Instant Connect Enterprise Software Class Justification and Approval Redacted.pdf

CUI

Control Number:

ICE Lite Software Subscription

JUNE 2025

Class Justification Review Document for Other than Full and Open Competition – FAR Part 6

Program/Equipment: Class Justification and Approval for Army-wide Instant Connect Enterprise (ICE) software subscriptions

Authority: 10 United States Code 3204(a)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

Amount:

Reviews

ICE Lite Software Subscription

I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support the justification for an exception to fair opportunity.

ICE Lite Software Subscription

The Government’s requirements are for software that can provide the following capabilities:

• Ability to ingest multicast streams from radio integration network devices.

• Software must be system agnostic and can be loaded on any system within the Tactical Network portfolio.

• Must be able to operate in our current infrastructure that is reliant on multicast capabilities.

• Ability to interoperate with current Voice Over IP (VoIP) controllers and are agnostic to those controllers.

• Ability to support talk groups and conference groups between VoIP clients and individual radio.

• Ability to facilitate bidirectional, real-time voice communication between radio systems and the VoIP infrastructure.

• Provide scalability between small tactical teams to large-scale deployments.

• Ability to have multiple channels that can be used to join or separate talk groups based on mission requirements.

• A management client that allows for the patching of different talk groups to each other, including VoIP clients.

• General Purpose clients that can be used by a standard user on general purpose user laptops.

• Ability to integrate with mobile devices in order to leverage talk groups and radio nets through a wireless and cellular infrastructure.

• Licenses that is not required to call to centralized service in order to function and must have the ability to be loaded in a closed environment.

• Standard server with the ability to conduct recording service and the capability to conduct language translation and operation logs.

• Lite Server: A serverless client capable of performing voice multicast or unicast voice communication without connectivity to a server.

The Government uses ICE product lines for interoperable tactical communications. ICE software links radio and non-radio users in a unified IP-based voice and text environment that helps eliminate communication gaps for seamless mission execution.

The Government requires a unified communications software platform that provides streamlined communication across multiple channels, including voice, video, chat, and collaboration tools. This is to enhance productivity and collaboration, while also allowing the ability to integrate seamlessly with existing enterprise applications, allowing for seamless communication regardless of location or device. The Army requires features such as team messaging, file sharing, video conferencing, and virtual meeting rooms, ensuring that teams can collaborate in real time.

ICE servers perform the ingestion of radio networks from their respective multicast groups allowing users to communicate to downstream radios by means of laptop

ICE Lite Software Subscription applications or through Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capabilities such as hard phones and software phones. The ICE platform provides robust push-to-talk communication systems designed for seamless interoperability and mission-critical operations.

The ICE Lite server and solution is a scaled down version of the commercial ICE software with half the resources required (4 cores, 16GB of memory, and 250GB of disk space) and some limited capabilities which have the option for or no recording capabilities. The ICE standard and Lite version of the subscription provides the capabilities to enhance team collaboration with features like push-to-talk (PTT) communication across long term evolution (LTE)/5G, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), radio, and internet protocol (IP) telephony networks. It ensures interoperability between different devices and networks, making communication seamless in diverse environments. With Internet of Things (IoT) integration, the platform supports automated workflows, smart geofences, and dynamic talk groups that connect relevant team members based on real-time alerts. By enabling instant communication and automating tasks, it improves both productivity and safety for frontline teams.

Key components of the software include:

• IP-Based Communication: Supports voice-over-IP (VoIP) for reliable communication across various networks, including LTE, 5G, satellite, Wi-Fi, and telephony.

• Device Compatibility: Works with a wide range of devices, such as smartphones, radios, and other IP-connected systems.

• Interoperability: Integrates with combat net radios, mobile ad-hoc networks (MANET), and satellite communications, ensuring connectivity even in disconnected environments.

• Dynamic Talk Channels: Allows the creation of ad hoc or automated talk channels to adapt to evolving situations.

• ATAK Integration: Features a plug-in for the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK), enabling situational awareness and voice communication in a single app.

