JA_Other_Than_Full_Open_Competition_FAR_6.3_Redacted.pdf

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition Template based on DHS OCPO J&A Guide Version 3.3

Non USSS / Personal

• On-premise Monolith requires a host system to run.

• Pre-configured server host computers will be provided for each Monolith deployment.

• Barcode scanners and label printers if needed.

This is provided to ensure smooth deployment and that appropriate hardware assets are available to run and maintain Monolith.

System Integration

• API development to connect endpoints to HQ System

• Enterprise Architecture Configuration

Authentication & Role Based Access Control implementation

On-boarding, training, & development

• White Glove Onboarding & deployment

• Unlimited remote/On-line Training

• Assistance with infrastructure configuration/consulting Assistance with API integrations if needed

Migration Assistance / Contingency

• Migration of current case and evidence data into Monolith

This assumes access to structured data that can be reasonably modeled to fit Monolith data requirements.

Support, Maintenance, and Updates

• Email, telephone, and remote support during typical business hours.

• Emergency support outside of business hours for critical issues related to Monolith.

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition Template based on DHS OCPO J&A

4. Identification of statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C.3304(a)(1), implemented by the FAR Subpart 6.302-1 entitled “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

5. Identification of exception to the Buy American Statute.

Buy American Statue is not applicable.

6. Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

Monolith Forensics LLC is the sole developer, manufacturer, and authorized distributor of the Monolith CMS software. All licenses, updates, backend integrations, and technical support services are proprietary and are not available from any other vendor or reseller.

The USSS requires these additional licenses and services to expand existing Monolith deployments in the field without disrupting ongoing operations. Procuring from any other source would require replacing the entire existing CMS, resulting in:

• Incompatibility with current deployments.

• Loss of integration with existing case data.

• Extensive reconfiguration, validation, and user retraining.

• Elevated risk to the integrity of active investigative data.

No other vendor possesses the proprietary codebase, intellectual property rights, or technical capability necessary to issue functional Monolith licenses or maintain seamless integration with the current USSS environment.

7. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

As the contract award is permitted under FAR 6.302-2, the justification shall be posted within 30 days after the contract award.

8. 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 the unique capabilities that the Monolith case management tool offer.

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition Template based on DHS OCPO J&A

9. Description of Market Research.

Market research was conducted to identify any vendors capable of providing Monolith Case Management System software licenses, associated hardware, and integration support services compatible with the existing USSS Monolith environment.

This research included:

• Internet searches of commercial CMS and digital evidence management solutions.

• Review of GSA Advantage, NASA SEWP, and other Government-wide acquisition vehicles.

• Outreach to identify any authorized resellers or alternate sources.

The results confirmed that Monolith Forensics LLC is the only vendor capable of supplying licenses, integration, and support for the Monolith CMS currently deployed within USSS. No authorized resellers exist for Monolith software; all licenses and related services are available exclusively through Monolith Forensics LLC.

Alternate CMS products were identified (e.g., Nimbus Black Rainbow, Magnet AXIOM, CaseGuard) but were determined to be incompatible with the existing Monolith environment.

Implementing an alternative would require:

• Replacement of current licenses and infrastructure.

• Development of new integrations with USSS investigative systems.

• Migration and conversion of all existing case data.

• Retesting to validate evidentiary chain-of-custody compliance.

Such actions would duplicate costs, extend deployment timelines, and introduce operational and evidentiary risks. Based on this research, Monolith Forensics LLC remains the only responsible source for fulfilling this requirement.

10. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

The Monolith CMS operates on proprietary architecture with closed-source code. Monolith Forensics LLC retains full intellectual property ownership, distribution rights, and exclusive control over licensing and system configuration. Only Monolith can provide licenses that operate within the USSS Monolith environment or perform the required backend configurations to maintain operational compliance.

Award to another vendor would necessitate full system replacement, duplicating hardware and software costs, requiring extensive user retraining, and creating an unacceptable risk of data corruption or loss. Such disruption would compromise operational readiness and could jeopardize evidentiary integrity in ongoing investigations.

11. A listing of the sources, if any that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

Not Applicable.

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition Template based on DHS OCPO J&A

12. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for supplies or services required.

The proprietary nature of the Monolith CMS prevents competition for this requirement. The USSS will continue to monitor the market for case management and digital evidence tracking systems to determine if competitive alternatives can meet mission, security, and evidentiary requirements while remaining compatible with existing case data.

If a competitive alternative becomes viable, the agency would develop a phased migration plan including:

• Secure data conversion from Monolith CMS.

• Comprehensive testing to ensure evidentiary chain-of-custody compliance.

• Full training and change-management programs for end-users in all affected offices.

Until such a migration can be executed without disrupting critical investigative operations, Monolith Forensics LLC will remain the only responsible source for this requirement.

13. Technical/Requirements Personnel Certification. I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

14. Contracting Officer’s Certification. I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.