J A_PowerGold.pdf

JUSTIFICIATION AND APPROVAL FOR SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS

Microppwer Corporation PowerGold Music Scheduling Software

1. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.1 06-1 (b )(2), I hereby determine that the Micropower Corporation PowerGold Music Scheduling Software listed on HQ0030-5083-0003 is available from only one source, and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated below. There are no substitutes available.

2. This acquisition is restricted to the following source:

Company: Micropower Corporation, PowerGold Music Scheduling Software Company Address: 8500 W Markham St Ste 201, Little Rock AR 72205-2455 Company Point of Contact: Brandon Olvey, (50 1) 821-1123 X300

3. The PowerGold Music Scheduling Software for one base years plus four option years is expected to be is estimated to cost a total of . rhe total price for the base year is estimated to be and is required to be delivered by 1 May 2015 .

The PowerGold Music Scheduling Software is follow-on to an existing software licensing and support agreement between PowerGold and various AFRTS operational sites and media centers. The vendor shall provide software licensing and support agreement for PowerGold software for one base year 1 May 2015 to 30 Apr 2016 and 4 option years. The software being procured serves to manage and schedule the on-air radio broadcast of news, command information, programming and emergency broadcast warnings to U.S. forces and family members in the U.S. European Command, Korea, U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The software shall interface with all popular automation and commercial traffic scheduling systems and is trained at the Defense Information School.

4. Because of the urgency of this requirement, only one source will be solicited. The PowerGold Music Scheduling Software must be delivered by 1 May 2015. This office became aware of the requirement on 10 February, 2015. If the required delivery date is not met, it will cause a mission failure in managing continuous on-air radio broadcast operations of AFR TS radio outlets for scheduling news, command information, various interstitial materials, spots, and entertainment (e.g., music and talk show) programming.

5. Check and fill in all that are applicable:

D The material or service must be compatible iri all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems presently installed. The current equipment is <insert description of current equipment>, and the new item/service must coordinate, connect, or interface with the existing system by <insert description of how the new item/service must coordinate or interface>.

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Sole Source Justification for Simplified Acquisitions

0 A patent, copyright, proprietary data, or licensing agreement limits competition.

The proprietary data are described as follows:

PowerGold I 2

0 These are "direct replacement" parts/components for existing equipment.

0 Other information to support a sole-source buy:

Upon review of the current contract, AFN -BC coordinated with HQ AFRTS field operations to determine the requirements for this procurement. AFN-BC radio is a radio service network provider and not a HQ AFRTS field operations element and therefore could not determine or validate the operational requirement for this software. HQ AFRTS took for action and determined that they currently have broadcast automation systems that are currently deployed at 31 AFRTS stations and media center sites in the United States, countries in Southwest Asia, HondUras, Germany, Italy, and Korea. The PowerGold software program is currently deployed in all 31 AFRTS stations and media centers overseas as well as the AFN-BC. This software serves a critical role in maintaining continuous on-air radio broadcast operations of AFRTS as it manages and schedules news, command information, various interstitial materials, spots, and entertainment (e.g., music and talk show) programming. HQ AFRTS supports a one year, single source music scheduling software contract with the current vendor. Although alternate sources of broadcast management and scheduling software may ultimately be able to address the agency's needs, AFR TS Field Operations is in the midst of addressing future/end-state requirements. The HQ AFRTS Operations Working Group is tasked to identify specific elements that will be necessary to fulfill the intent and spirit of DMA Performance Plan Initiative 2. These actions will require sufficient time to match future resource appropriations with actual requirements within the worldwide network structure.

The risks and substantial costs associated with transitioning to alternate software are so great that these duplicative costs are not expected to be recovered through competition.

