Owl Data Diode

This requirement resulted in one firm fixed price award with other than full and open competition under FAR 6.302-1(c)(1) an accquisition for a brand name item. RTC uses OWL brand-name systems that connect to each other to allow transfer of data critical to the mission to a closed network. The OWL data diode is the system that allows RTC to accomplish this task, while maintaining our cybersecurity posture and system security.

This procurement is essential to the Government as a brand-name acquisition because of the unique requirements posed by the need to transfer data securely between networks, with a system that is approved to do so within Government cybersecurity constraints. OWL data diodes are accredited to provide these cross domain solutions and have passed rigorous testing to ensure they meet the Government’s requirements and are approved to be utilized with Government networks to do so.

RTC utilizes OWL brand data diodes to standardize these functions where needed, and to ensure technicians who utilize this technology understand the operation of the technology. If the Government were to purchase another brand-name cross domain solution, the learning curve and retraining of staff that interact with the system will also need to be completed using up numerous labor hours that could be used for higher priority tasks.