Limited_Sources_PACS_Support_30_Aug_19(s)_Redacted.pdf

United States Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards & Technology

325 Broadway Boulder, CO 80305

LIMITED SOURCES JUSTIFICATION IAW FAR 8.405-6(c)

PHYSICAL ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM (PACS) SUPPORT

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Limited-Sources Justification.”

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Office of Acquisition and Agreements Management (OAAM), Acquisition Management Division (AMD) proposes to enter into a contract on a basis of other than full and open competition for the Security Systems and Access Controls Group (SSAC), Boulder Emergency Services Office (ESO), Division 137. This is a Limited Sources Justification.

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

The mission of the ESO/SSAC is to provide and maintain security solutions for the NIST Campus in Boulder, Colorado. Services provided by ESO/SSAC include intrusion detection, access controls, and campus monitoring. ESO/SSAC provides site credential issuance through the PACS utilizing the Velocity software for physical access badge creation and PIV badge programming, as well as visitor badge issuance utilizing EasyLobby Visitor Management software and Double-Take system replication (back-up) software and the associated hardware and infrastructure.

This acquisition is required to maintain operability of the Boulder PACS which includes software management and support for Velocity software, EasyLobby Visitor Management software and Double- Take system replication software, and HIRSCH hardware/infrastructure support.

The PACS was created and is currently maintained by Identiv (formerly HIRSCH Electronics) under current task order SB1341-14-CN-0546. As the creators of software (Velocity and EasyLobby) they are able to provide an unparalleled level of service to a vital operation which is the security of the Boulder Campus and all of its employees.

Identiv’ s intimate knowledge of the Velocity software applications and the current hardware and infrastructure which is maintained on the Boulder campus is critical to maintaining the security of the campus. Identiv provides specially trained technicians that are certified in their systems and maintain these same systems in several Federal facilities. This gives them intimate knowledge of federal facilities and operational knowledge from various different sites which prove extremely beneficial to NIST by means of using the information and knowledge gathered on the same system used at different facilities.

Their technicians are subject matter experts not only in the current Boulder infrastructure, and software, but in the aging programs that NIST is using in vital areas to include EasyLobby Visitor Management software which is an older software program used by NIST, but which we are not currently in a situation to replace.

As Identiv is the developer of the Velocity software application updates, they also are able to identify any interoperability issues that may arise from updates and network system patching; they are able to troubleshoot issues with direct and immediate contact and support from Identiv developers and engineers.

The PACS system support is a commercial item and can be procured on a firm-fixed-price basis on the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule program (GSA GS-07F-078DA).

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

This acquisition is required to maintain operability of the Boulder Physical Access Control System (PACS) to include Velocity software, EasyLobby Visitor Management software, Double-Take system replication software, associated hardware and infrastructure.

The total estimated dollar value for this procurement is , base plus four option periods.

4. The authority and supporting rationale and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed Contractor’s unique qualification to provide the required supply or service.

The authority permitting other than full and open competition is Federal Acquisition Regulation 8.405- 6(a)(1)(i)(B), as implemented in FAR 8.405-6(b) – Items Peculiar to One Manufacturer. The PACS software and maintenance is critical to the NIST Boulder site and currently only available through Identiv’s GSA contract.

During our market research, it was noted by other companies that when they have issues with Velocity software or devices, they contact Identiv Professional Services Group to resolve them. As the manufacturer of both the Velocity Software and associated HIRSCH hardware, Identiv is the only company able to provide this comprehensive and professional level of support for the above-mentioned software, hardware, and infrastructure.

The technical knowledge and access to the software developers is an invaluable support tool and has already proven itself multiple times in which updates and configuration changes required by Information Security requirements and could have caused severe downtime but were managed and corrected quickly avoiding system downtime.

The Identiv technicians have successfully managed the NIST Boulder ESO PACS solutions for over 5 years and have proven their expertise and consistent ability to successfully troubleshoot issues in our security systems, Double-Take replication services, and SQL database management. Their unique SQL Database knowledge in concert with their expertise and inside knowledge of the Velocity application benefited NIST as a whole. Additionally, over the last 2 years Identiv technicians were able to create and provide custom reports and queries specifically designed to be used by ESO during the ongoing security changes thereby reducing the amount of time it took for NIST to change its security posture in lines with new security requirements.

