LSJ - ESRI ArcGIS GIS Server Advanced Redacted.pdf

__X_ Purchase of a license subscription renewal to ArcGIS Server Advanced software, manufactured by Esri.

SSA will solicit a quotation from and award a single firm-fixed-price award to any authorized reseller of Esri software products, with a valid GSA FSS contract.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET AGENCY NEEDS

AND ESTIMATED VALUE

Estimated Value:

Base Year: 09/07/2024 to 09/06/2025

SSA has a continued requirement for a license subscription to ArcGIS Server Advanced software, developed by Esri. SSA has used this software for over ten years, with license subscriptions to this software being renewed annually. SSA’s Office of Security and Emergency Preparedness (OSEP) has an ongoing requirement to support all security mission areas by providing a Common Operations Picture (COP) to monitor critical agency operations and all external factors that could potentially affect operations in North America and U.S. territories. This activity is supported through the Security Oversight Command and Control System (SOCCS), the application platform operates within the agency’s IT environment (Microsoft Windows) on a 365/24/7 (i.e., 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week) basis and provides operational data affecting critical operations to agency leadership in real-time. The current Geographic Information System (GIS) enterprise environment is configured to utilize the Esri Geospatial Server Microsoft (MS) Windows application platform. Esri ArcGIS software products are used to build formal geospatial data models, manage personal and enterprise geodatabases, develop 3D geospatial visualizations, integrate with CAD datasets, perform advanced geospatial analysis functions, develop a variety of applications ranging from agency approved Browser-based Viewers to mobile applications formatted to agency smart phones and tablets, serve up raster and vector data sources as web-based resources, and develop web-based mapping applications in a variety of web technologies. The technical configuration environment was approved for use by the agency’s Office of Chief Information Officer (OCIO) and all modifications to the environment must be approved by OCIO prior to implementation, in accordance with the SOCCS Authority to Operate (ATO) policy documentation and applicable annual security reviews approved in June 2023. Esri software products are authorized under the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) and is widely used throughout the Department of Defense (DOD) and other Federal Government agencies.

The current GIS enterprise environment is utilized by all regional agency devolution sites (Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and San Francisco, DCARO, DCBFM, OHO, and OCOMM) and supports all Security STAT initiatives currently in development for senior leadership, which can only utilize MS Windows-based applications. These MS Windows-based applications must be able to be utilized out-of-the-box, without any customization. The agency has corroborated with multiple government agencies, such as, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Secret Service, and United States Geological Survey, and has confirmed that ArcGIS Server Advanced is the only software capable of fulfilling the aforementioned requirement. This application business case and platform was approved by OCIO.

Third party case studies validated the need for the agency to invest in a GIS application for use with the Esri Windows platform. Subsequent Proofs of Concept and pilot projects validated GIS location-based data support critical agency operations. The agency’s GIS enterprise environment was developed and approved after numerous real-world incidents affected SSA (e.g., Oklahoma City Bombing 1995, and World Trade Center 2001). SSA has committed millions of dollars and more than 250,000 work hours in GIS technology and the existing GIS enterprise environment.

Esri software products offer unique analytical capabilities. Other similar software does not offer an out-of-the-box solution with the range or variety of tools available that Esri software products do, without the need for customization, and extensive testing.

Software changes to the agency infrastructure must go through a rigorous vetting system before the agency can approve the software to be installed on its network. The origination of this task starts with a justification addressed to the agency’s Architecture Review Board(ARB) to consider hearing the argument for a software change. If the agency already has suitable software that preforms the task, the justification may not be approved due to the investment the agency has in its current infrastructure. If the ARB approves the justification, testing of the new software will need to begin. The component seeking to start a new software environment for testing will need funding for four different environments to meet the approval of the ARB. That is, Development, Validation, Integration, and Production environments. Setting up these testing environments require four times the amount of gear to sustain an approved software. The software can then be installed on the Development environment for preliminary testing once the ARB has given approval. Once installed on the Development environment, the software would need to be connected to databases and other data stores, such as ArcGIS Server Advanced, that communicate without customization on the agency’s intranet. Due to the extensive testing that would be required for new software, it would take several weeks, if not months, to get all the connections secure and stable within the agency’s environment, if even possible. If connections to the agency’s intranet are stable and reliable, testing will begin on bandwidth consumption and throttling to preserve intranet functionality for the agency. After testing is completed in the Development environment, the software would move to the Validation environment where more testing is performed before moving to the Integration environment. The Integration environment is similar to Production environment, but has more restrictions for security and availability. This final environment may be the most difficult as the Production environment has different settings than the three other environments. Security measures like multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), or Kerberos add another technical layer to having noncompliant software approved by the ARB for agency use. All of this is on the assumption the software will work, however, there is no way to determine this without a major investment by the agency to deviate from its current GIS enterprise environment.