• Scalability: Supports deployments ranging from tactical edge communications to full server-based environments

The software supports the DoD tactical network requirements for Radio Over Internet Protocol (ROIP) and radio crossbanding, and the ability to receive signals on one frequency and transmit on another frequency in the Program of Record (POR) systems.

ICE Lite is also used to replace the outdated Motorola Wave software that has reached end of life while being able to use the existing Government system architecture.

ICE Lite Software Subscription

The table below represents the estimated ordering/subscription periods and estimated price for one of the Government customers, PEO C3N, and its anticipated requirement that will be procured under the ICE contract:

Description Quantity Subscriptio n Period

Estimated Unit Price

Estimated Total

Subscription Period 1

Instant Connect Enterprise Software

TBD FY25 TBD

Subscription Period 2

Instant Connect Enterprise Software

TBD FY26 TBD

Subscription Period 3

Instant Connect Enterprise Software

TBD FY27 TBD

Subscription Period 4

Instant Connect Enterprise Software

TBD FY28 TBD

Subscription Period 5

Instant Connect Enterprise Software

TBD FY29 TBD

ICE Lite Software Subscription

This projection is based on the Government’s assessment of potential future procurements across the Department of Defense. This establishes a strategic and scalable allocation, ensuring contract sufficiency to accommodate fluctuation in demand.

5. Authority Cited: 10 United States Code 3204(a)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302- 1(a)(2), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

6. Reason for Authority Cited: ICE is a commercially developed proprietary software, by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) C2 Defense Inc. in partnership with Instant Connect Software LLC. (who is the second OEM). The ICE suite of software are the only qualified products capable of meeting the criteria identified in paragraph 3 of this Class J&A; only the OEMs are capable of satisfying the requirements.

a. Background: ICE Lite, the scale down of ICE software, is a RoIP that meets the operational requirements of the Army. Through close collaboration with the Army Program Office, C2 Defense Inc. developed a highly optimized, scalable communication platform that seamlessly integrates with the Army’s fielded small-form-factor-hardware.

ICE is the only solution that seamlessly integrates within the current army tactical network infrastructure without any changes in network configurations and training. ICE Lite allows for swift integration within tactical voice infrastructures allowing for ease of interoperability between audio radio nets and Voice over IP. This results in seamless interoperability overall between the tactical radio and voice infrastructure into the overall army enterprise voice infrastructure.

The procurement of ICE software is projected to be an enduring requirement and is mission critical to ensure the safety, operational effectiveness, and real-time connectivity of our warfighters. ICE software provides a proven, resilient platform that enables seamless, secure communication and data exchange under the most extreme conditions. Its robust architecture is specifically designed to maintain connectivity in degraded or denied environments, ensuring that warfighters remain informed, coordinated, and protected at all times.

This capability is not merely advantageous, it is essential. Any disruption in connectivity due to software failure or transition downtime could result in operational compromise, increased risk to personnel, and mission failure. Given the high stakes and the performance characteristics of ICE software, there is no viable alternative that meets the same operational thresholds without introducing unacceptable risk. Therefore, this procurement is not only justified; it is imperative. The continuity and reliability provided by ICE software are foundational to mission assurance and the safety of those on the front lines. Downtime is not an option.

ICE Lite Software Subscription non-standard radio systems, particularly for coalition operations. ICE’s “any radio to any radio” capability provides broader interoperability Sigma C2’s talk group and communication management features, while robust, lack the advanced automated workflows of ICE, which streamline mission-critical communications in dynamic environments. Sigma C2 is optimized for tactical edge and smaller-scale operations, but its scalability for large, distributed enterprise-grade networks is less proven than ICE’s architecture, which supports both tactical and strategic echelons.

These competitors’ reliance on server-based or proprietary systems, limited interoperability, and lack of tactical-specific features make them unsuitable for the Army’s modernization goals, particularly within NGC2’s open-architecture framework.

