A02-Horizon_JA_Redacted.pdf

CUI/Source Selection Information-See FAR 2.101 and 3.104

Control No: 25-004 Supply/Service: Horizon and Workspace One subscription licenses and software support Est Dollar Value:

Department of Army Justification and Approval for Other than

Full and Open Competition

1. Contracting Activity: U.S. Army Contracting Command – Rock Island (ACC-RI) Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, IL 61299-8000.

2. Description of Action: Computer Hardware Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS) program office within the Program Executive Office Enterprise in conjunction with Headquarters, Department of Army (HQDA) Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) requests a firm-fixed-price, single award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to obtain Horizon and Workspace One product subscription licenses and software support (hereafter referred to as "Horizon”). ACC-RI projects award for and will obligate fiscal year , Operations and Maintenance, Army funds. An acquisition plan is not required because this procurement does not meet the threshold at Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 207.103(d)(i)(B).

3. Description of Supplies/Services: The contract will establish an Army Enterprise License Agreement (ELA) for a period ( for commercial off-the-shelf Horizon. The ELA will include product offerings for subscription licenses and support for Horizon products. This requirement is to purchase Horizon software packages, related licenses, and associated support.

Horizon is a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) technology that allows end-users to access their work desktops remotely from any device, whether they’re in the office or working remotely. Instead of running the desktop on a local computer, all applications, data, and settings run on secure servers managed by Army Information Technology (IT) departments. End-users log in and can immediately access their work environment, as if they were sitting at their office desk. This setup ensures that data remains protected, and users can work efficiently from anywhere. Workspace ONE, a Horizon product, is a digital workplace platform that provides unified endpoint management, allowing organizations to manage and secure applications and access across the desktops, by integrating access control, application management, and multi-platform endpoint management features, essentially offering a single point of control for managing employee devices and applications across various platforms.

The Horizon and Workspace ELA will include subscription license and software support (also referred to as software maintenance support) which provides end users with access to 24X7 technical support (telephone/web/email), software version updates and upgrades, security vulnerability fixes and software patching, and software license inventory management solutions for end user enterprise virtualized servers, end-user

Supply/Service: Horizon and Workspace One subscription licenses and software support devices, storage, and distinct network equipment.

Horizon offers multiple types of licenses based on the needs and flexibility requirements of the organization. The core license requirements are based off two descriptions:

Per-User: Licenses the software based on the number of named users who have access. Ideal for users with dedicated access.

Concurrent User: Licenses are based on the maximum number of users simultaneously logged in. Ideal for teams with staggered work hours where peak usage varies across time zones. Optimizes costs by only licensing for peak usage rather than total users.

This requirement is for both Per-User (named) and Concurrent User type licenses.

The scope will cover the Horizon requirements for the Army and its commands.

Additionally, the scope covers the Horizon requirements that are purchased by contractors required for performance under an Army contract to fulfill Army missions.

The total estimated value of this award IDIQ contract is

, based on the Independent Government Estimate (IGE) developed by HQDA OCIO. The licenses will be available through the Product Lead CHESS License Tracking System. Only ACC-RI will have ordering authority. The IDIQ contract will have a maximum Period of Performance of as noted below:

The IGE below details the estimated quantities for the base ordering period and each subsequent ordering period. The guaranteed minimum quantity of licenses, with a value of , will be satisfied in the base with the order. The maximum contract value is based on the IGE developed by HQDA OCIO with all ordering periods and estimated quantities. The IGE amounts are listed below. It is anticipated that requirements will be reduced as commands move to VDI solutions other than Horizon; however, the timing and amount of decrease is to be determined.

Supply/Service: Horizon and Workspace One

Supply/Service: Horizon and Workspace One subscription licenses and software support

Supply/Service: Horizon and Workspace One

4. Authority Cited: 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1(a)(2) and 6.302-1(c), responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, and brand name descriptions.

5. Reason for Authority Cited: As described at FAR 6.302-1(a)(2), when the supplies or services required by the agency are available only from responsible source, or for DoD, NASA and the Coast Guard, from only or a limited number of responsible sources, and no other types of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, full and open competition need not be provided for. As further described in FAR 6.302-1(c), an acquisition or portion of an acquisition that uses a brand-name description or other purchase description to specify a particular brand-name, product, or feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer does not provide for full and open competition, regardless of the number of sources solicited; and shall be justified and approved in accordance with FAR 6.303 and 6.304.

