JOFOCDICES.pdf

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA)

LYNDON B. JOHNSON SPACE CENTER (JSC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (JOFOC)

Pursuant to 10 United States Code (U.S.C.) 2304(c)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation

(FAR) 6.302-1 and NASA FAR Supplement Part 1806.3

For the Digital Integrated Communications Electronic System (DICES) Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system JSC International Space Station (ISS) Avionics and

Software Office, Software Development and Integration Laboratory (SDIL) Solicitation

NNJ16579004Q

1. FAR 6.303-2(b)(2) – The nature and/or description of the action being approved: This is a request to purchase Quintron communication “DICES VoIP” system. DICES VoIP is the Quintron trade name for their proprietary VoIP product line, which represents the current upgrade for our existing platform. DICES VoIP provides the capability for teams across multiple support sites to communicate using Mission Control Center (MCC) voice conferences. Voice packets transmitted over computer networks are encrypted and full talk/listen access is controlled. DICES VoIP adheres to Department of Defense (DoD) Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIG) standards for Information Assurance (IA) requirements. The products associated with this purchase are custom--made (HW/SW) requiring 16 to 18 weeks build time once a Purchase Order (PO) is received. This justification provides the rationale for contracting by other than full and open competition with Quintron Services, Inc.

2. FAR 6.303-2(b)(3) – A description of the supplies or services required, to meet the Agency’s needs (including the estimated value): DICES VoIP provides multi-circuit key access to independent voice channels using stereo audio. It also provides encrypted audio and system management traffic, and User Access Management via a central authentication application. The basic elements of the DICES VoIP products being requested are: 1) Internet Protocol Central Equipment Unit (IPCEU) an industry standard server running a Linux Operating system configured to user specifications. 2) Gateway for external audio to IP conversion for connection to the IPCEU, which converts analog audio to VoIP and transmits it to the DICES IPCEU. 3) VoIP interface User Consoles (proprietary software clients and hardware) which is a Single Board Computer (SBC) with a touchscreen Graphical User Interface (GUI) and Universal Serial Bus (USB) Headsets which are a Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) DICES solution. 4) System access via IPCEU and remote client application licenses, which are DICES software authorization licenses (local and remote). 5) Support services, which includes training, installation, STIG IA compliance, maintenance, and upgrades. The estimated cost of the aforementioned DICES VoIP products is $175,000.

3. FAR 6.303-2(b)(4) – An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition: The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition for this procurement is FAR 6.302-1 (a) (2) (iii). When the supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, full and open competition need not be provided for. In this case services may be deemed to be available only from the original source in the case of follow-on contracts for the continued provision of highly specialized services when it is likely that award to any other source would result in—(A) Substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition; or (B) Unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency’s requirements. (See 10 U.S.C. 2304(d)(1)(B).)

4. FAR 6.303-2(b)(5)&(9) – A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited and any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: The SDIL use DICES to communicate with multiple groups to accomplish mission objectives. The SDIL supports these mission objectives locally as well as at other NASA sites during mission integration / development testing, Mission Control Center (MCC) Operational Readiness Test (ORT) and Flight Following / On--‐Orbit Anomaly Resolution Activities. Primary support sites are Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC), Kennedy Space Flight Center (KSC), and Armstrong Flight Research Center

(AFRC).

DICES is the communication system utilized throughout the agency. The primary support sites were previously upgraded to the latest DICES VoIP platform. SDIL DICES system is obsolete and is unsupported which necessitates upgrading. Failure of this system would cause an irreparable break, causing a major impact to SDIL ability to accomplish aforementioned mission objectives. Thus, the platform upgrade decision by SDIL is paramount to maintaining compatibility with the primary sites in addition to the continued service obtained through NASA Communication Teams.

SDIL upgrade to DICES VoIP ensures compatibility with existing primary support sites’ hardware and software, which allows for continued Information Technology (IT) operations.

Quintron is the sole source for upgrades and updates to their hardware and software products.

Additionally, this system is currently in use and must be integrated with existing systems.

NASA specific DICES system was developed and manufactured by Quintron. Quintron is the sole provider of their products. Quintron does not utilize resellers or third parties to distribute or support their products.

5. FAR 6.303-2(b)(6) – A description of the efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies:

SDIL is a support organization to FOD MCC voice services. As such, SDIL must meet FOD’s system requirements for compatibility. Coordination with FOD personnel was conducted prior to initiation of this Purchase Request. As a result of the synopsis for this sole- source posted on May 2, 2016 as required by FAR Subpart 5.2, there were no responses for this acquisition.

6. FAR 6.303-2(b)(7) – A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable: An analysis will be conducted based on current market prices and any past buys to determine if the price is fair and responsible.

7. FAR 6.303-2(b)(8) – Description of the market survey conducted, and the results, or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted: A market survey was not necessary nor conducted. The SDIL requirement for upgrading to DICES VoIP Platform was forged by FOD Facilities Development and Operations Contract (FDOC) This procurement was the source of and independent market survey and analysis of the technical specifications for communication platforms from multiple manufacturers. Based upon the results of the Independent analysis and testing, FDOC identified manufacturer Quintron, and its DICES VoIP product line as being able to meet the maximum specifications and requirements.

A market research by SDIL would be a duplication of FDOC efforts, resulting in redundant finances and resources expended toward experimental products, integration methodology, procedure development, training, and future maintenance; consequently resulting in an unacceptable delay in SDIL ability to properly integrate with primary support site communication systems. SDIL upgrade to DICES VoIP ensures compatibility with existing primary support sites’ hardware and software, which allows for continued Information Technology (IT) operations.

8. FAR 6.303-2(b)(9) – Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as: None.

9. FAR 6.303-2(b)(10) – A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed an interest in writing in the acquisition: There haven’t been any sources to date that expressed an interest in writing for this acquisition.

10. FAR 6.303-2(b)(11) – A statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required: At this time, there are no actions to remove or overcome barriers to competition due to the unique requirements of the SDIL. The SDIL will continue to work with FOD (agency communication system design organization) to remain compatible with JSC standards. In addition, FOD will continue to find ways, through their procurement activities, to remove barriers to competition for the entire agency utilized DICES VoIP requirement.