2023_GDMS_TACLANE_products

The notice is for informational purposes only IAW FAR 5.203(a). 

As previously announced in the Request for Information (RFI) notice ID 2023_GDMS_TACLANE_Products posted on 24 August 2023, the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has the need to procure the National Security Agency (NSA)-approved Tactical Type-1, Tactical Local Area Network Encryption (TACLANE) GigE products  KG-175F to secure classified information.  In accordance with paragraphs 6.1 and 6.3 of Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 8523.01, Communications Security (COMSEC), “Only National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS)-approved COMSEC products and services shall be used to secure classified information” and “DoD Components shall acquire COMSEC products and services through the NSA/CSS, which serves as the centralized COMSEC acquisition authority. If the products and services are unavailable through centralized procurement, the DoD Components shall acquire them directly from commercial entities that are authorized by the NSA/CSS to sell such products and services.”  TACLANE encryptors are COMSEC products.

The NSA has approved Government agencies to procure these items directly from General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS). A determination not to compete this proposed contract will be made pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, only one source is capable of satisfying the agency's requirements.  This determination is based on the fact that GDMS is the sole manufacturer of the TACLANE GigE tactical encryption products approved by the NSA. No other products exist that have been approved by the NSA to secure classified information in a tactical local area network environment in accordance with DoDI 8523.01.

The proposed action will be for the negotiation of a Firm Fixed Price (FFP), sole source purchase order to GDMS for these COMSEC items. This purchase order will not exceed $50,000.00 and the anticipated delivery time is 90 days after receipt of the order.

As outlined in the JNA (to be posted with the award notice), USSOCOM currently utilizes the TACLANE-FLEX (KG-175F) encryptors to securely communicate over classified networks. It is a requirement for USSOCOM to utilize NSA-approved encryption devices that have undergone operational and security testing, and integration to ensure interoperability within USSOCOM’s tactical classified networks. The encryption devices and associated accessories must integrate with USSOCOM’s key tactical cryptography management system as well as other existing TACLANE devices and GEM ONE integrated software. GDMS is the sole manufacturer of these TACLANE encryptors, and they are the only tactical type-1 encryption devices that meet this requirement, which is why they have been determined the sole source IAW FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii).

All replies must be provided to the Government no later than Thursday, 21 September 2023 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.  All inquiries and responses concerning this action shall be sent in writing via email to: berenice.valenzuela@socom.mil.  Senders are responsible for ensuring the complete transmission and timely receipt.