--Redacted_Exception_to_Fair_Opportunity_Brand_Name_Justification_ID40160127_Redacted.pdf

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Federal Acquisition Services

National Information Technology Commodity Program

Exception to Fair Opportunity Brand Name Justification

Fidelis Knowledge Transfer Vouchers

1. Requiring and Contracting Activity

a. Requiring Activity: United States Air Force (USAF)/A6 523 Nelson Avenue Suite 200 Shaw AFB, GA 29152

b. Contracting Activity: General Services Administration Federal Acquisition Service National Information Technology Commodity Program 401 W Peachtree St, NW, Suite 820 Atlanta, GA 30308

c. Contracting Officer: Dwayne Cannon

d. Task ID: ID40160127

e. Estimated Value:

2. Nature of Description of Action:

The General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), National Information Technology Program (NITCP) has a procurement request for the United States Air Force Central Command (USAFCENT) A6, Shaw AFB, SC to procure Fidelis Knowledge Transfer Vouchers. This acquisition will be conducted under FAR 13 procedures and will be executed on a Firm Fixed Price basis.

3. Description of Supplies or Services:

This is a new requirement for the acquisition of Fidelis Knowledge Transfer Vouchers for Shaw Air Force Base USAFCENT/A6. See Table below for details:

CLIN Manufacturer Part No. Item Description Qty

0001 Fidelis

PSPS-CSLT-

STRAUG

Long-term training and knowledge transfer vouchers to assist customer with training the security team on the use of Fidelis XPS 1920

Consultant travel to off-site locations to be billed as actuals per the Joint Travel Regulation 1

4. Authority:

FAR 13.501

5. Applicability of Authority:

In accordance with FAR 13.501; Soliciting for a brand name item.

Fidelis is currently the network security appliance utilized by AFCENT for monitoring network traffic throughout the AOR. Fidelis provides real-time capabilities to identify inbound and outbound threats by using a combination of deep, real-time inspection of all applications and content traversing the network coupled with dynamic threat intelligence, selective network forensics, integrated static and dynamic malware detection, and analysis technology.

The Fidelis appliance at the present time is underutilized and not reaching the full potential of the system. An on-site Fidelis Trainer would provide the knowledge transfer needed to leverage the true capability of this product which would directly benefit the CSOC, Boundary protection, and Intel and Counter Access team members. An on-site Fidelis Trainer will increase the Network Operations Security Centers (NOSC) ability to protect and support combat operations.

This requested purchase, for Knowledge Transfer vouchers, will enable training and expanding the knowledge base of the Cyber Security personnel on real-time inspection, alert analysis, and system maintenance, on Fidelis appliances currently deployed throughout the AOR.

6. Efforts to obtain competition:

A combined synopsis solicitation will be posted in FedBizops and will be open to all sources.

7. Contracting Officer Determination – “Fair and Reasonable Cost”

The Contracting Officer has determined that 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 13.5. The Contracting Officer will use price analysis and techniques to ensure a fair and reasonable price. This includes, but 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 Independent Government Estimate (IGE) and any other reasonable basis.

8. Market Research:

Market research was conducted in accordance with FAR Part 10.

There are several acquisition alternatives to fulfill this requirement. Since the Department of Air Force has been mandated to use the Network Centric Solutions 2 contracts, this was the first alternative researched. In accordance with the memorandum from the Acting Assistance Secretary of the Air Force, dated May 16, 2011, subject titled Information Technology Acquisition – Mandatory Use of Network Centric Solutions-2 (NETCENTS-2) Contracts – ACTION MEMORANDUM, the use of NETCENTS-2 contract vehicles is mandatory for all Air Force Information Technology (IT) acquisitions unless a waiver has been granted. However due to a service interruption with the AFWay web site, it was in the best interest of the Government to not delay this acquisition and proceed with the next alternative. The next alternative considered was the use of GSA IT Schedule 70. An RFI (RFQ1101819) was posted on 06/14/2016 which yielded zero responses that could provide the entire Bill of Materials, thus it was determine that adequate competition did not exist under GSA Schedules.

Additional market research was conducted which consisted of contacting the manufacturer Fidelis via telephone. The Fidelis representative confirmed that the required Fidelis Training is not available under Netcents 2 and GSA Schedules, but provided the names of two authorized providers: Immix and Pacific Star Communications. As a result it is determined that the required Fidelis training is only available via the open market and will be purchased utilizing FAR Part 12 and 13 open market commercial procedures.

10. Statement of Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition:

In an effort to remove or overcome barriers to competition in the future, AFCENT/A6 will continue to conduct market surveys to identify companies that develop similar products to preclude the necessity for future brand name acquisitions of the same device. Since there is a continual revisit to the brand names currently being used by the Air Force for the present items, if/when alternatives to the requested items become available, they will be reviewed for approval to use.

11. 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.

12. Contracting Officer Certification:

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.