PN_72426_JA_Corning.pdf

Control No: SAW-21-0011 Program/Equipment: SOTF/Corning (PN 72426)

Version – September 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

JUSTIFICATION REVIEW DOCUMENT

FAR PART 6 JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Program/Equipment: USACE is procuring installation and parts compatible with the existing Corning system for PN 72426 SOF Military Working Dog.

Authority:

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(c), Only One Responsible Source, Brand Name Exception.

Amount: $30,000

Prepared by: James Griffith DSN: 910-251-4773 Project Manager Date: 10 Nov 2020 Email: james.g.griffith@usace.army.mil

Contracting Officer: Michael Mullen DSN: 910-251-4807 Contracting Officer Date: 10 Nov 2020 Email: Michael.M.Mullen@usace.army.mil

Technical: Brian Ballweg DSN: (910) 251-4881 Engineer Technical Lead Date: 10 Nov 2020 Email: Brian.Ballweg@usace.army.mil

Requirements: Matthew Black DSN: (910) 643-5253 Project Manager, SOTF

Date: 10 Nov 2020 Email: matthew.d.black4.civ@mail.mil mailto:james.g.griffith@usace.army.mil mailto:Michael.M.Mullen@usace.army.mil

Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support other than full and open competition.

Contracting Officer:

Typed Name: Michael M. Mullen

DSN: 910-251-4710

Signature:

X Michael M. Mullen Contracting Officer

Chief, Business Oversite Branch:

Typed Name: Christopher S. Kay

DSN: 910-251-4580

Signature:

X Christopher S. Kay Chief, Business Oversite Branch

Legal Counsel:

Typed Name: Justin McCorcle 910-251-4699

Signature:

X Justin P. McCorcle District Counsel

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

CORNING PRODUCTS FOR SOTF

1. CONTRACTING AGENCY:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION:

The subject project consists of an approximate 23,300 SF new two-level facility to serve the military working dog (MWD) section on the SOTF compound. The first level of the new facility will include kennels, kennel food preparation and storage spaces, dog treatment spaces, physical therapy and trainer/handler gear storage. The second level will include Team rooms, Team Offices, latrine/lockers rooms, a classroom and MWD command work area with conference room. Request contract to require a specific cable product, as that product has been shown by the User to be a unique product with unique capabilities that meets the user’s stringent requirements for top-quality and secure telecommunications equipment.

Sole-source and brand name justification to use only specified Corning Edge Systems infrastructure products for telecommunications in support of backbone infrastructure and data center build outs for Security Operations Training Facility (SOTF), Ft Bragg NC.

Specific cable terminations, housing, cassette modules, racking and patching equipment work as a mated system. These products shall support project 72426 using existing MILCON appropriations.

Total Value: $30,000.00

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR NATURE OF CONSTRUCTION:

The referenced construction project consists of telecom infrastructure systems that could ostensibly be met by more than one product. As further described below, USACE intends to require a specific systems product line, as that manufacturer product has been shown by the user to be a unique product with unique capabilities that meets the user’s stringent requirements for top-quality and secure standardized telecommunications equipment.

Due to the unique operational requirements for high system availability, the voice and data network requires the highest level of performance and reliability capable of supporting emerging and converging IP applications such as Voice over IP and IP video across a multi-classification network architecture. The data network must maintain the smallest footprint of electromagnetic interference and physical spacing. The network must be in accordance with all applicable security policies and TEMPEST guidelines in order to pass accreditation and receive an authority to operate.

The estimated value of the entire contract is $17,700,000. The estimated value of the sole-source portion that requires Corning products is $30,000.

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): As further described below, SOTF has unique needs requiring particularly high-quality telecommunications components that work to reduce infrastructure footprint within a zero growth facility. After conducting extensive research on other sources of telecommunications products, SOTF has determined that the Corning systems product line to include optical fiber, terminations and patching, racking and mounting equipment is the only product that can demonstrably meet its backbone communications and data center design needs. The reasons for such determination are described below.

