JA .pdf

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

JUSTIFICATION FOR AN EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

SOLUTIONS FOR ENTERPRISE – WIDE PROCUREMENT (SEWP) MULTI-

AWARD GOVERNMENT WIDE ACQUISITION CONTRACT (GWAC)

1. Identification

The Office of Acquisition Management proposes to enter into a delivery order on the basis of other than full and open competition for Babel Street software services, training and support, on behalf of the Insider Threat Program (DS/SI/ITP).

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The agency contemplates award of a firm-fixed delivery order for Brand Name Babel

Street software services, training and support for one base year and four option years.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

The Insider Threat Program has a requirement to maintain and enhance its abilities for collecting, analyzing, and sharing publicly available third-party data to quickly vet, identify, and geo-locate breaking events, incidents, emerging threats, and other items of interest. This data will be integrated with existing analytic tools used by Diplomatic Security (DS) staff to enhance situational awareness and help support or inform tactical and strategic decision making. This service will provide for a fast user based or self-service access to the Babel

Street proprietary knowledge base that is constantly updated and maintained to quickly adjust search parameters to focus on or identify breaking events, or emerging threats. The

Babel Street capability is currently in use by DS analysts and has proven to be a highly valuable service. Continued use of this service has been deemed a critical requirement for continued mission support.

4. Identification of exception to fair opportunity and the supporting rationale.

This acquisition is conducted pursuant to 41 U.S.C 4103 and 4106 as implemented by FAR

16.505(b)(2) and substantiated by the following:

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) –Only one awardee (brand name) is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized. Only Babel Street is capable of providing the service required based on proprietary knowledge base and algorithms, as well as other patent issued and protected intellectual property. Babel Street is the sole provider of updates and maintenance to this web-based application.

5. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the

Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated price(s) will be fair and reasonable based on multiples offers from licensed resellers of Babel Street software. By signing the justification the Contracting Officer makes a determination that the prices to the

Government are expected to be fair and reasonable.

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

6. Any other facts supporting the justification.

Babel Street provides a proven web-based application service that is specifically developed to meet the specialized needs of the Intelligence Community, Federal Law

Endorsement Agencies, and the Department of Defense. This service provides real-time, actionable intelligence that will enhance DS analytic functionality. The ability to constantly monitor and analyze open source, web-based data sources through advanced techniques (statistical, linguistic, and crowd sourcing) is a capability that DS cannot develop and operate. Use of this product and accompanying training is a cost-effective means of providing real-time threat and action influencing information to DS analysts and management staff without having to expend significant costs to build a like capacity.

7. Actions the agency May Take to Remove or Overcome Any Barriers to Increase

Fair Opportunity before any subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services is made.

At this time, the current IT infrastructure deployed by the DoS does not allow for any additional industry solutions. However, as DoS deployed infrastructure evolves with industry technology, future solutions will be considered. DS will continue to monitor market products that can address these needs.