IA02 SSJ FAR Part 12 eSports Automation_Redacted.pdf

Control No: KNOX-SAT-2026-0155

Justification Review Document FAR Part 12 Sole Source Justification and Approval

Program/Equipment: Esports Automation Equipment that will integrate with the existing U.S. Army Esports Team gaming stage. This is phase two of completing the Esports Gaming Stage step-up for The U.S. Army Esports Team. This is for the procurement, delivery, physical installation, integration, and commissioning of an advanced broadcast, Audio-Visual (A/V), and stage lighting system. The system shall integrate multi-window 4K processing, digital signal processing (DSP) audio, robotic PTZ tracking, LED video wall displays, and automated DMX stage lighting into a unified control infrastructure and be compatible with the existing Esports stage. Procuring a turn-key broadcast, audio-visual, and stage lighting package will provide a modernized technology solution that enhances gaming production capabilities and supports current mission needs. This procurement introduces advanced, unified systems designed to streamline operation, significantly reduce technical troubleshooting, and allow Soldier-gamers and production staff to focus on audience engagement and effective lead conversion.

Authority: Simplified acquisition procedures for Commercial Products and Commercial Services, Title 41 U.S.C. 1901 as implemented by FAR 12.102(a) only one source is available valued at or below the simplified acquisition threshold. (DFARS CD 2026-O0028).

Amount:

Prepared by:

Contracting Officer: Andrea Skilinski Contracting Officer Date: 26 August 2026 Email: andrea.m.skilinski.civ@army.mil

Technical:

Requirements:

Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support sole source.

FAR Part 12 Sole Source Justification and Approval

1. Requiring Activity: U.S. Army Marketing and Engagement Brigade (USAMEB), Mission Support Battalion, Outreach Company, Fort Knox, KY 40121.

2. Contracting Activity: U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command Center (MICC)-Fort Knox, 199 6th Avenue, Suite 250, Fort Knox, KY, 40121.

3. Description of Action: Request approval to award a firm-fixed priced contract with Esports Foundry, Inc., 77 E Wilson Bridge Road, Suite 207, Worthington, Ohio 43085- 2324, Unique Entity ID: MT9KUNBZNW67 CAGE: 01V87. The Government projects award for September 2026 and fiscal year 2026 Operations and Maintenance (OMA) funds will be used. This contract is for the follow-on, phase two procurement, delivery, installation, and programing of specialized Esports stage automation equipment for the U.S. Army Esports Team�s main broadcast stage located in Building 1610, 3451 Wilson Ave., Fort Knox, KY 40121. This action provides the necessary technical hardware and software control layers required to automate production workflows. Specifically, this procurement includes motorized pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) robotic camera tracking systems, game-API synchronized lighting controllers, automated digital media switchers, and low-latency signal distribution processors. These automated components will be integrated directly into the stage's central command station to replace manual technical workflows with instantaneous, script-driven event triggers.

4. Description of Supplies/Services: This requirement is to complete phase two, a comprehensive, turnkey modernization of the existing broadcast and production infrastructure. The vendor shall provide all necessary hardware, materials, programming, and labor to commission a fully functional, automated digital engagement studio. The primary deliverables of this supply and service contract include:

a. Custom Staging and Display Integration: Installation of LED panels and integrated visual displays housed within incorporated monitors, designed specifically for high-visibility esports broadcasting and brand projection.

b. Automated Broadcast and Audio-Visual (AV) Hardware: Procurement and installation of a professional-grade production ecosystem, including high-definition cameras, automated video switchers, audio routing interfaces, and interconnected cabling systems.

c. Automated Stage Lighting System: Procurement, mounting, and programming of an automated stage lighting grid to establish professional, studio-quality broadcast aesthetics.

d. Systems Integration, Programming, and Commissioning: Complete engineering and technical services to integrate all individual components into a single, cohesive, user-friendly automated control system. This includes final system testing, programming of automated production sequences, and training for Army production staff at the completion of the stage build.

custom hardware designs, unique connection standards, specialized signal routing structures, and physical component configurations developed specifically for the original installation. Introducing alternative equipment would create incompatibilities with the current stage structure, interrupt established cable and signal pathways and prevent proper mechanical mounting. Since competing systems do not share Esports Foundry�s protected hardware specifications, physical interface standards, or configuration rights, they cannot be integrated into the previously installed infrastructure. Esports Foundry is the only firm capable of supplying equipment that works with the existing setup due to its specialized experience in constructing Esports production environments and its unique understanding of the stage�s proprietary hardware configuration. Their exclusive knowledge of the physical integration requirements, custom component layout, and the structural design used in phase one makes them the only source able to provide equipment that is compatible with the installed system and meets the Army�s operational needs.

a. Background: Esports Foundry must provide the automation equipment because it is the proprietary control backbone for the digital engagement studio already purchased on the initial contract, which included the custom staging, broadcast architecture, camera systems, A/V routing infrastructure, and competition-grade production environment engineered specifically to operate with Esports Foundry�s automation platform. No other vendor can supply automation equipment that interfaces with this existing proprietary system. The automation package is required to activate and synchronize the previously purchased components coordinating camera switching, lighting cues, audio-visual routing, and production workflows. Without Esports Foundry�s automation equipment, the Government�s initial investment cannot function as designed, and no third-party solution is compatible with or authorized to integrate into the proprietary architecture.

b. Alternatives. Esports Foundry is the sole provider of the automation equipment because the control system is proprietary to their digital engagement studio architecture. Their automation platform, including camera switching, lighting cues, audio-visual routing, and broadcast sequencing is uniquely engineered to integrate with Esports Foundry�s custom staging, software logic, and low-latency Esports workflows. No other vendor possesses the technical data, software interfaces, or integration rights required to operate or replicate this system, making Esports Foundry the only source capable of delivering the necessary automation equipment.

c. Impact if justification is not approved: Not receiving the Esports Foundry automation equipment severely degrades the U.S. Army Esports Team�s broadcast production capabilities, directly undermining its Gen Z recruitment mission. The automation system is not generic A/V hardware; it is the proprietary control backbone that synchronizes camera switching, lighting cues, audio-visual routing, and production timing across the entire digital engagement studio.

