Attachment 4 - Email- NSA Procurement Authorization.pdf

From: Wells, Todd A To: TERRY, BLAINE A GS-07 USSF SPOC 21 CONS/PKB Cc: Perron, Lionel J; Kessler, Debra A; Tolston, Susan C; Mittal, Nidhi; Harvey, Timothy G.; Geisbert, Darren Subject: RE: TACLANE KG175; NSA Procurement Authorization Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2020 8:12:08 AM

Hi Terry –

NSA is the designated National Manager for Communications Security; this responsibility is authorized under National Security Directive 42, and Executive Order 12333, both of which are Presidential directives. As National Manager, it is our responsibility to ensure that the cryptographic products that are securing National Security Systems (NSS) are providing sufficient protection to the classified information and mission operations that these products support. In this capacity, we certify cryptographic products developed on our own contracts and developed in partnerships (via Memoranda of Agreement (MOA)) with specific vendors. In the case of the KG-175F, that product is developed under a MOA between NSA and General Dynamics. Part of that MOA prohibits the establishment of reseller relationships (due to the requirement of keeping the cryptographic products under approved COMSEC channels). Due to the critical security aspects of high-grade cryptography, these items are not commodities that are made available through GSA or other supply channels. The MOA also authorizes direct sales of these COMSEC items, under the direction/supervision of NSA. Due to the COVID 19 staffing challenges, we have provided that authorization to several vendors, to include GD. GD is the developer and only supplier of the KG- 175F; if these products are required to secure a NSS under your purview, at this point in time, establishing a direct “sole-source” relationship is your only option.

Hope this resolves your concern.

v/r – t.

Todd A. Wells Chief, Encryption Production & Cryptographic Solutions PMO FANX 3, B4A09, Suite 6747 410-854-2096

From: TERRY, BLAINE A GS-07 USSF SPOC 21 CONS/PKB <blaine.terry.2@us.af.mil> Sent: Monday, May 18, 2020 1:56 PM To: Mittal, Nidhi <nmittal@nsa.gov>; Wells, Todd A <tawells@nsa.gov> Cc: Perron, Lionel J <ljperro@nsa.gov>; Kessler, Debra A <dakessl@nsa.gov>; Tolston, Susan C <sctolst@nsa.gov> Subject: FW: TACLANE KG175; NSA Procurement Authorization

NSA Procurement Office, I’m a Contract Specialist for the 21st Contracting Squadron at Peterson AFB, CO. I am currently in mailto:tawells@nsa.gov mailto:blaine.terry.2@us.af.mil mailto:ljperro@nsa.gov mailto:dakessl@nsa.gov mailto:sctolst@nsa.gov mailto:nmittal@nsa.gov mailto:tgharve@nsa.gov mailto:dmgeisb@nsa.gov the process of purchasing several Type 1 TACLANE-Flex Kg-175F Encryptors for US Space Command at Peterson AFB and I’m being told by the Manufacturer (General Dynamics) that the sale of these products are controlled by the NSA. Additionally, I was informed by General Dynamics that all purchases must be made directly to them as Sole Source and that small business resellers and procurement from GSA Advantage is prohibited due to the NSA Reseller policy. My question for you is, can your office provide any official NSA memos or policy documents that support their claim that my office must purchase these items as Sole Source directly from General Dynamics? We are in need of these documents so we can provide adequate justification for not allowing small business resellers from providing this item. We also cannot just take the manufacturers word for it that this is the policy of the NSA because they have been unable to provide any real documentation from the NSA stating so.

Thank you, Blaine Terry Contract Specialist

21st Contracting Squadron Peterson AFB, CO 719-556-4124 Blaine.terry.2@us.af.mil mailto:Blaine.terry.2@us.af.mil