JOFOC - FirstNet Radio Support Equipment_EXTERNAL.pdf

NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD

Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC)

“FirstNet Radio System Support Equipment and Software”

1. Program Office / Procurement Request:

Office of the Managing Director, Special Operations Division (MD-5) Procurement Request: PUR240253

2. Nature of Action:

The purpose of this Justification for other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) is to provide documentation that explains why this specific requirement is to be awarded without competition to AT&T Mobility, LLC (“AT&T”) for support equipment and software related to the NTSB agency radio system.

3. Description of Requirement:

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is a federal agency mandated by Congress to investigate all aviation accidents, selected accidents/incidents in other modes of transportation, and report the results of those investigations.

In order to analyze and explain the circumstances of an accident, investigators rely on a variety of communications modalities to coordinate with internal and external stakeholders. As accident scenes are no-notice events that occur across the United States, infrastructure supporting communications is not always reliable or present.

The deployment of a radio system using FirstNet technology allows for a rapid launch of this equipment with investigation teams. Once on the accident scene, the FirstNet technology allows for an instantaneous connection to communicate back to NTSB headquarters, the NTSB’s 24/7 Response Operations Center, or any other team members equipped with the radios, anywhere in the world.

The NTSB requires the administration technology, software, and support equipment to enable real-time dynamic changes in communications coordination unique to the agency’s operating environment. This specific technology allows for required interoperability with partner agency radio systems while on an accident scene – which greatly enhances personnel safety, coordination, and operational capability.

The part numbers and quantities included in this requirement are:

Part Number Description Quantity

FNDISPADV Web Dispatch Software License 3 XXXXXXXX Annual Priority Support 2 XXXXXXXX Vocality ROIP LTE (NA) FirstNet Retail Pack, 2 Port Active

XXXXXXXX Vocality ROIP LTE (NA) FirstNet Retail Pack, 4 Port Active

XXXXXXXX 12V 6A Desktop Power Supply - US 2 XXXXXXXX Secure Tunnel & Radio Security (TLS/DTLS)

Activation Key

XXXXXXXX Single Port Audio/Serial Activation Key 2

XXXXXXXX PTT Cable - Connect PTT Radio to Vocality ROIP Audio Port (1 meter/3.28 ft), for "radio" x 2

XXXXXXXX Expert Integration Professional Services (2 ports)

XXXXXXXX AT&T Interoperability License Fee 2

The total period of performance will extend for one (1) year from the date of purchase order award. All equipment will be delivered to NTSB Headquarters in Washington, DC, within 30 days of purchase order award.

4. Authority Cited:

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), Soliciting from a single source. Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization).

5. Unique Qualifications / Circumstances of Requirement:

Based on AT&T’s unique technical and infrastructure qualifications as the sole FirstNet service infrastructure operator, competition is not being solicited. AT&T is the only known source authorized to provide devices equipped to operate with the FirstNet proprietary mission critical push-to-talk infrastructure core. No other vendor can provide the advanced infrastructure platform, devices equipped to operate on the infrastructure system, and system administration specifically developed for highly specialized mission-critical communications across all areas of the United States.

FirstNet radio devices, support software, and accessories will provide an agency-wide radio communications system to NTSB that will scale to current and future needs while meeting all known current and future federal interoperability, cyber, and information security standards. The radio accessories, designed to connect to the proprietary connections of the FirstNet/Siyata brand radios enable advanced capabilities common in other public safety grade radios such as remote speaker attachments, earpiece surveillance kits, and extensive availability of operational modification.

Furthermore, FirstNet network support and dispatch infrastructure is proprietary to AT&T and no other cellular network service is compatible. The FirstNet network support infrastructure represents an unparalleled level of operational flexibility, administrative-ease, and crisis response capabilities. With its mission-critical designation and partnership with the US Federal Government, support system resilience, uptime, and reliability – all essential requirements for an NTSB agency radio system – are unique to FirstNet.

While Market Research identified other cellular network/LTE-based push-to-talk systems marketed to provide agency radio system functionality, none featured robust network prioritization, mission-critical redundancies, and emergency response support capacity. Additionally, none featured a fully integrated cloud-based dispatch, location monitoring, and remote administrative functional support capability. This is essential, as all aforementioned functions are necessary to ensure resilience against routine causes of system downtime, hardening against community-wide disasters that may be responded to by NTSB personnel, and an immediate technical support capability.

6. Efforts to Determine Only One Source:

In accordance with FAR 5.201(b)(1)(i), a notice of this proposed contract action will be posted electronically on the Contracting Opportunities webpage of the System for Award Management (ww.sam.gov) for three (3) business days. The notice shall state that all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. A copy of this JOFOC will be posted with the Notice.

7. Contracting Officer’s Determination:

I have reviewed the above JOFOC, and determined that based on the information provided, it is accurate and complete, the anticipated cost of any subsequent sole source award would be in the best interest and fair and reasonable to the Government.

8. Market Research:

The NTSB Special Operations Division (MD-5) conducted internet searches, interviews of partner agencies and stakeholders operating various radio systems, and in-person demonstrations of traditional land-mobile radio systems (LMR) and LTE technology between January and May 2024. Beginning June 19, 2024, NTSB conducted a 30 day operational trial of the FirstNet push-to-talk radio system to confirm its compliance with requirements. Based on the market research and subsequent operational trial, AT&T is the only hardware and infrastructure vendor that can meet the following NTSB’s needs based on the required functionality and technology capabilities:

1. Platform scalable to need

2. Nationwide instantaneous communication coverage

3. Meets Federal radio system interoperability standards

4. Meets Federal standards for cyber and information security

5. Technology and devices require minimal user proficiency training

6. Staff geolocation and panic/duress safety features

7. Ready for hazardous environments and rugged form factors

8. Compliant with Federal Continuity of Operations communications redundancy standards

9. Capability to connect common public safety radio accessories (i.e. Remote handheld speaker/microphones, surveillance kits, etc.)

The following sources were researched and considered for features, functionality, and requirements:

1) AT&T Mobility, LLC

2) Verizon Frontline

3) Motorola Solutions, Inc.

Verizon Frontline infrastructure and network does not offer mission-critical performance, reliability/high-availability, or crisis response capabilities comparable to the US government-backed FirstNet system

Motorola Solutions, Inc., while providing traditional land mobile radio (LMR) systems used by numerous public safety agencies, does not provide network infrastructure to support a nationwide coverage map for no-notice incidents. Nor does the vendor provide advanced crisis response capabilities and mobile infrastructure support of the FirstNet system and vendor.

Therefore, only AT&T is able to fulfill the NTSB’s requirement.

9. Other Pertinent Information:

N/A

10. List of Interested Parties:

No other companies/organizations have expressed an interest in this requirement.

11. Efforts to Remove Barriers to Competition:

The NTSB will continue to conduct market research to acquire other sources to meet its requirements.

12. Contracting Officer’s Certification:

The Contracting Officer certifies that this JOFOC is accurate and complete.