B08_Brand_Name_Justification_-_Catalyst.doc

Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity Bureau of Land Management 5.102(a)(6), FAR 13.501, and 13.106-1(b)(3) 40622821 – Catalyst- Audio Cards

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting office.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM), California State Office (CASO), Division of Support Services – Telecommunications This is for a Brand Name Justification for all the parts listed as catalyst and go kits.

2. Description of supply or service required to meet the agency’s needs.

This is a brand name justification requirement for Catalyst Dispatch Consoles audio card upgrade, and Catalyst Transportable GO Dispatch Units. This will be a one-time delivery of firm fixed priced supply delivery order.

Catalyst dispatch architecture is designed as a fault tolerant combination hardware and software solution to provide ease of use, system flexibility, functionality, and ease of system maintainability. The Catalyst architecture is a distributed and robust architecture with no central switch, built to minimize the impact of failure of any system component. It is based on the industry-standard Client-Server model. Additionally, Catalyst systems are already integrated with our current network and the following would be add-on purchase to the current infrastructure.

Each Catalyst system is built with one or more state-of-the-art radio gateways. These gateways are the system “servers” in the Catalyst Client-Server architecture. Gateways are specific to the radio system or other communication system being supported; however, any mixture of gateways can be included in a system. For example, a system could consist of three Motorola gateways for SmartZone, two Harris Project 25 (P25) gateways, one Simoco Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) gateway, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) telephony gateway, and a Verizon Wireless LTE Push-to-Talk gateway. (Diagram below) All of these different communications platforms can be brought together for dispatch and interoperability through the Catalyst architecture. There is no limit to the number or type of Catalyst gateways that can be placed in a Catalyst system, and there are no limitations to the physical distance between gateway locations or console locations. Catalyst Dispatch Systems offer the following options:

· User layouts—configurable working environments created by an administrator for individual dispatchers that provide access only to the appropriate channels and functions

· Select and Unselect audio—separate speakers for selected and unselected channels

· Auxiliary Input / Output relays for Door/Gate and other relay control with Custom Graphics and Audible Alarms (optional)

· Paging: Integrated software-based solution supports multiple formats for basic paging (optional).

· Footswitch and Headset Compatible.

· Group, Individual, and Simulselect transmission—transmit to a single radio, a group of radios or even groups of radios on different systems at once.

· DMR Subscriber Functions like Unit Enable/Disable, Monitor, and Alert.

· DMR Text Messages – both short messages and free-form

· Call logging—logs all calls on all connected systems, with optional recording and playback of logged audio. IP interface to leading logging recorders.

· Easy integration with Catalyst’s IntelliLink Interoperability software

3. The rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

The brand name justification is in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(3). This brand Name justification is for a required due to the requirement’s compatibility with our current Network, radios and integration.

Catalyst dispatch Consoles have been the current infrastructure radio for the BLM CA Law Enforcement (LE) staff, Fire, and admin staff in the California Desert District (CDD). The This radio purchase will be improving the existing dispatch communication for LE, Fire, and Admin staff in Central California Owens Valley Interagency Communication Center (OVICC). The dispatch center equipment and Go Kits will be used to remotely improve radio coverage and overcome geographical obstacles that obstruct the current BLM radio system in Central California.

Catalyst is on the mandatory source contract and there are no other vendors on there that could potentially provide the same brand. However, the Go Kits that are being purchased are not on the contract.