Attachment 2 - Brand Name JA.pdf

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

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I. Contracting Activity.

52d Contracting Squadron (52 CONS), Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.

This action is for the procurement and installation of a brand-name Unify OpenScape Command and Control (C2) Dispatch System in support of the 52d Fighter Wing Command Post (CP) at Spangdahlem AB, Germany. The action will be awarded as a firm-fixed-price contract utilizing Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) under FAR 13.5 for commercial items. The requirement includes hardware, software, installation, and training necessary to provide four operator positions at the primary CP and two positions at the alternate CP.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

The 52d Fighter Wing (FW) Command Post (CP) requires a Command and Control (C2) Dispatch System upgrade to be supplied and installed at Spangdahlem AB, Germany. The CP serves as the focal point for C2 operations supporting senior leaders during routine operations, exercises, emergencies, contingencies, and heightened readiness, providing 24/7 communications for the receipt and dissemination of critical orders and information.

To accomplish this mission, the CP requires a communications console that complies with DoDI 8100.04, DoD Unified Capabilities and AFMAN 10-207, Command Post Operations. The system must provide seamless integration with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) devices, land-line telephones, Land Mobile Radios (LMR), and Ultra High Frequency/Very High Frequency radios; conferencing with at least 30 participants; the ability to merge VoIP, land-line, LMR, and UHF/ VHF radios into the same conference call; Joint Interoperability Test Command certification; automatic call recording;

touch-screen operation; remote door control; and push-to-talk handset capability.

IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

This acquisition is conducted in accordance with FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii), which permits contracting without providing for full and open competition when only one source is capable of providing the required supplies or services, provided the justification is documented and approved. Additionally, FAR 11.105 authorizes the use of brand-name specifications when properly justified and approved. In this case, only the Unify OpenScape system can meet the Command Post’s operational and interoperability requirements.

V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority).

Market research was conducted using the DISA DoDIN Approved Products List (APL), which identified five vendors offering Land Control Session (LCS) solutions: Avaya, Cisco, Redcom, NEC, and Unify. Although Avaya, Cisco, Redcom, and NEC provide systems with similar features, none could deliver the complete capability required to satisfy the Government’s minimum needs. Specifically, all lacked:

- Integrated radio access between Land Mobile Radios (LMR) and UHF/VHF radios; and

- Built-in voice recording systems compliant with AFMAN 10-207 operational standards.

Only Unify’s OpenScape platform incorporates both of these essential capabilities. It provides seamless radio access to aircraft and emergency services via the iNEMSOFT Radio Access Point, and it integrates the Advanced Systems & Communications (ASC) Voice Recorder, which fully satisfies CP voice recording requirements. Without these capabilities, the Command Post would be unable to perform continuous, interoperable C2 operations as required by governing directives, placing mission assurance and operational readiness at risk.

This requirement includes both supplies and services. The supplies consist of the OpenScape hardware and software, which must be Unify brand to ensure interoperability and compliance. The associated services (installation, integration, and interoperability testing) must also be performed by Unify or authorized Unify resellers, as these providers are

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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Although the brand-name restriction is necessary, competition will still be sought among multiple authorized Unify resellers. These resellers, identified through SAM.gov and FPDS-NG research, are required to complete Unify interoperability testing, ensuring that system support is standardized across providers. The solicitation will therefore be conducted as a brand-name procurement in accordance with FAR 11.105 and FAR 13.501(a)(1), with award made on a competitive basis among qualified resellers.

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

Although the requirement is limited to Unify OpenScape brand-name products, competition will still be sought among authorized Unify resellers. Market research identified multiple vendors that are capable of supplying and installing the OpenScape solution, each of whom must meet Unify’s interoperability testing and certification requirements as part of its enterprise support framework. The solicitation will be posted on SAM.gov in accordance with FAR 5.201, with the approved brand-name justification attached, and all authorized Unify resellers will be invited to compete. This approach ensures adequate competition at the reseller level, promotes fair and reasonable pricing, and maintains compliance with FAR 11.105 and FAR 13.501.

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The anticipated cost to the Government is expected to be fair and reasonable. Multiple authorized Unify resellers will be solicited, and award will be made to an offeror whose proposal is technically acceptable. This approach ensures that adequate competition is obtained at the reseller level and that pricing is consistent with current market conditions.

Based on these measures, the Contracting Officer concludes that the final award price will represent a competed offer and therefore a fair and reasonable price to the Government.

VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

The requiring activity initially conducted market research online, through coordination with other USAFE bases and with USAFE headquarters, to identify authorized vendors capable of providing Command Post (CP) console solutions in a secure environment. The customer also reviewed Government sources including GSA Advantage, Air Force Advantage, and manufacturer websites. To validate this research, the contracting office conducted independent searches of Government databases, including SAM.gov and FPDS-NG, which confirmed multiple vendors actively registered in SAM and previously awarded contracts for similar systems.

Given the unique nature of the requirement, further research was conducted using the DISA DoDIN Approved Products List (APL) in accordance with DoDI 8100.04. This review identified five vendors offering Land Control Session (LCS) solutions: Avaya, Cisco, Redcom, NEC, and Unify. After analyzing these offerings against CP requirements, it was determined that only Unify’s OpenScape platform could fully meet the need, as it provides integrated radio access between Land Mobile Radios (LMR) and UHF/VHF radios as well as compliant voice recording capabilities. Additional research confirmed that Unify partners with a network of authorized resellers through its enterprise platform, which ensures adequate competition at the reseller level.

Based on this research, it was concluded that the Government’s requirements can only be satisfied by a brand-name Unify OpenScape solution, with competition anticipated among authorized Unify resellers.

IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

The 52 FW Command Post’s mission requires uninterrupted Command and Control (C2) operations in compliance with AFMAN 10-207 and DoDI 8100.04. Failure to implement a fully compatible dispatch system risks degraded operational capability, loss of interoperability with aircraft and emergency services, and noncompliance with governing directives.

Unify’s OpenScape solution is the only system identified that integrates radio access for Land Mobile Radios (LMR) and

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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UHF/VHF radios while also incorporating compliant voice recording capability.

Additionally, Unify maintains a controlled distribution model, requiring resellers to be authorized and to complete interoperability testing to ensure system performance and sustainment. This structure both validates product reliability and limits the field of potential vendors to those approved by Unify. While this restriction narrows competition to Unify resellers, it ensures technical compliance and mission assurance.

Given the urgency of restoring CP communications capability and the technical risks associated with alternative systems, restricting competition to brand-name Unify OpenScape products is necessary to meet the Government’s minimum needs.

X. List of any sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

N/A

XI. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required.

At present, Unify’s OpenScape solution is the only system capable of fully meeting the Command Post’s operational requirements. However, the Government recognizes the need to promote competition in future acquisitions. To that end, the requiring activity and contracting office will continue to monitor the DISA DoDIN Approved Products List (APL) and other government sources to identify potential new vendors whose systems may achieve the necessary interoperability standards. Spangdahlem AB will continue to monitor other dispatch communications systems for compatibility with Unify. We will also analyze when it may be more beneficial to open competition up to completely replace the entire system.

These actions are intended to ensure that any barriers to competition are reduced over time, and that subsequent acquisitions are pursued with the maximum level of competition practicable.

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.