RECOVERY ACT FUNDING: PRECISE BIOMETRICS ENTERPRISE LICENSE
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Solicitation Number:
SAQMMA09M1175
Notice Type:
Award Notice
Contract Award Date:
June 19, 2009
Contract Award Number:
AQ101993B002
Contract Award Dollar Amount:
$131,000.00
Contract Line Item Number:
001 Enterprise License (60K Users)
Contractor Awarded Name:
Precise Biometrics
Contractor Awarded Address:
8300 Boone Blvd
Suite 500
Vienna, Virginia 22182-2681
United States
Synopsis:
Added: Jun 19, 2009 11:56 am
JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL
FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Brand Name Justification
Recovery Act Funding
The Office of Acquisition Management is conducting this acquisition for Precise Biometrics’ Biometric and Smart Card Readers on behalf of Systems Integrity Division. The estimated cost is $131,000.
Nature and/or description of the action being approved:
Precise Biometric Enterprise License for 60,000 users in support of the Department of State’s Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) program.
A description of the supplies or services required to meet the Department’s needs. The Department of State PKI program uses Precise Biometrics’ Precise 200MC hardware, which includes both smartcard and biometrics fingerprint readers. Interoperability of the components is essential to a functional system; components not certified by Precise may prove non-functional in this configuration. The enterprise license is a maintenance and level III support for the biometric readers. The estimated dollar value of this procurement is $131,000.
An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition. IRM/OPS/ITI/SI requires Precise 200MC readers and the enterprise license is to be in place for maintenance and support of this equipment. This requirement for the enterprise license is only through the manufacturer, Precise Biometrics; therefore, 41 USC 253(c)(l), only one reasonable source and no other supplies will satisfy agency requirements, implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.302-1(c) Application for Brand Name Description, is cited at the statutory authority.
A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.
• The Department has multiple technical requirements for its deployment of Smart Card Readers. Only Precise biometric readers meet all Department requirements. The license is proprietary from the manufacturer, Precise Biometrics and will provide the maintenance on the existing licenses for this product that is already in use and on the Department of State network. The cost would be significant to the Government to implement another brand of reader on the DoS network. Additional cost would be incurred for the readers and the license. This requirement is to cover the Enterprise License (60,000 users) as well as maintenance and level III support. This is an annual fee that is paid to the manufacturer, Precise Biometrics.
The following are identified as requirements that cannot be met by another brand to date:
• All processing of the biometric is handled within the reader device and smart card in what is termed Match on Card (MOC) technology. No images or biometric information can pass between the reader and a PC, occur on the PC, be validated across the network. This is a critical component to protect personally identifiable information (PII). Without this protection, an additional layer of security would have to be architected into the device to ensure that biometric PKI was not exposed.
• Because the Precise model readers incorporate biometric readers, coupled with smart card readers, the Department meets the two-factor authentication requirement. This is a major security component that can only be ensured through the use of both biometrics and possession of the smart card token which Precise Biometrics provides.
• The processes to support MOC technology are proprietary. Hence, future upgrades of firmware and software would not be able to be duplicated by another vendor.
• Management of multiple reader platforms will create significant and costly configuration management issues for the Department. Given the requirements in managing one manufacturer’s platform across the enterprise, coupled with deploying the required software, to include updates and patches, multiple platforms would create serious logistics problems for the Department. It would require that multiple software drivers be pushed to all Department PCs, which would potentially create software incompatibilities on those PCs. Because the devices would be incompatible, posts would be required to keep more spare readers on hand than with one device, simply because of that incompatibility which would be more costly for the Government. This would ultimately cost the Department more in maintenance than having to only maintain one platform.
• The Precise model readers are the only devices that are compatible with SafeNet BSec Middleware, which is currently deployed within the Department, and is a critical component to meeting security requirements. Moving away from this standard would create multiple incompatible configurations on computer systems that would be driven by which reader was available for installation. This has the potential to drive cost, security and logistics issues. The cost factor for the Government would be minimal in using the Precise Biometric readers that is compatible with the systems already in place for all of Department of State and the posts worldwide.
