Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition UCIC Cyber Simulators.pdf

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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

LITTLE ROCK DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS

Post Office Box 867

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72203-0867

REPLY TO

Contracting Division Control No. SWL-24-0002

Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition

1. Contracting Activity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Southwestern Division, Little Rock District, Post Office Box 867, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-0867

2. Description of Action: This is a new Firm-Fixed-Price contract to provide 4 different training simulators funded with Operations and Maintenance allocations.

3. Description of Supplies/Services: The Contractor shall provide parts and equipment necessary to build and deliver the following 4 training simulators. Hydropower, Water Treatment, Model Dam and Spillway, and a Lock Chamber and associated control system. These simulators are needed for testing and training purposes in the National Lab. The government estimated value of this acquisition is $590,000.00.

4. Authority Cited: 10 U.S.C. § 2304(c)(1); FAR 6.302-1(a)(2) and 6.302-1(c) -- Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Reason for Authority Cited: The currently critical infrastructure sites use Allen Bradley Compact Logic PLC, HMI and Sensors and RS Logix Studio 5000SEL components. In addition, the SEL-3505, SEL-751, SEL-351A, SEL-2742, SEL-735, SEL-3355, SEL-5030, SEL-700G, Siemens S7-1500 PLCs, Siemens TIA Portal with a perpetual license, and SEL 5056 SDN, Pelton Wheel, Flow Controller software with a perpetual license is required replicate a real-world environment for critical infrastructure. Interoperability between manufacturers of these types of components is not a standard within the industry. The proprietary nature of this equipment makes a description of relevant characteristics unfeasible and to ensure the continuity of operations this is the best solution. GRIMM is the only company that can fulfill this requirement by manufacturing these custom-made control system training simulators and deliver them in the required amount of time.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: This is a brand name specific requirement, and only one responsible source will satisfy this requirement. The requirement was solicited under full and open competition on CHESS. The CHESS RFP, 496295, was posted on 06/10/2024 and closed on 06/20/2024 utilizing CHESS program ITES-3S to 114 vendors and no vendors were capable.

This action is not exempt from the publicizing requirements of FAR 6.305 and will be posted on CHESS within 14 days of contract award.

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7. Actions to Increase Competition: A notice of intent to solicit and negotiate with only one source will be published on SAM.gov at least 15 days prior to the solicitation (FAR 5.203(a)). This J&A will be made publicly available through SAM.gov within 14 days after contract award for at least 30 days (FAR 6.305(d)). It is time sensitive, and the completed product project must be completed and delivered prior to September 1, 2024.

8. Market Research: A technical evaluation of this requirement was conducted by Mr. Chris Cook, SCADA National Lab Manager, as certified below. Mr. Cook has determined that there are no other brand name equivalent products that would interface with the current equipment already installed. In additional extensive efforts to obtain interest from others has been unsuccessful. He is unsure if any other source is available. GRIMM is a small business and is known for making industry standard and high-quality custom systems.

Quotes were either generated via government websites or via the manufacturer.

9. Interested Sources: GRIMM

10. Other Facts: No other pertinent facts.

11. Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature: Date: 5/6/2024 Name and Title: Chris Cook, SCADA National Lab Manager

12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

PETERS.GILBERT.T.123

Signature: 1276439

Digitally signed by

PETERS.GILBERT.T.1231276439

Date: 2024.05.06 14:45:00 -05'00' Date:

Name and Title: Gilbert T. Peters, Physical Security Specialist

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13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. Price will be evaluated based on government cost estimate. Certified cost and pricing data will not be requested.

Signature: Date:

Name and Title: Sarah Hagood, Contracting Officer

APPROVAL

14. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature: Date:

Name and Title: Sarah Hagood, Contracting Officer

Date_3: 2 July 2024