JA 26-009 - Ft Drum Wellfield - Data Switches- 27 May 2026 _Redacted.pdf

Control No. 26-009

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

REVIEW

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION FOR:

Juniper Data Switches

ERCIP Wellfield Expansion Fort Drum, NY

27 May 2026

1. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), New York District (NAN), Contracting (CT), 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278.

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION:

This Justification and Approval (J&A) supports the use of brand name components for the ERCIP Wellfield Expansion project. The government will not purchase the components directly, but rather will require that offerors include Juniper brand data switches and rack mounted ears as part of proposals submitted in response to the solicitation to comply with the Contract specifications that will lead to the award of a new firm-fixed-price (FFP) construction contract. The United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) is responsible for the acquisition and administration of the construction contract. Funding for this acquisition will be Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program (ERCIP) Military Construction (MCA). The project will be solicited and awarded as a Best Value Trade Off (BVTO) procurement in accordance with FAR Part 15.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES:

The need to expand the existing network system is determined by the functionality and maintenance requirements of the existing Juniper-based network system at Fort Drum. Each of the five wellhouses will include a new fanless data switch and rack mounted ears used to integrate interior communications seamlessly with the existing Juniper-based network system within the larger Fort Drum network.

The period of performance for the entire project is approximately 910 calendar days.

4. AUTHORITY CITED:

10 U.S.C. § 2304(c)(1), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements, as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(c), Application for Brand Name Descriptions. In accordance with FAR 6.302-1(c), the Contracting Officer will specify that all offerors be required to procure an item particular to one supplier (brand-name item).

5. REASON FOR AUTHORITY CITED:

A. Background:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) requires the procurement of Juniper brand data switches and rack mounted ears at the ERCIP Wellfield Expansion project. This project involves data connectivity for interior communications work at five well sites that will be integrated into the existing installation network backbone for the ERCIP Wellfield Expansion project. The current network system is a Juniper-based network system that is managed by a Juniper-specific Management System (Junos Space). The system is designed for deep, end-to-end lifecycle management of Juniper devices and will not manage non-Juniper hardware with the same depth of feature set. To maintain operational integrity, system stability, and cybersecurity, any new data switches/controls must integrate with the existing manufacturer's platform because it provides a critical single-pane-of-glass management capability for fault, configuration, accounting, performance, and security (FCAPS). The required supplies include proprietary Fanless Switch, Rack Mounted Ears, any associated equipment, and the associated engineering services for programming, configuration, and integration.

B. Justification:

Fort Drum currently operates a Juniper-based network system that is managed by a Juniper-specific Management System (Junos Space). This system is designed for deep, end-to-end lifecycle management of Juniper devices and will not manage non-Juniper hardware with the same depth or feature set. The integration with the Junos operating system (OS) provides a critical single-pane-of-glass management capability for fault, configuration, accounting, performance, and security (FCAPS). Attempting to integrate non-Juniper hardware would create a situation where the Government could not manage a portion of the network to the required extent, creating operational and security risks. The Fort Drum Network Enterprise Center (NEC) deploys Juniper units to maintain its network certification and to standardize switches across the installation. The purchase of genuine Juniper devices and equipment is required for all future efforts in order to maintain established standards, interoperability, and compatibility.

C. Alternatives:

There are no viable alternatives that meet the features provided by the Juniper brand data switches given that the Juniper Management system does not manage non-Juniper hardware with the same depth of features available for Juniper brand hardware. Attempting to integrate switches from a different manufacturer would require extended redesign of the existing system.

D. Impact:

If this J&A is not approved and a different item is provided, rather than the subject item, the government would not be able to manage a portion of the network to the required extent, creating operations and security risks.

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION:

The brand name product has been published as required by FAR 5.201, a Notice of Intent (NOI) to determine sources for this system was synopsized on 27 April, 2026. No responses were received for the Notice of Intent. The brand name justification and approval will be posted with the solicitation. As stated in paragraph 5 above, the Juniper brand data switches is the only brand available to ensure compatibility with the Fort Drum Garrison’s Existing Juniper-based network infrastructure.

7. ACTIONS TO INCREASE COMPETITION:

This J&A supports a discrete requirement that will end when the project is complete. Therefore, there are no planned actions to increase competition for the requirement covered by this J&A.

8. MARKET RESEARCH:

A Notice of Intent (NOI) to determine sources for this system was synopsized on 27 April, 2026. The NOI was published for the required 15 days in SAM.gov. There were no responses to the NOI. Additional research was not done besides the NOI