JA REDACTED.pdf

Control No: MICC 2024-31

The approved solution was developed to work with numerous cyber security processes, utilize software on the software authorized products list, employ equipment on the security authorized products list compatible with existing deployed solutions, and take advantage of existing army enterprise agreements. Changes to the approved solution would result in requirements for new Security Controls Assessment Validations at an estimated cost of $500 thousand, the delay to a new $100 million facility which impacts the CCoE’s force generating requirement, increased contract cost estimated at $2 million annually for maintenance of legacy equipment, and increased operational risk to multiple enterprises. The existing CCoE network uses similar equipment across the CCoE campus. Usage of the approved solution would allow for the use of existing army enterprise agreements thereby reducing costs long-term with regards to maintenance and sustainment costs.

b. Alternatives. Alternative solutions were examined at the start of this effort but due to enterprise service providers’ cyber security requirements, alternative solutions were unable to be approved for implementation.

c. Additional Supporting Information:

1) Failure to acquire these brand name items in the table in paragraph 3 will result in a new facility valued at approximately $100 million being initially unusable for its intended training mission.

2) The Cyber Security findings, and authorized products list for some networks are classified but the appropriate examination of alternatives was conducted via meetings.

3) Long lead time items are already risking the current project timeline of providing a fully operational capable training facility by 26 October 2024.

d. Impact if justification not approved: If these specific items are not approved, the IT infrastructure for the MCA-2 facility will not be operational to absorb the CCoE student training requirements. Not procuring this MUE requirement disaggregates and desynchronizes the $1 billion Army effort and priority to transform and modernize the CCoE Campus, so it has the necessary capabilities to train and educate Soldiers to support Multi Domain Operations in Large Scale Combat Operations.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: This effort utilizes the Army’s mandatory source of supply and will be open to all eligible providers on the ITES-3H vehicle. The Contracting Officer shall publish the notices required by FAR 5.201. Pursuant to Title 48 CFR 19.705-2, as implemented by FAR 19.705-2, the Contracting Officer must determine whether a proposed contractual action requires a subcontracting plan. For this requirement, the Contracting Officer has determined that a subcontracting plan is not required. Contracts may not have more than one plan, and plans are inclusive at the base IDV level, (FAR19.705-2(e)).

7. Market Research: Market research was performed within the CHESS program and multiple companies can provide these requirements. All eligible ITES-3H contract holders will be eligible to compete for this requirement. Multiple ITES-3H vendors have expressed verbal interest during the market research. Market research was performed by the requiring activity on December 05, 2023, and the Contract Specialist at MICC – Fort Eisenhower on December 19, 2023. Market research revealed that the requirement could be fulfilled through the mandatory source CHESS. The Army CHESS program is a mandatory source program for the purchase of COTS software, IT equipment (e.g routers & servers), services, etc., regardless of dollar value. This requirement will be competed under Army CHESS ITES-3H on an unrestricted basis through Army CHESS.

8. Other Facts: This acquisition will use the mandatory source of supply. There is no available procurement history for these items.