SAM POSTING_ID03200041 SOCEUR HWSW CERP_Brand Name Justification.pdf

GSA ASSIST: 47QFMA20K0049

ASSIST ID: ID03200041

Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104

Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

Special Operations Command, Europe (SOCEUR) Hardware/Software Capital Equipment Replacement Program (HWSW CERP) Procurement

47QFMA20K0049

This document is prepared in accordance with FAR 16.505(a)(4)

1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND THE CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

The requiring activity is the Special Operations Command, Europe (SOCEUR), headquartered Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany. SOCEUR employs Special Operations Forces across the United States European Command (USEUCOM) area of responsibility to enable deterrence, strengthen European security collective capabilities and interoperability, and counter transnational threats to protect U.S.

personnel and interests.

The contracting activity is GSA/FAS, Region 03, the DOW Building, 100 S. Independence Mall West, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19106.

2. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING APPROVED

US Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) requires a variety of IT equipment to support data communications in Europe. Products range from replacement of End-of-Life equipment, additional Subscriptions for warranties and support, and items required to bolster enterprise network operations.

A complete description of the U.S. SOCEUR HWSW CERP Procurement is contained in the Bill of Materials (BOM).

The action being approved is for the use of brand name products for inclusion as a technical specification to meet SOCEUR’s needs. This brand name justification is specific to the equipment needed to sustain and support existing enterprise operations. Brand names include Cisco, Black Box, Belkin, Microsoft, and Dell.

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY’S NEEDS

SOCEUR has a need to purchase new equipment to support various special operations mission critical communications requirements in Europe. These items are required per CJCSI 3115.01 (Common Tactical Picture Reporting Requirements) and 3151.01C to fulfill command and control reporting for Theatre Special Operations Commands (TSOCs). The products required to support the HWSW CERP Procurement are located in the attached BOM.

4. IDENTIFICATION OF THE EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY AND THE SUPPORTING

RATIONALE

The statutory exception to fair opportunity for brand name requirements is FAR 16.505(a)(4)(iii)(B); the Justification format in FAR 16.505(b)(2)(ii)(B) applies and is modified to reflect a brand name justification.

The anticipated amount for brand name items is . All SEWP V contract holders within Group A will have a fair opportunity to compete for the critical requirement while purchasing SOCEUR approved brand name products through competitive processes.

Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) J6 has requested specific name brand items under this order because they have been tested in accordance with Department of Defense (DoD) and are approved for integration into the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Information Enterprise (SIE).

USSOCOM currently only has four approved VOIP phones that are allowed on the USSOCOM SOFNET network IAW the SOCOM Approved Products List. Any authorized reseller is a viable option if they can provide one of the four (4) specific VOIP phones. Cisco is one of those four (4) brands, as it conforms to the replacement program requirements and is the baseline for SOCEUR. Sourcing from any of the three brands would require additional integration and result in non-uniform VOIP capabilities.

The CISCO products have been vetted through the SOCOM accreditation process and approved by the National Security Agency. The items listed are the only products approved by the Global Command & Control System – Joint (GCCS-J) program management office to provide COP services to TSOCs. This current technical configuration has already undergone a rigorous testing protocol and a comprehensive test plan to ensure the configuration would work within SOCEUR’s internal environment and externally with the Department of Defense. Rigorous beta testing has been performed in a laboratory test environment and has been validated that the hardware and software will operate effectively in the production environment.

Additionally, the name-brand ancillary equipment (Belkin fiber optic cables, and switches, converters, power supplies, Microsoft Mobile Stands, Dell Monitors, Cisco headsets, etc.) has been vetted to ensure proper functionality and compatibility to promote a seamless transition of the replacement technology.

Testing is conducted to verify that the equipment will work properly world-wide and meet performance and system availability requirements. This includes interoperability with internal and external systems, applications, databases, and operational hardware and software. To ensure operational effectiveness of SOCEUR’s programs and applications and to allow SOCEUR to support systems seamlessly worldwide with systems that DoD and other federal agencies use, all procured hardware and software integrated into production must be interoperable with SOCEUR’s existing enterprise architecture. The substitution of any product from this baseline with another product would pose risks relating to security, compatibility, interoperability, integration, and efficiency. Namely, the Bill of Materials includes many Cisco products required to support SOCEUR’s Capital Equipment Replacement Program as well as the ancillary products discussed directly above

Without these devices SOCEUR cannot function at its full capability. Any like item will cause significant delays in securing the SOCOM network to meet Cyber security requirements. The estimated time to approve a new device is 2 years from date the paperwork is submitted to SOCOM and the National Security Agency, plus any cost to perform the security testing and administrative paperwork. As such, there is significant cost, time, security, and implementation risks associated with deviation from the items listed in the Bill of Materials.

5. FAIR AND REASONABLE DETERMINATION

NASA SEWP V GWAC prices have already been determined fair and reasonable under a competitive acquisition. In addition, contract line item pricing may be further discounted by an individual contractor.

The successful quote will be compared to the Government’s cost estimate and to other submitted quotes that meet the Government’s requirements in order to ensure that the prices paid are fair and reasonable.

6. OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE JUSTIFICATION

Failure to approve the brand names would prohibit SOCEUR from meeting its missions.

7. ACTIONS TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS THAT LED TO THE EXCEPTION TO FAIR

OPPORTUNITY

The SOCOM technical staff continually monitors the market and evaluates products on an ongoing basis that would potentially improve their existing platforms. As technology changes and improves, the technical staff will monitor the marketplace and re-evaluate the requirement to see if other solutions can be utilized in order to enhance competition.

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVALS

I certify that this Exception to Fair Opportunity is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Project Manager

Contracting Officer Certification:

I certify that this Exception to Fair Opportunity is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Contracting Officer

Special Advocate for Competition Certification:

I certify that this Exception to Fair Opportunity is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Deputy Regional Commissioner / Competition Advocate GSA FAS, Mid-Atlantic Region