OSEP manages the agency’s Continuity of Operations (COOP) program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Continuity Directives 1 & 2 (FEMA FCD 1&2) guidelines. These guidelines require all departments and agencies to develop and manage COOP policies that support Mission Essential Functions (MEFs) for essential operations serving the public. DHS/FEMA mandates all departments and agencies maintain a COP. To this end, ArcGIS Server Advanced software allows the agency to make its geographic information available to other agency components or with other federal and local partners. ArcGIS Server Advanced meets the agency’s requirement of being able to integrate and operate within the agency’s approved MS Windows application platform, which works out-of-the-box and without the need for any customization.

Any other similar software cannot operate within a MS Windows environment without customization and downtime to the agency’s GIS enterprise environment. While it is possible that other similar software could meet the agency’s needs, it would cause the agency to incur vast financial and personnel resources, and time, to determine if any new software can be successfully integrated within the agency’s current GIS enterprise environment, as explained in the previous paragraph. Additionally, this software allows no loss in data when transmitting from SSA to another agency or vice versa, as the same software and format are used with SSA and other federal and local partners. Other similar software may cause a loss in data during translation after initially transmitting the data as it would originate from a different format. This software is the only known, commercially available, software to SSA that has the capability of complying with the aforementioned FEMA guidelines and transmitting data without any loss and being able to successfully integrate and operate within the agency’s GIS enterprise environment.

OSEP’s Security Oversight Command and Control System supports emergency and support operations to provide security for agency personnel and operations. Without this software, OSEP security operations would be subject to numerous vulnerabilities while maintaining its security operations for the agency. This would put the safety of SSA employees in jeopardy in the event an emergency occurs. Esri software products are utilized extensively by federal, state, and local partners, which provide a common communication capability to emergency responders, and decision makers in numerous departments and agencies. Without ArcGIS Server Advanced, the agency would not be able to effectively communicate with these various departments and agencies in a timely manner and would significantly hinder the agency’s response to emergency events.

The license subscription for ArcGIS Server Advanced software includes updates, upgrades, and patches, as well as telephone technical support, allowing the software to remain operational in a changing environment.

The following software product is being procured as part of this requirement:

Product Quantity Licensing Type or Maintenance

Esri ArcGIS Sever Advanced Software 3 License Subscription

4. AUTHORITY, SUPPORTING RATIONALE, AND DEMONSTRATION OF UNIQUE

QUALIFICATIONS OF PROPOSED CONTRACTOR(S)

The statutory authority that permits limiting sources under the Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) program is 48 CFR§8.405-6 “Limiting Sources” as implemented by FAR subpart 8.405-6 “Limiting Sources.” Although orders placed or BPAs established under FSS are exempt from the requirements in FAR part 6, the CO must justify its action when further restricting consideration. The agency is further restricting consideration pursuant to the following authority:

____ FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(A) An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays;

____ FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) – Only one source capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized;

____ FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C) – In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order and the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable FSS ordering procedures. The original order or BPA must not have been previously issued under sole-source or limited-sources procedures; and

X FAR 8.405-6(b) – Items peculiar to one developer. An item peculiar to one developer can be a particular brand name, product, or a feature of a product, peculiar to one developer. A brand name item, whether available on one or more schedule contracts, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer.

Please note:

X__ There are several authorized GSA resellers of Esri Software.

Esri (GSA Contract #GS-35F-253CA) Quiet Professional, LLC (GSA Contract #47QTCA18D006F)

5. DETERMINATION BY THE CO THAT ORDER REPRESENTS BEST VALUE

As provided in FAR 8.404(d), GSA has already determined the prices offered for supplies and fixed-price services, and rates for services offered at hourly rates, under schedule contracts, to be fair and reasonable. By placing an order against a schedule contract using the procedures in FAR 8.405, the CO has concluded that the order represents the best value and results in the lowest overall cost alternative to meet the Government’s needs. In addition, the CO will seek a price reduction for prices offered by Esri and any authorized reseller consistent with FAR 8.405-4.

Additionally, before making any award, the CO will verify that all items proposed are currently available on the GSA schedule and offered at or below the current approved GSA prices.

6. DESCRIPTION OF MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AMONG SCHEDULE

HOLDERS OR STATEMENT WHY MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED

These software products are proprietary products. Market research demonstrated these are proprietary software product(s) licensed exclusively by Esri, and only available from Esri or Esri’s authorized resellers.

In accordance with FAR 8.405-6(b)(3), SSA will post the justification, along with the RFQ, to e-Buy (http://www.ebuy.gsa.gov).

