SSJ_Redacted.pdf

Sole Source Justification (SSJ) Test Program for Certain Commercial items for procurements exceeding the Simplified Acquisition

Threshold (SAT) pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.5, including Brand Name Template

Sole Source Justification for Simplified Acquisitions under the Test Program for Certain Commercial Items for acquisitions exceeding the SAT including brand name for use when applicable. Rev. 1/30/2018 SSJ No.: 1

SSJ No.:

Date: PR Number:

Pursuant to the requirements under the authority of the test program for commercial items at 41 U.S.C. 1901 or the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1903 Special emergency authority as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 13.501 and consistent with the content requirements of FAR 6.303-2.

1. Agency and Contracting Activity. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “sole source justification.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), Office of Information Technology (OIT), Applied Technology Division (ATD), prepared this limited-sources justification, brand-name.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

DHS/USCIS/OIT intends to award a sole source contract to EC America, Inc. at 8444 Westpark Drive, Suite 200, McLean, VA 22102 using Commercial Test procedures without seeking competition for CITRIX XenDesktop Software and Maintenance. This action is being taken pursuant to FAR 13.501. EC America, Inc. is the only company that is authorized to sell CITRIX products to the agency. CITRIX products are proprietary to CITRIX and they do not allow other companies to resell their products outside of EC America, Inc.

3. Description of Supplies/Services. Describe the supplies or services to be acquired. Provide the estimated total value (including options, if any).

The proposed action will provide Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) CITRIX software maintenance support services for USCIS. USCIS requires annual CITRIX maintenance to support CITRIX software to ensure continued Wide Area Network (WAN) desktop virtualization capability for USCIS. CITRIX software significantly boosts and enhances network performance, file sharing, web, email, voice and video services performance, and provides for avoidance of disruption to OIT’s infrastructure operations, as well as avoidance of disruption for employees working in the field or teleworking.

CITRIX Maintenance support services include, as part of the 24/7/365 CITRIX SelectSupport package:

• Tools and resources to support and maintain CITRIX products

• Online training to build user skills

• Knowledge-based articles to guide users through successful installations http://uscode.house.gov/ http://uscode.house.gov/

Sole Source Justification for Simplified Acquisitions under the Test Program for Certain Commercial Items for acquisitions exceeding the SAT including brand name for use when applicable. Rev. 1/30/2018 SSJ No.: 2

• Tools to monitor the health of the CITRIX environment

• Ability to open a support case by phone or web

• Technical support engineer services

• Download diagnostic and troubleshooting tools

• Access acceleration and automation tools

• Support for end of life (EoL) products

• Downloads for the latest product upgrades/updates

• CITRIX App Layering

The base period of performance is 12 months. The total estimated value of this FFP order is

4. Identification of the authority. This action is being taken under the authority of the Test Program for Commercial Items, 41 U.S.C. 1901 or the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1903 Special emergency authority.

DHS/USCIS/OIT intends to procure a brand name specification for CITRIX software maintenance support through the open market. Only one source is capable of providing the CITRIX software maintenance support because the CITRIX maintenance support is unique or highly specialized. Pursuant to FAR 13.501, this brand name specification must be used because CITRIX software maintenance is designed to work together with the current CITRIX software infrastructure; introduction of another manufacturer’s maintenance does not guarantee interoperability with existing software. CITRIX software maintenance is not compatible with other software due to proprietary reasons, and other maintenance options do not provide the degree and broadness of capability and functionality that CITRIX offers and that is required by USCIS.

Market research indicated that other manufacturers’ maintenance will not work with the current CITRIX software. This would create serious interoperability and interface issues with the USCIS enterprise software.

CITRIX software and CITRIX software maintenance support services are designed to work together and are interoperable, where the introduction of another manufacturer’s software maintenance and support does not guarantee interoperability. CITRIX software is proprietary and as such, the software maintenance and support (updates, patches, software support, and maintenance) must be procured utilizing this justification. For these reasons, no other type of software maintenance can satisfy the needs of the agency. The maintenance will allow USCIS access to proprietary software upgrades and patching to keep devices up to date. The support will reduce the risk of uninterrupted service for employees, especially those working away from the main office. If service is interrupted, it will affect all USCIS employees. Disruption in service will delay all activity, and will leave USCIS open to liability for not meeting required deadlines. Procuring alternative software maintenance support services other than CITRIX will require complete software

Sole Source Justification for Simplified Acquisitions under the Test Program for Certain Commercial Items for acquisitions exceeding the SAT including brand name for use when applicable. Rev. 1/30/2018 SSJ No.: 3 infrastructure replacement with a significant increase in cost and time. This would involve purchasing and configuring the new equipment, changing control boards, implementation, as well as training associated with the infrastructure replacement.

In summary, market research indicates other companies’ similar products do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency’s needs.

5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

This requirement is for CITRIX XenDesktop Software and Maintenance that was developed by CITRIX. The existing software and maintenance is proprietary to CITRIX and only they may provide the software and maintenance. In order to use an alternative souce, DHS/USCIS/OIT would have to purchase and configure new equipment, change the control boards, and train hundreds of employees on the use of the new products. This would cost the agency anywhere from sever hundred thousand to a million or more dollars.

6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

A FedBizOpps notice will be posted as required by FAR Subpart 5.301, 6.305(a). It will contain a redacted justification as required by FAR 5.102(a)(6).

7. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. (Use information such as commercial pricelists or prior acquisition history that will help the Contracting Officer determine the anticipated cost is fair and reasonable or discuss the application of any of the techniques described at FAR 13.106-3(a)(2) and/or 13.106-3 (b)(3)).

The contracting officer has determined that issuing the proposed Delivery Order for CITRIX software maintenance support represents the best value and will result in the lowest overall cost, considering price and administrative costs, to meet the Government’s needs. The contracting officer will determine that the anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable pursuant to FAR part 13.106-3(a)(2)(vi).

8. Description of market research. (Market Research is required by FAR Part 10 and HSAM 3010, and the DHS Market Research Guide. Describe the results of your market research or provide a statement of the reason why market research was not conducted).

DHS/USCIS Office of Contracting (OCON) conducted market research on the following products: Wanova, Windows Remote Desktop Services, and 2X Computing. The results of the market research indicates other companies’ similar products lack the particular feature(s) required and do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the needs of DHS.

Sole Source Justification for Simplified Acquisitions under the Test Program for Certain Commercial Items for acquisitions exceeding the SAT including brand name for use when applicable. Rev. 1/30/2018 SSJ No.: 4

Specifically none of the other products were able to interconnect and function with current DHS network architecture, maintenance platforms and configuration. Procuring an alternate product based on salient characteristics other than the CITRIX software maintenance support will require complete infrastructure replacement with a significant increase in cost. This involves purchasing and configuring the new equipment, configuration control boards, implementation, change control boards, removal and disposal of old hardware, and training staff in the use of the new systems.

9. Any other facts supporting the justification.

There are no additional comments.

10. A listing of the sources, if any that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

There are no additional comments.

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for supplies or services required. (Include a statement of actions taken or will be taken to increase competition for future acquisitions of the same item/service).

OIT ATD will continue to conduct surveillance of the marketplace to determine if there are alternative technical solutions for this acquisition which would eliminate the need for specialized solutions in the future. Such solutions may include obtaining a cost-saving enterprise deal, or a re-compete.

12. DHS intends to post the requirement pursuant to FAR 13.501(a)(1)(iv) and 5.102(a)(6).

13. Technical/Requirements Personnel Certification. I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

14. Contracting Officer Certification and Approval