A15 - Sole Source Justification (SSJ) over SAT FAR Part 13.pdf

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Notice of Intent - MSAT PTT and satellite data services and devices
Solicitation number
D-26-ST-0063
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About this file

This is a Sole Source Justification (SSJ) document for a federal procurement action by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The DEA's Office of Acquisition is renewing mobile subscriber satellite radio services for contingency operations and emergency tactical communications through the Office of Investigative Technology - STSC. The procurement (D-26-ST-0063) covers continuation of NIC4 Satellite Mutual Aid Radio Talk-Group Service (SMART), which provides instantaneous push-to-talk contingency and emergency communication in areas without terrestrial infrastructure. SMART talk-groups enable interoperability between Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers and emergency responders, offering one-to-one and one-to-many communications capabilities. The total estimated value is $401,797.40 with a performance period of August 7, 2026 through August 6, 2027. The procurement is being conducted under FAR 13.501 simplified acquisition procedures for commercial items exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold but not exceeding $7.5 million. The justification asserts that NIC4 is the only vendor capable of providing and managing the designated SMART talk-groups, as they designed, developed, and hold proprietary ownership of the intellectual property managing these talk-groups. Market research included online searches, satellite vendor conference attendance, inquiries with partner agencies, and a Request for Information (RFI) released on SAM.gov Contract Opportunities. Four vendors responded to the RFI; none possessed the capability to meet all program office needs. Pricing will be determined in accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a)(2). The document includes certifications from the requesting official, technical point of contact, contract specialist, and contracting officer (Robert Radke).

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SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION (SSJ) UNDER SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR

CERTAIN COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

GREATER THAN SAT BUT NOT EXCEEDING $7.5 MILLION

FAR 13.501

May 2025 1

Sole source procurements should only be used when competitive solicitation procedures are not applicable to the requirement or are impracticable. Please remember, that contracting without promoting competition to the maximum extent practicable cannot be justified due to a lack of advance planning by the requiring activity or concerns related to the amount of funds available.

This document shall not be used for Federal Supply Schedule acquisitions.

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition.

Agency: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Contracting Activity Processing the Requirement:

Name of Organization Originating the Requirement:

Identification Number (purchase request/solicitation number):

2. The nature and description of the action being approved (e.g., new award, modification, follow-on to previous procurement, et.al.).

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs.

Total estimated value inclusive of all options:

Period of performance or final delivery date:

May 2025 2

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than competition to the maximum extent practicable.

The simplified acquisition threshold is defined in FAR 2.101. Per FAR 6.001, acquisitions of certain commercial items exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold and conducted using simplified acquisition procedures as authorized by FAR 13.501 are exempt from the requirement to promote full and open competition. Such acquisitions must promote competition to the maximum extent practicable as required by 41 U.S.C. 1901 and FAR 13.104. Because this acquisition will be conducted without promoting competition to the maximum extent practicable, this justification is prepared for review and approval in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) and 13.501(a).

Check the appropriate box. Only one box may be checked.

41 U.S.C. 1901, FAR 13.501(a) exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold; or

41 U.S.C. 1903, FAR 13.501(a) emergency procurement (up to $750K within the United States and up to $1.5Million outside the United States)

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-2#FAR_2_101 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-6#FAR_6_001 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-13#FAR_13_501 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title41-section1901&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-13#FAR_13_104 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-13#FAR_13_106_1 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-13#FAR_13_501 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title41-section1901&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-13#FAR_13_501 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title41-section1903&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-13#FAR_13_501 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-5#FAR_Subpart_5_2 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-5#FAR_5_202

May 2025 3

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

8. A description of the market research conducted (see Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than competition to the maximum extent practicable, such as:

i. Explanation of why technical data packages, specifications, engineering descriptions, statements of work, or purchase descriptions suitable for full and open competition have not been developed or are not available.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-10

May 2025 4

ii. When the acquisition is a result in a follow-on acquisition for the continued development or production of a major system or highly specialized equipment, an estimate of the cost to the Government that would be duplicated and how the estimate was derived.

iii. When the justification is based on an urgent and compelling requirement, cite data, estimated cost, or other rationale as to the extent and nature of the harm to the Government.

iv. When the justification is for brand name, explain why the particular brand is the only brand that can satisfy the Government’s need. Include in the explanation why other brands do not meet the Government’s requirement.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the exception to fair opportunity before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

May 2025 5

Certifications

I hereby certify that I have no financial interests of the sort addressed in subpart D of 5 CFR § 2635 that may give the appearance of a conflict of interest in regards to this Justification.

I hereby certify that I have no personal or business relationships or interests of the sort addressed in 5 CFR §

2635.502 that may give the appearance of a conflict of interest in regards to this Justification.

Requesting Official ____________________________________ Date _______________

Signature & Title

“I hereby certify that the description of the requirement meets the Government’s minimum needs and that the technical data and supporting information, which form the basis for this Sole Source Justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.”

I hereby certify that I have no financial interests of the sort addressed in subpart D of 5 CFR § 2635 that may give the appearance of a conflict of interest in regards to this Justification.

I hereby certify that I have no personal or business relationships or interests of the sort addressed in 5 CFR §

2635.502 that may give the appearance of a conflict of interest in regards to this Justification.

Requesting Office Technical Point of Contact ____________________________________ Date _______________ Signature & Title

“I hereby certify that this Sole Source Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.”

Contract Specialist ____________________________________ Date _______________ Signature

Contracting Officer ____________________________________ Date _______________ Signature https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/chapter-XVI/subchapter-B/part-2635/subpart-D?toc=1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/chapter-XVI/subchapter-B/part-2635/subpart-E/section-2635.502 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/chapter-XVI/subchapter-B/part-2635/subpart-E/section-2635.502 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/chapter-XVI/subchapter-B/part-2635/subpart-D?toc=1

May 2025 6

“I have reviewed the subject contract action and find it legally sufficient for award.

