IA02-Knox EFOJ 2020_31_Q-0037_Flexpod_Redacted.pdf

Control No: MICC 2020-31 Program/Equipment: FlexPod

Version – September 2018 For Official Use Only

FAR 3.104 Procurement Integrity

b. FlexPod solution is a converged infrastructure and software defined solution designed to overcome the limitations and inefficiencies of the independent silo structure of traditional IT storage and compute. To minimize compatibility issues and simplify management, converged solutions join computing, networking, storage, systems administration, and software together in a preconfigured package that operates and is managed as a single converged system that delivers faster time to value. The requested solution must be industry validated to ensure all hardware and software components integrate natively and are tested to avoid costly delays in installation and deployment. The validated FlexPod architecture designed and validated by Cisco, F5 BIG-IP and NETSCOUT meets the needs of enterprise customers and service providers. Cisco Validated Designs (CVDs) consist of systems and solutions that are designed, tested, and documented to facilitate and improve customer deployments.

The CVD program consists of systems and solutions designed, tested, and documented to facilitate faster, more reliable, and more predictable customer deployments.

c. FlexPod solution includes hardware and software as outlined in Attachment A, to include Cisco branded products, which is the primary protocol within HRC. Cisco branded products are covered under the Department of Defense Joint Enterprise Level Agreement (JELA) contract that covers all Cisco products in use on Army networks. If and when the need arises to open an incident with Cisco Support (TAC), the entirety of the product to include chassis, power supplies and enhanced High-speed WAN Interface Cards are fully covered under the Cisco support contract. The support provided by the JELA provides next-level technical assistance to troubleshoot, diagnose and remediate complicated and sophisticated network issues during unscheduled outages.

d. By purchase of the FlexPod solution, inclusive of elements under Attachment A, there would be consistency in reach back for technical support of the critical protocol, Cisco. Cisco will not provide technical support for Non-Cisco brand Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) (adapters) installed in a Cisco chassis across the large HRC footprint (one is required approximately every 100 feet). When non-Cisco brand SFPs are installed into a Cisco chassis, the following warning appears: “Warning: When Cisco determines that a fault or defect can be traced to the use of third-party transceivers installed by a customer or reseller, then, at Cisco's discretion, Cisco may withhold support under warranty or a Cisco support program. In the course of providing support for a Cisco networking product Cisco may require that the end user install Cisco transceivers if Cisco determines that removing third-party parts will assist Cisco in diagnosing the cause of a support issue.” If non-Cisco SFP modules are found to be installed in the Cisco chassis, the Cisco technician will stop troubleshooting until the non-Cisco SFP modules are replaced with Cisco branded SFP modules. If no Cisco branded SFP modules are available, the technical support case will be put on hold until the SFP module can be replaced with a Cisco product. This causes extended outages and potential mission failure.

e. The FlexPod solution, encompasses hardware and software upon which the current HRC workforce of Network Engineers, Storage Engineers and System Administrators are trained and certified to support their platforms. Having this organic knowledge and experience greatly reduces the time to restore functionality during unscheduled outages. Altering the current systems to accommodate changed platforms would result in training requirements that would need to be addressed and resolved before any implementation. This organic capability adds proficiency and efficiency and saves the government money by maintaining high availability and reducing outage duration. Implementing hardware and software from other vendors would require substantive changes to the current system architecture, and increase the cost of training and prolong the duration of outages affecting mission effectiveness.

f. Alternatives: Existing HRC systems include Cisco components, which utilize Cisco proprietary protocols (network) within the communications algorithm. HRC also utilizes F5 BIG-IP and NETSCOUT to sustain the existing systems and requires the FlexPod components to be compatible with these technologies. To pivot to a different product line would require an investment in replacement of Cisco protocols, associated components, and existing equipment. In addition, altering the current systems to accommodate changed components would result in new training requirements before implementation of the changed components.