The Army has used Horizon for approximately as part of the complete virtualization solution, formerly known as VMware. In November 2023, Broadcom acquired VMware and divested VMware’s end-user VDI computing division, which includes Horizon, to KKR (rebranded as Omnissa in April 2024). Due to the divesting by Broadcom, the Army’s upcoming VMware ELA, effective , will exclude end-user VDI and require a separate contract for Horizon.

Horizon has proven to be a stable and reliable solution for supporting end-users’ daily work. Horizon minimizes disruptions and ensures end-users have continuous access to their work desktop at any location. The end-user’s virtual desktop is technically not on the local device, it's on the centralized server. When the end user device fails, data is maintained because the data being seen/utilized on their virtual desktop is on the server.

Therefore, in the event of disruptions, end-users can quickly switch to another device and continue working without productivity losses, reducing downtime costs. Horizon’s centralized console also allows Army IT administrators to monitor all desktop environments, manage policies, and adjust resources on demand from a single point.

This reduces the need for on-site tech support and minimizes hardware repairs, which cuts both direct costs, and the manhours administrators spend on routine maintenance.

Supply/Service: Horizon and Workspace One

Horizon also supports the concept of “Gold Images”. This allows for the creation of a desktop template that can be deployed to many users. Patches or changes need only be applied once to the Gold Image(s) and then the deployed desktop pool refreshed to incorporate the changes. This allows for rapid patch deployment. New applications can also be deployed to the gold image once and are then available on all users’ desktops when they next logon. Gold images enable the Army to deploy uniform, pre-configured virtual desktops across all units. This allows for quick adjustments and updates to software or settings across all Army desktops, ensuring compliance with military software standards and minimizing discrepancies that could affect mission-critical tasks.

Additionally, Horizon’s scalability allows the Army to easily accommodate more users without requiring significant new investments. This flexibility enables the Army to quickly adapt to mission needs. Its ability to scale horizontally allows for it to grow or shrink quickly to meet different needs, while working well with both mixed and multi-cloud setups making it flexible for different scenarios. This flexibility ensures that the Army can efficiently manage and allocate resources, even during sudden workforce changes or expanding missions, without incurring substantial new investments or frequent hardware refresh cycles.

Furthermore, Horizon is the sole authorized VDI solution for Secure Internet Protocol Router (SIPR) and is a vital component for maintaining a secure and effective environment. It provides robust protection against internal and external threats, safeguards sensitive military data, and ensures compliance with stringent federal and military regulations. All sensitive data and applications remain on secure servers within the Government controlled environment, meaning that end-user devices only receive the interface and inputs. As a result, data is never stored locally, reducing the risk of loss, theft, or spillage. Horizon also supports multi-factor authentication, which requires multiple forms of verification before granting access. Communications between the end-user’s device and the VDI environment are encrypted, ensuring that data cannot be intercepted or altered in transit. Horizon also provides granular access controls, allowing the Government to define and enforce role-based access policies. End-users only have access to the resources they need for their work, reducing the risk of insider threats and unauthorized access to sensitive areas. Additionally, Horizon integrates with current security monitoring tools, providing detailed logs and real-time alerts for any suspicious activity. These security measures not only align with the Cyber Operations Rapid Assessment requirements but also provide strong protection against both internal and external threats. Furthermore, Horizon is built around Zero Trust Principles, limiting access to only authenticated users and verified devices, which is crucial for sensitive military information. The True single sign-on feature ensures personnel can access multiple services with a single secure authentication, enhancing security without slowing down operations.

Supply/Service: Horizon and Workspace One

As part of its market research, the Government reviewed other brand-name solutions, such as ; however, these products lacked the specific functionalities, seamless integration capabilities, and operational reliability offered by Horizon. Horizon VDI offers unique advantages, such as superior support for high-performance graphics-intensive applications critical for meeting planning and analysis.

