19AQMM26F1697 INT Graphic Designer Desktop Brand Name JA word _Redacted.pdf

The HP Z8 Fury G6i configuration is required to maintain compatibility and standardization with the Department's existing enterprise environment, security configuration, endpoint management processes, and lifecycle support model.

SECTION 4. IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

This acquisition is conducted pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 4103 and 4106 as implemented by FAR 16.505(b)(2) and substantiated by the following:

☒ FAR 16.505(a)(4)– Only one Brand can provide the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or high specialized.

This acquisition is conducted under a NASA SEWP multiple-award contract and includes items peculiar to one manufacturer. In accordance with FAR 16.505(a)(4), the Government is restricting consideration to the HP Z8 Fury G6i Workstation Desktop because the identified brand-name product is essential to satisfying the Government's minimum technical, compatibility, interoperability, security, and standardization requirements.

This restriction applies to the required product, not a specific contractor. The requirement will be competed among eligible NASA SEWP contract holders authorized to provide the specified HP products.

SECTION 5: DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE

QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES USE OF THE AUTHORITY

CITED

The Government's minimum requirements necessitate the acquisition of the HP Z8 Fury G6i Workstation Desktop because the specified configuration has been demonstrated to support the Department-approved workstation image and the specialized graphics card required for the intended mission applications and workloads. An existing office within the Bureau currently utilizes the same workstation specifications, providing an established and supportable configuration within the INR enterprise environment. Standardizing on this proven configuration supports interoperability, consistent system imaging and configuration, technical support, security requirements, and lifecycle management across the Bureau. Procuring an alternate workstation platform would require additional engineering analysis, validation of the approved image and graphics hardware, compatibility and security testing, and configuration management before deployment, potentially increasing costs and delaying operational use. Accordingly, the brand-name restriction under FAR 16.505(a)(4) is necessary to satisfy the Government's minimum technical, compatibility, performance, and operational requirements. The restriction applies to the required HP product, not a specific contractor;

competition will be sought among eligible NASA SEWP contract holders capable of providing the specified HP Z8 Fury G6i configuration.

SECTION 6. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS WERE SOLICITED FROM AS

MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS IS PRACTICABLE, INCLUDING WHETHER A NOTICE WAS OR

WILL BE PUBLICIZED AS REQUIRED BY FAR SUBPART 5.2 AND, IF NOT, WHICH EXCEPTION

UNDER FAR 5.202 APPLIES

The Market Research Tool via SEWP V Portal was used to perform a preliminary search using the criteria of “HP” as the Provider. Then based on the initial results query, a sub-search by part number of “B52WLAV” was found. The number of SEWP Contract Holders able to HP and the identified description are displayed below:

There is a total of 2 SEWP businesses that have HP on contract.

• The number of small businesses who carry the B52WLAV, ranges from 0 to 1.

Market research identified two NASA SEWP contract holders capable of providing the required HP product.

The results will be used by the Contracting Officer, in coordination with the appropriate Small Business Specialist, to determine the appropriate acquisition strategy and extent of small business participation.

SECTION 7. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED COST

TO THE GOVERNMENT IS FAIR AND REASONABLE

The Contracting Officer will determine price reasonableness based on competition among eligible NASA SEWP contract holders and other appropriate price analysis techniques. In accordance with FAR 15.404-1, proposed prices may be compared with competing quotations, applicable SEWP contract pricing, historical prices paid for the same or similar products, published commercial pricing, market research, and/or the Independent Government Cost Estimate, as appropriate. Competition among authorized SEWP contract holders will provide an additional basis for determining whether the final proposed price is fair and reasonable. The Contracting Officer will document the final determination of price reasonableness in the contract file prior to award.

SECTION 8: DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED (SEE PART 10) AND THE

RESULTS OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASON MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED

Market research confirmed that multiple NASA SEWP contract holders can provide the required HP brand-name product, thereby allowing competition among authorized resellers. The research confirmed that multiple NASA SEWP V contract holders, including numerous small business vendors, are authorized to provide the required products. The identified brand-name equipment is essential to satisfy the Government's minimum requirements for compatibility, interoperability, performance, and standardization with the Department's existing enterprise infrastructure. Although the Government requires specific brand-name products, competition will be obtained among authorized NASA SEWP V contract holders, and award will be made to the responsible vendor offering the best value to the Government in accordance with the solicitation requirements.

SECTION 9. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION

The restriction to the HP Z8 Fury G6i is based solely on the Government's minimum technical, compatibility, interoperability, security, and standardization requirements. Maintaining a standardized workstation platform reduces deployment and configuration risk, simplifies endpoint management and technical support, minimizes lifecycle costs, and supports continuity of operations. The restriction applies only to the required brand-name product and does not restrict competition to a single contractor; eligible NASA SEWP contract holders capable of providing the specified HP configuration will be afforded an opportunity to compete.

SECTION 10. LISTING OF THE SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN WRITING, AN INTEREST

IN THE ACQUISITION

To date, no other sources have written to express interest.

SECTION 11. STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR

OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR

THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED

For future acquisitions, INR/TIO will continue to conduct market research to determine whether technological advancements, changes to the Department's enterprise architecture, or newly available products can satisfy the Government's requirements without a brand-name restriction. If comparable products become available that meet the Department's technical, security, compatibility, interoperability, and lifecycle support requirements, the Government will consider those products in future acquisitions. For the current requirement, competition will be maintained to the maximum extent practicable by soliciting eligible NASA SEWP contract holders capable of providing the required HP Z8 Fury G6i configuration.

SECTION 12. CERTIFICATIONS

All reviews and approvals should be completed in the order listed unless otherwise authorized or required.