BNJ_MS Application Renewal FY25 (CIO signed)_Redacted.pdf

Control No 25-011C

Version – February 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE

Memorandum for Record – Limiting Competition at or below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

1. Contracting Activity: MICC-Carlisle Barracks

2. Description of Action: CIO Microsoft Applications License Renewal FY25

Nature: ☐New Requirement ☒ Follow-on Requirement

Contract Vehicle: ☐ Purchase Order Number ☐ Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA)

☒ Contract Vehicle (GSA/CHESS/etc.) CHESS/GSA ☐ Modification to existing action

Pricing/Contract Type: ☒ Fixed Price ☐ Cost Reimbursable

☐ Hybrid

Funds: ☒ Operations & Maintenance, Army (OMA) ☐ Other Funds:

Brand Name Buy: ☒ Yes ☐ No

Name of Proposed Brand(s): Microsoft

3. Description of Services or Supplies: The supply consists of Microsoft academic license products—Windows Server Datacenter (9EA-00314), Visual Studio Enterprise with MSDN (MX3-00124), SQL Server Enterprise Core (7JQ-00038), and the Enterprise CAL Suite (76A-00917)—which will be used to support the U.S. Army War College’s academic mission, including secure infrastructure, application development, and advanced data management. These products include core-based server licenses, comprehensive development tools, enterprise-level database capabilities, and client access rights to a suite of Microsoft server services. The licenses must meet performance requirements for high-availability computing, virtualization, secure collaboration, and robust software development environments. The supply is required on a recurring basis to maintain continuous access to the latest tools, updates, and support.

Delivery Date: 15MAY2025-14MAY2026

Total Value:

Control No 25-011C

Version – February 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE

4. Authority: Select the appropriate authority below:

☒ FAR 13.106-1(b)(1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), only one source reasonably available, urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization.

5. Reasons for Authority Cited:

a. For a brand name restriction – The specified Microsoft products are required to maintain compatibility with the U.S. Army War College’s existing Microsoft-based infrastructure, including Active Directory, Hyper-V, Citrix, and integrated endpoint security and management systems. These licenses ensure secure, reliable server operations and application development within a controlled DoD-compliant environment. For example, Windows Server Datacenter supports high-density virtualization, while SQL Server Enterprise Core provides advanced data handling features essential for backend server functions during academic events.

Visual Studio Enterprise with MSDN is uniquely equipped to support secure, full-lifecycle application development with integrated debugging, version control, and deployment tools. Alternative products would not be integrated with mission-critical systems, would require significant retraining, and could introduce security and support risks. Renewing these Microsoft academic licenses also preserves access to Software Assurance benefits such as security updates and version upgrades, while leveraging cost-effective academic volume pricing available only through Microsoft’s licensing programs.

b. Failure to acquire the specified Microsoft academic licenses would disrupt critical IT services that directly support the U.S. Army War College’s academic mission.

Server environments dependent on Windows Server Datacenter and SQL Server Enterprise Core would lose the ability to host secure, virtualized services needed for academic events, particularly at Collins Hall. Without Visual Studio Enterprise with MSDN, secure application development and testing within the College’s infrastructure would be severely limited, impacting the ability to support in-house software solutions. Loss of these licenses would also forfeit access to Software Assurance benefits such as security patches, version upgrades, and support, thereby increasing cybersecurity risk and reducing system reliability. Attempting to transition to non-Microsoft alternatives would introduce incompatibility with the current infrastructure, require costly retraining, and could lead to mission delays due to technical and administrative disruptions.

6. Publicizing Contract Actions:

Requirement to post Brand Name justification in accordance with FAR 8.405-6(b)(3), FAR 13.105(c), or FAR 16.505(a)(4)(iii)(A)