code 3406(c)(5) as implemented by FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) and FAR 16.505(a)(4), Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized”. The estimated value of the new contract action is with a period of performance from 30 September 2025 to 24 January 2026. The approval is subject to availability of funds, and provided that the supplies and/or services herein described have otherwise been authorized for this acquisition.