Its advanced session persistence ensures users can maintain uninterrupted workflows, even during connection disruptions, a feature not reliably matched by other VDI solutions. Additionally, Horizon’s centralized management and integration with existing DoD security frameworks enable real-time updates and compliance without manual intervention, reducing vulnerabilities. Competing VDI platforms often lack these robust features, leading to performance lags, limited scalability, and security gaps that cannot meet the DoD’s stringent operational requirements. These deficiencies make other brand-name solutions incapable of meeting the DoD and Army’s stringent requirements without jeopardizing operational efficiency and mission success.

Supply/Service: Horizon and Workspace One

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: ACC-RI shall publish the notices required by FAR 5.201, Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions. There are no subcontracting opportunities available for this procurement.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: HQDA OCIO will continue to conduct market research and work with commands to determine if migration to an alternate vendor is feasible and whether it will meet the Government’s requirements and provide for competition.

8. Market Research: CHESS and HQDA OCIO conducted market research during the period of to identify authorized distributors/resellers and federal contract vehicles that could potentially meet the Army’s requirements utilizing other than Horizon. CHESS/HQDA OCIO researched the commercial market/internet, reviewed catalogs, contractor literature, and reviewed publications from Gartner Research and International Data Corporation, both external information technology research firms, to identify other brand name solutions that could provide VDI software and support. As annotated in paragraph 5, although other brand name solutions were identified, due to the unique security and operational requirements of the Army, none are mature enough to give the administrators the proper access to the servers so that they can handle the tasks and meet the mission needs.

In accordance with DFARS 205.205-71, DFARS 206.302-1(d), and DFARS Procedures, Guidance and Information 206.302-1(d), ACC-RI posted a request for information to SAM.gov on to seek potential sources capable of providing Horizon. A draft list of Horizon products was included with the RFI. The RFI directed all interested/qualified parties to complete the survey linked in the description. A total of nine vendors responded to the RFI as shown in the table below.

Supply/Service: Horizon and Workspace One

Based on the market research, there is a reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from at least responsible small business concerns and award will be made at fair market prices. As such, the Government will solicit this requirement as a total small business set-aside.

9. Interested Sources: To date, no other sources have expressed a written interest in this requirement.

10. Other Facts:

Procurement History (as part of overall VMware):

Contract Vehicle/ Contract Type

Contract Number/ Order Number

Award Date Competitively Awarded (Y/N), Authority if restricted/ J&A Control No.

Awardee/ Contractor

Expires Dollar Value TDP (Y/ N)

GSA

Delivery order / Brand Name

47QTCA24A0

001 /

W519TC-24-

F-0075

19 January

Yes, through

GSA

Dell Federal Inc

22 January

$92,761,163.65 N

GSA

Delivery order / Brand Name

47QTCA22A0

003 / W52P1J-22- F-0096

28 January

Yes, through

GSA

Dell Federal Inc

19 January

$183,218,775.96 N

GSA

Delivery order / Brand Name

47QTCA19A0

001 / W52P1J-19- F-0199

30 January

Yes, through

GSA

Dell Marketing L.P.

27 January

$263,399,878.75 N

Supply/Service: Horizon and Workspace One

CHESS

DoD Enterprise Software Initiative

(ESI)

Delivery order through

GSA /

Brand name

W91QUZ-09-

A-0003 /

BA06

10 July

Yes, through

GSA

Carahsoft Technology Corp.

December

$185,231,713.82 N

CHESS

DoD ESI Delivery order through

GSA /

Brand name

W91QUZ-09-

A-0003 /

KH45

Septemb er 2013

Yes, through

GSA

Carahsoft Technology Corp.

29 March

$78,149,726.74 N

Supply/Service: Horizon and Workspace One

11. Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date: _________________

12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date: _________________

13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based on a price analysis. Certified cost or pricing data will not be required due to the exception in FAR 15.403-1(b)(3) as this is a commercial product.

Date: _________________ ____________________________

Irene M. Kremer-Palmer Contracting Officer

14. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date: _________________ ____________________________

Irene M. Kremer-Palmer Contracting Officer

KREMER-

PALMER.IRENE.M.1460520220

Digitally signed by KREMER-

PALMER.IRENE.M.1460520220

Date: 2024.11.25 09:53:02 -06'00'

KREMER-

PALMER.IRENE.M.146052022

Digitally signed by KREMER-

PALMER.IRENE.M.1460520220

Date: 2024.11.25 09:53:20 -06'00'