BNJ__-_MS_PS_-_redacted.pdf

Brand Name Justification for

Microsoft (MS) Premier Support (PS) Services

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity. Department of Education

(DoED), Federal Student Aid (FSA) acquisitions.

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

This is a renewal of support needed to effectively operate EBC as its architecture incorporates multiple Microsoft products to include SharePoint, Office Communications

Server, Live Meeting, FastSearch, SQLSvr, and the Windows operating system as well as multiple products from Microsoft partners (e.g., K2 blackpearl), and interfaces with other

Microsoft products such as Outlook. 1. In accordance with FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii) this document is prepared using the format at FAR 6.303-2.

The current Microsoft maintenance procured under ED-FSA-15-P-0006 expires on

February 2, 2016. If software maintenance is not renewed high cost will be incurred by the

Department if it ever needs to engage Microsoft for troubleshooting assistance since payment would have to be made on a time and materials basis.

The Contracting Officer intends to award a firm fixed-price purchase order under FAR Part

13.106-1(b)(2) procedures on a brand name basis. A brand name justification will be posted on FedBizOps as well as a Request for Quote (RFQ) until 2:00pm February 1, 2016.

The period of support will be February 3, 2016 to February 2, 2017.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs

(including the estimated value).

FSA requires the following MS PS services during the performance period of

February 3, 2016 through February 2, 2017:

Line# Part # Product Description UNIT

QTY

1 SAMASACS5 Support Acct Mgmt (TAM time) Hour 200

2 USNATP Support Assistance Hour 50

3 USNATP Problem Resolution Support Hour 100

4 DSEPFE4 Designated Support Engineer Hour 250

5 TTRSTB1 Rap as a Service(RaaS) for SQL Each 1

6 TTRSTB1 Rap as a Service(RaaS) for SharePoint Each 1

Brand Name Justification for

Microsoft (MS) Premier Support (PS) Services

b. Estimate value is .

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

20 U.S.C. 1018(A)

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

If software maintenance is not renewed there will be a lapse in support from Microsoft for any issues that occur with the SharePoint infrastructure for EEBC or PEBC putting projects such as IPM and the agency at risk for operations and scheduled deliveries. There will not be any Problem Resolution for Hot Fixes and Critical Problem Alerts for Microsoft software. Security risks increase because there would be a delay in notification of any fixes that would be included in a Service Pack or Cumulative Update. Subject Matter Expertise would be lost for issues that are more complex and usually involve applications.

Risk assessments following the RAPs would not be able to be done since Microsoft provides that information. Code Reviews would not be completed.

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.

There are multiple MS partners authorized to resell the required PS services. A RFQ and this brand name justification will be posted on FBO for a minimum of two (2) days to solicit quotes from as many resellers as possible.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

Based on historical pricing and market research the Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. The Contracting Officer also intends to do a fair and reasonableness price determination prior to making an award to the successful offeror.

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.

FSA market research was limited to conducting exchanges with MS about how it markets its PS services.