Redacted_FY24 Cisco Advance Services Software Renewal.pdf

JA-24-013

JUSTIFICATION FOR AN EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

BRAND NAME FAR 16.505(a)(4)

FY24 CISCO Advanced Services & Software Renewal

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Cyber and Intelligence Service Center (C5ISC), Alexandria C5I

Contract Operations Division (CG-9141) located at 7323 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, VA 20598-

7320, prepared this justification for an exception to fair opportunity.

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action being Approved.

The USCG intends to award a Delivery Order (DO) under the brand name exception to fair opportunity for Cisco Advanced Services (SmartNet) pursuant to FAR 16.505(a)(4)(i), restricting items peculiar to one manufacturer. This brand-name requirement will result in a Firm-Fixed-Price

(FFP) DO issue amongst authorized and certified Cisco reseller via the Department of Homeland

Security (DHS) First Source II Multiple-Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)

Contract.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

This requirement is to procure the renewal of brand name Cisco SmartNet maintenance to cover warranty repair and replacement for all Cisco network equipment connected to the USCG enterprise.

Cisco SmartNet support entitles the USCG’s Information System Technicians (IT) staffing to have direct anytime access to Cisco engineers and an extensive range of online resources including hardware Return Material Authorization (RMA) support. SmartNet extends the original Cisco End

User License Agreement (EULA) for each device which gives the USCG continuous access to their operating system updates and security patches. This service ensures that the USCG’s network remains in compliance with DoD requirements. The required support is brand-name specific from

Cisco but is purchased through an authorized Cisco channel partner (i.e., reseller).

This requirement will also procure the renewal of brand name Cisco Software: Cisco Identity

Service Engine (ISE), Cisco Modeling Lab (CML), Cisco Stealth Watch, and Cisco FLEX. The software license renewal allows for continued access to software updates, security patches, and technical support with Cisco Technical Support Policy and Terms.

The total estimated price for the Cisco Advance Services SmartNet & Software Renewal is utilizing FY24 funding. The Period of Performance (PoP) for this delivery order will be one (1) 6-month base period, and one (1) 6-month option period.

Base (08/01/2024 – 01/31/2025), (six months)

Service SKU Quantity Sub Total

Cisco Advance Service Level

AMPMI

ANYSL

ASAFP

C4P

ECMU

ECMUS

FTDMI

FVLIC

L1SWT

NCF4P

NCFAS

NCFMU

NCFP

NCFT

NCHMU

NCHP

NCHT

SNT

SNTP

SSSNC

SSSNT

SSTC

SSTCM

SWTI

UCSD7

Total

Software License’s individual sold (see below)

Cisco Identity Service Engine

Cisco Modeling Lab and Stealthwatch

Cisco Flex

Option I (02/01/2025 – 07/31/2025), (six months)

Service SKU Quantity Sub Total

Cisco Advance Service Level

AMPMI

ANYSL

ASAFP

C4P

ECMU

ECMUS

FTDMI

FVLIC

L1SWT

NCF4P

NCFAS

NCFMU

NCFP

NCFT

NCHMU

NCHP

NCHT

SNT

SNTP

SSSNC

SSSNT

SSTC

SSTCM

SWTI

UCSD7

Software License’s individual sold (see below)

Cisco Identity Service Engine

Cisco Modeling Lab and Stealthwatch

Cisco Flex

Grand Total

4. Identification of Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition.

The statutory authority exception to fair opportunity is FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B). “Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized.” This requirement will be procuring items peculiar to one manufacturer on a brand name basis in accordance with FAR 16.505(a)(4)(i).

SmartNet, ISE, CML, Cisco Stealth Watch, and Cisco FLEX is proprietary to Cisco. The Coast

Guard One Network (CGONE) is Cisco based, including Cisco network switches, routers, and firewall appliances. In addition, the USCG has incorporated FCAPS (Fault, Configuration, Administration, Performance & Security) management tasks utilizing Cisco Prime Infrastructure

(CPI) into CGONE. The Cisco SmartNet support will allow the USCG to continue meeting

DoD/DHS requirements for monitoring and managing network security for CGONE.

The USCG requires SmartNet, ISE, CML, Cisco Stealth Watch, and Cisco FLEX support for the

CGONE network infrastructure systems as these aid in continual mission support provided by IT field units to carryout operations and maintain a secure network environment. It also allows the means to support warranty replacement of faulty critical Cisco network equipment, and the ability to open support cases with Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) to troubleshoot network hardware, software, and design difficulties. Without the support, Cisco products cannot receive updates, patches, and replacements which would leave CGONE open to cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

Due to USCG’s need for proprietary Cisco requirements, the contracting strategy which will provide the Government best value is competing the brand-name Cisco SmartNet support using the DHS First

Source II multiple-award contracting vehicle.

5. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer determines the anticipated cost will be fair and reasonable based on adequate price competition between responsible Offerors. Based on market research, it is anticipated that multiple offers will be received from multiple authorized Cisco resellers on the First Source II. The

Contracting Officer will also perform a price analysis to determine that the price at the time of award represents the overall best value for the Government and is fair and reasonable.

6. A Statement of the Actions, if Any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome Any Barriers to Competition Before Any Subsequent Acquisition for Supplies or Services Required.

SmartNet, ISE, CML, Cisco Stealth Watch, and Cisco FLEX software licenses and support are proprietary and is currently in use on the USCG networks. The availability of multiple resellers of Cisco products ensures competition. The USCG is constantly monitoring the marketplace and evaluating the

USCG requirements to discover viable alternatives to Cisco brand name requirements. Should viable alternatives be discovered, the requirements will be competed without any restriction to competition.

7. Contracting Officer’s Certification.

I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date

8. Technical/Requirements Personnel Certification.

I certify that this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for the justification, is accurate and complete.

APPROVAL: