PN_88658_JA_Corning_20201117 v1.2.pdf

Control No: SAW-21-0009 Program/Equipment: SOTF/Corning (PN 88658)

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JUSTIFICATION REVIEW DOCUMENT

FAR PART 6 JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Program/Equipment: USACE is procuring installation and parts compatible with the existing Corning system for PN 88658, SOF Operations Facility.

Authority:

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2) and 6.302-1(c), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, and brand name descriptions.

Amount: $30,000

Prepared by: Zachry Nichols DSN: 910-251-4181 Project Manager Date: 10 Nov 2020 Email: Zachry.L.Nichols@usace.army.mil

Contracting Officer: John Hill DSN: 910-251-4451 Contracting Officer Date: 10 Nov 2020 Email: John.T.Hill@usace.army.mil

Technical: Brian Ballweg DSN: (910) 251-4881 Engineer Technical Lead Date: 10 Nov 2020 Email: Brian.Ballweg@usace.army.mil

Requirements: Roger Whatley DSN: 910-643-5427 Chief of Engineering Operations, SOTF

Date: 10 Nov 2020 Email: roger.d.whatley.civ@mail.mil mailto:Zachry.L.Nichols@usace.army.mil mailto:John.T.Hill@usace.army.mil mailto:roger.d.whatley.civ@mail.mil

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Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support other than full and open competition.

Procurement Analyst:

Typed Name: Christopher Kay

Signature:

X Christopher S. Kay Chief Business Oversight Branch

Contracting Officer:

Typed Name: John Hill 910-251-4451

Signature:

X John Hill Contracting Officer

Chief, Military Branch:

Typed Name: John Hill 910-251-4451

Signature:

X John T. Hill Chief, Military Branch

Legal Counsel:

Typed Name: Justin McCorcle 910-251-4699

Signature:

X Justin P. McCorcle District Counsel

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JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

CORNING PRODUCTS FOR SOTF

1. CONTRACTING AGENCY:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION:

This Operations Facility includes administrative, mission planning areas, vehicle bays, climate-controlled pallet storage with lift, Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants storage, arms vaults, individual unit caged storage, engineering workshops, latrines with lockers, and laundry. Also includes space for a Secure Compartmentalized Information Facility with administrative area, 50-person classroom, operations center, and Special Access Programs.

Project will also provide fire alarm/mass notification, fire suppression system, telephone and advanced unclassified and classified communications networks, intercom system, closed circuit surveillance and electronic access control systems, integrated commercial intrusion detection system, cable TV, a protected distribution system, and connection to the energy management control system. Department of Defense (DoD) principles for high performance and sustainable building requirements will be included in the design and construction of the project in accordance with federal laws and Executive Orders.

Sole-source and brand name justification to use only specified Corning Edge Systems infrastructure products for telecommunications in support of backbone infrastructure and data center build outs for Security Operations Training Facility (SOTF), Ft Bragg NC.

Specific cable terminations, housing, cassette modules, racking and patching equipment work as a mated system. These products shall support project (Contract # TBD) using existing MILCON appropriations.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR NATURE OF CONSTRUCTION:

The referenced construction project consists of telecom infrastructure systems that could ostensibly be met by more than one product. As further described below, USACE intends to require a specific systems product line, as that manufacturer product has been shown by the user to be a unique product with unique capabilities that meets the user’s stringent requirements for top-quality and secure standardized telecommunications equipment.

Due to the unique operational requirements for high system availability, the voice and data network requires the highest level of performance and reliability capable of supporting emerging and converging IP applications such as Voice over IP and IP video across a multi-classification network architecture. The data network must maintain the smallest footprint of electromagnetic interference and physical spacing. The network must be in accordance with all applicable security policies and TEMPEST guidelines in order to pass accreditation and receive an authority to operate.

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The estimated value of the entire contract is $43,000,000. The estimated value of the sole-source portion that requires Corning products is $30,000.

4. AUTHORITY CITED:

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2) and 6.302-1(c), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, and brand name descriptions.

5. REASON FOR AUTHORITY CITED:

As described at FAR 6.302-1(a)(2), when the supplies or services required by the agency are available only from one responsible source, or for DoD, NASA and the Coast Guard, from only one or a limited number of responsible sources, and no other types of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, full and open competition need not be provided for. As further described in FAR 6.302-1(c), an acquisition or portion of an acquisition that uses a brand-name description or other purchase description to specify a particular brand-name, product, or feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer does not provide for full and open competition, regardless of the number of sources solicited;

and shall be justified and approved in accordance with FAR 6.303 and 6.304.

