Attachment4--BNJ_Redacted.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

Agency/Office Name: IHS/HQ/OIT

1. "Brand name" of product: IBM

2. Description of "brand name" product: AIX computer server software subscriptions and support services.

3. Name of manufacturer of "brand name" product: IBM

4. The "brand name" provided is to identify the standard of quality necessary. Equivalents wi be considered. Yes No (If no, please complete Nos. 5 and 6.)

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

Only the "brand name" item specified will meet the Government’s needs (select only one):

A. 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.

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

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

Please explain:

IHS already has a significant number of IBM products, both software and hardware. The use of IBM branded servers and storage maintains the significant past development investment. The IBM branded hardware is the only known hardware that is compatible with the existing National Data Warehouse (NDW) and its components. Including the operating system, backup and database software. Significant software based algorithms that rely on the hardware microcode are incorporated in all levels of the NDW applications and reporting. No other hardware will ensure continued operations without a major re-write of the core NPIRS applications and database. To change to another platform would require significant development process with a loss of service capability.

NPIRS is the National Patient Information Reporting System that provides support, reporting and a centralized source of data in the National Data Warehouse (NDW) that includes a broad range of patient, visit and clinical information. This information is used to assist managers at all levels of the Indian health system to manage individuals’ health, local facilities, regional and national programs and provide legislatively required reports to the Administration and Congress.

The IBM Subscription and Support is utilized to maintain the NPIRS NDW and Reporting Data Marts (RDM) environments. NPIRS instituted the NDW in 2006. The NDW is an enterprise-wide data warehouse environment for the IHS national data repository. The NDW gathers, stores, reports, and allows easy access to accurate historical data. It is custom designed to meet the administrative and clinical needs of Indian health end users nationwide. It includes a national enterprise-level database that provides a relatively complete, historical repository of patient registration and encounter information dating back to October 2000. The IBM Spectrum Protect software is critical for backup and recovery of the various NDW databases. The IBM Security Guardium software is essential for encryption of data in transit or at rest. The IBM Infosphere software products provide capabilities including data profiling, standardization, probabilistic matching and data enrichment, which is essential for the determination of User Population reporting. The IBM XL C/C++ is a standards-based, high performance C and C++ compiler with advanced optimizing and debugging features used for application development.

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

IBM AIX based hardware, servers and storage are effectively a commodity in AIX or DB2 based systems. IHS has a significant number AIX/IBM products throughout the Agency.

A changeover to another platform would cause a loss of capability and compatibility.

7. Please indicate other reasons for restricting competition.

Selected vendor must be a certified IBM reseller of the required products.

8. Please describe the market research conducted and the results.

Many vendors capable of providing other computer platforms can provide IBM branded software and storage. Vendors may be found on the NITAAC schedule and are capable of providing this software.

9. 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

10. 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