B08_Attachment_2_-_Brand_Name_Justification.pdf

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

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. This determination is based on the following:

8. A description of the market research conducted (see Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of justification of other than full and open competition, such as:

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

11. A statement of any 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.

The contracting officer determines that the anticipated price(s) will be fair and reasonable based on competitive quotes, commercial price lists, and a comparison with the IGE, which is based on a quotes from a qualifying ISBEE vendors.

Using the SBA Dynamic Small Business Search tool, we identified 1644 possible ISBEE sources under NAICS 541519. It has been determined there is adequate competition available for this effort. Please see A14 Market Research for further information.

The development of a detailed technical data package for full and open competition would involve significant costs, as it would require additional time, resources, and expertise to create a comprehensive description that could attract a broad range of suppliers.

This would duplicate efforts already undertaken to identify and solicit vendors through SAM.gov, which directly targets qualified ISBEEs without the need for extensive technical specifications. The estimated cost to the Government for developing such materials would likely exceed the current IGE. After extensive research and analysis, the DIS Security Engineering team has concluded that Security Onion is the only product available that meets the netflow monitoring requirements specified in M 21-31 and integrates seamlessly with the existing infrastructure, including command and control (C2) systems. Security Onion’s unique capabilities, combined with its proven track record, makes it the only solution that satisfies both the technical specifications and operational requirements necessary for the effective monitoring and security of the Government's networks.

Security Onion products are classified as Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) items. Our market research indicates that at least two or more Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs) are likely to respond to the Request for Proposal (RFP). During the research process, one vendor, Regency Consulting, has already formally expressed interest in participating in this effort, submitting a written indication of their intent.

We will work closely with the customer to explore whether alternative models from other manufacturers could be considered, especially if replacing the entire stock of equipment can be accomplished through a single procurement.