IA02 CUI_Knox JEFO 2024_51_Approved_Redacted 10.9.2024.pdf

Control No: MICC 2024-51

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

a. Background: This is the annual maintenance renewal for the ARNG portion of the existing web-based fingerprint enrollment capability for the Recruiting Services Network (RSN). This capability is used by Recruiters for all Army Components and integrated into a single system. Army Regulation 601-210, Regular Army and Reserve Components Enlistment Program, requires a fingerprint background check for all enlistments. All components use the Army Recruiting Information Support System (ARISS) system for managing the Accessions Process. The Regular Army and Army Reserve recruiters were the initial users of the system. The ARNG, due to different funding sources and authorities, had to procure their own licenses to use the existing system. The current system is integrated into ARISS to take all fingerprints and send them to Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) by the Secure Web Fingerprint Transmission (SWFT) system. DCSA routes the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and ensures the results of the background investigation are returned to ARISS. This process has been automated to reduce errors in collection of personal identifiable information (PII) and biometric data, and ensure the results of the background checks are returned. This does not require manual intervention, reduces errors, and reduces the amount of PII stored on the Recruiter’s local workstation. The Crossmatch capacity pack licenses are required to connect to the existing Crossmatch Proprietary Fingerprint Capture devices used by the ARNG in the 50 states and 4 territories to connect to the Crossmatch WEBS software. The maintenance agreement provides for security patches and technical support for the Crossmatch WEBS software.

Combining these two requirements reduces pre- and post-award man-hours, processing time and administrative cost. The Crossmatch WEBS software has been certified for utilization, by Senior Software Engineers, so that it properly operates/integrates with DCSA systems. No other software would perform the necessary operations other than the Crossmatch WEBS software.

b. Alternatives:

1) Do not renew the software maintenance: This would require the ARNG Recruiters to locally collect the information on their laptops and send the fingerprints for background checks on applicants. This would cause delays in processing and increase the risk of human errors. This also increases the chance of PII being stolen. It will also impact the cybersecurity posture of the WEBS software and violate AR 25-2, Army Cybersecurity, which requires vendor provided security patches for applications to be available.

2) Procure new software and hardware for fingerprint capability: This would significantly expand the current procurement from software maintenance renewal to a completely new system. The current system uses proprietary hardware and software to provide the current fingerprint capability. Any new system would require a hardware and software procurement. Previous Government contracts procured in 2020 supports the Government’s initial investment of for procurement and integration into the

Control No: MICC 2024-51

ARISS System. A new system would likely cost as much or more depending on price increases in the last two years.

3) Return to a client-based scanning capability: The WEBS software followed the ARMY CIO/G6 guidance to migrate systems from being legacy client server to being cloud capable. The original WEBS software procurement moved the client server system of fingerprints and other PII data being stored on the laptop to a cloud capable architecture. This move reduced the potential cyber security impact of spillage of PII data stored on the laptop. It also streamlined the fingerprinting process. Moving back to a client server architecture will increase the risk of a PII spillage and complicate the fingerprinting process currently in use.

c. Impact if not approved: Should this action not be approved, the ARNG Recruiters would be required to locally collect the information on their laptops and send the fingerprints for background checks on applicants. Due to the local inputs and efforts for both submitting fingerprints and uploading the results of the investigations, there is an increase in the probability of applicants who have an unacceptable background check being inadvertently recruited into the Army.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: The products to be acquired with this acquisition fit within the framework of a larger end-to-end system therefore, no other brands is capable of executing the mission. Army Regulation 25-1, Army Information Technology, directs commands to plan for a life cycle of existing information technology equipment.

Based on a five-year life cycle replacement cycle, this system will be reviewed in FY 25 for possible replacement options.

7. Market Research Software and Solutions (CHESS) is the mandatory source for commercial information technology hardware and software. On 26 April 2023, HRC posted a request for information (RFI) to the CHESS platform under the ITES-SW2 suite of contracts.

responded in the affirmative they could present offers and provided market research rough order of magnitude estimates. Both firms are viable solutions for this requirement.

8. Other Facts:

Procurement history.

Contract: W9124D23F0484 Contract: W9124D22F0297 Contractor: Iron Bow Technologies Contractor: Gov Connection Award Date: 27 September 2023 Award Date: 26 September 2022 Competitive Status: Brand Name Only Competitive Status: Brand Name Only Authority cited: FAR 16.505(a)(4) Authority cited: FAR 16.505(a)(4)