OCPO SF008 - Sole Source Justification SAM_Redacted.pdf

Identify the authority being used to justify a sole source acquisition [FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii)]. Refer to block number 10 for justification details.

8. 41 U.S.C. 1901 – Simplified acquisition procedures.

9. 41 U.S.C. 1903 – Special emergency procurement authority.

10. JUSTIFICATION (Attach additional pages if needed)

(a) Demonstration that the proposed contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited [FAR 6.303-2(b)(5)]. [Prepared by Mission Unit]

(b) Describe the efforts taken to ensure offers were solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a Government-wide point of entry (GPE) notice was or will be published as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies [FAR 6.303-2(b)(6)]. [Prepared by Mission Unit] n order to fulfill the Boulder FirstNet Lab's mission of managing and overseeing the implementation and execution of contracts or agreements with non-Federal entities to build, operate, and maintain a Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) the BFNL requires specific two Ericsson single sector 5G gNBs that support new radio band n77 in Non-Standalone (NSA), generally referred to as 5G RAN hardware. These gNBs must be able to be integrated into the production 5G NSA commercial core network that is maintained and operated by AT&T (FirstNet's prime contractor). As of December 2023, AT&T's prime supplier of 5G gNB equipment is Ericsson. AT&T is the First Responder Network Authority's partner in operating and maintaining the NPSBN contract. Additionally, AT&T decided earlier this year to break the precedent of purchasing all eNB and gNB hardware under the NPSBN Task Order 10 contract vehicle. This essentially forces FirstNet to independently purchase the necessary hardware. The equipment has the following unique requirements:

1) Support Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) feature

2) Two Ericsson 6672 G4 Baseband Units

3) Two Ericsson 4467 Remote Radio Units (RRUs)

4) Must support n77 frequencies C-Band and 3.45GHz

5) Must be able to be integrated with the AT&T NSA Option 3X Commercial Core Network

6) Each gNB must be able to be configured with the FirstNet golden-standard configuration profile which includes the following critical parameters: Quality of Service (QoS), Priority and Pre-Emption (QPP)

7) Bi Directional data transmission must be supported by each gNB

A Special Notice was posted on August 28, 2025 and closed on September 11, 2025 of the First Responder Network Authority's intent to negotiate with Ericcson Federal Technologies Group Inc. on a sole source basis. The Government received no responses as a result of this Special Notice.

CONTINUED

(c) Demonstration that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable [FAR 6.303-2(b)(7)].

[Prepared by Contracting Officer]

(d) Describe the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted [FAR 6.303-2(b)(8)]. [Initiated by the Mission Unit and finalized in collaboration with the Contracting Officer]

AT&T is the First Responder Network Authority's partner in operating and maintaining the NPSBN contract. AT&T's prime supplier of 5G gNB equipment is Ericsson. Ericsson does not have any government wide acquisition contracts. The Contracting Officer posted a Special Notice on SAM.gov to ensure that there were no other providers that could fulfill this requirement. The notice was posted on August 28, 2025 and closed on September 11, 2025. No were responses were received as a result of this notice.

10. JUSTIFICATION CONTINUED (Attach additional pages if needed)

(e) Any other facts supporting the use of a sole source acquisition [FAR 6.303-2(b)(9)]. [Prepared by Mission Unit]

(f) List sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition [FAR 6.303-2(b)(10)].

[Prepared by Mission Unit]

(g) Statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to competition before any subsequent acquisition for supplies and services [FAR 6.303-2(b)(11)]. [Initiated by the Mission Unit and finalized in collaboration with the Contracting Officer]

Not Applicable

None

The Government will continue to monitor the market and work with our partner AT&T to determine if any other providers can fulfill this requirement in the future if another subsequent procurement occurs.

REVIEW AND APPROVALS [FAR 6.304, FAM 1333-13]

O ve r

$7

,0

11. Competition Advocate (Name & Title)

APPROVED

DISAPPROVED

Signature and Date

O ve r $1 m ill io n

12. Head of the Procuring Activity (Name & Title) Signature and Date

APPROVED

DISAPPROVED