BACKGROUND:

General Specifications:

1. The infrastructure shall utilize a modular solution consisting of factory-terminated trunk assemblies and bulk cable interfaces utilizing 12-fiber MTP® array connectors, MTP® to LC Duplex modules, 12-fiber LC duplex, OS2 jumpers, and/or MTP adapter panels and harnesses, as specified in the scope of work.

2. Pre-terminated Fiber Optic Systems shall meet all requirements in this specification.

Design Specifications:

1. Primarily installed in data center environments and backbone connection scenarios, Corning Edge, high density MTP® modular solutions provide a connectivity solution that is quick to install, ensures factory quality performance, and offers a migration path to future technologies. A pre-terminated solution with the following components available:

1. High-Density MTP to MTP Trunks

2. High-Density MTP to LC Modules

3. High-Density EDGE Patch cords

4. High-Density EDGE MTP Adapter Panels

5. High-Density EDGE Harness Assemblies

6. High-Density EDGE housings

7. High-Density EDGE Splice Cassettes

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION:

Corning is the only manufacturer in the industry that manufactures optical fiber and racking systems cabling to our required specifications and warranty requirements. Typical industry compliant systems do not meet SOTF current performance standards baseline. The significantly reduced warranty period would increase long-term sustainment and maintenance costs to the government. SOTF estimates increased network failures as well as increase sustainment costs if the single brand selection is not granted. SOTF Certified RCDD Telecommunications engineers have over fifteen years of experience with Corning Optical Fiber and systems. Due to the unique operational requirements placed on the organizations network infrastructure, the unit requires a homogeneous cabling infrastructure from Corning that reduces the risk to network availability to the lowest levels possible while providing the smallest physical foot print available. SOTF will continue to evaluate merging telecom systems for performance-related improvements.

7. ACTIONS TO INCREASE COMPETITION:

No additional actions to increase competition to find an alternative manufacturer are anticipated at this time. Based upon current research, Corning is the only manufacturer in the industry that manufactures optical fiber, housings and connections to SOTF required specifications and warranty requirements. SOTF as a small and specialized military organization is not able to effect industry change or manufacturing guidelines of other companies.

8. MARKET RESEARCH:

SOTF has conducted, and continues to conduct, product-by-product evaluation of all available telecommunication Infrastructure systems. Numerous other manufacturer products were evaluated by telecommunications engineers and technicians. These products include Comm Scope, and Siemon Systems whose products were found to not meet the requirements in performance at the system level when compared to Corning base product line.

9. INTERESTED SOURCES:

This is a brand name justification. This justification will be provided to the public at the time of solicitation as required by FAR 6.302-1 (c)(ii)(C). Because this justification is for a portion of the acquisition, neither the sources sought nor the synopsis will provide a meaningful opportunity for interested sources to respond prior to solicitation.

10. OTHER FACTS:

Procurement history: Paragraph 5 provides the historical results of prior acquisitions that did not limit competition on the component subject to this justification.

11. 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.

Typed Name: Brian Ballweg Title: Engineer Technical Lead

Signature:

X Brian Ballweg Engineer Technical Lead

12. 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.

Typed Name: Matthew Black Title: Project Manager, SOTF

Signature:

X Matthew Black Project Manager, SOTF

13. 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.

This determination will be made using the following: ☐ cost analysis ☒ price analysis ☐ should cost ☒ IGCE ☐ audit: ☐ other:

As a part of this basis, certified cost or pricing data:

☐ will be required.

☒ will not be required and the following exception applies (FAR 15.403):

☒ Prices that will be agreed upon are based on adequate price competition.

☐ Prices that will be agreed upon are based on prices set by law or regulation.

☐ A commercial item is being acquired.

☐ A waiver has been granted by the head of the contracting activity (HCA) in accordance with DFARS PGI 215.403-1.

☐ The contract action is a modification to a contract or subcontract for commercial item(s).

☐ The estimated cost of the contract action is less than the threshold for certified cost or pricing data.

Typed Name: Michael Mullen Title: Contracting Officer

Signature:

X

14. 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.

Typed Name: Michael Mullen Title: Contracting Officer

Signature:

X

APPROVAL

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

Typed Name: Michael Mullen Title: Contracting Officer

Signature:

X