JEFO_NPMM_Redacted.pdf

Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity:

a. Federal agency and contracting activity: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health (HHS NIH)

b. Sponsoring organization: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).

Computer Technology Branch (CTB)

c. Project Officer Information:

• Project Officer Name:

• Mailing address:

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

111 T.W. Alexander Drive

Research Triangle Park, NC USA 27709

• E-mail address:

• Telephone number:

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved:

a. Acquisition purpose and objectives:

This justification is for the issuance of a task order to 22nd Century Team, LLC., 8251 Greensboro Drive, McLean, VA 22102-4893, under the National Institutes of Health Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC), Chief Information Officer – Solutions and Partners 3 (CIO-SP3) Small Business Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) HHSN316201200110W. This task order will provide for NIEHS Post-Modernization Migrations (NPMM), which will fully enable cutover of various network infrastructure functions to the NIEHS 10 Gigabit (10G) data network which is installed between and the . This effort will consist with the completion of three projects: Removal of Hewlett Packard (HP) equipment from the data center, migration of the Office of Research Facilities (ORF) data network to single mode, and dedicating a science high-speed path to NIH using the 10G network.

b. Project background:

The current network modernization project (NEII) migrates the NIEHS data network from a mixed copper and multimode fiber optic cable backbone utilizing Hewlett Packard (HP) network hardware to a single mode fiber plant utilizing Cisco network hardware. This project is being performed in all the telecommunications closets throughout the . This is a pre-requisite to connect with using the installed 10G data network between the and the This contract action is to fully enable cutover of various NIEHS functions to the

10 Gigabit data network. Without completing these post-modernization migrations, the Institute will be unable to fully utilize the 10G data network. This configuration will allow for greater use of the 10G network speeds between

The inability of the Institute to fully utilize a modern data network (the 10G network) puts the cannot adequately access to conduct world-class science. Additionally, the lack of a in a heterogeneous HP-Cisco environment until they are fully migrated to the 10G (fully Cisco) environment.

3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value):

a. Project Title: “NIEHS Post-Modernization Migrations (NPMM)”

b. Project description:

The task order objectives are as follows:

1. Removal of Hewlett Packard (HP) equipment from the data center. This requirement focuses on the needs within the data center after completion of the current network modernization task. The task consists of engineering support to remove the legacy equipment without disruption of Cisco-based services as well as physical removal of the equipment from the data center.

2. NIH Office of Research Facilities (ORF) has informed NIEHS that ORF’s older fiber distribution network on the NIEHS campus is beyond a supportable age. Outages have occurred and a replacement and supportable network are strongly in need. The current proposal is to move all ORF NIEHS support devices off their current network onto the modernized NIEHS network. This step will allow future iterations of CTB IT infrastructure support contracts to directly provide support for critical ORF infrastructure. Currently, there is a major risk to NIEHS because ORF traditionally has maintained this part of the network on a separate IT support contract with separate resources. All switches in the current ORF network are long out of date.

3. NIEHS has identified scientific work that should and could process information faster with the NIHnet systems The current network path is less direct and slowed by certain overhead components such as extensive security monitoring. If selected workstations at NIEHS have primary mission requirements with certain we can develop faster routes with less overhead for this traffic. The objective of this project is to develop routes which make greater use of the new 10G network speeds to NIEHS.

• Requirement type:

Research & development (R&D) R & D support services Support services (non-R&D) Supplies/equipment Information Technology (IT) Construction Architect-engineer (A & E) services Design-build Other (specify): ____________________

• Type of action:

New requirement Follow-on Other (specify): One Source Rationale ~ Justification for Exception to Fair Opportunity

(JEFO)

• Proposed Order Type:

Firm-fixed-price Other fixed-price (specify, e.g., fixed-price award-fee, fixed-price incentive-fee):

Cost-plus-fixed-fee Other cost reimbursement (specify, e.g., cost-plus-award-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee):

Time and materials Indefinite delivery (specify whether indefinite quantity, definite quantity, or requirements): ___________ Other (specify): ___________ Completion Form Term form

• Acquisition identification number: 4256329

c. Total estimated dollar value and performance period: The estimated value of the proposed contract action is The anticipated period of performance is six months from date of award.

