S01 JnA_Redacted.pdf

Cisco Hardware and Installation CONTROL NUMBER VA-25-00010613

Enterprise clusters is critical to ensure the continued functionality and reliability of the enterprise-wide VoIP system. VoIP technology integrates voice, video, and data into a single communication system, enhancing operational efficiency and providing capabilities such as video conferencing, instant messaging, and file sharing. Procuring an entirely new voice system from a different manufacturer would result in an estimated cost of $300 to $500 million and would take approximately 5-7 years to implement.

These duplicated costs are not expected to be recovered through competition. These estimates are based on previous acquisition history. dditionally, installation, and configuration services under this requirement must be performed by Cisco-certified technicians due to the proprietary nature of the technology. Therefore, only Cisco technical and security requirements. services including but not limited to Suicide hotlines and any other services that the VA provides to its Veterans and their families.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market research was conducted, and details are provided in Section 8 of this justification. The research concluded that limited competition exists among multiple (36) SDVOSB authorized Cisco resellers for the required brand-name hardware. In accordance with FAR 5.301 and 16.505(b)(2)(ii)(D), the resulting award will be synopsized, and the associated justification will be publicly posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website. Additionally, the Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity will be published on the NASA SEWP V GWAC website to allow consideration by prospective offerors.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Government will continue to conduct market research to ascertain if there are changes in the market place that would enable future actions to be competed.

8. Market Research: Market research was conducted in January 2025 using the NASA SEWP tool. Multiple vendors were identified as potential suppliers; however, only Cisco requirements. Technical experts performed additional web-based analysis of commercial products, including those offered by While similar

-based infrastructure. Interoperability and system compatibility are fundamental to ensuring a functional voice system. Only Cisco has the proprietary knowledge and access to the proprietary databases and configurations are essential for seamless integration and performance within the existing environment. VA networking subject matter experts also conduct ongoing industry research through trade publications and web-based sources to identify emerging solutions. Based on these comprehensive market research efforts, the Government has determined that only Cisco brand-name hardware and software

9. Other Facts: None

10.Technical/Requirements Certification I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

11. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination I hereby determine that the anticipated price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based on competition. Additionally, NASA SEWP V has already determined the prices on contract to be fair and reasonable. Finally, the successful quote will be compared with the Independent Government Cost Estimate.

12.Contracting Officer Certification/Approval I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Approval

In my role as procuring activity Advocate for Competition, based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the acquisition of Cisco VoIP hardware components to include installation on an other than fair opportunity basis pursuant to the authority cited in Section 4 above, subject to availability of funds, and provided that the property and services herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.