Justification and Approval – National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS)

Notice Type: Justification and Approval

Posted Date: 31-MAR-14

Office Address: Department of State; Office of Acquisitions; Acquisition Management; 1735 N. Lynn St.Arlington VA 22209

Subject: National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS)

Classification Code: 99 - Miscellaneous

Solicitation Number: None Specified - National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS)

Contact: Bernard L. Turner, Contracting Specialist, Phone 7038754224, Email turnerb1@state.gov - Vincent J Sanchez, Contracting Officer, Phone 703-875-6629, Email SanchezVJ@state.govFAR 6.302-1

Description: Department of State

Office of Acquisitions

Acquisition Management

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (J&A) FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION 1. The Office of Acquisition Management is conducting this acquisition for the renewal of the International Justice and Public Safety Information Sharing Network (NLETS), formerly known as the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System. On behalf of the U.S. Department of State, and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, this acquisition is for a base plus four (4) option renewal years for an estimated cost of $324,000.00.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved. The Office of Acquisition Management (A/LM/AQM), Department of State (DoS) is processing the acquisition at the request of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Office of the Chief Technology Officer (DS/EX/CTO). This justification and approval for a sole source only basis is for renewal of the International Justice and Public Safety Information Sharing Network (NLETS) Systems Service Contract. The use of sole source is essential to the Government's requirements for DoS Bureau of Diplomatic Security conducting criminal investigations, and issuing Security clearances; and DoS Consular Affairs validating proper issuance of U.S. Passports; and supporting the Bureau's contribution to the War on Terror.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs. The Bureau of Diplomatic Security for the Department of State has a requirement for connectivity to the International Justice and Public Safety Information Sharing Network (NLETS) to maintain and support our current law enforcement and security clearance issuance operations. NLETS allows users to query State owned databases for Driver's License, Vehicle Registration and Criminal History information. It also allows user to query the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) files. The Bureau of Consular Affairs uses the query of State driver license information to support the issuance of U.S. Passports. This network plays a critical role in providing the safest work environment possible for our employees and securing our national interests. Because of the sensitive nature of information derived from NLETS, it must be properly maintained. No supplies are required; the contract is for the service only.

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition. 41 U.S.C. 253(c) (1), and FAR 6.302-1 are cited as the statutory authority.

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor's unique qualification or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited. See paragraph (3) and (8).

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as it practicable. See detail in paragraph (8).

7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. As a State owned and maintained network, the cost is shared equally by all State and Federal users.

8. A description of the market survey conducted and the results or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted. A market survey was not conducted. The NLETS network, established in the 1960's, is the only network made up of representatives of law enforcement agencies from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Federal law enforcement agencies and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). There is also a connection to the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). NLETS is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide interstate communications to law enforcement, criminal justice and other agencies involved in enforcement of laws.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition. See detail in paragraphs (1) through (8) above.

10. A listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition. N/A.

11. 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. At this time the current IT infrastructure deployed by the DoS does not allow for any additional industry solutions. However, as DoS deployed infrastructure evolves with industry technology, further solutions will be considered competitively.

Link/URL: https://www.fbo.gov/notices/57f5ed4dffbb9bd85c7e58db2373de81