B08_SOL_Attachment_1_-Brand_Name_Justification.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER

Washington, DC 20240

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION FOR AN EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

USING SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES (SAP) UNDER THE

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD (SAT)

AUTHORITY: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), 13.501(a)(ii), 6.305

140D0423Q0575

1. Contracting activity/agency. Department of the Interior, Interior Business Center, Acquisition Services Directorate, Division 3 for Indian Health Services.

2. Description of supplies or services required to meet agency needs. The request is for Dell

Latitude 5530 XCTO Base Business Class Laptops. Per vendor quotation, the estimated cost for the replacement and additional laptops are estimated at $ 120,000. Delivery is anticipated before the end of the calendar year, 2023.

3. Identification of the single source to be solicited. Sources are limited to those vendors who are Indian Owned Small Business (ISBEE) and who can provide the Brand Name Item as justified.

4. Reason for authority cited. The contracting officer has determined the circumstances of the contract deem only one source reasonably available.

Brand Name – The particular brand name is essential to the requirement and market research indicates similar products do not meet or cannot be modified to meet agency needs. If the justification is to cover only the portion of the buy which is brand name, then it should so state; the approval level requirements will then only apply to that portion.

5. Rationale. The requested Dell brand equipment allows for continuity and compatibility with existing equipment, deployment software, and management systems. The purchase of other brands at this point would result in additional compatibility and security tests, increased learning curves, duplicate work efforts, increased training and administrative costs. The Dell equipment is being requested to replace current equipment as well as new equipment to support IHS Meaningful Use initiatives, which will allow staff to meet the mission of the agency. The Dell brand of common hardware allows IHS to operate the systems with higher availability and lower overall cost of ownership. For all systems, IT support staff are experienced with Dell computer configuration, images, installation, application patching, and trouble shooting. Dell has demonstrated the ability to provide a range of quality hardware, software, and service products with minimum paperwork from IHS. Parts, supplies, and accessories are interchangeable within product line currently in place. It is imperative that all workstations and servers be standardized in order to maintain adequate technical support, maintenance, interoperability of peripherals and components, and staffing. The Dell supplied replacement parts and technical support ensures compatibility of hardware and minimal down time for agency critical servers. The Dell hardware and warranty are available from multiple

Dell partners. Other manufactures, though providing quality hardware, do not meet the needs of the government in areas of standard support, configuration, interoperability with hardware we currently have, and management.

6. Market Research.

The Dell Latitude 5530 XCTO Base Business Class Laptops and warranty are available from multiple Dell partners.

IAW FAR 19.502(a) Each acquisition of supplies or services that has an anticipated dollar value above the micro-purchase threshold, but not over the simplified acquisition threshold, shall be set aside for small business unless the contracting officer determines there is not a reasonable expectation of obtaining offers from two or more responsible small business concerns that are competitive in terms of fair market prices, quality, and delivery.

HHSAR 326.602-2 states, “This subpart applies to all acquisitions above the micro purchase threshold, including simplified acquisitions, made by IHS, and any HHS operating divisions or agency outside of IHS conducting acquisitions on behalf of

IHS.” In consideration that AQD is conducting this acquisition on behalf of an organization within IHS the Buy Indian Act applies.

271 ISBEE’s were located in a Small Business search under NAICS Code

334111-Electronic Computer Manufacturing. This requirement will be set aside for ISBEE’s per HHSAR 326.602-2.

Under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), the undersigned hereby determines the circumstances of this contract action deem only one source is reasonably available as supported herein.

//Signature on file//

Contracting Officer