C01 JA Audio Redacted.pdf

Control Number VA-20-00067850

LIMITED-SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Office of Procurement, Acquisition, and Logistics Technology Acquisition Center 23 Christopher Way Eatontown, NJ 07724

2. Description of Action: The proposed action is for the issuance of a Firm-Fixed-Price delivery order issued under the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) for brand name Cisco Audio Visual and Video Teleconferencing equipment and installation.

3. Description of the Supplies or Services: VA, Office of Information and Technology, IT Operations and Services (ITOPS) Austin Information Technology Center (AITC) has a requirement to procure 4 brand name Cisco Codec Room Kit Plus with Qaud Cameras and Touch 10 Panels to upgrade 4 conference rooms located in the TAC Austin facility. The contractor will deliver the required Cisco equipment, and perform services to include installation, configuration, testing, and warranty support. The Cisco codecs will be used to replace existing codecs that are currently inoperable. This effort will establish a Cisco Video Conferencing System needed to enable and sustain operations for the TAC Austin rebuild. The period of performance shall be 12-months from date of award with two 12-month option periods. The estimated cost of this effort is

4. Authority: This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple-Award Schedule Program. The specific authority providing for a limited source award is Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), “Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized.

5. Rationale Supporting Use of Authority Cited Above: Based upon market research, as described in section 8 of this justification, it was determined that limited competition is available among authorized resellers for this requirement. The Government requires replacement of VA Video Telecommunication Endpoints as the current equipment has reached its End of Life. The VA telecommunication infrastructure currently consists exclusively of Cisco endpoint equipment and software. Cisco brand name endpoint and related endpoint equipment is the only hardware and associated software available for this requirement.

Other brand name endopoints cannot be used because they fail to integrate with the existing network due to Cisco’s proprietary source code. Additionally, Cicso hardware products and associated software are the only commercially available products that provide needed interoperable and compatible with the existing Enterprise Video Teleconferencign Network (EVTN) systems. This includes interoperability with the TelePresence Management System (TMS) and Cisco Unified Communications

Audio Visual & Video Teleconferencing Tech Refresh Control Number VA-20 00067850

Manager (CUCM). Cisco core infrastructure and network management platforms are currently in place within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Proper compatibility is needed to ensure current material weaknesses are addressed and we do not introduce additional weaknesses and vulnerabilities into the VA enterprise.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market research was conducted, details of which are in section 8 of this justification. This effort did not yield any additional sources that can meet the Government's requirements. However, the undersigned VA technical representative determined that limited competition is available among authorized resellers for brand name Cisco hardware and software. In accordance with FAR 8.405- 6(a)(2) this justification will be made publicly available within 14 days of award on the Contract Opportunities website. Furthermore, in accordance with FAR 8.405-6(b)(3) this justification will be posted with the Request for Quotation.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Government will continue to conduct market research to ascertain if there are changes in the market place that would enable future actions to be competed.

8. Market Research: The Government’s technical experts conducted market research in May 2020 by reviewing Cisco brand video endpoints and similar hardware and software products to ascertain if other brands could meet VA’s functionality requirements. Specifically, the Government’s technical experts conducted web based research and discovered that while other VTC hardware and software solutions from alternative manufacturers such as Polycom and Lifesize exists, they do not meet VA’s requirements because only Cisco or an authorized reseller has access to the proprietary database and structure specific to the expansion requirement to interconnect with the video infrastructure in place.

Therefore, at present there is no other hardware or software available in the market place that can meet this requirement. In addition, VA networking Subject Matter Experts regularly review industry trade publications and conduct internet research to ascertain if any other brand name hardware or software is available. Based on all of these market research efforts, the Government’s technical experts have determined that only the aforementioned Cisco brand name hardware meet all of the VA’s needs.

9. Other Facts: None.

Audio Visual & Video Teleconferencing Tech Refresh Control Number VA-20 00067850

10. Technical and Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

11. Determination of Best Value: I hereby determine that the proposed contract action will represent the best value to the Government consistent with FAR 8.404(d) and the anticipated price to the government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based on anticipated competition and discounts among multiple value added resellers of the required brand name Cisco products and services.

Additionally, further price analysis of quotes received will be conducted to determine fair and reasonable price. Finally, piecing of products awarded under GSA have already been determined to be fair and reasonable.

12. Procuring Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.