J and A for Cisco Wi-Fi Monitoring.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

SECTION 1: IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND THE CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

Department of State Contracting Activity

☒ Global Acquisition ☐ Foreign Service Institute ☐ Office of Foreign Missions ☐ U.S. Mission to the United Nations ☐ Overseas Post

Requiring Activity DT/EI/NT/Installations Division

SECTION 2: NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING APPROVED

Approval is requested to award a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) purchase order directly to Cisco under the Cisco Blanket Ordering Agreement (BOA) XXXXXXXXXXXXX and the Department’s associated BOA Call (XXXXXXXXXXXXXX) for twelve (12) months of network monitoring services as described in Section 3 below on behalf of the Requiring Activity.

SECTION 3: DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY’S NEEDS

Deliver Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) based remote monitoring and proactive management of the modernized U.S. Department of State wireless environment. DOS requires continuous remote monitoring and management of networks and collaboration technologies to anticipate, identify and resolve issues quickly and with greater accuracy. The Managed Services Provider (Cisco) will deliver using a 24x7 service delivery model. Cisco’s delivery team for network operations will be staffed with individuals with a Department of Defense (DoD) Top Secret level of clearance.

The proposed core services shall include:

1. Service Transition and Activation

2. Managed Element Inventory

3. Configuration Backup and Restoration

4. Event Management

5. Incident Management

6. Change Management

7. Problem Management

8. Service Delivery Management

9. Service Delivery Reporting

The estimated value for the entire period of performance is XX,XXX,XXX.XX overseas locations and optionally XXXX,XXX.XX to support domestics locations for a maximum amount XXXXXXXXXXX

SECTION 4: IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 USC 3304, as implemented by FAR 6.3 and substantiated by the following:

☒ FAR 6.302-1 – Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

The Department of State has made a significant investment in Cisco products and services. This investment was made through the use of the CISCO BOA mentioned above. The CISCO BOA includes a CLIN for Professional Services to purchase consulting services related to the equipment available on the CISCO BOA.

Cisco has been providing proposed services since November 2022 and has a fully staffed and DOS approved Network Operations Center (NOC) at the defined place of performance in support of the Department’s requirements. Cisco already has existing secure network connections compliant to Department of State’s Authority to Operate (ATO) for delivery of these services. Further expertise from Cisco is required for continuing network services. Cisco has been a strategic partner in the entire life of the Department’s deployment of Global Wi-fi. As such, Cisco has both knowledge of its proprietary products and services and instrumental knowledge of DOS systems. It is the only firm that can deliver the unique and highly specialized required services. The purchase of professional services from any other vendor would void warranties and negate software management agreements. The services are needed to assure departmental operational efficiency and effectiveness. No other source could deliver the services because of the extensive learning curve, in-depth knowledge required about the systems involved, without risking the voiding of warranties and software management agreements.

Only Cisco certified employees are permitted to modify and monitor Cisco Products which includes Identity Service Engine (ISE) and the next-generation Network Access Control (NAC) solution used to manage endpoint, user, and device access to network resources within zero-trust architecture that only CISCO can offer the Department for Wi-Fi systems already deployed at over 212 overseas posts in addition to 3,339 domestic devices. As bad actors in the world innovate new methods of malicious activity, the safety and security of Americans abroad is the number one focal point. Cisco monitoring experts continually innovate protection methods in ISE to stay multiple steps ahead of network adversaries. Continual network upgrades and security patches are required to maintain the highest standards in system security.

This service will be delivered from a secure Cisco facility located in Research Triangle Park (RTP), (Raliegh, North Carolina), that was vetted by Diplomatic Security and meets all defined Department requirements. The services are delivered by a dedicated team of Cisco engineers committed specifically to supporting and optimizing the Department’s network, with unparalleled reach back into Cisco’s industry-leading global services team and product business units, in support of the Department’s priorities.

Only Cisco certified employees are permitted to modify and monitor Cisco products. The services are needed to assure departmental operational efficiency and effectiveness.

SECTION 5: DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE

QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES USE OF THE AUTHORITY

CITED

As stated above, only Cisco certified employees are permitted to modify and monitor Cisco Products which includes Identity Service Engine (ISE) and the next-generation Network Access Control (NAC) solution used to manage endpoint, user, and device access to network resources within zero-trust architecture that only CISCO can offer the Department for Wi-Fi systems already deployed at over 212 overseas posts in addition to 3,339 domestic devices. Allowing non-Cisco, non-certified individuals to provide the services would void warranties and software usage agreements.

SECTION 6. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS WERE SOLICITED FROM AS

MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS IS PRACTICABLE, INCLUDING WHETHER A NOTICE WAS OR

WILL BE PUBLICIZED AS REQUIRED BY FAR SUBPART 5.2 AND, IF NOT, WHICH EXCEPTION

UNDER FAR 5.202 APPLIES

DT’s network engineers conducted internet searches to determine if any entity other than Cisco could provide the network monitoring services to Cisco products while maintaining warranties and software usage agreements included with the significant investments that DOS has made in Cisco products and services through the Cisco BOA and other contracting vehicles. Because of Cisco's proprietary products and services, only Cisco Certified and trained Engineers are authorized to modify systems and provide network monitoring services.

SECTION 7. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED COST

TO THE GOVERNMENT IS FAIR AND REASONABLE

The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated price of XXXXXXXXXXXX for overseas monitoring services covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable based on the decrease in the overall hourly rate for monitoring services of XXXXXXXXXXXX. Although the estimated price represents an increase of XXXXXXXXXX from the 2024 order, the number of locations being monitored has increased by 60, from 152 to 212, making the price fair and reasonable. The Department has not contracted for domestic monitoring, however, the XXXXXX cost per month to monitor XXXXX devices seems fair and reasonable when compared to XXXXXXXX per month to monitor XXX overseas posts. By signing the justification, the Contracting Officer determines that the cost/price to the Government are fair and reasonable.

SECTION 8. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED (SEE PART 10) AND THE

RESULTS OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASON MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED

DT’s network engineers conducted internet searches to determine if any entity other than Cisco could provide the network monitoring services to Cisco products while maintaining warranties and software usage agreements included with the significant investments that DOS has made in Cisco products and services through the Cisco BOA or any other contracting vehicle. Because of Cisco's proprietary products and services, only Cisco Certified and trained Engineers are authorized to modify systems and provide network monitoring services.

SECTION 9. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION

None

SECTION 10. LISTING OF THE SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN WRITING, AN INTEREST

IN THE ACQUISITION

None

SECTION 11. STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR

OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR

THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED

Global Acquisition and Diplomatic Technology will continue to survey the market to determine if any other sources become available for these services and to understand when it will be in the best interest of the Department to compete this requirement. The market survey may include a formal RFI, searches on government contracts data bases, review of Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) and/or informal contact with other vendors who provide similar scope services.