Cisco Brand Name JA - EUROPE.pdf

CUI//SP-PROCURE

Control No: JA-22-Hua-211

Memorandum for Record – Limiting Competition at or below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

1. Contracting Activity: U.S. Army Contracting Command

Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), Huachuca Division

ATTN: CCAP-CCH

2133 Cushing Street, Building 61801 Fort Huachuca, AZ. 85613-7070

2. Description of Action: This Brand Name Justification has been prepared to procure the Cisco Computer Based Training (CBT Nuggets) in support of the United States Army Network Enterprise Technology Command), Europe. The anticipated types of funds are Fiscal Year (FY) 22 Operations and Maintenance, Army (OMA) funds. This resultant contract will be a Firm-Fixed Price.

3. Description of Services or Supplies: Computer Based Training (CBT Nuggets) is online web based training specifically focused on required Continued Education, (CE) necessary to maintain certifications in the IT realm. This purchase will provide 35 licenses in support of 289 IT personnel as an economic alternative to TDY funding. The specific and unique CE certification requirement is not available on other online training websites at an economical price per license. The licenses for this training are an urgent requirement because certifications expire and the individual needs the time to train and test before the certification runs out. If certifications expire, the individual will no longer be qualified to work in the Cyber Security field.

Period of Performance: April 25, 2022 to April 24, 2023

4. Authority: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), only one source reasonably available, urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization.

5. Reasons for Authority Cited: This requirement is for the procurement of Cisco (brand name) hardware, licenses, and accessories for the United States Army Network Enterprise Technology Command), Europe. The purchase of Cisco equipment/software is essential to support the Government’s current network environment. Standardizing on one manufacturer’s equipment eases management of new/upgraded operating system patches that are periodically issued to ensure the security of networks.

Computer Based Training (CBT Nuggets) is online web based training specifically focused on required Continued Education, (CE) necessary to maintain certifications in the IT realm.

6. Publicizing Contract Actions: For FAR Part 13 actions, the public display and synopsis requirements of FAR 5.101 and FAR 5.203 apply, and will be followed. Action is a brand name restriction.

7. Market Research: A popular search-engine online search for IT certification online training revealed several training options; however, only CBT Nuggets fulfilled the CE certification requirement. Other websites are working on the requirements for accreditation for CE credits, but don’t offer CE courses yet. Research in Army Computer Hardware Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS) revealed CBT Nuggets were not available through CHESS.

8. Other Facts: NA

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

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10. Contracting Officer Certification/Approval: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based upon a price analysis. In accordance with 15.403-1(b)(3) certified cost or pricing data is not required.

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that completing this purchase as a sole source is in the best interest of the Government. Additionally, I approve this justification to limit competition subject to the availability of funds and provided that the services or supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

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