A02 JA 6.302-1(c)(1) OWL Data Diode_Redacted.pdf

CUI / SP-SSEL

Control No.: JA-24-D-273

CUI//SP-SSEL

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

Justification and Approval for Other than Full and Open Competition

– FAR Part 6

1. Contracting Agency: United States Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving

Ground (ACC-APG), Attention: Division D, Branch A (CCAP-MDD), 6515 Integrity Court, Building 4310, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005

2. Description of Action: This procurement is for the acquisition of OWL XD Prism MPP data diode brand-name hardware for data throughput from a test network to an open network for Redstone Test Center (RTC) requirements for transfer of data. This procurement will be completed via a new contract as this requirement is not available through the Computer Hardware Enterprise Software and Solution (CHESS). The specified equipment will provide RTC with the right data type(s) and the threshold amount of latency and throughput for moving RTC’s data from the test network to the open network.

3. Description of Supplies/Services: RTC’s Information Management (IM) Office of

S6/Center Support at Redstone Arsenal requires the XD Prism data diode to be able to provide the right data type(s) and the threshold amount of latency and throughput for moving data from the test side network to the mission network. It is a solution that allows one way traffic from our test network to the open network, at the unclassified level. This data will be utilized by the RTC Approach to Persistent Integrated DT (RAPID) team and will accelerate the data collection process for future testing. The connection itself and the use case has been approved by the Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) G6. The OWL XD Prism data diode is needed, as no other brand can be utilized to provide this type of data transfer between environments, while maintaining the cyber security posture required. RTC conducted market research for this procurement and received no quotes via CHESS, and the estimated cost from the manufacturer is .

4. Authority Cited: 10 United States Code 2304(f) as implemented by Federal Acquisition

Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1(c)(1), An acquisition or portion of an acquisition that uses a brand-name description or other purchase description to specify a particular brand-name, product, or feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer.

5. Reason for Authority Cited: RTC uses OWL brand-name systems that connect to each other to allow transfer of data critical to the mission to a closed network. The OWL data diode is the system that allows RTC to accomplish this task, while maintaining our cybersecurity posture and system security.

a. This procurement is essential to the Government as a brand-name acquisition because of the unique requirements posed by the need to transfer data securely between networks, with a system that is approved to do so within Government cybersecurity constraints. OWL data diodes are accredited to provide these cross domain solutions and have passed rigorous testing to ensure they meet the Government’s requirements and are approved to be utilized with Government networks to do so. RTC utilizes OWL brand data diodes to standardize these functions where needed, and to ensure technicians who utilize this technology understand the operation of the technology. If the Government were to purchase another brand-name cross domain solution, the learning curve and retraining of staff that interact with the system will also need to be completed using up numerous labor hours that could be used for higher priority tasks.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: On 10/25/2023 quotes were requested from vendors participating in the CHESS Information Technology Enterprise Solutions- 3 Hardware (ITES-3H) program; the Army’s mandatory source for computer hardware and software.

On the RFQ closing date 11/3/2023 all 14 vendors on ITES-3H replied no bid as non are authorized resellers of the OWL XP Prism data diode. Due to RTC’s requirement for items peculiar to one manufacturer, the effective competition will be limited to only the vendors who can provide the OWL XP Prism data diode products specified to meet the Government’s requirement.

a. Effective Competition: RTC’s requirement is for items peculiar to one manufacturer. Effective competition will be limited to the manufacturer of the product specified and its authorized resellers to meet the Government’s requirement.

b. Subcontracting Competition: Not Applicable, effective competition will be limited to the manufacturer OWL Cyber Defense Solutions and resellers. This requirement does not meet threshold of $750,000.00 for subcontracting plan in negotiated contracts according to (FAR) 19.702(a)(1)(i).

7. Actions to Increase Competition: Information on technologies available in the industry has been reviewed by test center engineers. Technical personnel continually review literature, pamphlets, and documents in addition to attending seminars and symposiums relating to changing technology and to the capabilities of manufacturers.

Future program requirements will be monitored, considering requirements and hardware commonality/compatibility requirements, so that additional sources may be considered. As new equipment is introduced, the products will be reviewed for compatibility, cost, and user benefits. Every effort will be made to find competitive products that will meet the requirements of the RTC mission. As additional information becomes available, it will be reviewed so different brands may be identified.

8. Market Research: A Request for Information (RFI) was completed on the Army

CHESS website. The requirement was posted in CHESS on 25 October 2023 and no vendors were able to quote the product under ITES-3H. Due to the transfer of data across domains, and associated risk and cybersecurity requirements, no other product can be utilized to accomplish this requirement. Based on this review and personal knowledge of the contractor community, RTC has determined that the government's needs can be met in the commercial marketplace, and FAR part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services, will be used. The manufacturer submitted a quote, which is technically acceptable and able to meet the Government’s requirements.

9. Interested Sources

a. OWL Cyber Defense Solutions, 8840 Stanford Blvd, Suite 2100, Columbia, MD

21045 CAGE 1SMD5.

b. Blazar Technology Solutions, 2059 Wil Star Way, Castle Rock, CO 80104 USA

CAGE 7M9N2

c. CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP., 11493 SUNSET HILLS RD, STE 100, RESTON, VA 20190 USA CAGE 1P3C5

d. FEDERAL RESOURCES CORPORATION, 440 W 8TH ST Erie, Pennsylvania 16502-1385, United States CAGE 1QBT0

e. TELOS CORPORATION, 19886, Ashburn Road Ashburn, Virginia 20147-2358, United States CAGE 0ZPY5

10. Other Facts:

Acquisition data is available and will be used for the resultant order accordingly.

A technical data package is not required for this action. However, a product description is available and sufficient for competition. The requirement is for commercially available products.

Procurement History:ACC Contract W52P1J-16-D-0006 Order W91CRB-21-F- 0113 in the amount of $67,388.42 was awarded 1 September 2021 to Telos Corporation. Two vendors bid on Solicitation. Awarded using FAR 16.505(a)(4)(i), Brand Name.