J A_for_FedBizOpps_Posting_Requirement.docx

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS

AUTHORITY: FAR 13.501(a), 41 USC 1901

International Business Machines (IBM) Accelerated Value Program (AVP) Support Services for BigFix (formerly known as Tivoli Endpoint Manager)

Solicitation Number: D16PS00497

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Sole Source Justification”:

This document is a sole source justification for:

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

This is a Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition for the procurement of additional non-personal services via a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Purchase Order with International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). This is for a ten (10) month period of performance to provide these highly specialized premium level services of 24x7x365 support for DOI OCIO IBM BigFix (formerly known as Tivoli Endpoint Manager) implementation activities across all Bureaus and Offices.

This implementation requires IBM Software Group (SWG) Accelerated Value Program (AVP) services provided by IBM Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) with direct ties to IBM product development teams. The required SME will assist OCIO staff for expedited problem resolution, performance enhancements, architecture design, update implementation and platform maintenance. This service will assist OCIO to plan, deploy, grow, optimize, and extend its software environment to meet growing DOI needs. Additionally, it will allow DOI to take advantage of proactive planning, deployment mentoring, provide knowledge sharing before DOI expansion projects start, eliminate delays with elevated problem resolution via priority call handling, problem management, and on-site services.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) are driving real-time improvements in Information Technology (IT) Security across the Executive Branch Agencies. Congress has appropriated funds to DHS to assist Executive Branch Agencies with these improvements. DHS used congressional funding to purchase software licenses for DOI to install across the bureau/office environments. The software that DOI chose to meet this need was IBM BigFix.

To support the DOI’s continued implementation and utilization of the IBM BigFix solution, the DOI requires access to highly specialized contractor support for the product. Such support is currently only provided directly through the product’s developer, IBM, through their AVP organization.

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

The object of this acquisition is to secure additional IBM BigFix SME support. Ongoing support is currently being provided on a part-time basis by IBM under Award D15PC00116. The program office, however, requires the equivalent of full-time support during the option year.

These specialized technical support services will provide product installation support, configuration/change management support, design support and specialty coding (as needed) for the BigFix solution. Although DOI personnel lead similar work activities, more advanced support will be needed. The IBM AVP shall recommend options, provide recommendations and assist with actual work activities as needed, based on their knowledge and previous experience. These activities involve the need for SME personnel support from the product vendor which goes beyond the typical capabilities expected of general software support associated with software purchases.

The period of performance for the additional support is as follows:

Estimated Value.

The anticipated base cost for these services is $<amount redacted>, based on the current awarded rate.

4. A description of the statutory authority permitting sole source acquisition:

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition under FAR Subpart 13.5, “Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items” is section 4202 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996, the Services Acquisition Reform Act of 2003 (41 USC 428a), and 41 USC 1901.

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited:

The IBM BigFix solution requires design support and specialty coding to meet the Government requirement. The solution is proprietary to IBM. Premium support for the solution is available only via the IBM SWG AVP’s software modifications.

Only IBM is able to provide access to the IBM product development team and source code required for software modifications. IBM owns the proprietary rights to the IEM source code, therefore the required software support can only be provided by IBM. This level of support is especially critical for an enterprise the size of DOI as its sheer size, number of network devices (70,000+) and diversity of devices, creates significant complexity.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies:

The Contracting Officer (CO) determined that these services are available only from IBM and no value-added resellers are approved to provide the services required.

This is a contract action meeting the threshold in FAR 5.101(a)(1), therefore this solicitation will be publicized in accordance with FAR 5.201(a)(1)(i). No exceptions under 5.202 apply.

7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable:

The required support is highly specialized, but commercially available. Market research was performed, and historical information was reviewed. Market research and historical information has proven the anticipated cost is fair and reasonable by reviewing past contracts/orders for requirements of similar type or scope. Three previous contracts were found and reviewed; one awarded by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), one awarded by the Veterans Administration (VA), and one awarded by the DOI. All were conducted via full and open competition and determined fair and reasonable at the time of award by their respective Contracting Officers/Source Selection Authorities. The labor hour rates awarded under the three contracts were found to be within the range of rates found for a similar labor category under the General Schedule Administration (GSA) STARS II GWAC and will be used for price comparison to determine reasonableness. Therefore, the CO has a reasonable expectation that the pricing proposed for SME support for this action will be fair and reasonable.

8. A description of the market research conducted (see Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted:

Although software support is a commercial service, software modification is typically available only from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) that developed and retains proprietary rights to the software. Market research identified that IBM is the OEM and does not have authorized resellers for SWG Accelerated Value Program Services. IBM is the sole supplier of IBM SWG Accelerated Value Program Services for IBM Software products which is proprietary software support.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full & open competition:

None.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition:

No other sources have expressed an interest in this requirement.

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the services required:

AQD will request that IBM Corporation notify the Government should they begin offering the AVP services through Value Added Resellers (VARs), or other authorized resellers.

12. Certifications & Approvals:

Technical & Requirements Certification:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance that are included in this document are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

<Program office signature information redacted>

Contracting Officer Certification/Concurrence:

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

<Signature Redacted>

Katherine Vultaggio, Contracting Officer Date Department of the Interior – Interior Business Center – Acquisition Services Directorate Phone: (703) 964-3563 Email: katherine_vultaggio@ibc.doi.gov

Team Lead Concurrence:

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

Jennifer Graham, Contracting Officer, Team Lead Date

Phone: (703) 964-3557 Email: jennifer_graham@ibc.doi.gov

Supervisor Concurrence:

Sarah J. Rumney, Chief, OCIO Branch Date

Phone: (703) 964-3692 Email: sarah_rumney@ibc.doi.gov

Division Chief Approval:

<Signature Redacted>

Brendon Johnson, Chief, Division I Date

Phone: (703) 964-4805 Email: brendon_johnson@ibc.doi.gov

D15PS00213

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