Competing this requirement would have severe consequences by introducing lapses in maintenance and support of the security infrastructure while another company and it's technicians learn the aspects of the Boulder PACS, to include its aging software. This downtime could introduce vulnerabilities in the security of the campus, its facilities, technology, property, and people.

5. A Determination by the Ordering Activity Contracting officer that the Order Represents the Best Value Consistent with 8.404(d).

GSA has already determined the prices of supplies under schedule contracts to be fair and reasonable.

Therefore, ordering activities are not required to make a separate determination of fair and reasonable pricing, except for a price evaluation as required by 8.405-2(d). By placing an order against a schedule contract using the procedures in 8.405, the ordering activity has concluded that the order represents the best value (as defined in FAR 2.101) and results in the lowest overall cost alternative (considering price, special features, administrative costs, etc.) to meet the Government's needs.

Because this order exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the Contracting Officer will request price reductions as part of the quotation. This practice is consistent with FAR Subsection 8.405-4 Price Reductions.

6. A description of the Market Research Conducted Among Schedule Holders and the Results or a Statement of the Reason Market Research was not Conducted.

Market research was conducted by the Contract Specialist to confirm that Identiv is the proprietor of the Velocity software, while there are other technicians available through their participating dealers none have the expertise to provide the full range of support required. Market research has revealed other companies that when they have issues with Velocity software or devices, they contact Identiv Professional Services Group to resolve them. Furthermore, they don’t allow open market partners to resell their products or perform services on their proprietary systems, so NIST will benefit from the GSA terms and conditions.

Identiv, Inc., is the holder of General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule program (GSA GS-07F-078DA) which expires February 7, 2021. This Schedule allows for the completion of any order issued during the effective date of the contract as long as the order will be completion within 60 months following the expiration of the basic contract. This proposed order, to include all options, would expire September 30, 2024, approximately 43 months after basic contract expiration.

The acquisition strategy, to purchase off the existing GSA schedule, has been determined through market research and because of the unique capabilities of Identiv, to be the most efficient and cost-effective method to procure this requirement.

7. Any Other Facts Supporting the use of Other than Full and Open Competition.

The PACS system is also critical to the safety and security of the NIST Boulder Campus. With Identiv, personnel and facilities will remain secure while, based on historical performance, systems will remain operational.

8. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency may take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers that led to the Restricted Consideration Before any Subsequent Acquisition for the Supplies or Services is made.

NIST continues to use market research to investigate new technologies, as well as other methods of outreach such as acquisition forecasting, attendance by technical personnel at conferences and industry events. NIST requirements are widely published, including information posted on the NIST external webpage. NIST ESO/SSAC would be open to procurement of an updated system once budgetary constraints allow for significant update of the existing system.

9. The Ordering Activity Contracting Officer’s Certification that the Justification is Accurate and Complete to the Best of the Contracting Officer’s Knowledge and Belief.

I hereby certify that this justification for other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

10. Evidence that any supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel (e.g., verifying the Government's minimum needs or requirements or other rationale for limited sources) and which form a basis for the justification have been certified as complete and accurate by the technical or requirements personnel.

CERTIFICATIONS:

Date

Date

Date

Kelly Icenbice Technical ESO/SACC Boulder

Brenda Hitchcock NIST Contracting Officer

Jo-Lynn Davis, NIST Competition Advocate

8/29/19

29 Aug 19

KELLY

ICENBICE

Digitally signed by KELLY

ICENBICE

Date: 2019.08.29 16:27:38 -06'00'

BRENDA

HITCHCOCK

Digitally signed by BRENDA

HITCHCOCK

Date: 2019.08.29 17:37:44 -06'00'

JO LYNN

DAVIS

Digitally signed by JO LYNN

DAVIS

Date: 2019.08.30 14:59:15 -04'00'