Brand Name Justification Gitlab Software_ 7152025_FKSignature.pdf

Version 2.0

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

Sensitive in accordance with 32 CFR 2002 Controlled by: U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, Elvis Taylor

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

FOR AN ORDER/BPA EXCEEDING

THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

(AUTHORITY: FAR 8.405-6)

91003125Q0023

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple Award Schedule Program.

1. Agency and contracting activity. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid Acquisitions, Software Acquisition Division and Technology Directorate

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This is a brand name justification for the renewal of software and maintenance support for Gitlab software products. This will be a firm-fixed-price delivery order issued under the General Service Administration.

3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

FSA requires annual software support and maintenance for the Gitlab products as follows:

No. MFG SKU Part Description Quantity 1 ULTI-SM-24x7-1Y-611 US Govt Ultimate with 24x7 US Citizen

Support (NGDC licenses)

Optional Add-ons:

No. MFG SKU Part Description Quantity 2 ULTI-SM-24x7-1Y-611 US Govt Ultimate with 24x7 US Citizen

Support (NGDC licenses)

3 ULTI-SM-24x7-1Y-611 US Govt Ultimate with 24x7 US Citizen Support (NGDC licenses)

Gitlab is the approved Enterprise Change Request and application code repository tool. It is currently installed within the NextGen Data Center (NGDC) supporting the strategic DEVSECOPS model, NGDC and Federal Tax Information Infrastructure (FTII) infrastructure as code (IaC), FAFSA Processing System (FPS), and EDAquaSec Development and Operations teams. The expected delivery date is July 15, 2025, the period of performance is a base year with three one-year option periods, the total estimated value and specific period of performance dates are outlined below:

Period of Performance:

Base Year: July 15, 2025, through June 14, 2026 Option Year 1: June 15, 2026, through June 14, 2027 Option Year 2: June 15, 2027, through June 14, 2028 Option Year 3: June 15, 2028, through June 14, 2029

(91003125Q0020)

4. Authority and supporting rationale. The following circumstance justifies limiting the source as supported below:

Item(s) peculiar to one manufacturer (including brand name) under the authority of FAR 8.405- 6(b).

Gitlab is a software development and DevOps tool that manages the software development lifecycle (SDLC). It provides version control, project planning, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), and more. With these features, along with code review and issue tracking, Gitlab can streamline the software development process.

Gitlab offers a comprehensive self-hosted option that allows FSA to host within their own infrastructure so proper control over data and integration into internal systems can be managed. Gitlab was found to be the only tool could carry out performance requirements such as handling multiple request types (organizational need requests, release requests and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) change requests) while continuing to automate tasks associated with the request types via workflow. Gitlab includes the ability to assign role-based access that allows any authenticated user to run predefined reports. Their configuration management of source code and other software development assets with revision control allows FSA’s Enterprise Change Management Team and associated Stakeholders to capture, trace, analyze and manage requirement changes across the development lifecycle.

Outside of containing all performance requirements, Gitlab also retained the necessary System Integration and Security requirements. Gitlab remains the only tool to offer Cloud and On-prem solutions, have an access control management approach that works with FSA’s multi-factor solution, offer test planning and construction, and meet all the functionality needs deemed as required.

5. Determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value consistent with FAR 8.404(d).

“X” If part of researc h

SOURCES USED IN MARKET

RESEARCH

Details of Research/Comments

X Contract Acquisition history reviewed Previous procurements were done through FSA Service/Support Contractors: Peraton, Accenture, GDIT

X Previous Requirement acquisition history reviewed

All requirements from FY21 through today were reviewed

X Other recent market research reviewed Use Cases, Implications, Benefits, Cost Comparisons

Interviewed knowledgeable individuals in Industry or Government

Participated/Attended Tradeshows and Industry Conferences

X Professional Journals, Catalog and/or Product Literature reviewed

White papers were read on Gitlab including products with similar functionality to Gitlab.

Participated in Small Business Industry Outreach Sessions

X Reviewed existing Multiple-Award Contract Vehicles and/or Other Government- Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs)

GSA; NASA SEWP; GWAC Contract Inventory Exploration Tool

X Reviewed other sources not listed GSA e-buy; GSA Advantage; Gartner Magic Quadrant; Acquisition Gateway Prices Paid Portal;

USASpending.gov; SAM.gov; FPDS.gov, The contracting officer may request additional discounts/price reductions before award consistent with FAR 8.405-4.)

6. Market research conducted among schedule holders (or reason market research was not conducted).

Yes

7. Any other facts supporting the justification.

All supporting facts have been introduced accordingly.

8. Actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for supplies and services is made.

For the reasons stated above, only Gitlab and no other brands or services, will satisfy agency requirements for commonality, interchangeability, and interoperability. Market Research indicates other companies’ similar products are lacking features, do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet the agency’s needs. Until it is fiscally justified to change the entire infrastructure, Gitlab will continue to be utilized

9. Technical/Requirements Representative Certification. I certify that this requirement constitutes the Government’s minimum needs, and the supporting data provided herein is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Stacey Jacobs Date Contracting Officer Representative

10. Contracting Officer’s Certification and Approval

I certify this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

For justifications between greater than the SAT (as defined by FAR 2.101) and the threshold specified FAR 8.405-6(d)(1), my signature also serves as approval of the justification.

Elvis Taylor Date Contracting Officer

11. Approval for Justifications.

Approve

Florence Kasule Date FSA Advocate for Competition