Cisco Brand Name JA_ 363 ISS Switches_Redacted Final.pdf

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

Limited Sources Justification and Approval (J&A)

Contracting Activity: 633d Contracting Squadron/PKA 14 Burrell Street Langley AFB, VA 23665

Program / Project (and PE, if applicable): 363 155 Cisco Switches

Program Type (PEO or Other Contracting): Operational

Authority: Multiple Award Schedule Program (FAR 8.405-6)

Estimated Contract Cost (including options):

Is this a Bridge Action?

Description of Limitation:

Quantity of (18) Cisco 9300

D Yes � No

Required Specs: Catalyst C9300-48S-1 A (48 port 1 G SFP, Network Advantage)

COORDINATION {DAFFARS 5306.304(a)l

Date Project Lead / Program Mgr/ Requiring Activity

23 Aug 2024 Michael S. Thompson

363 ISS/DO 225-1252

APPROVAL {DAFFARS 5306.304(a)l

Date Contracting Officer

30 Aug 2024 Margaret Young

PKA/757-225-5668

Signature THOMPSON.MICHAEL.S.1 Digitally signed by

THOMPSON.MICHAELS. I 039110128

039110128 Date: 2024.08.23 07:24:00 -04'00'

Signature YOU NG.MARGARET.A. 104 Digitally signed by

YOUNG.MARGARET.A. 1047681401

7681401 Date: 2024.08.30 09:18:15 -04'00'

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April 2024 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 2 of 3April 2024 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 2 of 3

I. Contracting Activity.

633 CONS/PKA, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.

This acquisition will be a new order to be competed via the USAF mandatory source 2GIT BPAs whom offer Cisco products and 100% set-aside for small businesses.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

The primary Cisco hardware piece required is the Catalyst 9300 48 GE SFE ports, modular uplink switch, qty:18. The purchase will also included associated products and materials, such as licenses, cables, and network modules.

IV. Identification of the justification/rationale for limiting sources and demonstration of the contractor's unique qualifications to provide the required supply/service.

FAR 8.405-6 requires an ordering activity to justify its actions when restricting consideration of schedule contractors to fewer than those required in FAR 8.405-1 or 8.405-2. The justification used is FAR 8.405-6(b)(1), "The item is peculiar to one manufacturer. A brand name item, whether available on one or more schedule contracts, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer."

This brand-name purchase will provide the IT capability to support network systems that transmit data supporting the warfighters. The _363 ISS_ currently utilizes identical Cisco hardware as requested. An approved brand-name limitation will facilitate a tech-refresh for the existing infrastructure. The decision to invest in the Cisco 9300 model was driven by its unique stackability feature, which allows us to consolidate up to eight switches into a cohesive unit. This capability significantly enhances our ability to scale our sites seamlessly without requiring alterations to our core infrastructure. Among Cisco's inventory, no other approved device provides this level of integrated scalability and operational efficiency. This strategic choice aligns with our current infrastructure and ensures that we can effectively manage and expand our network while maintaining robustness and simplicity in our infrastructure's management.

In general, utilizing Cisco hardware guarantees utilization of DoD Global Enterprise Modernization Software and Support (GEMSS) agreement that comes with the hardware. Each of the DoD branches hold a GEMSS Agreement awarded through Cisco "Gold Partners" for providing software, hardware support, and technical support and services. Through GEMSS, the USAF has unlimited access to DNA Advantage Software licenses for route, switch, wireless, Smart Net Total Care for their entire Cisco branded infrastructures, Software Support Services (SWSS) to maintain perpetual software installed on hardware assets, and dedicated Network Consulting Services to support design, implementation, delivery, and management of their Cisco environments at no additional cost. If unable to purchase Cisco hardware, their current infrastructure would need complete replacement to meet existing requirements, necessitating new security accreditation and approval packages. Additionally, removing Cisco hardware would result in unacceptable delays and compromise the communication network mission of the _363

ISS_

V. Determination by the ordering activity Contracting Officer that the order represents the best value consistent with

FAR 8.404(d).

The procurement of the Cisco Switches is necessary to replace the campus’s SIPR switches before they reach critical

April 2024 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 3 of 3April 2024 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 3 of 3 end of support and to reduce vulnerabilities and the base CCRI risk score. The specification of Cisco as the Brand Name is to explicitly comply with cybersecurity requirements throughout DGS-1.Integrating Non-Cisco brand equipment with the current infrastructure (base communications network, current server farm infrastructure) will increase costs for labor and training and cause follow-on costs due to the need to initiate new separate maintenance contracts. Langley AFB currently has a GEMSS (DOD Global Enterprise Modernization Software and Support) contract with Cisco that will cover maintenance and tech support for new equipment from Cisco only for the lifespan of the products. This contract will not support any other brand(s). The DOD's investment in GEMSS with Cisco make collaboration with Cisco significantly easier. If an alternate brand is utilized, it will require significantly more manpower to apply changes across the ACC network, increase labor costs due to the need to translate the information, and will increase costs across ACC due to incompatibilities and requiring clients to purchase new devices. Furthermore, Cisco is the only provider of equipment that is authorized on the USAF network by the Joint Interoperability Test Center Approved Products List (JTIC APL) (https://aplits.disa.mil/ processAPList), which is the approved list of devices on the DOD Information Network. Another characteristic Cisco has which others cannot provide is that Cisco is the integration with Microsoft Teams in accordance with the DAF Chief Information Officer (SAF/CN) guidance. It is critical to purchase Cisco equipment regarding our mission due to the experience and expertise already gained with their products. If we were to purchase another brand, the best practices, SOPs, and other training would be required to be reworked. This will cause mission stoppages if we cannot diagnose the issues or we do not have our current GEMSS support. Consequences if a different product is procured include increased labor costs to integrate different brands into the existing Cisco Network, potential mission stoppage due to outages in which administrators may not have the required experience with other brands, increased time to train personnel on simple operations of the new brand, time to implement the new brand with our Cisco client base, and the loss of the ability to integrate with Microsoft Teams.

VI. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or explain why market research was not conducted.

When surveying the commercial marketplace, it was confirmed that the vendors surveyed did not meet the requirements mandated by DAF Chief Information Officer which include the Microsoft Teams integration and turn-key solution.

Additionally, the manufacturer's part numbers were not found on the JITC APL.

VII. Other facts supporting the justification.

N/A

VIII. Actions the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services.

Steps to preclude future single brand name awards will include market research and ensuring that the devices meet Air Force network standards. Establish a rigorous interoperability testing program to certify that equipment from various vendors can seamlessly integrate with the existing infrastructure. Conduct ongoing market research to stay updated on emerging technologies and new entrants in the communication equipment market.

IX. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

X. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.