FBO_PN_81894_Siemon_JA_Redacted.pdf

Program/Equipment: SOTF/Siemon Products

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JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

SIEMON PRODUCTS FOR SOTF

1. CONTRACTING AGENCY:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION:

Subject project in the Security Operations Training Facility (SOTF) includes construction of a new approximately 2,000 square foot building. The proposed Siemon products are required to maintain technical characteristics of other Siemon products throughout SOTF.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR NATURE OF CONSTRUCTION:

This project provides a redundant telecommunications building intended to act as a backup in the event of failure of the existing main telecommunications room.

4. AUTHORITY CITED:

The authority for this sole-source acquisition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), IAW FAR 6.302- 1(c), Only One Responsible Source, Brand Name Exception. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements

5. REASON FOR AUTHORITY CITED:

FAR 6.302-1(c): This justification is to use only Siemon CAT 6A F/UTP copper cable, Z-Max series terminations and patch panels which are currently the only specified acceptable copper cable throughout SOTF. The CAT 6A F/UTP cable provides channel performance exceeding TIA-568-C-2 category requirements for 10GBASE-T operation over 100-meters and 4-conductor topology. The Siemon cable is the only product that SOTF has been able to find that can provide a validated and guaranteed margin over the more stringent TIA/ISO standards organizations that it requires. These factors provide significant advantages in throughput performance and stability as well as scalability for SOTF long-term infrastructure requirements while simultaneously reducing long-term sustainment and maintenance costs.

a. Background: Currently, 100% of the copper cabling, terminations, and patch panels in SOTF are Siemon products. SOTF’s testing of shielded cabled systems revealed that the Siemon shielded solution was the only cable tested that did not emit any emanations during testing. As a result, the end-to-end shielded system is the only cable the organization feels confident in using for secure communications and has been used extensively by SOTF

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for internally procured telecommunications improvements projects. The Government’s intent is to maintain a system that is entirely Siemon to prevent service or security interruptions or warranty issues due to multiple cabling brands that must operate together. Due to the increase in cybersecurity threats, maintaining an entire system that exceeds TIA-568-C- 2 requirements is essential to protecting sensitive communications within

SOTF.

b. Alternatives: There are currently no other alternate manufacturers that manufacture copper cabling to the specifications SOTF requires in its current infrastructure nor the warranty period necessary to reduce long-term costs to the government. Over the past nine years, SOTF determined through hands-on experience that having multiple manufacturers of cabling significantly reduced network availability and increased manpower overhead to manage a non-homogeneous copper infrastructure.

c. Justification: FAR 6.302-1(c) allows for limiting competition to those sources who can provide a brand name product.

d. Prior Acquisitions: A similar brand name J&A was prepared for a renovation project in Fiscal Year 2017. No contractor protests occurred during the bid phase of this project.

e. Impact: If this Brand Name Justification is not approved, additional efforts and maintenance will be required if components from various manufacturers are combined into a single system. As noted, security interruptions, warranty issues, and compatibility difficulties have been challenges for SOTF prior to establishing a network using only Siemon copper cabling.

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION:

Because of the security, warrant, and compatibility concerns, no efforts to obtain additional competition were made. This project will be solicited via Invitation for Bid, set-aside to small businesses. Although this J&A requires use of Siemon products for a portion of the project, the Government anticipates competition amongst Prime Contractors bidding on the project.

7. ACTIONS TO INCREASE COMPETITION:

None have been taken.

8. MARKET RESEARCH:

The required Siemon products are widely available to sub-contractors through typical material purchase channels and are frequently used at Ft. Bragg even without a J&A in place.

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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.

NAME: DATE: _________________________

TITLE: Project Manager, SOTF 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: 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 T. Hill DATE: _________________________

TITLE: Contracting Officer 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.

NAME: John T. Hill DATE: _________________________

TITLE: Contracting Officer SIGNATURE: _________________

WEST.JERE.F

RANKLIN.12

39533872

Digitally signed by

WEST.JERE.FRANKLIN.1239533872

DN: c=US, o=U.S. Government, ou=DoD, ou=PKI, ou=USA, cn=WEST.JERE.FRANKLIN.1239533 Date: 2018.02.28 11:31:27 -05'00'

WEST.JERE.FR

ANKLIN.1239

533872

Digitally signed by

WEST.JERE.FRANKLIN.1239533872

DN: c=US, o=U.S. Government, ou=DoD, ou=PKI, ou=USA, cn=WEST.JERE.FRANKLIN.1239533 Date: 2018.02.28 11:36:36 -05'00'

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APPROVAL

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of Siemon 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.

NAME: John T. Hill DATE: _________________________

TITLE: Contracting Officer SIGNATURE: ___________________

WEST.JERE.FR

ANKLIN.1239

533872

Digitally signed by

WEST.JERE.FRANKLIN.1239533872

DN: c=US, o=U.S. Government, ou=DoD, ou=PKI, ou=USA, cn=WEST.JERE.FRANKLIN.1239533872 Date: 2018.02.28 11:32:34 -05'00'