JA_RedBox Recorder_C2PL-23-45_Redacted.pdf

J&A Red Box Recorder

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

41 U.S.C. § 1901

In compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501(a)(1)(ii), this justification uses the format at FAR 6.303-2 and is modified to state that the procedures in FAR subpart 13.5 are used.

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

The Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard (USCG), Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, and Intelligence (C5I) Office of Contracting and Procurement (CG-914) prepared this justification for other than full and open competition.

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action being Approved.

(a) Nature of the action: The USCG intends to procure on a sole source basis support services for currently owned Red Box Recorders and purchase of new replacement Red Box Recorders.

(b) Name and address of the contractor:

American Telecom Solutions, LLC (ATS) 645 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Suite 110 Severna Park, Maryland 21146-3931

UEI: EAAME9CDXBU5

(c) Type of action: Five-Year Single-Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract

(d) Estimated total value (including options):

IDIQ Contract Ordering Period Est. Total Value 5 years / Estimated 9/1/2023 8/31/2028 $470,000.00

(e) Type of funding: Operations and Support (O&S)

(f) Year of funding: Fiscal Year 2023-2028

(g) Proposed Solicitation number: 70Z04423RC2PL2345

(h) Background information about the requirement: This requirement was performed under sole-source purchase order 70Z0G322PC2PL0002 that was awarded to American Telecom Solutions, LLC (ATS).

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The requirement is for the following supplies and services limited to the Red Box recording system:

Red Box software updates and support.

Telephone support services to maintain up to date system configuration.

Hardware maintenance and repair support.

Hardware requirement, new replacement Red Box Recorders.

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. 1901 implemented by FAR 13.501(a) Sole Source (including brand name) acquisitions.

5. Identification of Exception to the Buy American Act.

Not applicable.

6. Demonstration that the Nature of the Acquisition Requires Use of the Authority Cited.

The USCG Ports and Waterways Safety System (PAWSS) and Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is a national transportation system that collects, processes, and disseminates information on the marine operating environment and maritime vessel traffic in major U.S. ports and waterways. The PAWSS and VTS mission is monitoring and assessing vessel movements within a Vessel Traffic Service Area, exchanging information regarding vessel movements with vessel and shore-based personnel, and providing advisories to vessel masters. PAWSS and VTS requires voice recorders to record communications and playback for FOIA requirements analysis and maritime domain awareness functions. Red Box recorder is a commercial-off-the shelf (COTS) recording system that was deployed in 2007 for PAWSS.

Red Box equipment uses Uniphore/Red Box proprietary software/firmware leveraging Apache Web Server Software for the rendering of the graphical interface. The recorder offers advanced features and capabilities, including high-definition video and audio recording, secure storage, and seamless integration with existing government systems.

Red Box is currently owned by Uniphore, and they have authorized resellers. Due to the Uniphore/Red Box proprietary software/firmware, only Uniphore or a Red Box authorized reseller can provide the support services and new replacement Red Box recorders. Based on market research, American Telecom Solutions, LLC (ATS) is the only authorized reseller that can provide the Red Box software updates and support, telephone support services, hardware maintenance and repair support, and new replacement Red Box recorders.

7. Description of Efforts Made to Ensure that Offers are Solicited from as Many Potential Sources as is Practicable.

Acquisition Planning Forecast System (APFS) Record F2023060831 was published on the DHS APFS website on March 21, 2023, with no responses or additional interested parties.

Sources Sought Notice (SSN) 70Z04423IC2PL2345 was posted on SAM.gov on May 2, 2023, and closed on May 15, 2023, with no responses.

8. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable.

The Contracting Officer will determine the anticipated prices fair and reasonable based on comparison with the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) and historical pricing data.

9. Description of Market Research.

No responses were received in response to the APFS record or the Sources Sought Notice (SSN). There are no GSA Schedule or Strategic Sourcing Contract Vehicles in place that can provide the Red Box recorder support services and new replacement Red Box recorders.

Based on market research, ATS is the only authorized reseller that can provide the support services and new replacement Red Box recorders.

10. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

None

11. A Listing of the Sources, if Any, that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition.

No other sources, other than ATS, have expressed an interest in the proposed acquisition.

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.

Switching to an alternate recording system at this time would entail significant disruption to ongoing operations, require costly system modifications and result in a loss of compatibility with existing infrastructure. Substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition is estimated at $800,000 to replace all Red Box equipment deployed within the PAWSS system and to configure that recorder to perform within PAWSS.