4. Identification of the exception to fair opportunity and the supporting rationale, including a demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the exception cited:

FAR Subpart 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) “Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized”.

22nd Century Team, LLC., is currently assigned as NIEHS’ IT infrastructure support contractor, performing critical “NIEHS Enterprise Technology Services” or NETS functions under the CIO-SP3 Small Business Contract No. HHSN316201200110W; Task Order No. HHSN27300001, which was competitively awarded on December 14, 2015. These critical IT services encompass five (5) functional areas: system administration support; help desk support; network management; security operations; and application support. Under those functional areas, the incumbent currently provides subject matter expertise in evaluating and recommending an enterprise target architecture solution to upgrade, modernize, and bring the IT infrastructure to a state of maturity and technological advancement that achieves standardization of the environment in line with NIEHS strategic plans and mission objectives.

22nd Century also provides support in the areas of System Administration, Help Desk Support, Network Equipment Management, Data Center Operations, and Network Infrastructure Security. 22nd Century is responsible for assisting the Government in managing cost, schedule, performance, security, and risk for all NETS related activities and projects, in addition to coordinating with the Government to ensure activities are synchronized and integrated with other and NIEHS Computer Technology Branch (CTB) network improvements and modernizations mandated by Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA).

22nd Century has the expertise, cleared personnel, and required network access to perform the required NIEHS Post-Modernization Migrations services. Critical to the NPMM effort is the need for uninterrupted IT services at the Institute. The technical complexities and interdependencies of this project and the incumbent’s IT operations activities are intertwined and cannot be performed by another contractor due to (1) NIH policy over allocation of rights & privileges, (2) contract liabilities concerning jurisdictional purview, and (3) risk of disruption of IT Services.

The NIH policy on allocation of rights and privileges is based on the Principle of Least Privilege, which limits the damage that can result from an accident or error by granting minimum access consistent with assigned duties and functions. The Government is unable to implement the Principle of Least Privilege to an acceptable level to delineate an acceptable boundary between different IT contractors. The Government is unable to accept the additional risks associated with the exposure of two or more contractors having elevated privileges to the NIEHS network.

Contract liabilities of allowing another contractor to have the same network rights and privileges would put the Government at risk as the current NIEHS IT support contractor, 22nd Century has sole jurisdictional purview of the NIEHS enterprise network. 22nd Century is solely responsible for the integrity, availability, and security of the NIEHS network. Imposing another contractor would infringe upon 22nd Century’s ability to maintain strict control of NIEHS’ network and impede their ability to effectively perform critical tasks.

22nd Century’s expertise and knowledge represents the best value for the Government through their direct understanding of NIEHS’ network system to design and implement an improved approach for the removal of the HP equipment, migration, redistribution of the ORF network onto the NIEHS network, and properly configuring existing network bandwidth utilization. Additionally, only 22nd Century can provide the services at the level of quality required and capable of accomplishing the short-term work without incurring disruptions in service and unacceptable delays.

5. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable:

The proposed hourly labor rates will be verified to confirm that they do not exceed the established and negotiated labor rates in the contractor's basic CIO-SP3 contract. The level of effort and the mix of labor proposed will be evaluated to determine that the total price is reasonable for the effort. The Government will seek additional discounts off the established hourly labor rates under the basic contract.

6. Any other facts supporting the justification: N/A

7. Statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the exception to fair opportunity before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made: N/A

8. Program Office Certification:

Evidence that any supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel (e.g., verifying the Government’s minimum needs or requirements or other rationale for an exception to fair opportunity) and which form a basis for the justification have been certified as complete and accurate by the technical or requirements personnel.