J and A Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVSUP FLEET LOGISTICS CENTER NORFOLK

1968 GILBERT STREET SUITE 600

NORFOLK VA 23511-3392

IN REPLY REFER TO

240.1 21 July 2020

J&A 20191

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (J&A)

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Identification of Agency and Contracting Activity:

Requiring Activity: Commanding Officer Naval Network Warfare Command (N69235) 112 Lake View Parkway

Suffolk, Virginia, 23435

Contracting Activity: Commanding Officer NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk 1968 Gilbert Street

Norfolk, Virginia 23511-3392

Requisition Number: N6923520RC003FS

2. Description of the Action Being Approved:

This is a sole source action submitted for approval to award a sole source Firm Fixed Priced contract for Escal Institute of Advanced Technologies, Inc. dba SANS Institute (SANS) Training Support as required by Naval Network Warfare Command, Navy Blue Team – Norfolk (N36041) and Navy Blue Team – San Diego (N36042). This requirement will be awarded subject to FAR 13.5 - "Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items."

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

Navy Blue Team (NBT) Norfolk (N36041) and NBT San Diego (N36042) are detachments of Naval Network Warfare Command (N69235). The NBT mission is to conduct vulnerability assessments, cyber hardening, analysis of advanced cyber threats, and continuous monitoring of Navy networks in order to reduce risk to the Department of Defense Information Networks – Navy (DODIN-N). The NBTs operate equipment, conduct assessments of afloat and ashore units, detect, handle, and respond to malicious cyber activity, and provide expert consultation to any cyber security requests the DoD and DoN may ask of the Navy’s independent entity on evaluating network cyber security. Navy Blue Team Sailors must be highly trained in advanced tactics, techniques, and procedures to match the skill level of the advanced threats against which they are defending. This proposed acquisition is for technical training services that are exclusively available from SANS for the required Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) which are Advanced Cyber Security Certifications outlined in SECNAV 5239 instruction and manual. The Advanced Cyber Security Certifications are required for Navy Blue Team – Norfolk and Navy Blue Team – San Diego. SECNAVINST 5239.20 establishes the requirement of Cyber qualification requirement for all Cyber Security personnel based on their job tasking.

These training services will provide the required expertise to ensure that Navy Blue Team Sailors have the technical knowledge and skills to meet mission and meet Cyber Security requirements. The needs identified for this procurement requires training and support that goes beyond the DoD Approved Baseline Certifications as outlined in DoD 8570.01 as NBT members already have obtained baseline certifications upon entering the NBT program. The GIAC are supplemental training and certifications that NBT personnel need in order to perform their uniquely specialized mission.

The Independent Government Estimate (IGE) for this requirement is and the period of performance is from 30 September 2020 through 29 September 2021 with four Option years. Total IGE with Option Years is

4. Identification of Statutory Authority:

The statutory authority permitting other than Full and Open Competition under the tSimplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items is section 41 U.S. Code Section 1901, as implemented by FAR 13.501(a). As identified, there is only one source that can currently provide a full range of capabilities as needed by Navy Blue Teams and Naval Network Warfare Command.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority:

As noted above, the GIAC are supplemental training and certifications that NBT personnel need in order to perform their uniquely specialized mission. The SANS training and GIAC are sole source products, manufactured, sold, and distributed exclusively by SANS. No other company makes a similar or competing product. This product must be purchased directly from SANS. There are no agents or dealers authorized to represent this product.

No other company offers products and services that serve the same purpose or function. Additionally, competition is precluded from producing or reselling SANS products and services. SANS has the exclusive and copyright protection to produce, sell, and deliver SANS products and services. Only SANS can offer the official SANS Curriculum and SANS Certified Instructors to deliver training on any SANS class, including all GIAC prep courses.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable:

The synopsis required by FAR 5.201 will be published on the Government-wide point of entry as intent to negotiate on a sole source basis to SANS.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost:

The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated price to the Government of the supplies covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable. A determination of fair and reasonableness of price will be made prior to award based on the Contracting Officer’s price analysis of the contractor’s quote and/or a comparison of previous pricing history and published price list of the same or similar items in accordance with FAR 13.106-3.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition:

For the reason set forth in Paragraph 5, the Government has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for the types of supplies/services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, the Government will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible. All future requirements will be researched on a base by case basis.

There is only one source that can provide the required training and certifications. However, a continuous review of the market will be made and if other sources become available, a solicitation will be publically posted and a competitive award will be made.

9. Contracting Point of Contact:

The point of contact at NAVSUP Fleet Logistic Center Norfolk is Robert Babcock, who can be reached at

(757) 443-1387 or by email at robert.j.babcock@navy.mil.

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

J&A Number: 20191