• The Precise model readers perform both biometric enrollment and verification of users. This flexibility ensures that only one reader need be deployed on users’ desks for both system requirements.
• Various readers respond differently to the placement of fingers when the biometric is read. Use of multiple readers within the Department would affect the logon process for some readers, as finger placement can make it very difficult for some users to logon. As the readers will be required to logon to OpenNet, this will prove to be frustrating should users not be able to easily and consistently logon with the same level of confidence.
• The Precise biometric reader is the only reader currently on the GSA HSPD-12 approved products list, which is both HSPD-12 compliant, and supports our legacy installation.
A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable. This requirement will be sole sourced to Precise Biometrics and the award publicized on FedBizOps. Market research was done through GSA Advantage to verify that the license is procured directly from the manufacturer, Precise Biometrics.
A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.
A quote for the enterprise license was received and has been determined to be fair and reasonable for providing support for the 60,000 users.
- A description of the market survey conducted and the results or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted.
Precise is the manufacturer and only provider that can upgrade, update, patch and replace defective readers with identical technical specification to those currently installed, Precise Biometrics is the sole source. Precise Biometrics as the manufacturer provides the maintenance and support for the equipment through the enterprise license.
- Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.
The award as a sole source will be publicized on FedBidOps. No other source is available for this requirement and the enterprise license is being procured directly from the manufacturer.
A listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition. Sole Source to the manufacturer, Precise Biometrics
A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.
PKI/BLADE is a COTS solution that provides PKI functionality and biometric authentication to the OpenNet. Even though it is a COTS solution, it is also a proprietary solution and the enterprise license for the maintenance and support must be procured through the manufacturer. Should a wider variety of digital encryption services and products become known to IRM/SI, these products will be considered as potential sources.
JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL
FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Sole Source Justification
Recovery Act Funding
The Office of Acquisition Management is conducting this acquisition for Precise Biometrics’ Biometric and Smart Card Readers on behalf of Systems Integrity Division. The estimated cost is $131,000.
Nature and/or description of the action being approved:
Precise Biometric Enterprise License for 60,000 users in support of the Department of State’s Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) program.
A description of the supplies or services required to meet the Department’s needs. The Department of State PKI program uses Precise Biometrics’ Precise 200MC hardware, which includes both smartcard and biometrics fingerprint readers. Interoperability of the components is essential to a functional system; components not certified by Precise may prove non-functional in this configuration. The enterprise license is a maintenance and level III support for the biometric readers. This Enterprise License is to be sole sourced directly to the manufacturer, Precise Biometrics. The estimated dollar value of this procurement is $131,000.
An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition. IRM/OPS/ITI/SI requires Precise 200MC readers and the enterprise license is to be in place for maintenance and support of this equipment. This requirement for the enterprise license is only through the manufacturer, Precise Biometrics; therefore, 41 USC 253(c)(l), only one reasonable source and no other supplies will satisfy agency requirements, implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.302-1 (2), is cited at the statutory authority. This requirement is only available through the manufacturer, Precise Biometrics. The Enterprise License is maintenance and level III support for the existing 60,000 users. The Government would incur substantial cost if this requirement was to be replaced by another license. The manufacturer, Precise Biometrics is the only company to provide this service for the existing users.
A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.
• The Department has multiple technical requirements for its deployment of Smart Card Readers. Only Precise biometric readers meet all Department requirements. The license is proprietary from the manufacturer, Precise Biometrics and will provide the maintenance on the existing licenses for this product that is already in use and on the Department of State network. The cost would be significant to the Government to implement another brand of reader on the DoS network. Additional cost would be incurred for the readers and the license. This requirement is to cover the Enterprise License (60,000 users) as well as maintenance and level III support. This is an annual fee that is paid to the manufacturer, Precise Biometrics.
The following are identified as requirements that cannot be met by another brand to date:
• All processing of the biometric is handled within the reader device and smart card in what is termed Match on Card (MOC) technology. No images or biometric information can pass between the reader and a PC, occur on the PC, be validated across the network. This is a critical component to protect personally identifiable information (PII). Without this protection, an additional layer of security would have to be architected into the device to ensure that biometric PKI was not exposed.
