Attachment 2 Brand Name Justification - Cisco Webex_Redacted.pdf
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- Attached to
- Renew Cisco Webex Subscription
- Solicitation number
- PCCA-24-00084
About this file
This document is a Brand Name Justification for a federal contract opportunity to procure Cisco Webex for Government, which is a cloud-based web and video conferencing service. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is seeking to renew a contract for the Webex subscription.
The justification states that Webex is a unique and highly specialized brand name product that is essential to DHS's requirements due to its compatibility with the existing Cisco video teleconferencing equipment and DHS network architecture. Market research was conducted, and it was determined that other similar products, such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, lack the required features and cannot meet DHS's needs. Procuring an alternate product would require a complete infrastructure replacement, resulting in significant cost increases. Therefore, CISA is seeking a brand name exception to the fair opportunity process to continue using Webex.
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Justification for Brand Name Exception to Fair Opportunity Exceeding the micro-purchase threshold and up to the SAT pursuant to FAR 16.505(a)(4)
JEFO No. FY24-091 1 | P a g e
JEFO No.: FY -091
Date: March 26, 2024 PR Number: PCCA-24-00084
1. Nature and/or description of the item/service being procured and anticipated cost:
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Chief of Contracting Office (COCO) and the Office of Chief Information Officer (OCIO), prepared this justification for brand name exception to fair opportunity.
2. Statutory Exception and rationale for brand name. Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies required at the level of quality required because the supplies are unique or highly specialized pursuant to FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) and is an item peculiar to one manufacturer:
CISA COCO intends to procure a brand name specification for Cisco Webex for Government (FedRAMP authorized) in accordance with FAR 16.505(a)(4)(i). The exception is based on FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B), only one source is capable of providing Cisco Webex for Government (Webex) because the Webex is unique or highly specialized and is a brand name item peculiar to Cisco. Webex Meetings is Cisco's cloud-based web and video conferencing service that enables global and virtual teams to collaborate on mobile devices and standards-based video systems in real time.
The Webex brand name must be used because the material and services must be compatible with aspects (Form, Fit, and Function) with existing systems presently installed. The Webex application must be fully compatible with connecting to the existing Cisco video teleconferencing (VTC) equipment, specifically numerous Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) Cisco devices which Webex will connect to natively without the need for Web Real-Time Communications (RTC). All Ports, Protocols and Rich media licensing are congruent with this existing VTC architecture.
An active subscription with Cisco is required to maintain all features of the product.
The Webex brand-name product is essential to the Government’s requirements. The DHS network architecture, maintenance platforms, and configuration systems require the use of this product to ensure interoperability with other DHS systems at all data centers. The Webex licenses must be configured in accordance with DHS OCIO system architecture requirements. The use of other products could result in interoperability, compatibility, interface issues that would prevent the system support team from providing efficient and effective customer support. DHS OCIO conducted market research on the following products: Microsoft Teams & Zoom. The results of the market research indicate other companies’ similar products lack the features required and do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the needs of DHS. Specifically, none of the other products mentioned above are not able to interconnect and function with current DHS network architecture, maintenance platforms and configuration. Procuring an alternate product other than Webex, would require a complete infrastructure replacement with a significant increase in cost. In addition, it would involve purchasing and configuring the new equipment,
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .