Eisenhower JEFO 2024_34_Redacted.pdf

Control No: MICC 2024 – 34

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

a. The Cyber Center of Excellence (CCoE) requires the brand name purchase of network and subcomponent hardware, software, and accessories, listed in the table in paragraph 3, for their operational mission of providing an IT training capability. The Army’s Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS) is a mandatory source for commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software, commercial IT hardware, software, services and tactical/operational hardware requirements in accordance with AFARS, Part 5139, Acquisition of Information Technology and AR 25-1, Army Information Technology. CHESS contracts provide IT products and services that comply with U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command, Army and DOD policy and standards.

The equipment listed above was developed in coordination with one IT enterprise service provider and is the only approved solution for the current network architecture.

Multiple ITES-3H contract holders are interested in providing the equipment identified in paragraph 3. Any deviations from the approved solution would result in significant delays to bring facilities online and have available for student training. These components are all expansions of the current, in-place Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Solution and any changes would not be compatible with the current environment.

A change to the VDI Solution would require replacing the current environment that is less than one year old at an estimated cost of $10 million. The approved solution was developed to work with numerous cyber security processes, utilize software on the software authorized products list, employ equipment on the security authorized products list compatible with existing deployed solutions, and take advantage of existing Army enterprise agreements. Changes to the approved solution would result in requirements for new Security Controls Assessment Validations at an estimated cost of $500 thousand, the delay to a new $100 million facility which impacts the CCoE’s force generating requirement, increased contract cost estimated at $2 million annually, in addition to the above, and increased operational risk to multiple enterprises. The existing CCoE network uses similar equipment across the CCoE campus. Usage of the approved solution would allow for the use of existing army enterprise agreements thereby reducing costs long-term with regards to maintenance and sustainment costs.

b. Alternatives. Alternative solutions were examined at the start of this effort but due to the cyber security requirements of the current enterprise service provider, alternative solutions were unable to be approved for implementation.

c. Additional Supporting Information:

1) Failure to acquire these brand name items will result in a new facility valued at approximately $100M being initially unusable for its intended training mission.

Control No: MICC 2024 – 34

2) The Cyber Security findings, and authorized products list for some networks are classified but the appropriate examination of alternatives was conducted via meetings.

3) Long lead time items are already risking the current project timeline of providing a fully operational capable training facility by 26 October 2024.

d. Impact if justification not approved: If these specific items are not approved, the IT infrastructure for the MCA-2 facility will not be operational to absorb the CCoE student training requirements. Not procuring this MUE requirement disaggregates and desynchronizes the $1 billion Army effort and priority to transform and modernize the CCoE Campus, so it has the necessary capabilities to train and educate Soldiers to support Multi-Domain Operations in Large Scale Combat Operations.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: This effort utilizes the Army’s mandatory source of supply and will be open to all eligible providers on the ITES-3H vehicle.

7. Market Research: The requiring activity performed market research within the CHESS program and it was determined that multiple companies can provide these requirements. All eligible ITES-3H contract holders will be eligible to compete for this requirement. Multiple ITES-3H vendors have expressed verbal interest during the market research. These market research results were compiled and completed by the MICC – Fort Eisenhower Contract Specialist on March 15, 2024. Market research revealed that the requirement could be fulfilled through the mandatory source CHESS.

The Army CHESS program is a mandatory source program for the purchase of COTS software, IT equipment (e.g routers & servers), services, etc., regardless of dollar value.

This requirement will be competed under Army CHESS ITES-3H on an unrestricted basis through Army CHESS.

8. Other Facts: This acquisition will use the mandatory source of supply. There is no available procurement history for these items.