• Because the Precise model readers incorporate biometric readers, coupled with smart card readers, the Department meets the two-factor authentication requirement. This is a major security component that can only be ensured through the use of both biometrics and possession of the smart card token which Precise Biometrics provides.
• The processes to support MOC technology are proprietary. Hence, future upgrades of firmware and software would not be able to be duplicated by another vendor.
• Management of multiple reader platforms will create significant and costly configuration management issues for the Department. Given the requirements in managing one manufacturer’s platform across the enterprise, coupled with deploying the required software, to include updates and patches, multiple platforms would create serious logistics problems for the Department. It would require that multiple software drivers be pushed to all Department PCs, which would potentially create software incompatibilities on those PCs. Because the devices would be incompatible, posts would be required to keep more spare readers on hand than with one device, simply because of that incompatibility which would be more costly for the Government. This would ultimately cost the Department more in maintenance than having to only maintain one platform.
• The Precise model readers are the only devices that are compatible with SafeNet BSec Middleware, which is currently deployed within the Department, and is a critical component to meeting security requirements. Moving away from this standard would create multiple incompatible configurations on computer systems that would be driven by which reader was available for installation. This has the potential to drive cost, security and logistics issues. The cost factor for the Government would be minimal in using the Precise Biometric readers that is compatible with the systems already in place for all of Department of State and the posts worldwide.
• The Precise model readers perform both biometric enrollment and verification of users. This flexibility ensures that only one reader need be deployed on users’ desks for both system requirements.
• Various readers respond differently to the placement of fingers when the biometric is read. Use of multiple readers within the Department would affect the logon process for some readers, as finger placement can make it very difficult for some users to logon. As the readers will be required to logon to OpenNet, this will prove to be frustrating should users not be able to easily and consistently logon with the same level of confidence.
• The Precise biometric reader is the only reader currently on the GSA HSPD-12 approved products list, which is both HSPD-12 compliant, and supports our legacy installation.
A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable. This requirement will be sole sourced to Precise Biometrics and the award publicized on FedBizOps. Market research was done through GSA Advantage to verify that the license is procured directly from the manufacturer, Precise Biometrics.
A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.
A quote for the enterprise license was received and has been determined to be fair and reasonable for providing support for the 60,000 users.
- A description of the market survey conducted and the results or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted.
Precise is the manufacturer and only provider that can upgrade, update, patch and replace defective readers with identical technical specification to those currently installed, Precise Biometrics is the sole source. Precise Biometrics as the manufacturer provides the maintenance and support for the equipment through the enterprise license.
- Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.
The award as a sole source will be publicized on FedBidOps. No other source is available for this requirement and the enterprise license is being procured directly from the manufacturer.
A listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition. Sole Source to the manufacturer, Precise Biometrics
A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.
PKI/BLADE is a COTS solution that provides PKI functionality and biometric authentication to the OpenNet. Even though it is a COTS solution, it is also a proprietary solution and the enterprise license for the maintenance and support must be procured through the manufacturer. Should a wider variety of digital encryption services and products become known to IRM/SI, these products will be considered as potential sources.
Please consult the list of document viewers if you cannot open a file.
Justification and Approval - Other than Full and Open Competition
Type:
Other (Draft RFPs/RFIs, Responses to Questions, etc..)
Label:
Justification and Approval - Other than Full and Open Competition
Posted Date:
June 19, 2009
J&A Signed for License_Brand Name.pdf (905.15 Kb)
Description: Brand Name J&A
J&A Signed for License_Sole Source.pdf (942.85 Kb)
Description: J&A Sole Source
Contracting Office Address:
P.O. Box 9115
Rosslyn Station
Arlington, Virginia 22219
Primary Point of Contact.:
Cynthia I Harper,
Contract Specialist
Phone: 7038756218
Secondary Point of Contact:
Kaizan X Moneypenny,
Security Branch Chief
Phone: 703-875-5250
Fax: 703-875-6006