Chief Counsel Legal ____________________________________ Date _______________ (if over $750,000) Signature

Reviews and Approvals

FAC Section Chief ____________________________________ Date _______________

Bureau Procurement Chief ____________________________________ Date _______________ (if over $750,000 Signature per JAR 2806.304)

Competition Advocate ____________________________________ Date _______________

Head of the Contracting ____________________________________ Date _______________ Activity (if over $15M) Signature

DOJ Competition Advocate ____________________________________ Date _______________ (if over $75M) Signature

Senior Procurement ____________________________________ Date _______________ Executive (if over $75M) Signature https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=2a2e815080eb0d8886542a3d1645cf13&mc=true&node=pt48.6.2806&rgn=div5#se48.6.2806_1304

41 USC 1901 FAR 13501a exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold or: Off
41 USC 1903 FAR 13501a emergency procurement up to 750K within the United States and up to: Off
I hereby certify that I have no financial interests of the sort addressed in subpart D of 5 CFR 2635 that may: Off
I hereby certify that I have no personal or business relationships or interests of the sort addressed in 5 CFR: Off
Date:
I hereby certify that I have no financial interests of the sort addressed in subpart D of 5 CFR 2635 that may_2: Off
I hereby certify that I have no personal or business relationships or interests of the sort addressed in 5 CFR_2: Off
Date_2:
Date_3:
2026-06-25T10:22:59-0400
ROBERT RADKE
Date_4:
Date_5:
Date_6:
Date_7:
Date_8:
Date_9:
Date_10:
Date_11:
Text1: Office of Acquisition
Text2: Office of Investigative Technology - STSC
Text3: D-26-ST-0063
Text4: Renewal of DEA Mobile Subscriber Satellite Radio services for contingency operations and emergency tactical communications
Text5: Continuation of services for the NIC4 Satellite Mutual Aid Radio Talk-Group Service (SMART). The service provides instantaneous Push-to-Talk contingency/emergency communication and operational communications in areas absent of terrestrial infrastructure. SMART talk-groups enable interoperability between Federal, State and local law enforcement officers and emergency responders. SMART talk-groups provide One-to-One or One-to-Many communications. SMART talk-groups are unique to NIC4 and no other vendor is capable of providing SMART talk-group services.
Text6: $401,797.40
Text7: 08/07/2026 - 08/06/2027
Check Box8: Yes
Check Box9: Off
Text10: The NIC4 Satellite Mutual Aid Radio Talk-Group Service (SMART) provides instantaneous Push-to-Talk contingency/emergency communication and operational communications in areas absent of terrestrial infrastructure. SMART Talk-Groups enable interoperability between Federal, State and Local law enforcement officers and emergency responders. SMART Talk-Groups provide One-to-One or One-to-Many communications. SMART Talk-Groups are unique to NIC4 and no other vendor is capable of providing SMART Talk-Group services.
Text11: Online searches, attending satellite vendor conferences, and inquiries with partner agencies were made to find other vendors that could provide the services needed. The proposed contractor is the only vendor that provide and manage the designed talk groups, satellite access, terminal activation and SMART Talk-Groups unique to DEA.

RFI was released on SAM.gov Contract Opportunities requesting vendors to provide information if they could provide the needed supplies and services that are required for this acquisition. Four vendors responded to the RFI. Their information was given/shared with the program office to review to determine if any possessed the capability as stated in the paragraph above. None of the vendors could meet all of the needs of the program office. One vendor (not a respondent) did reach out to the Contract Office (CO) to ask about the acquisition and when and where would it be posted. CO replied and ask for their capability statement, but they never replied.

Text12: Pricing will be determined in accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)
Text13: Online searches, attending satellite vendor conferences, and inquiries with partner agencies were made to find other vendors that could provide the services needed. The proposed contractor is the only vendor that provide and manage the designed talk groups, satellite access, terminal activation and SMART Talk-Groups unique to DEA.

RFI was released on SAM.gov Contract Opportunities requesting vendors to provide information if they could provide the needed supplies and services that are required for this acquisition. Four vendors responded to the RFI. Their information was given/shared with the program office to review to determine if any possessed the capability as stated in the paragraph above. None of the vendors could meet all of the needs of the program office. One vendor (not a respondent) did reach out to the Contract Office (CO) to ask about the acquisition and when and where would it be posted. CO replied and ask for their capability statement, but they never replied.

Text14: NIC4 is the only provider for access to the specific SMART Talk-Groups that DEA requires. NIC4 designed, developed and have proprietary ownership of intellectual property managing the SMART talk-groups.
Text15: Duplicate costs are estimated by the number of MSAT Radios allowed access to NIC4 SMART talk-groups. Estimated cost are derived from the MSAT services and SMART monthly access fees.
Text16:
Text17:
Text18: The following Vendors replied to the RFI: EnerStar Solutions UEI: LHPYNVCAM2V4 / FLB Engineering INC UEI: VBD8BDXTM386 / RV Global Solutions Inc UEI: SYKMD2LAXJN5 / UStronics.com, Inc. UEI: NGS6VJJEP3E1

After the RFI closed the following vendor replied but did not respond with need information contained in the RFI: DELTEK INC. UEI: X33ZSBRJNNL9.

Text19: Market research is continuously performed to discover new developments that are cost effective to meet the governments need in order to promote competition. Currently, there is no other vendor capable to provide or meet the governments need.
Check Box20: Yes
Check Box21: Yes
Check Box22: Yes
Check Box23: Yes
2026-06-25T10:13:58-0400
NICHOLAS FERGUSON

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