g. Impact if justification request is not approved. If this request is not approved, there is a high level of risk that the network will not be available to our customers and stakeholders to perform their functions that support HRC’s network mission. If the core network is degraded or has a total outage, every customer that needs access to an application and every application that depends upon the network may stop functioning, including all accessioning and HR applications. Failure to secure this contract for the required Net Scout, F5 BIG-IP Switch, and Cisco equipment and supporting hardware will adversely affect HRC’s mission.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: The products to be acquired with this acquisition fit within the framework of the recruiting services network infrastructure. It is unknown at this juncture if the requirement is an enduring one. However, upon the end of the life cycle of the entire system, it is intended that the available hardware/software and packages available from industry under the applicable suite on the CHESS platform shall be given consideration.

In addition, there are 17 known vendors under the ITES-3H suite and in accordance with the ordering guide authority thereunder, the solicitation may be posted to the ITES- 3H platform with a brand name Exception to Fair Opportunity Justification, affording vendors an equal opportunity to participate in proposing the FlexPod solution as partners; or seek authority to partner with FlexPod.

7. Market Research: On 4 February 2020, HRC initiated market research by posting a RFI# 311748 under the ITES-3H suite on the CHESS platform providing the list of component parts cited under Attachment A. Eight of the 17 vendors responded, with three of those respondents providing information to support capabilities to provide the components.

Following receipt of the requirement for acquisition, MICC-Fort Knox proceeded to issue two RFIs under the CHESS ITES-3H suite; RFI # 310481 and RFI # 342050. RFI # 310481 was based off the individual parts cited under Attachment A. The second RFI, RFI #310481, was for the converged infrastructure solution FlexPod. Both RFIs received only one positive response from World Wide Technology (WWT). Market research included review of the catalog lists for ITES-3H vendors with the final findings noting that three of the vendors could provide the components.

However, it has subsequently been clarified that the requirement is not for the component parts, but a FlexPod solution. Market research for the instant action supports capabilities of the following firms to provide the components that make up the FlexPod solution in regards to this requirement.

Dell Federal Systems, L.P.

Wildflower International, Ltd.

World Wide Technology, LLC.

Government Acquisitions, Inc.

The ITES-3H ordering guide as noted herein, gives the vendors equal opportunity to participate in proposing the FlexPod solution as partners; or seek authority to partner with FlexPod. It was not mandatory they respond to RFIs in order to participate in the solicitation.

Market research was finalized August 2020 in support of another solicitation, W9124D- 20-Q-6412, for the same/similar solution. As is allowable under FAR 10.002(b)(1), the information is still deemed current, accurate, and relevant to the instant action. The market research was conducted by Barbara J. Mattingly, Contracting Officer, in preparation for purchase of a FlexPod solution for use within the HRC datacenter footprint. RFIs were issued under the CHESS platform, to include issuance of a RFI on 26 August 2020 under the above cited action for a converged infrastructure solution.

MICC-Fort Knox has confirmed that the following ITES-3H platform vendors are authorized United States partners for FlexPod converged infrastructure and have the ability to compete for the instant action if they so choose. Even though the acquisition team is expecting multiple offers during the RFQ phase, only one quote was received in response to the RFI.

CDW-G W52P1J-16-D-0013

Iron Bow Technologies, LLC W52P1J-16-D-0014 World Wide Technology, LLC W52P1J-16-D-0016

8. Other Facts: The procurement in question is a small part of an OCONUS enterprise architecture primarily comprised of Cisco branded products and proprietary protocols as described herein. The acquired solution shall be housed either at Fort Knox, KY, or Indianapolis, IN, but recruiting services network supported customer base includes

OCONUS.

a. Procurement History.

Contract number: W9124D-20-F-0696 Vendor: Government Acquisitions, Inc.

Award date: 28 September 2020 Competitive Status: Brand name exception to fair opportunity Authority cited: FAR 16.505(a)(4)