JA15-065_iDirect_17_Apr_2015-Redacted_Redacted.pdf

iDirect Hubs, Line Cards, Software, and Licenses in support of DoD Teleport-JA15-065

4. IDENTIFICATION OF STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(c), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. DEMONSTRATION OF CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS:

(a) Description of events.

(1) On 20 May 2010, the Chief of Naval Operations approved the DoD Teleport Operation

Requirements Document (ORD) Generation Three Update. The ORD requires that all DoD Teleports be constructed with the same equipment so operational forces have no interoperability issues regardless of geographic location. In order to meet this requirement, any new Teleport systems will have to be built with the same equipment as the existing Teleport sites. All DoD Teleport sites currently use iDirect Government commercial IP modems (Hubs, line cards, TRANSEC Software).

(2) On 27 February 2013, a DITCO contracting officer signed a Part 16 J&A/brand name justification for similar iDirect hardware and software. The basis for the justification was:

“All DoD Teleport systems deployed around the world must match exactly the baseline configuration approved by the DoD Teleport Chief Engineer as well as the Information Assurance accredited baseline approved by the DISA DAA. Any deviations from this baseline are not authorized.

The DoD Teleport Operational Requirements Document (ORD) requires that all DoD Teleports be constructed with the same equipment so operational forces have no interoperability issues regardless of geographic location. In order to meet this requirement, any new Teleport must be built with the same equipment as the existing Teleport sites. The current complement of IP Modems at the DoD Teleports is proprietary Commercial-off-the- Shelf (COTS) systems. While they are interoperable at the network layer, they are not interoperable at the SATCOM (physical) layer. One commercial IP modem will not interoperate with another vendor’s products at the physical layer. Additionally, IP modems with TRANSEC are required per DoD Instruction 8581.01P. The iDirect system meets this requirement as well as the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) level 2 requirements.

The need for these specific iDirect IP modems is based on the current iDirect system (evolution v2.3.1) fielded at other DoD Teleports. It has been certified by the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC), and added to the Approved Products List (APL).

It is essential that the iDirect system to be procured matches the existing configuration to ensure tested and approved capability. Without this, the system will experience interoperability issues that will affect the availability of service to the deployed joint forces.

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This system will ensure the SATCOM Gateway (Teleport) systems are compatible with deployed forces and in compliance with DISA’s DSN EoIP network and the Teleport ORD.”

This justification supported the procurement of iDirect hardware and software under contract HC1047-13-C-4015 awarded on 26 March 2013.

(b) Justification.

(1) Minimum Government Requirements: See DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES.

(2) Proposed sole source contractor: iDirect Government, a wholly owned subsidiary of VT iDirect, Inc., is a satellite communications vendor offering IP communications technology that enables constant connectivity for voice, video and data applications in diverse and challenging environments. iDirect Government has multiple, small business distributors capable of fulfilling the Government’s requirement.

(3) Discussion regarding cause of the brand name situation: The May 2010 DoD Teleport ORD Generation Three Update requires all DoD Teleports be constructed with the same equipment so operational forces have no interoperability issues regardless of geographic location. In order to meet this requirement, any new Teleport systems will have to be built with the same equipment as the existing Teleport sites. All DoD Teleport sites currently use iDirect Government commercial IP modems (Hubs, line cards, TRANSEC Software).

(4) Demonstration of unique source: The iDirect system (hardware and software) is proprietary and not produced by any other vendor. iDirect Government's commercial IP modem will not interoperate with another vendor's products at the satellite communications physical layer. iDirect Government’s modems require TRANSEC (per DoD Instruction 8581.01P) and FIPS level 2 requirements. In addition, these specific iDirect Government IP modems are based on the current iDirect system (evolution v2.3.1) fielded in the DoD Teleport System worldwide.

They have been JITC-certified and added to the APL.

(5) Procurement Discussion: The Government’s current action requires equipment to be delivered by June 1, 2015. The previous acquisition was procured as an 8(a), sole source, direct award to ICP Systems of East Point, GA (CAGE: 5GBZ6). The Government’s current action is for similar equipment and software, but the equipment is being sent to different locations.

The current requirement will not be an 8(a) set-aside. Based on market research, there are no 8(a) vendors that are iDirect authorized distributors. The previous awardee, ICP Systems, was not an authorized iDirect equipment distributor. On 02 April 2015, the Small Business Administration released the iDirect procurement from the 8(a) program. There are approximately seven, authorized, small business distributors. The Government will conduct the current requirement as a 100% total small business set aside.

(6) Impact: Procuring another vendor's products, not currently installed at today's Teleports, would violate the Teleport ORD. In addition, any new equipment would be required to undergo rigorous JITC certification. Teleport technical experts have calculated that violating the ORD would cause the DoD Teleport Program to incur approximately $15 million in duplicative cost to

Page 4 of 7 Pages integrate another vendor's product into the Teleport system. Costs would include, but are not limited to re-engineering, installation, labor, worldwide travel, training & operations, associated maintenance of equipment, certifications, etc. Additionally, Teleport technical experts have estimated that it would take over one year to bring back all sites to an operational status. This break in capability would critically impact Teleport's performance and support to the warfighter.

It is essential that the iDirect system procured match the existing configuration to ensure tested and approved capability. Without this, the system will experience interoperability issues that will affect the availability of service to the deployed joint forces. Further, the Government will incur unacceptable delays due to the additional work of replacing existing iDirect proprietary cabling and rack modification to accommodate a new vendor's system. The iDirect Government IP modem system will ensure the SATCOM Gateway (Teleport) systems will be compatible with deployed forces and in compliance with DISA's DSN EoIP network and the Teleport ORD.

6. FEDBIZOPPS ANNOUNCEMENT/POTENTIAL SOURCES:

This acquisition will be a 100% total small business set-aside for iDirect Government authorized distributors. PL61 will post a combined synopsis/solicitation and this J&A to the Federal Business Opportunities website.

7. DETERMINATION OF FAIR AND REASONABLE COST:

Price reasonableness will be based on competitive quotes. If only one response is received, price reasonableness may be determined on market research, comparison of the proposed price with prices found reasonable on previous purchases, current prices lists, or any other reasonable basis.

8. MARKET RESEARCH:

Market research was originally conducted by publishing a market research request (MRR) to vendors who have contracts on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) vehicle. MRR number 196087 was posted to NASA SEWP on February 10, 2015 and closed on February 13, 2015.

was the only vendor to respond; however, it could not provide all of the supplies/services.

In addition, the contract specialist performed market research on the General Services Administration (GSA) Advantage website. GSA advantage offers commercial items and services its Multiple Award Schedules. Part numbers 15152 5IF Hub with 3 eM1D1 Line Cards and LIC0000037 were located and had available sources. Part number K0000133-0001 more widely known as the Dell Poweredge R420 1U Rack Server was also located on GSA advantage website and was found using its Dell name.

iDirect Government provided a list of authorized distributors, at least seven of which are small business concerns. Based on the market research, iDirect Government authorized distributors are capable of providing all of the requirements on this action; therefore, this action will be a 100% total small business set-aside to iDirect Government authorized distributors. On April 16, 2015, the Head of the Contracting Activity waived the DISA Acquisition Regulations Supplement

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