FAR 6.302-1(c): As further described below, SOTF has unique needs requiring particularly high-quality telecommunications components that work to reduce infrastructure footprint within a zero growth facility. After conducting extensive research on other sources of telecommunications products, SOTF has determined that the Corning systems product line to include optical fiber, terminations and patching, racking and mounting equipment is the only product that can demonstrably meet its backbone communications and data center design needs. The reasons for such determination are described below.

BACKGROUND:

General Specifications:

1. The infrastructure shall utilize a modular solution consisting of factory-terminated trunk assemblies and bulk cable interfaces utilizing 12-fiber MTP® array connectors, MTP® to LC Duplex modules, 12-fiber LC duplex, OS2 jumpers, and/or MTP adapter panels and harnesses, as specified in the scope of work.

2. Pre-terminated Fiber Optic Systems shall meet all requirements in this specification.

Design Specifications:

1. Primarily installed in data center environments and backbone connection scenarios, Corning Edge, high density MTP® modular solutions provide a connectivity solution that is quick to install, ensures factory quality performance, and offers a migration path to future technologies. A pre-terminated solution with the following components available:

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1. High-Density MTP to MTP Trunks

2. High-Density MTP to LC Modules

3. High-Density EDGE Patch cords

4. High-Density EDGE MTP Adapter Panels

5. High-Density EDGE Harness Assemblies

6. High-Density EDGE housings

7. High-Density EDGE Splice Cassettes

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION:

Corning is the only manufacturer in the industry that manufactures optical fiber and racking systems cabling to our required specifications and warranty requirements. Typical industry compliant systems do not meet SOTF current performance standards baseline. The significantly reduced warranty period would increase long-term sustainment and maintenance costs to the government. SOTF estimates increased network failures as well as increase sustainment costs if the single brand selection is not granted. SOTF Certified RCDD Telecommunications engineers have over fifteen years of experience with Corning Optical Fiber and systems. Due to the unique operational requirements placed on the organizations network infrastructure, the unit requires a homogeneous cabling infrastructure from Corning that reduces the risk to network availability to the lowest levels possible while providing the smallest physical footprint available. SOTF will continue to evaluate merging telecom systems for performance-related improvements.

7. ACTIONS TO INCREASE COMPETITION:

No additional actions to increase competition to find an alternative manufacturer are anticipated at this time. Based upon current research, Corning is the only manufacturer in the industry that manufactures optical fiber, housings and connections to SOTF required specifications and warranty requirements. SOTF as a small and specialized military organization is not able to effect industry change or manufacturing guidelines of other companies.

8. MARKET RESEARCH:

SOTF has conducted, and continues to conduct, product-by-product evaluation of all available telecommunication Infrastructure systems. Numerous other manufacturer products were evaluated by telecommunications engineers and technicians. These products include Comm Scope, and Siemon Systems whose products were found to not meet the requirements in performance at the system level when compared to Corning base product line.

9. TECHNICAL CERTIFICATION:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which is included in this abbreviated Justification and Approval is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. The requirement herein described is a valid requirement for the activity named in this justification. The technical and requirements information contained in this justification represent the minimum needs of the Government. The only way to satisfy this requirement is by limiting the competition as described herein.

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NAME: Brian Ballweg DATE: _________________________

TITLE: Engineer Technical Lead, USACE SIGNATURE: ___________________

10. REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

NAME: Roger Whatley DATE: _________________________

TITLE: Chief of Engineering Operations, SOTF SIGNATURE: ___________________

11. FAIR AND REASONABLE COST DETERMINATION:

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. Proposed pricing will be compared with the IGCE submitted by Wilmington District Technical Services Section.

NAME: John Hill DATE: _________________________

TITLE: Contracting Officer, USACE SIGNATURE: _________________

12. CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION:

I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Based on the foregoing, I approve this Brand Name/Limited Sources justification subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

TITLE: Contracting Officer SIGNATURE: _________________

APPROVAL

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of Corning Products for SOTF on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), FAR 6.302-1(c) and provided the property and services herein described has otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

TITLE: Contracting Officer SIGNATURE: ___________________

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