Ali Al Salem, Kuwait Giant Voice Sole Source

I. Agency and Contracting Activity. The 386 ECS is the customer and the 386 ECONS is the contracting office.
II. Nature and/or description of the action being approved. This J&A document is for the approval of a sole
source Firm Fixed Priced contract to expand the Ali Al Salem Air Base Giant Voice system.
III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs (including the estimated value). ATI Giant
Voice Trailer and Motorola Radio/Communications Equipment - purchasing GV trailers versus pole mounted
equipment is an AFCENT mandate; can be moved with little to no additional cost and allow support dynamic
wing missions. Motorola to program radios to AFCENT dictated specifications. -$267,527.35 This requirement
is comprised of the following components: A. Communications Control: Consisting of a mobile control trailer
outfitted with laptops and proprietary software. B. Outdoor High Powered Speaker Station: Consisting of 5 high
powered speakers. C. Pre-Recorded Messages D. Antenna Equipment and Communication Equipment:
Consisting of specially programmed Motorola radios and 7 antennas. E. System Configuration consisting of
one project to configure all hardware and software components in the requirement package so they can
operate with the existing Giant Voice system. F. Startup, installation and shipping charges.
IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition. 6.302-1 – 10 USC 2304(c)(1), Only One
Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.
V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the
authority cited above (applicability of authority). Current Giant Voice system is all ATI products, with proprietary
software specific to ATI and equipment location. Prior to 2008, the initial Giant Voice system and capabilities
was procured by AFCENT from Acoustic Technology Incorporate (ATI). ATI network infrastructure is currently
in place to include central controller, Motorola LMR network integration. ATI develops their own software and
manufactures their own equipment with no other authorized resellers or distributors. Alternate brand Giant
Voice could connect but loss of mission critical requirement features would occur. Specifically, Zone control
activation, integrate Public address voice, and control status signaling.
VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as
practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by subpart 5.2 and, if not, which
exception under FAR 5.202 applies. Researched like systems from other competitors, all systems require
central control units to complete integration and functionality. Due to their proprietary design (i.e. software)
central control unit procurement would induce excessive additional cost to the government and increase
system control complexity. The suggested source, ATI, is the most cost effective solution to meet the needs of
the project. This solution eliminates integration problems that drive excessive procurement costs by not have
to replace equipment that hasn't met the end of its life-cycle just to 'communicate' with the existing network.
Market research demonstrates there are several contractors offering giant voice systems but their systems are
not mutually compatible. The 380 ECONS received a quote from ATI and Sterling Computers for a similar ATI
giant voice system upgrade, however Sterling confirmed they could not supply the required goods and
services on 6 September 2020. Several other requirements for ATI brand giant voice systems have been
awarded sole source in FPDS-NG.
VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and
reasonable. The price will not be determined fair and reasonable using Certified Cost or Pricing Data because
this is prohibited IAW FAR 15.403-1(a). The Government can make a determination of price fair and
reasonable using pricing data from other contracts awarded to the vendor for the same items IAW FAR
15.403-3(a)(1)(i). Some components of the giant voice system are listed in GSA Advantage with listed prices.
VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted. FPDS-NG was reviewed to find other giant voice systems. The types of
competition (sole source, full and open) were reviewed. There are several giant voice manufacturers but their
systems are not inter-operable. Several other contracting offices with giant voice awards were contacted and
380 ECONS provided guidance and market research for a nearly identical ATI system that was submitted as a
sole source requirement, solicited on a GSA multiple contractor vehicle, received a quote from Sterling
Computers and was awarded to ATI due to adequate price competition. Sterling Computers was contacted with
the current requirement and replied they would be unable to fulfill the requirement. GSA Advantage and the
Schedule database was searched to locate published prices. The opportunities page of Beta.SAM.Gov was
searched for any supporting information such as sole source letters. Several giant voice vendors were
contacted regarding their ability to supply the brand name requirement and only two offered negative replies.
IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition. The 386 ECS would have to
replace the entire giant voice system at considerable cost while enduring an alert coverage gap in order to
expand competition for this requirement.
X. List of any sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition. No sources have responded
that they are capable of expanding the existing ATI giant voice system.
XI. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition
before making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required. Purchasing Giant Voice products
elsewhere would cause a compatibility issue with equipment currently in place. All equipment would need to be
reprogrammed to accommodate (if even possible) adding to overall expense. The initial requirement was
provided by AFCENT 10 or more years ago. Competitive bidding was completed at that time, and this
requirement is adding to the existing infrastructure. Due to the proprietary nature of the system and excessive
costs for third party equipment to integrate into the existing system, it is recommended to maintain the integrity
of the current Giant Voice infrastructure. Furthermore, a brief analysis shows that to avoid a sole-source in the
future, a re-procurement of the Giant Voice system would need to be accomplished with a requirement for any
solution to not be based on proprietary software or hardware and to integrate software and hardware from
multiple manufacturers.

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer. As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this
document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.
XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel. As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I
(we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and
complete.

Awarded contract FA570320Q0052 to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2020-09-20.