N6523626QE0138
SENTINEL Secure Chat Server
DEPT OF DEFENSE > DEPT OF THE NAVY > SPAWAR > SPAWAR LANT > NIWC ATLANTIC
Archived
Quick analysis
NIWC Atlantic issued a Special Notice (N6523626QE0138) stating intent to award a Firm-Fixed-Price purchase order on a sole-source basis to Trusted Solutions, LLC for SENTINEL Secure Chat Server products and support.
The notice specifies Trusted Solutions is the OEM, provides unique capabilities, is part of the approved Navy system configuration, and has no reseller agreements, creating a hard access barrier.
Items include 3x SENT-SRVR-LIC-100 servers, 1x SENT-CLNT-LIC-200 (100 clients), and 1x TS-TECSPT-600 remote technical support, Base Year. NAICS is 541511; no set-aside.
Given the OEM-only constraint and noncompetitive approach under FAR 13.106-1(b), Trace lacks a viable role as prime or reseller; probability of access is extremely low despite an invitation for capability statements if the Government elects to compete.
Scope summary
- Provide SENTINEL Secure Chat Server licenses: 3x SENT-SRVR-LIC-100 (Base Year).
- Provide SENTINEL Secure Chat Clients: 1x SENT-CLNT-LIC-200 (100-count, Base Year).
- Provide Basic Unit/Organization Remote Technical Support (8–5, business hours): 1x TS-TECSPT-600 (Base Year).
- Supply must come from Trusted Solutions, LLC (OEM), cited as the only provider; product is part of approved Navy system configuration.
Dimension scores
Total
- 18/100
Technical Fit
- 5/20
Requirement is procurement of a specific OEM secure chat product (SENTINEL) and basic support. While secure communications/CDS are Trace core capabilities, the task is OEM-locked product supply rather than integration, limiting applicability of Trace’s strengths (evidence: intent to award sole-source to OEM; unique capabilities; approved configuration).
Past Performance
- 9/20
Trace has relevant secure communications/CDS and coalition C2 experience (company profile), but no cited past performance with NIWC Atlantic or this OEM/product. This aligns to adjacent mission area relevance without direct customer/product precedent.
Vehicles / Contract Access
- 1/10
This is a noncompetitive purchase order, not competed on a vehicle we hold. Access is effectively closed due to OEM-only sole source (no reseller agreements).
Competitive Position
- 0/15
Trusted Solutions is the OEM and the only provider with no reseller agreements, creating a clear disqualifier for Trace to prime or resell (evidence: presolicitation statement).
Risk
- 1/15
Very high pursuit risk: OEM-only, sole-source under FAR 13.106-1(b) with no reseller channel, making award to anyone else highly unlikely. Any BD effort is unlikely to yield access.
Strategic Value
- 1/10
While NIWC Atlantic is a valuable Navy customer, this is a small, OEM-locked product buy with minimal path to broader work. Strategic value is negligible unless the Government overturns the sole-source basis, which is not indicated.
Compliance
- 1/10
Set-aside is NONE and NAICS 541511 is within Trace’s capabilities, but the OEM-only stipulation (no reseller agreements) creates a functional compliance barrier to meeting the requirement.
Concerns
- OEM-only sole-source under FAR 13.106-1(b) with no reseller agreements blocks Trace access.
- Even if capability statements are accepted, the notice justifies sole source via unique capabilities and approved configuration, making competition unlikely.
- Short response window limits ability to influence acquisition approach.
- As a product-centric buy, there is minimal role for integration or value-add services.
Teaming opportunities
- Lack of OEM relationship with Trusted Solutions; notice states no reseller agreements, foreclosing a teaming path for supply.
Competitive position
- If and only if NIWC opens competition, Trace could position secure communications/CDS integration expertise and Navy delivery credentials; however, current notice indicates OEM-only and noncompetitive intent.
Bid/No bid factors
- Noncompetitive sole-source to Trusted Solutions, LLC (OEM) under FAR 13.106-1(b).
- Trusted Solutions has no reseller agreements, blocking Trace from reselling or teaming for supply.
- Product is specified as part of an approved Navy configuration, reducing likelihood of alternate solutions being accepted.
Documents
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Appendix A - Presolicitation Notice.pdf
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Appendix A - Presolicitation Notice.pdf
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Summary
NIWC Atlantic posted a presolicitation (N6523626QE0138) signaling intent to award a Firm-Fixed-Price, non-competitive purchase order to Trusted Solutions, LLC for SENTINEL Secure Chat Server products and support; government will negotiate solely with Trusted Solutions under FAR 13.106-1(b), though it invites capability statements by 2:00 PM ET on 8 April 2026 for consideration of competition. The notice lists NAICS 541511, small business size standard $34M, itemized line items (server licenses, client license pack, and remote technical support) and states Trusted Solutions is the OEM and sole provider with no reseller agreements.
- Solicitation Number: N6523626QE0138; Title: SENTINEL Secure Chat Server
- Agency: NIWC Atlantic (NAVY SPAWAR) — place of performance Portsmouth, VA (from opportunity metadata)
- Acquisition type: Firm-Fixed-Price purchase order; intent to award sole-source under FAR 13.106-1(b) to Trusted Solutions, LLC
- OEM requirement: Trusted Solutions identified as OEM and only provider (no reseller agreements); product claimed to provide unique capabilities and be part of approved Navy system configuration
- Line items & quantities: 3 x SENT-SRVR-LIC-100 (Secure Chat Server, base year); 1 x SENT-CLNT-LIC-200 (100-count client license pack, base year); 1 x TS-TECSPT-600 (Basic remote technical support, business hours, base year)
- NAICS: 541511 (matches Trace primary NAICS); Small Business Size Standard: $34M
- Response instructions & deadline: capability statements/proposals due to Brianna Busby (brianna.a.busby2.civ@us.navy.mil) by 2:00 PM ET, 8 April 2026; government may still elect to compete based on responses
- Set-aside: NONE (no set-aside used)
- Procurement rationale: unique capabilities / approved configuration for Navy system cited as justification for sole-source award
Technical details
Entry: sync
Review status: Up to date
Logical upstream opportunity: 6616
Notice lineage:
- d2acb1298ae44dd0a4127a50a53de477 (posted 2026-03-30) - current
Last synced: 2026-03-31T11:19:50.092968+00:00
Last analyzed: 2026-03-30T23:47:51.149351+00:00
Latest package fingerprint: 174d973dd6bace4af856d29ea5c546cbe7190ebb1c1129f3b40d43c6de5b6405
Latest package notice: d2acb1298ae44dd0a4127a50a53de477
Latest package documents: 1
Recent package history- 2026-03-30T23:46:38.195182+00:00: d2acb1298ae44dd0a4127a50a53de477 with 1 docs
- 2026-03-30T19:16:55.317028+00:00: d2acb1298ae44dd0a4127a50a53de477 with 1 docs
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