Attachment 4 - BNJ__Redacted.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

Agency/Office Name: IHS/HQ/OIT

"Brand name" of product: Cisco Hardware and Software Description of "brand name" product: Maintenance Name of manufacturer of "brand name" product: Cisco The "brand name" provided is to identify the standard of quality necessary. Equivalents will be considered. Yes No (If no, please complete Nos. 5 and 6.)

If the answer to No. 4 is "no," please complete the following.

Only the "brand name" item specified will meet the Government’s needs:

Because patent rights, copyrights, proprietary secret processes, control of certain materials or components providing a superior utility or capability that cannot be obtained from similar products.

Because program requirements cannot be modified so that competitive products or services may be used.

Because the product or service is unique and easily established as one-of-a kind.

Please explain:

The purpose of this acquisition is to purchase a hardware and software maintenance contract

Cisco equipment installed on the IHS network. In the event of a hardware failure, the contract provides IHS with replacement parts within 24 hour. The contract also provides IHS with regular software updates and access to technical support on Cisco products.

Only Cisco hardware modules can be installed inside Cisco equipment. The Cisco equipment would not operate if a non-Cisco module was installed. Standard warranty coverage would be void, if non-Cisco components were installed in the device.

If the answer to No. 4 is "no," please indicate other reasons for restricting competition:

The software running on the Cisco routers and switches was developed by Cisco. No other vendor has access to the source code to change the software and provide updates.

Please indicate other reasons for restricting competition.

Only Cisco or a Cisco partner provides technical support for Cisco products. A vendor selling competing products would not provide the support for Cisco products.

Please describe the market research conducted and the results.

Cisco, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for the hardware and software used for the IHS network, sell their maintenance services through System Integrators and Resellers. The list price for the services are available online on the company’s web site (www.cisco.com).

There are a large number of System Integrators and Resellers selling Cisco maintenance t different discount levels.

. Program Office Certification This is to certify that the portions of this justification that have been developed by the undersigned program office personnel, including supporting information and/or data verifying the Government’s minimum needs or requirements, or other rationale for limited sources, are accurate and complete.

Official Name & Title Signature Date Project Officer

Project Officer’s Immediate Supervisor

. Contracting Officer Certification This is to certify that the justification for the proposed acquisition has been reviewed and that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information and/or data provided to support the rationale and recommendation for approval is accurate and complete.

Official Name & Title Signature Date Contracting Officer

*See Attached Applicable FAR References 11.104, 11.105, 6.302-1, 6.303-1 & 6.303-2