Brand Name Justification redacted.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

The requiring agency is a US Navy unit stationed at Keport, WA for NetApp storage hardware.

The contracting activity is the General Services Administration.

2. NATURE OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING APPROVED

This Brand Name Justification (BNJ) serves to support the acquisition of NetApp and bronze support for the period of 18 months beginning 01 September 2024.

3.DESCRIPTION OF THE AGENCY’S NEEDS

The following material list details the complete requirement:

Mfgr. Part No. Description Qty.

NetApp CS-SUPPORT-

MANAGEMENT

Supplemental Support Management, SES-SYSTEM

NetApp CS-R-NRD2-E Non Returnable Disk Plus,Renewal,e, FAS8200A

NetApp CS-SEC-NBD SE Secure for Gvt,Next Bus Day Onsite, FAS8200A

NetApp CS-WARRANTY-

EXTENSION

Warranty Extension, FAS8200A, Post

Warranty

NetApp CS-SUPPORT-

MANAGEMENT

Supplemental Support Management, SES-SYSTEM

NetApp CS-R-NRD2-G Non Returnable Disk Plus,Renewal,g, AFF-A220A

NetApp CS-SEC-NBD SE Secure for Gvt,Next Bus Day Onsite, AFF-A220A

NetApp CS-WARRANTY-

EXTENSION

Warranty Extension, AFF-A220A, Post

Warranty

4. IDENTIFICATION OF JUSTIFICATION RATIONALE

The circumstances and rationale for limiting consideration to select schedule contractors for award follows:

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

FEDERAL ACQUISITION SERVICE, SOUTHWEST SUPPLY OPERATIONS

CENTER BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

NetApp

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

13.501(a). This subpart authorizes the use of simplified procedures for the acquisition of supplies and services in amounts greater than the simplified acquisition threshold but not exceeding $7 million ($13 million for acquisitions as described in 13.500(c)), including options, if the contracting officer reasonably expects, based on the nature of the supplies or services sought, and on market research, that offers will include only commercial items. However, in accordance with FAR 13.501(a), an ordering activity must justify its action when restricting consideration to a single source, including brand name justifications. Additionally, this limited source justification will document that this requirement is essential to the Government’s requirements and the market research which indicates that no other brand is qualified to meet Navy’s requirements.

5. DEMONSTRATION OF THE UNIQUE NATURE OF THE REQUIRED SUPPLY

This procurement is a renewal of NetApp storage hardware that supports all data storage for

Keyport's corporate Information Technology infrastructure, both Classified and Unclassified.

Loss or degradation of equipment will directly impact the operational capability of Keyport's corporate Information Technology systems. Maintenance and support is required to ensure all listed NetApp equipment is updated to latest firmware/software to keep in line with

Information Assurance Security requirements and also provides replacement equipment for faulty or damaged equipment. Without maintenance and support any listed equipment not meeting Information Assurance Security requirements or any faulty equipment would not be useable. If this were to happen it would severely limit the ability for Keyport to maintain services for its customers and the DoD at large.

Any other Storage Area Network product would not be compatible with the remainder of the

Keyport’s corporate Storage Area Network infrastructure. Should any of Keyport’s Storage

Area Network equipment be replaced with different hardware, a larger investment would be required to make the new hardware compatible, if possible at all. Training costs would also need to be considered for Information Technology technicians to learn and properly operate any other Storage Area Network vendor product. Additionally, current Storage Area Network operations would be greatly impacted or unavailable during a transition from one vendor product to another, which would result in additional costs due to loss of work productivity/efficiency.

6. DETERMINATION THAT THE ORDER REPRESENTS THE BEST VALUE

The order will be competitively solicited on SAM.gov to ensure the government is receiving the most competitive price.

7. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED

Market research was conducted in December 2023. This research consisted of reviews of similar previous procurements and a market survey through search engines of open market contractors and Federal Supply Schedule contractors. Search engines utilized include Google and GSA

Advantage catalog using the part numbers, description, and manufacturer. A review of GSA

Advantage revealed the products are not available via MAS schedules. The manufacturer confirmed the information found and also that there are two (2) authorized distributors of the products.

8. STATEMENT OF ACTIONS TO OVERCOME BARRIERS TO COMPETITION

Prior to any subsequent procurement the market will be reviewed to assess whether any other qualified sources are available and are able to meet the Government’s requirements.

9. CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

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Jocelyn McChesney

Contracting Officer, SCM Office Supply and Mgt Branch