J_AND_A_FOR_IBM.pdf

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES (SAP)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (J&A)

SOLICITATIONS MAY BE LIMITED TO ONE SOURCE ONLY IF THE CONTRACTING OFFICER

DETERMINES THAT ONLY ONE SOURCE IS REASONABLY AVAILABLE. THIS DETERMINATION

MUST BE SUPPORTED WITH FULL JUSTIFICATION FOR SOLE SOURCE FROM THE CUSTOMER.

WHEN THE CUSTOMER DESCRIBES AN ITEM WITH A PURCHASE DESCRIPTION WHICH LIMITS

THE AVAILABILITY TO ONE SOURCE, THE JUSTIFICATION MUST EXPLAIN WHY THE ITEM IS

THE ONLY ONE THAT WILL MEET THE GOVERNMENT’S REQUIREMENT. STATEMENTS SUCH

AS "ONLY KNOWN SOURCE" OR "ONLY SOURCE WHICH CAN MEET THE REQUIRED DELIVERY

DATE" ARE INADEQUATE TO SUPPORT A SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE. THE CUSTOMER SHALL

PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

PURCHASE REQUEST OR

REQUISITION NUMBER

ISD-19-008

PROJECT/TASK NUMBER

ISD

ESTIMATED AMOUNT (OVER $3,000

BUT NOT EXCEEDING $150,000)

$99,573.00

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRE, AND THE INTENDED

USE

The United States Coast Guard (USCG), Aviation Logistics Center (ALC), Information Systems

Division (ISD) has a requirement on a sole source basis, to procure the renewal of the International

Business Machines (IBM) Software Accelerated Value Program for a period of eleven (11) months from 01 October 2018 through 31 August 2019.

UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS THAT LIMIT AVAILABILITY TO ONLY ONE SOURCE,

WITH THE REASON NO OTHER SUPPLIES OR SERVICES CAN BE USED:

The Cognos Accelerated Value Support is a support service that is only available from IBM. Renewal of the Accelerated Value Support is necessary to ensure ALMIS users of Cognos software continue to receive necessary and timely support and maintenance of the system.

REASON THAT SUGGESTED SOURCE IS THE ONLY SOURCE WHICH CAN PROVIDE

THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES:

Historical data shows that IBM is the sole proprietor of the Cognos Accelerated Value Support

Program Services. IBM has maintained their status as the only source qualified to fulfill this requirement in that they own the proprietary data required. This Cognos software application is not available from any other vendor (See attached sole source letter from IBM).

EXPLAIN WHY AN ADEQUATE PURCHASE DESCRIPTION OR OTHER

INFORMATION SUITABLE TO SOLICIT BY FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION HAS

NOT BEEN DEVELOPED OR ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

IBM is the sole proprietor of the Cognos Accelerated Value Support Program and they own the exclusive data rights. This requirement is a renewal of an existing system already in place in support of the ALMIS system. It would not be economically feasible at this time to solicit other vendors for another program, as this is a renewal of a system already in place.

PROVIDE A STATEMENT OF ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE GOVERNMENT MAY TAKE TO

REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE FUTURE

ACQUISITIONS ARE REQUIRED

As stated above, the IBM will not sell the proprietary data rights for this program, which has limited the USCG’s ability to provide adequate technical description to potential new sources. Therefore, it is difficult to take steps to foster competition as the software is proprietary to IBM.

SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF

CUSTOMER

MSDFLAF;S’;S

Angela Mizelle-Griffin

CODE

TELEPHONE

NUMBER

DATE

S;JLSDJF;LKSJD;J

SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING

OFFICER

;LSKF’;KD;’;LSD’

Catrina M. McDonald

CODE

TELEPHONE

NUMBER

SLFLKSJF;LKJSF

For orders placed under FSS – prepare sole source justifications using FAR Part 6.303-2 and cite the authority of Section 201 of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of

1949 (40 U.S.C. 501).