An award to an alternate source of the required software would impose a greater risk of interruption of broadcasting news, command information, and entertainment to US Forces around the world and result in substantial duplication of time, effort, and expenses. Specifically, any transition to another source would require the installation of new software at all 31 of our stations and media centers worldwide. This installation would need to be performed by those with technical expertise which is not currently · available at the various broadcast outlets. Installing an alternate software package would require additional time and effort by those with technical expertise to ensure that the new software is properly configured with workflow equipment infrastructure and integrates with other software, such as the broadcast automation system software. In addition to these additional installation costs each of the 31 broadcast outlets would need to have in house personnel trained on the alternate software system. The costs associated with this installation and training is estimated well over 80,000 dollars based upon TDY costs of trainers and would also entail at least 30 hours of in-house personnel time for dozens of in-house personnel located at the various broadcast outlets. In terms of training it should also be noted that the PowerGold program has been taught to all DoD broadcast journalist students at the Defense Information School since 2003 as part of an 8 hour instructional

2 of4 block on Music Show Production and Programming. No other broadcast management and scheduling software is taught at DINFOS. Accordingly, transitioning to an alternate source would involve an exorbitant expenditure of government funds, time and manpower.

The costs in transitioning to another software alone would be above what the Government currently pays annually for the Powergold software and support.

Additional costs associated with alternate sources of the required software and support would also necessarily include the cost of 24 hours a day 7 days a week telephone support to ensure continuous on-air radio broadcast. These substantial additional costs associated with an award to another source are not expected to be recovered through competition.

AFR TS, with the assistance of the military broadcast services, conducted market research to evaluate whether another software package existed that would be compatible with the current automation equipment and that could easily interface with the current entertainment packages. It was found that any alternative to the PowerGold software and support package would require equipment modifications and hundreds of man hours of training.

For example, one alternate software source, Music Master, on the surface, costs less in terms of software alone over four years. However, AFRTS would have to spend far more than that transitioning to Music Master with the required system reconfigurations and training at 31 locations. AFR TS would have to pay for upgrades, pay for support for each user, pay for shipping on non-downloadable software. In addition, Music Master;

proposal is restricted to a USB plug in security key called a "dongle" (licenses) that are more easily misplaced along with a "dongle" replacem~nt cost. This would likely increase the risk to the Government in failing to properly track numerous proprietary licenses and ensuring that programming is broadcasted consistent with licensing requirements. Music Master also does not offer overseas reps, only offers phone support on a "return call" basis ~nd each call is individually charged which fails to meet the needs of a continuous on-air broadcast. In addition, it requires systems switch out at 31 operational sites along with onsite operator training, new integration routines, data conversion, and other non-inclusive "tiered" support and options. True annual costs associated with Music Master, when including supplies, services and support, according to their quotes far exceed the cost of an award to Micropower Corporation.

In contrast, the PowerGold software license and support provided by Micropower Corporation provides continued support and updates for the PowerGold systems already deployed and ensures that there is no interruption to providing news, command information, and entertainment to US Forces around the world. PowerGold provides critical on-air broadcast phone support 24/7, with overseas regional reps, downloadable Software upgrades with software back-up shipping. Since this software has been in use since 2003 AFR TS operators are already trained, the systems are properly integrated, functionality proven with the automation and music data already in system.

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CERTIFICATION

I certify that statements checked and information provided above are complete and correct to the best of my knowledge. In accordance with FAR 13.106-1 (b )(2),the processing of this sole-source justification precludes the use of full and open competition.

'' Digitally signed by ST 0 VE R .S c 0 TT' STOVER.SCOTI.E.1152933351 .. ON: c=US, o=U.S. Government, ou=DoD, E 3 3 3 ou=PKI, ou=OSD, 11 52 9 5 ~ cn=STOVER.SCOTI.E.1152933351

• • / Date: 2015.04.06 14:5 1:37 -07'00'

Scott E. Stover Project Officer

MADRID.SUSAN.M.1231

748829

Date: 6 April 2015

Digitally signed by MADRID.SUSAN.M.1231748829 DN: c=US, o=U.S. Government, ou= DoD, ou=PKI, ou=OSD, cn=MADRID.SUSAN.M.1231748829 Date: 2015.04.08 14:07:50 -07'00'

-<~S'u_s_a_n~~~a~dr~z~.d.---------------~--------- =n~a-te ________________ _

Contracting Officer

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