MATHWORKS ((SZ)

The SZ directorate is required to use the "brand name exception" to CICA, as stated in Section IV of this J&A, because SSC/SZ Secure Comm's SGN network equipment is approved by the Department of Defense Information Network (DoDIN 8100.04) Approved Products Listing (APL) and the Air Force Cyber Security Directorate. In accordance with the DoD Enterprise Architecture initiative, standard network configurations are in effect across this network as a required standard.

The Matlab brand name is the Enterprise standard based on careful consideration of product capabilities and best-of-breed systems to meet complex high-level programming requirements. This software must be compatible with existing systems.

It is in SZ directorate's best interest to pursue this brand name justification in order to maintain the integrity of the overall systems, network monitoring, prevent potential hardware failures and to ensure that the adequate system support is available by SZ Secure Comm technicians and the manufacturer.