Additionally, _X_ The agency used market research conducted within 18 months of the anticipated award date. Within the last 18 months, the agency has attended FEMA and DHS conferences on GIS software trends. Agency GIS staff routinely conduct internet research for any technology trends and changes on a weekly basis. There are several agencies, such as, FEMA and DHS, which the agency shares GIS data with using ArcGIS Server Advanced software. Most recently, the topic of competing software to ArcGIS Server Advanced was shared through a GIS forum. Even if possible, the responses to this forum revealed a unanimous opinion that there is no current software solution that can replace ArcGIS Server Advanced without customization and requiring additional staffing resources to maintain a new environment. That is there is no guarantee, even with customization and additional staffing, that a new software could successfully integrate with the agency’s current GIS enterprise environment. Based on the aforementioned, the agency considers the information still current, accurate, and relevant.

_X_ When examining whether this is a requirement for commercial vs non-commercial items, market research helped determine that this requirement involves:

_X__ A) Items of a type customarily available in the commercial marketplace;

____ B) Items of a type customarily available in the commercial marketplace with modifications; or ____ C) Items used exclusively for governmental purposes (i.e., not commercially available).

_X_ Market research helped determine:

_X_ Customary practices regarding customizing, modifying, or tailoring of items to meet customer needs and associated costs;

____ Customary practices, including warranty, buyer financing, discounts, contract type considering the nature and risk associated with the requirement, etc., under which commercial sales of the products or services are made;

____ Requirements of any laws and regulations unique to the item needed;

____ Availability of items that contain recovered materials and items that are energy efficient;

____ Distribution and support capabilities of potential suppliers, including alternative arrangements and cost estimates; and ____ Size and status of potential sources (see FAR Part 19).

__X__ Techniques for conducting market research include any or all of the following:

__X__ (i) Contacting knowledgeable individuals in government and industry regarding market capabilities to meet requirements.

____ (ii) Reviewing the results of recent market research undertaken to meet similar or identical requirements.

____ (iii) Publishing formal requests for information in appropriate technical or scientific journals or business publications.

____ (iv) Querying the government-wide database of contracts and other procurement instruments intended for use by multiple agencies available at https://www.contractdirectory.gov/contractdirectory/ and other government and commercial databases that provide information relevant to agency acquisitions.

_X_ (v) Participating in interactive, on-line communication among industry, acquisition personnel, and customers.

_X_ (vi) Obtaining source lists of similar items from other contracting activities or agencies, trade associations, or other sources.

_X_ (vii) Reviewing catalogs and other generally available product literature published by developers, distributors, dealers, or available on-line.

____ (viii) Conducting interchange meetings or holding presolicitation conferences to involve potential offerors early in the acquisition process.

____ Additional information, sources, comments:

7. ANY OTHER SUPPORTING FACTS

This software is proprietary. Only Esri has access to the source code necessary to provide the required license subscription, which is comprised of updates, upgrades, fixes and telephone support. There are several authorized resellers.

Presently the most efficient and effective approach known to the government is to continue to use ArcGIS Server Advanced as a software solution and renew its license subscription, as replacing this software product with another software product:

• may be technically impossible in some instances;

• will require running dual programs and applications that may interfere with integrated network management and data exchange; and

• will take time, we estimate up to several years, to replace currently installed software effectively, which will of necessity require not just installation of the software, but also extensive re-training of staff.

While the agency has not ruled out replacing this software at some point in the future, the time, expense, and performance risk to the agency of implementing a replacement must be factored into our long-term IT modernization plans. Therefore, it is determined to be in the best interest of the government not to pursue such a replacement undertaking at this time.

8. STATEMENT OF ACTIONS, IF ANY, AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR

OVERCOME BARRIERS THAT LED TO RESTRICTED COMPETITION BEFORE

SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION IS MADE

In accordance with FAR 8.405-6(a)(2)(i), the agency will post the justification to SAM (System for Award Management) within 14 days of award. Posting the justification and solicitation will allow the agency to continue to survey the marketplace. Furthermore, the agency will review product literature and capability statements submitted by the vendor community.

CERTIFICATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER AND

OTHER CONTRACTING OFFICIALS

The contracting officer and other contracting officials hereby certify that the information provided in support of this justification for an exception to fair opportunity is accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge and belief.

RECOMMEND: _______ 09/12/2024

Date Division of IT Software & Maintenance (DITSM) Office of Information Technology Acquisition (OITA) Office of Acquisition and Grants (OAG)

CONCUR:

Team Lead

DITSM, OITA, OAG

APPROVE:

Division Director

DITSM, OITA, OAG