Brand Name Justification .pdf

Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

1. Identification of Agency and Contracting Activity.

The requiring activity is the United States Naval Academy (USNA). The contracting activity is

NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk, Contracting Dept.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

Hardware and maintenance support services for IBM QRadar Security Event Information Processing and syslog server to meet DoD requirements. Estimated cost $657,217.59. The renewal includes technical support for all hardware and software products, access to online support resources such as knowledge bases, technical articles, product manuals, and hardware support to include replacement parts for all failed hardware components. In addition, software updates and upgrades are provided through online access. The required period of performance (POP) for all items is February 5 2024 through

February 4 2025.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

CLIN ITEM QTY U/I UNIT PRICE EXT PRICE

0001 D28QILL - QR VUL AND RISK MGR PER INS LIC + SW S&S 12 MO 1 EA

14,874.25 $ 14,874.25

D205RLL - IBM QRadar Appliance xx48-C Appliance Install Appliance + Subscription & Support 12 Months 1 EA

112,194.35 $ 112,194.35

D205TLL - IBM QRadar Appliance xx48-C Business Critical Service Upgrade Appliance Install 12 Months 1 EA

3,068.85 $ 3,068.85

D205ULL - IBM QRadar Appliance xx48-C Hard Drive Retention Service Upgrade Appliance Install License + SW Subscription & Support 12 Months 1 EA

3,195.84 $ 3,195.84

D205MLL - IBM QRadar Appliance xx29-C Appliance Install Appliance + Subscription & Support 12 Months 1 EA

92,645.33 $ 92,645.33

D205PLL - IBM QRadar Appliance xx29-C Business Critical Service Upgrade Appliance Install 12 Months 1 EA

1,478.92 $ 1,478.92

D205RLL - IBM QRadar Appliance xx29-C Hard Drive Retention Service Upgrade Appliance Install License + SW Subscription & Support 12 Months 1 EA

112,194.35 $ 112,194.35

D0WRCLL - IBM Security QRadar SIEM All-in-One Software 31XX Install SW Subscription & Support Reinstatement 12 Months 3 EA

35,683.09 $ 107,049.27

D0WQELL - IBM Security QRadar Log Manager All-in-One 31XX Install SW Subscription & Support Reinstatement 12 Months 1 EA

12,863.02 $ 12,863.02

D0AE2ZX - IBM Security QRadar Suite Software 100 Resource Unit Trade Up from Eligible Program Trade Up License + Subscription & Support 12 Months 171 EA

1,155.87 $ 197,653.77

TOTAL: $ 657,217.95

The overall total estimated value of this is $657,217.95. The resultant contract will be funded with FY24 appropriations. These funds are not currently available. Only $355,965.00 has been approved under PR

N0016124RCYE001. USNA states that as soon as additional OPN funding is received they will submit an amendment to fully fund. Requirement will not be awarded until funds are received.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Brand Name:

Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items, 41 U.S.C. 1901 as implemented by FAR Subpart 13.501:

A brand name acquisition using simplified acquisition procedures for the acquisition of commercial items, as implemented by FAR 13.501(a).The item is peculiar to one manufacturer (IBM)

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

An authorized IBM reseller must fulfill this requirement. As the additional appliances and services are required to support the mission and curricular requirements of USNA. Although IBM is the manufacturer of the appliances, IBM allows authorized resellers to provide the software and hardware maintenance support. In order to provide the requirement support, a vendor must be authorized by IBM to do so. The requested support will provide for critical hardware and software support to ensure the appliances are operating efficiently and effectively. The hardware support is required to ensure operations of the appliances at all times. A break in operation with directly affects the USNA’s curricular activities. In addition, the required support will also provide for software updates/ upgrades to ensure the appliances remain up to date and accurate. Which is critical for the USNA’s curricular activities.

Procurement under a Brand Name solicitation would be in the best interest of the Government. The

Government requires vendors to provide authorized reseller letters to ensure that the items received will properly interface with the existing system. Furthermore, RFI’s have shown adequate small business participation. It is within the Government’s best interest to solicit a brand name 100% Set Aside for

Small Business. Additionally, RFI responses proved two (2) or more Women Owned Small Businesses were identified as capable of providing the required supplies. To fulfill the statutory requirements relating to 15 U.S.C. 637(m), contracting officers may set aside solicitations for WOSB concerns eligible under the WOSB Program (see 19.1505).

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable, including a

Description of Market Research, if applicable, and a List of Interested Sources, if any.

A Request for Information (RFI) notice was posted to GSA Ebuy on December 08, 2023 and closed on

December 13, 2023. Only one (1) vendor, Four LLC, responded to the RFI. A RFI was posted to

SAM.gov on December 12, 2023 and closed on December 19, 2023. Six (6) vendors responded stating they were capable of providing the required items. NAVSUP FLC Norfolk Contracting Officer reached out to IBM to discuss the estimates they provided and was informed that IBM sells to the Navy through their IBM Business Partners (hereinafter, “IBM BPs”) and not direct. Also that IBM’s estimates will differ from the consolidated estimates that an IBM BP can provide, such as two (2) estimates for the ten

(10) CLINs versus 1 consolidated estimate that IBM BP’s can provide. Two of the potential buyers are

WOSB.

Below charts shows the list of potential suppliers:

Vendor Business Size Capable?

Y/N Overall Assessment Results/Recommendation

SIRC SB, WOSB Y - NASA SEWP capable

- The vendor is able to provide all of the required items within 1-2 weeks ARO.

- Authorized IBM Reseller

Loudentec SB, 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, EDWOSB

Y - The vendor is able to provide all of the required items with estimated delivery 10 days ARO.

- Authorized IBM Reseller

Insight NSB Y - The vendor is able to provide all of the required items.

- Authorized IBM Reseller

- Has done work with USNA in the past

Four SB Y - GSA capable

- The vendor is able to provide all of the required items within 30 days ARO.

- Authorized IBM Reseller

TooBZ SB, 8(a) Y - Authorized IBM Reseller

- The vendor is able to provide all of the required items

TommyTQL SB, HUBZone Y - Authorized IBM Reseller

- Achieved Gold status with IBM PartnerWorld program

- The vendor is able to provide all of the required items within 3 days ARO.

Contract Officer search PD2 for previous purchases. Contract Officer was able to find PO

N0018921P0453, which included five (5) of the ten (10) exact items. PO N0018921P0453 was awarded for a total of $193,860.07. Requirement N0016124RCYE001 looks to be the first requirement over SAT as the Contract Officer was not able to find another similar buy over SAT.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The Contracting Officer will determine that the price proposal prepared is determined to be fair and reasonable prior to contract award.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

There are no identified barriers to competition—the only requirement we have (aside from brand requirement) is that the vendor selected is a certified IBM authorized reseller.

9. Contracting Point of Contact.

The point of contact at Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk is Megan Evans, Code 220.1 at (757) 443-1380 or by e-mail at megan.m.evans18.civ@us.navy.mil.

Document Number: N0016124RCYE001

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this Justification and its supporting acquisition planning documents, except as noted herein, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Technical Cognizance:

Signature Name (Printed) Date Phone No.

Requirements Cognizance:

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW

I have determined this Justification is legally sufficient.

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. To the extent that the Justification value is >$250K and <$750K, the Contracting Officer’s signature below also represents approval of the document.

CONTRACTING ACTIVITY COMPETITION ADVOCATE REVIEW

To the extent that the Justification value is greater than $750K and <$15M, the Competition Advocate’s signature below also represents approval of the document.