JEFO_for_Juniper_Firewalls-R.doc

Informal Justification for Exception to Fair Opportunity

The Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Systems, Office of Telecommunications and Systems Operations (OTSO), Division of Network Engineering is tasked with securing network connections between the agency and all External Business Partners (EBPs), and must provide a scalable, cost effective network security solution. In order to support our EBP partners connecting to the new National Support Center (NSC), OTSO will purchase firewalls that will assume the load of the current firewalls at the NCC and provide the features and capabilities to handle the increased network traffic we will experience in the future. OTSO is seeking approval to purchase a quantity of eight Juniper SRX 650 and four SRX 240 firewalls for the new NSC data center.

For years, SSA has successfully used, and continues to use, a Juniper firewall based solution to securely connect to external business partner sites. The Juniper firewall has been established as the firewall to protect SSANET and the SSA external network (Extranet). The firewalls are centrally managed with Juniper Netscreen Security Manager Software. The management software is only compatible with Juniper firewalls. Using a different brand firewall would render the existing management software useless and could negatively impact the network security posture of the SSA. As Juniper hardware and software is proprietary, no other manufacturer can provide these products. Only Juniper firewalls can be managed by the Juniper Netscreen Security Manger centralized administration software currently in use at the SSA.

In accordance with FAR 16.505(b)(2)(ii)(B)(10), this is an exception to fair opportunity listed in 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.

Recommended:

/s/ Madeline Bryant 01/09/2014 Name Date