F01_GPE Post Justification FAR Part 6 Redacted_W912CN26FA459.pdf

This document is a Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity Under RFO 16.507-7(b) for a Brand-Name acquisition by the 413th Contracting Support Brigade at Wheeler Army Airfield.

The contracting activity seeks to procure Layer 3 switch chassis with redundant line cards and supervisors for replacement of end-of-life network hardware, utilizing Army Operations and Maintenance funds. The action is restricted to a 100% small-business set-aside and was posted on CHESS (the Army's designated enterprise source for IT products and services) for competition among small businesses. The justification cites 41 U.S.C. 1901 IAW RFO 12.102(b) as authority for the brand-name exception. Cisco is identified as the sole manufacturer capable of meeting the government's technical requirements due to compatibility with ancillary equipment including TACACS servers, Security Exchange Protocols Servers, and Comply to Connect appliances. Market research through CHESS confirmed that only Cisco Catalyst 9600 series equipment met the specified requirements, with no alternative manufacturers providing compliant solutions. The Army Pacific network relies on established Cisco-based architectures with IPv6 routing, automation, and security implementations; introducing non-Cisco platforms would create significant interoperability issues and require extensive network redesign efforts. The contracting officer determined the anticipated cost to be fair and reasonable, and certified that the supporting documentation is accurate and complete.