Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Contract to CIS for 8841 and 8851 Voice Over Internet Protocol Devicies

The secure communication endpoints and modified secure communications equipment required by the operational command operate within high-assurance, secure communication facilities. While baseline commercial versions of these communication endpoints exist in the open marketplace, the specific configuration required involves specialized hardware modifications certified under National Telecommunications Security Working Group (NTSWG) / Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) TSG standards. Under binding DoD Instruction (DoDI) 5200.44 (Protection of Mission Critical Functions to Manage Supply Chain Risk), the Air Force must enforce strict supply chain integrity controls. CIS Secure, as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), is the sole entity possessing the proprietary engineering data, factory-level clearances, certified cryptographic loading protocols, and audited secure-facility infrastructure required to perform the necessary physical anti-tamper modifications and factory-level cryptographic provisioning. Procuring these high-assurance secure endpoints through commercial intermediaries, brokers, or third-party resellers introduces an unmitigated supply chain vulnerability (e.g., interdiction, unmonitored commercial warehouse storage, or unauthorized physical hardware/firmware tampering during transit). Direct procurement from the OEM guarantees a sealed, single-custody transit mechanism from the certified factory floor directly to the Government receiving station. Consequently, third-party resellers are technically and legally unable to satisfy the Government's minimum security and chain-of-custody requirements. Accordingly, CIS Secure Computing, Inc. is the only responsible source capable of providing these highly specialized, secure communication assets to the Department of the Air Force.