FedBizOps_Post_-JA_IBIS_Balochistan.pdf

Unclassified

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (J&A)

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity:

The Office of Acquisition Management is conducting this acquisition on behalf of the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Section at U.S. Embassy Islamabad. The estimated cost is .

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

This action is required for the approval to use other than full and open competition and execute a sole source award to Ultra Electronics Forensic Technology.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the Department’s needs.

a. 1 Ultra Electronics Forensic Technology (UEFT) IBIS BrassTrax HD3D Acquisition Stations

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

41 U.S.C. 3304 (a) (1) and FAR 6.302-1 (d)(2), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements (Sole Source).

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

In 2014, INL-Pakistan donated the Sindh Police an Ultra Electronics Forensics Technology (UEFT) Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS). The requirement agreement is to expand the current IBIS system to Balochistan.

UEFT developed the first IBIS in 1991 and utilizes proprietary technology. Only their equipment and software can interface and communicate with the current Sindh IBIS or any other UEFT IBIS worldwide. UEFT is also the only source for required maintenance, upgrades, service and training. UEFT IBIS is the sole supplier of ballistic identification systems to the United States’ National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, the United Kingdom’s National Ballistic Intelligence Service, and INTERPOL’s Ballistic Information Network, as well as to 70 countries and territories.

The value in using the UEFT system to both Pakistan and the United States is not just ballistic identities that come from the use of this system but the analysis and comparison of findings shared among the many nations that use the system. Manufacturers of other ballistic identification systems exist but their systems have received limited acceptance, their databases and networks are small, and their equipment is neither compatible with nor capable of interfacing in any manner with the UEFT IBIS. As the success of an automated ballistic identification system is directly proportional to the correlation algorithm of the evidence database, their lack of market penetration and compatibility with IBIS significantly limits their usefulness. In any other configuration, the other providers’ systems would not speak even to each other much less to the greater law enforcement community.

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

As this is a sole source justification, the Government has determined that only one responsible source is available; however this justification will be publicized on FedBizOpps in accordance with FAR 5.2.

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

The Contracting Officer will ensure Ultra Electronics Forensics Technology’s quote is fair and reasonable. The Government may use various price analysis techniques to ensure a fair and reasonable price to include (1) comparison of the proposed prices with the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) and/or (2) comparison with prices obtained through market research for the same or similar items.

8. A description of the market survey conducted and the results or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted.

Other ballistic identification systems exist in the market including ALIAS by Pyramidal Technologies and EVOFINDER by SCANBII Technology. However, these systems are incompatible with the current system employed by the Sindh Police. As the purpose for this purchase is to add onto an existing system, the market search involved finding systems compatible with the IBIS system. The only compatible system found was Ultra Electronics Forensics Technology’s.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

The value in using the UEFT system to both Pakistan and the United States is not just ballistic identities that come from the use of this system but the analysis and comparison of findings shared among the many nations that use the system. Manufacturers of other ballistic identification systems exist but their systems have received limited acceptance, their databases and networks are small, and their equipment is neither compatible with nor capable of interfacing in any manner with the UEFT IBIS. As the success of an automated ballistic identification system is directly proportional to the correlation algorithm of the evidence database, their lack of market penetration and compatibility with IBIS significantly limits their usefulness. In any other configuration, the other providers’ systems would not speak even to each other much less to the greater law enforcement community.

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

None at this time.

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 the supplies or services required.

This Justification will be published on FedBizOpps in accordance with FAR 5.203.