A2._Brand_Name_Justification.pdf

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

United States Department of Agriculture

FAR 13.5 – Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

United States Department of Agriculture, Departmental Administration, Office of Procurement and

Property Management, Procurement Operations Division, 321 S. Howes Street, Suite 300, Fort

Collins, CO 80521.

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This is a brand name requirement for the renewal of existing Men & Mice Software Subscription and Support. In addition to the renewal of existing software the Government also requires expansion of the software to cover additional users. The Government plans to enter into a Firm

Fixed Price contract for the renewal existing software and additional software.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

This requirement is for the renewal of Men & Mice existing software subscription and support covering the following modules in the Men & Mice Suite: DNS, DHCP and IP Address

Management for a network with up to 200,000 used IP’s. In addition the requirement is for additional licenses to those being renewed to provide license for additional 200,000 used IP’s. The estimated value for this requirement is $200,000.00.

4. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

41 U.S.C § 1901 - Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

5. A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority.

This requirement is for the subscription/support renewal of Men & Mice Software license.

This renewal is critical for the Government to continue to receive patches and updates to the software to ensure it is current and operating to its full technical specifications in support of

Government Systems. Only genuine renewal of Men & Mice software subscription/support will fulfill this requirement. This software has been tested and is currently in use on Government systems. Use of a different product would create duplicate costs to the Government including but not limited to the following: testing of replacement software, removing current software from existing Government systems, installing new product on Government systems, ensuring new product works seamlessly with current Government infrastructure and processes, retraining of Government employees on the use and management of the replacement product. If the additional licenses utilized were to be a different product the same rational above applies. In addition, if the additional licenses were to be a different product this would require the management of two different software suites on the same system creating duplicate Government system management costs.

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

This brand name requirement will be issued via and RFQ on FBO.

7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

Compairson to prices paid in previous years as well as comparison to any published internet prices will be utilized to determine the price is fair and reasonable.

8. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason Market Research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted to determine availability of the software. Research showed that the software is available via the open market. In addition there a many software and general IT companies that resell multiple brands of software. Issuing an RFQ on FBO provides opportunity for resellers to respond if the Men & Mice brand is part of their portfolio of software offered for resale.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

N/A

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed a written interest in the acquisition.

11. A statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition if subsequent acquisitions are anticipated.

Certifications & Approvals

Supporting data which form the basis for and included in this justification are certified accurate and complete.

JoHN youNc I Bi'Jl#,';T,:3iJ,1?IlJ#|f John S. Young Chiefl Branch of Enterprise Administration

In accordance with FAR /,3.501(a)(2)(il,for proposed actions exceeding $150,000, but not exceeding $700,000, the contracting fficer's certificationwill serve as approval.

The information contained in this Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition is certified accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

In accordance with FAR 13.501(a)(2)(ii) and Agency procedures, proposed actions exceeding $700,000, but not exceeding $I million, must be approved by the Procuring Activity Competition Advocate. This authority is not delegable.

lnsert Name of the Agency Competition Advocate Competition Advocate

In accordance with FAR i,3.501(a) (2) (iii) and agency procedures, proposed actions exceeding $1 million must be approved by the Head of the Contracting Activity Designee (HCAD). This authority is not delegable.

lnsert Name of Head of Contracting Activity Designee Head of Contracting Activity Designee