These solutions would require changing the network architecture, technical, and training with no apparent benefit. The alternative software would also require rigorous testing to ensure it meets the program's Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and requirements, adding further delays and challenges to the transition. Moreover, replacing the current system could disrupt critical operations, introduce compatibility and interoperability issues, and significantly increase costs due to changes in network architecture, technical manuals, and retraining requirements. These factors underscore the critical importance of retaining ICE software in its current role, as the potential operational and financial impacts of transitioning to an alternative solution would be substantial.

c. Impact if not approved: Switching to an alternative product would be extensive and would affect the Army's C2 systems used by the Warfighting echelons. The loss of functionality would degrade the Army's ability to exercise C2 systems over tactical networks, potentially impacting the warfighter’s ability to execute mission command, and negatively impact the Army's ability to interoperate with other services and coalition partners. ICE supports critical operations that cannot tolerate disruptions that not only comprise mission success but jeopardize the safety of the warfighters on the field.

Security Impact Analysis (SIA) involves a detailed evaluation of the security risks and potential impacts associated with deploying a new system or modifying an existing one within a network environment. This process includes identifying vulnerabilities, ensuring compliance with security regulations, testing the system's safeguards, and documenting findings for approval. A complete SIA would be necessary to secure ATO on Army networks if alternative software is to be considered. ICE-Lite has been integrated within Government systems. Without continued procurement, the system’s ability to maintain its Authority to Operate (ATO) would be compromised.

7. Efforts to Obtain Competition. The Government conducted market research on several contract vehicles with the intent to find name brand or comparable and compatible software. This included requests for information(s) (RFIs) through Computer Hardware Enterprise Software and Solutions, Information Technology Enterprise Solutions – Software 2 (CHESS ITES - SW2) RFI# 523111, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) RFI# 335675, and General Services Administration (GSA) RFI 1744175 and RFI# 1748126

ICE Lite Software Subscription

9. Market Research: Market research was conducted from February through May 2025 to identify all qualified sources capable of satisfying the agency’s requirements with the intent to identify the authorized distributor and authorized resellers, by increasing participation by small businesses and to request current budgetary pricing information for name brand ICE software or alternative software solutions.

Although the authorized vendors can provide the requirement, they are only a pass through to the Government and can only provide administrative support. The vendors do not have the capability to perform the services necessary to maintain the software. It is not feasible to procure the ICE through an authorized vendor. Not only would it be cost burdensome; there would be no value-added procuring through an authorized vendor. It would not be feasible to procure the software through an authorized vendor.

Furthermore, it is noted that the Army Program Office, PM TN component of the ICE (lite) is not available on CHESS. Therefore, the requirement cannot be procured on CHESS as the ROM would not be technically acceptable.

Instant Connect Software, is the software developer of ICE software and joint partner with C2 Defense. The OEM, Instant Connect Software, does not contract directly with the Government and opted not to set up the accounting system to process payments to contract with the Government. As a result, Instant Connect Software would not be able to provide direct pricing to the Government. The requirement is currently available through Instant Connect Software partner, C2 Defense (as previously stated) is the

ICE Lite Software Subscription developer of ICE-Lite. Therefore, an RFI was sent to C2 Defense. On 6 May 2025, ACC issued a direct RFI to C2 Defense, requesting a ROM. A ROM was provided within the same day of the issuance of the RFI C2 Defense is listed on System of Award Management (SAM) and will be able to provide responses (pricings) on the Government Point of Entry on SAM.gov. This requirement will be solicited as name brand on SAM.gov available to OEM and authorized resellers who can provide ICE products.

10. Interested Sources: As a result of the multiple market research efforts conducted, the Government received responses from the following interested vendors:

Number:

ICE Lite Software Subscription

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 price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. While the total ceiling of this class J&A exceeds the IGE, this variance accounts for the surge amount for future procurements and market research pricing for the anticipated procurement which demonstrates alignment with prevailing market rates and existing contractual pricing structures. In accordance with FAR 15.403-1(b), which provides an exception to the requirement for certified cost or pricing data based on adequate price competition.

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

ICE Lite Software Subscription

Approval

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve this five-year class justification for the procurement of COTS Instant Connect Enterprise (ICE) software subscriptions, not to exceed a total overall value of on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of Title 10 U.S.C. §3204(a)(1) as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The estimated value of for a five (5) fiscal year with subscription period. The approval is subject to availability of funds, and provided that the supplies and/or services herein described have otherwise been authorized for this acquisition.