LSJ FINAL signed redacted for posting - APG INB2P4.pdf

Date: 13 January 2020

LIMITED-SOURCES JUSTIFICATION FOR

FEDERAL SUPPLY SCHEDULE PROGRAM

Integrated Network Operations for Battalion and Below (INB2), Phase 4 United States Army, Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG)

Acquisition ID 47QFNA22K0010

Upon the basis of the following justification, prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.405-6(c), I, as the Region 1 Competition Advocate, hereby approve the use of sources limited to fewer than those required in FAR 8.405-2 (Ordering procedures for services requiring a statement of work), pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 251 as implemented by FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(B) – only one source is capable of providing the services required at the level of quality required because the services are unique or highly specialized. This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple-Award Schedule Program (41 U.S.C. 152, et seq. and 40 U.S.C. 501).

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

The Requiring Activity is the United States Army, Program Executive Office (PEO) Command Control Communication-Tactical (PEO C3T)/Project Manager Tactical Cyber Network Operations (PdM TCNO) located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The contracting activity is the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), New England Region – Boston, Massachusetts.

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

To support the PEO’s continuing software development for Integrated Network Operations for Battalion and Below (INB2), phase 4, a Firm Fixed Price IT services task order is contemplated on a sole source basis to CodeMettle, LLC (CodeMettle) under a Federal Supply Schedule. A statement of work is required;

a performance work statement (PWS) is provided.

3. A complete description of the supplies and/or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

The intent of this requirement is to deliver an integrated Network Operations management and monitoring system in a network formerly referred to as the Lower development, standardization, and integration solutions to simplify tactical NetOps operational capabilities within Army networks.

As a result of the previous development phases, CodeMettle has acquired deep and intimate knowledge and experience with the specific network operations capabilities across the Integrated Tactical Network (ITN). These capabilities include Tactical Radio Integration Kit (TRIK) management, Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) and Government Off the Shelf (GOTS) radio management, VMWare and Cradlepoint management. CodeMettle is also supporting development of bi-directional interfaces with other Army prototypes for management and monitoring through a common Application Programming Interface (API) for full integration and interoperability of NetOps systems.

As the Original Equipment Manufacturer of the proprietary software being used, CodeMettle possesses the most expertise and experience with it. CodeMettle’s unique expertise with this phased development makes it, at this time, the only source capable of providing the services required at the level of quality required.

Furthermore, given the Government’s effective investment of more than $8M thus far over the past three years, and the successful progress that CodeMettle has made in this time, CodeMettle is uniquely positioned to continue this development.

The facts laid out above leads to the conclusion that competing this work would have a significant negative impact on PdM TCNO’s mission for the continued development of INB2. In order to successively dovetail INB2 (with other concurrent but separate development efforts) into the integrated system called UNO Planner (which is contemplated to be competed in the next year or so), the Army cannot tolerate an extended break in service for INB2 development. Recompeting this requirement would result in an extensive learning curve to bring a new vendor up to CodeMettle’s current level of expertise as well as significant added costs (not just for INB2, but also for the delays in the anticipated full system integration).

5. A determination by the ordering activity Contracting Officer that the order represents the best value consistent with FAR 8.404(d) and FAR 8.405-2(d).

The ordering activity contracting officer will determine, after considering the level of effort and the mix of skills available for the tasks needed, whether the proposed order represents a reasonable total price and will be the best value for the department.

6. A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders, and the results of the research, or a statement why market research was not conducted. A statement must be made that the supplies and services are available from the FSS.

Market research was conducted IAW FAR 10 and is documented in the Market Research Report in Tab 3 of the ECF. A review of the technical scope of CodeMettle’s GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract shows that the vendor offers the required services under contract number 47QTCA-20-D-002B.

7. Any other facts supporting the limited source justification.

Procurement History: The table below sets forth the relevant facts concerning prior procurements of INB2 prototype requirements. All contracts listed below were for INB2 prototype development.

Table 1. Procurement History

CONTRACT

NUMBER

PERIOD OF

PERFORMANCE

CONTRACTOR

CONTRACT

VALUE

Phase 3

47QFMA21F0012

1/11/2021- 1/10/2022 CodeMettle $3,891,173.24

Phase 2*

1BUX47TXG (DLA)

8/15/2020-2/15/2021 CodeMettle $3,999,999.00

* Phase 1 (2019 – 2020) was conducted under a DLA effort but the requiring activity has as yet been unable to provide additional information; independent searches by this office have been unsuccessful.

8. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency will take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for supplies and services is made.

The Government is actively investing in continued development and enhancement of the INB2 system to advance new and replacement capabilities from obsolete and complex systems. Switching to another vendor for Phase 4 of the system development would negate the three prior years and phases of rapid prototyping efforts. Any change to the current baseline software would hinder the TCNO’s mission by introducing inefficiencies and require soldier retraining.

However, the Government requires unlimited data rights to the INB2 software so that once fully developed, it could potentially be sustained by a third-party vendor as part of the larger UNO 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 and evidence that the supporting data that form a basis for the justification have been certified as complete and accurate by technical/program personnel.

Certification

Program Senior Official (or designee):

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, and which form a basis for this justification, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Name: Mr. Matthew Maier Date Title: Project Manager, PM I2S

Contracting Officer:

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Name: David Feit Date

Reviews and Approvals

Contracting Branch Chief/One Leve above CO:

I have reviewed this justification and find it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief

Name: Alison Lauer Date

Director, Contracting Division:

MAIER.MATTHE

W.R.1231208905

Digitally signed by

MAIER.MATTHEW.R.123120890

Date: 2021.12.15 10:35:20 -05'00' 12/15/21

Name: Dave Dudley Date

Director, Assisted Acquisition Services (AAS):

Name: Michael Attachi Date

Legal (if > $650K per GSA Order ADM 5000.4B) I have reviewed this justification and find it to be legally sufficient.

Name: Meaghan LeClerc Date

Activity Competition Advocate (if > $700K and < $13.5M):

I have reviewed this justification and find it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Since this LSJ does not exceed $13.5M, this review serves as approval.

Name: Kevan Kivlan Date