Without this integrated automation package, the broadcast loses the polished, professional quality expected on platforms such as Twitch [recruiting.army.mil], reducing viewer engagement and weakening the Army�s competitive posture in the digital recruiting space.

Attempts to substitute commercial automation tools are not viable because they cannot interface with Esports Foundry�s proprietary routing logic, studio architecture, or competition-flow sequencing. This forces production staff into manual camera operation, manual lighting changes, and manual audio-visual switching, slowing down workflows, increasing error rates, and creating an outdated broadcast experience that does not reflect the Army�s modern technological image. As a result, only Esports Foundry�s automation equipment can deliver the synchronized, low-latency, Esports specific control environment required to meet the mission�s technical and strategic objectives.

7. Efforts to Obtain Competition: No further action can be taken at this time.

a. Effective competition: Based on market research, no effective competition is anticipated for this procurement. While some commercial AV integrators and staging vendors can provide individual components of the requirement, none can deliver the full proprietary architecture needed for the Brigade�s mission. Esports Foundry is the sole developer, manufacturer, and authorized integrator of the proprietary staging and its automation control ecosystem. Competing vendors may be able to furnish isolated hardware or partial AV services, but they do not possess the technical data, software rights, or structural designs required to engineer, fabricate, and integrate the complete environment. Only Esports Foundry can provide the full, unified solution necessary to meet the Government�s technical specifications.

b. Esports Foundry does not use third-party resellers for its custom digital engagement studio builds. They directly procure and integrate all core Esports, broadcast, and network components to maintain proprietary standards. The studio itself is a fully integrated environment combining competitive gaming architecture, multi-camera production systems, LED display technology, secure low-latency networking, audio processing, lighting controls, and tournament-ready player stations into a single unified platform. While Esports Foundry may subcontract limited auxiliary labor for non-critical tasks such as construction or installation support, no third party can deliver the specialized technical, competitive-integrity, or secure broadcast functions required.

Therefore, meaningful subcontracting competition is not available for this proprietary requirement.

8. Actions to Increase Competition: For future acquisitions of standard station components (e.g., peripheral gaming mice, keyboards, monitors), the Army will utilize mandatory sources, open-market, and vendor neutral procurement approach. However, for specialized initial stage integration and custom tournament architecture, Esports Foundry remains the singular entity capable of meeting the Government's strict performance parameters without catastrophic mission delay.

9. Market Research: Alternate commercial AV integrators and event-management firms were evaluated to determine if they could meet the Government's requirements for this project. While several alternative firms can provide basic hardware procurement or general A/V installation services, market research indicates that no other single vendor possesses the required combination of specialized Esports infrastructure expertise, scholastic competition architecture, and secure broadcast-grade networking capabilities needed for this hybrid project.

Traditional A/V vendors specialize in general-purpose broadcast, LED, lighting, or staging solutions; however, they lack the Esports specific operational frameworks and competitive-integrity systems that are foundational to scholastic and competitive gaming environments. Conversely, event-production companies may have experience with live tournaments, but they do not have the capability to design and integrate the low-latency, multi-camera, multi-signal Esports routing environment necessary for Government digital broadcast operations�nor do they have experience architecting academic Esports ecosystems or compliance structures relevant to institutional competition.

During market research by the requiring activity, was contacted in May of 2025, however could not offer the gaming software that Esports Foundry can provide. Additionally, was also contacted in May of 2025 however could not produce the stage build that Esports Foundry could produce.

No other sources were contacted.

10. Interested Sources: N/A

11. Procurement History: The Esports Stage initial procurement, phase one, included a complete set of professional grade gaming, production, staging, and support equipment designed to create a fully functional, modular, and mission ready broadcast and competition environment for Army Esports operations. Phase one was competed as a competitive small business set aside, executed to establish the foundational staging, mounting, and structural architecture with the deliberate design intent to integrate the necessary automation, switching, and control subsystems in phase two to achieve a fully operational broadcast environment.

Contract number: W911S225PA961 (including modification P00001) Vendor: Esports Foundry, Inc.

Award Amount: $71,539.99 Delivery Date: On or before 27 February 2026 Competitive Status: 100% small business set aside Authority cited: FAR Subpart 19.5 Small Business Total Set-Asides, Partial Set- Asides, and Reserves

12. Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

13. Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

14. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. As a part of this basis, certified cost or pricing data is not required because the item and/or services being acquired are considered commercial. This determination will be made using comparison with prices found reasonable on previous similar purchases in accordance with FAR 12.204(a).

Andrea M. Skilinski Contracting Officer

15. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Andrea M. Skilinski Contracting Officer