Attachment 5 - Justification and Approval_.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Decision to Restrict Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Identification Number: LMR PR1169527 R6 WR 20266473

Rev. 3/4/26

(6) Microwave FIPA Licenses

In accordance with the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul (RFO) FAR

12.102 (a), the following documents the decision to restrict competition for this acquisition.

(1) Mission Area and Contracting Activity.

Requisition Number: 1169527

Requesting Activity Agency: CIO/Land Mobile Radio/Region 6

Contracting Activity: : Business Operations/Procurement & Property Services | National Procurement Operations / Information Technology Contracting Branch

(2) Estimated Value.

(3) Brief Description of Supplies or Services.

The acquisition involves procuring six Federal Information Processing Standard Publication (FIPS) 140-2 Compliant Licenses and Upgraded Payload Encryption for a Microwave System manufactured by Aviat Networks, Inc., currently installed on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (NF). The only company that can provide this required network license is Aviat since it is their product.

The Aviat Microwave System enables secure, high-bandwidth communications that support critical US Forest Service (USFS) Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Systems. The Aviat Microwave System ensures the USFS has uninterrupted high-quality data communications that are crucial for the LMR backbone infrastructure and operational requirements.

The Aviat Microwave System, which requires an updated and upgraded Payload Encryption to operate, is critical for LMR communications for wildland fire fighters, first responders, law enforcement and USFS employees.

Suggested Source.

The suggested manufacturer and distributor:

Aviat Networks, Inc.

200-C Parker Drive Suite 100A Austin, United States 78728 Contact: Stephen Kim, Email steve.kim@aviatnet.com Phone: 512-265-3680 Cell: 425-802-5335 mailto:steve.kim@aviatnet.com

Identification Number: LMR PR1169527 R6 WR 20266473

(4) Justification for Restricting Competition and the Basis for that Decision.

A. Explain the unique qualifications/characteristics of the proposed contractor or product and why no other contractor or product/service can meet the Government's need.

This justification supports the rationale associated with purchasing a specific brand name, Aviat Networks Microwave System FIPS 140-2 Compliant Licenses and Upgraded Payload Encryption.

It has been determined to be essential to satisfy the Government’s requirements that are limited to a brand name (the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)) capable of providing the Aviat Networks Microwave Radio FIPS 140-2 Compliant Licenses and Upgraded Payload Encryption. Aviat Networks is unique and highly specialized in providing connectivity across wireless broadband data networks.

The Wallowa-Whitman NF uses existing FIPS 140-2 certified modules. To stay compliant, the validated components must be maintained without altering the cryptography or introducing changes that invalidate the FIPS-compliant version.

2 Compliance and Upgraded Payload Encryption are essential for Aviat Microwave Systems because they meet U.S. federal security mandates, protect sensitive but unclassified data, and ensure

The proprietary nature of the Aviat Networks System and components means that no other manufacturer can provide the FIPS 140-2 Compliant Licenses and Upgraded Payload Encryption that matches the exact specifications and integration capabilities of the Aviat Networks Microwave System.

Procurement of an Aviat Microwave S Encryption allows for savings, efficiency, and continuity as follows:

a. Meets federal and industry security mandates.

b. Protects sensitive but unclassified data from interception and tampering.

c. Ensures trust and compliance for government, defense, and regulated commercial networks.

d. P environments.

Identification Number: LMR PR1169527 R6 WR 20266473

B. Describe market research conducted and the results or the reason why no market research was conducted.

Market research was conducted using the GSA Market Research as a Service (MRAS) Platform, reviewing existing contracts such as GSA’s Contract Directory for similar systems, and open market analysis to verify the availability of comparable FIPS 140-2 Compliant Licenses and Upgraded Payload Encryption for a Microwave System manufactured by Aviat Networks from other vendors. This included analyzing product specifications and consulting with industry contacts, and peer institutions. The responses and findings confirmed the right supplies and solutions were identified and that no other Microwave System FIPS 140-2 Compliant Licenses and Upgraded Payload Encryption met USDA FS required compatibility and performance criteria.

The Forest Service has done due diligence to ensure that the actions they are taking are within the Federal Acquisition Regulations and have tried to ensure fair competition has been made to acquire the best value and fair and reasonable pricing for this acquisition.

Identification Number: LMR PR1169527 R6 WR 20266473

Certifications & Approvals

Technical / Requirements Personnel Certification I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

LMR Architect/COR

Contracting Officer’s Certification I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. I hereby approve this justification.

Contracting Officer