Limited_Source_J A-_Sole_Source-Redacted.pdf

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Federal Acquisition Services

National Information Technology Commodity Program

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

Sole Source

1. Requiring and Contracting Activity

a. Requiring Activity: Department of Commerce (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA)

4231 Suitland Road, Room 1609

Suitland, MD 20746

b. Contracting Activity: General Services Administration

Federal Acquisition Service

National Information Technology Commodity Program

401 West Peachtree St., NW, Suite 820

Atlanta, GA 30308

c. Contracting Officer: Paula Mensah

d. Task ID: ID40160009

e. Estimated Value: $154,980.00

2. Description of Action:

The General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), National

Information Technology Commodity Program (NITCP) has received a requirement from the

Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) for maintenance support of one (1) pair of dark fiber between 5830 University Parkway, Riverdale, MD and 4231 Suitland Road, Suitland, MD. The distance between the two

(2) facilities is approximately twenty-five (25) miles. The work will include but not limited to installing, splicing, termination, and testing. Vendor will need to provide 24x7 support and will need to have access to both facilities. The required service will be procured under FAR Part 12 and FAR Subpart 13 procedures. The items will be procured on a Firm-Fixed-Price basis.

3. Description of Supplies or Services:

NOAA Dark Fiber 12 Month Maintenance Support

4. Authority:

FAR 6.302-1 Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will

Satisfy Agency Requirements.

5. Applicability of Authority:

The Office of Satellite and Product Operations (OSPO) is responsible for the management and operations of the Satellite Operation Control Center (SOCC) and the Environmental

Satellite Product Center (ESPC). ESPC manages and directs the operation of the central ground facilities which ingest, process, and distribute environmental satellite data and derived products to domestic and foreign users. ESPC supports multiple GOES and POES production systems via virtualization. The need is to continue providing processed weather satellite data (pre-processed and model weather data) to the National Weather Service for analysis and forecasts for public distribution (specific warnings for severe weather). This procurement is to renew maintenance support of (1) pair of dark fiber between NOAA NSOF located at 4231 Suitland Road, Suitland

MD., to NOAA NCWCP located at 5830 University Research Ct., Riverdale MD.

Approximately 25 miles (Point to point).

The work will include, but not be limited to installing, splicing, termination, and testing. The vendor is required to provide 24x7 support and will need to have access to both facilities. This circuit is owned by Zayo Group LLC and is currently being leased by National Oceanic and

Atmosphere Administration under a separate contract. The circuit was initially installed by

Fibergate which was brought by Zayo in September of 2012. Zayo is the proprietor and holds all rights to this specific circuit and the associated dark fiber, transmitter and receiver equipment at both facilities. Third party suppliers are not permitted to sell or provide fiber optic services on behalf of Zayo. Zayo managed fiber optic infrastructure is proprietarily operated and maintained by Zayo.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

This requirement is not available for competition. Zayo is the proprietor and holds all rights to this specific circuit and the associated dark fiber, transmitter and receiver equipment at both facilities. There is no other vendor who is authorized to provide maintenance support for the

Zayo owned circuit and associated equipment.

7. Contracting Officer Determination – Fair and Reasonable Cost:

GSA has determined the anticipated cost to the Government for this acquisition will be fair and reasonable and in the Government’s best interest in accordance with FAR Part 12.209

Determination of Price Reasonableness and FAR Part 13.106-3. The Contracting Officer will use price analysis techniques to ensure a fair and reasonable price. This includes, but is not limited to market research, comparison of the proposed price with prices found reasonable on previous purchases, current price lists, comparison with similar items in a related industry, comparison of the proposed prices received in response to the Independent Government Estimate

(IGE) and any other reasonable basis.

8. Market Research:

Market research was conducted in accordance with FAR Part 10. Market research determined that the requested Dark Fiber maintenance support is available in the commercial marketplace.

In accordance with FAR 8.002 and 8.003 there are no mandatory sources of supply for the requested items under this requirement. Therefore in accordance with FAR Subpart 8.004 Use of

Other Sources, the use of GSA Federal Supply Schedules was given first consideration as an acquisition vehicle to satisfy this requirement. A review of GSA Advantage determined that the requested lease and maintenance support is not readily available under the GSA Multiple Award

Schedule (MAS) Program. Market research was performed to determine if any practical sources could meet the requirements covered under this justification. In this circumstance, the only source that can meet the requirements for the Dark Fiber maintenance support is from

Zayo Group LLC who installed the original circuit. The government leases the circuit and all associated equipment from Zayo. In regards to Zayo Operations and Maintenance (O&M) services, 3rd party suppliers are not permitted to sell or provide ongoing O&M fiber optic services on behalf of Zayo. Zayo managed fiber optic infrastructure is proprietarily operated and maintained by Zayo.

9. Other Supporting Facts:

Zayo Group, LLC is the sole source for Dark Fiber lease and maintenance support. Zayo Group, LLC provided a written statement on company letterhead verifying that the fiber optic infrastructure is proprietarily operated and maintained by Zayo. Zayo Group, LLC does not authorize any 3rd party resellers or distributors in the United States.

10. Listing of Sources:

Zayo Group, LLC

1805 29th Street, Suite 2050

Boulder, CO 80301

11. Statement of Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition:

In an effort to remove or overcome barriers to competition in the future, the Government will continue to monitor conditions, and the market will be scanned frequently for new companies and products that could satisfy the Government’s requirements. The DOC staff meets regularly with technology manufacturers and vendors and attends manufacturer and industry training to keep current on technology. Vendor and trade magazines and technical journals are scanned for new, open technologies that can satisfy future infrastructure requirements. The agency will continually revisit the hardware and software currently being used and will research for technology manufacturers and products that will be in the Government’s best interest for future replacement at the agency’s site and at sites the agency supports. As technology evolves over time and products reaches the end of life, each technology is re-evaluated for its ability to support mission critical requirements and provide the best value to the Government. Since there is a continual revisit to the hardware and software applications currently being used by the agency, if/when alternatives to the requested items become available, they will be reviewed for approval to use.

12. Requiring Agency Certification:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which form the basis for this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Marilene Kazior Date

Program Analyst

13. Contracting Officer Certification and Approval:

The undersigned has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government for this acquisition will be fair and reasonable. Further, I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Paula Mensah Date

Senior Contracting Officer