IBM_MQ_LSJ_Brand_Name_Below_SAT.pdf

Template - Limited-Sources Brand Name Justification (LSJ)

For orders or BPAs exceeding the micro-purchase threshold but not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold

FY16 DF Program IBM MQ

LSJ Template < SAT 1 LSJ No.: FY16-0269

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple-Award Schedule Program, 41 U.S.C. 152(3), Competitive Procedures, and 40 U.S.C. 501, Services for Executive Agencies.

1. Identify agency and contracting activity. Identification of the agency, contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Limited-Sources Justification.”

The Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations (OPO), Information Technology Acquisition Center (ITAC) proposes to award an order or BPA pursuant to FAR 8.405-6(a), Limiting Sources.

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

DHS/OPO intends to limit the number of sources solicited pursuant to FAR Part 8.405- 6(b)(1) for the procurement of licenses of the IBM WebSphere MQ. DHS intends to solicit IBM WebSphere MQ from the exisiting strategic source vehicle DHS BPA ESS ELA for IBM products is ESCgov, the authorized Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) reseller. BPA prices were determined to be fair and reasonable at the time of award.

3. Description of supplies/services, including the estimated total value (including options).

IBM WebSphere MQ is the solution currently utilized by the DF Program along with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other major DHS Mission Operator Components within Enterprise Data Center 1 (DC1) to facilitate and manage secure data and information transport and messaging operations for the DHS Neptune/CEI and information systems owned by DHS Components-hosted in Enterprise Data Center 1 (DC1). IBM WebSphere MQ provides relible, accurate, and secure data transport messaging solutions capability for the DHS Data Framework (DF) Program.

The Program will require a quantity of 1200 licenses at an estimated cost of $12,516.00 in FY16 for a 9-month co-term base period. The costing breakdown shall be illustrated as follows:

Period Unit Price Totals Base Period 9 months $10.43 $12,516.00

4. Authority and supporting rationale supporting brand name specification. The Contracting

Officer must document the basis for restricting consideration of an item peculiar to one manufacturer. Include the name of the specific brand, briefly summarize any results of relevant market research, describe unique product feature(s), and address how the unique feature(s) are essential to meeting the Government’s requirements.

http://uscode.house.gov/

Template - Limited-Sources Brand Name Justification (LSJ)

For orders or BPAs exceeding the micro-purchase threshold but not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold

FY16 DF Program IBM MQ

LSJ Template < SAT 2

DHS/OPO intends to procure a brand name specification for IBM WebSphere MQ through the Multiple Award Schedule BPA under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 152(3), Competed Procedures, and 40 U.S.C. 501, Services for Executive Agencies. Only one source is capable of providing the IBM WebSphere MQ because the IBM WebSphere MQ is unique or highly specialized. Pursuant to FAR 8.405-6(b)(1), this brand namespecification must be used because IBM Websphere MQ software licenses meet a unique need for information sharing operations required for DHS Headquarters the Components. The capabilities provided by the IBM Websphere MQ software allows for high-performance secure, reliable message delivery that preserves message integrity and minimizes risk of information loss which is rapid and seamless. Furthermore, the DC1 systems support environment is best suited for the operations of the IBM software as re-engineering expertise would be required to connect two (or more) different types of vendor-produced software (if purchased) which would in-turn incur addition costs, time, and efforts by the Government for an unclear end-result which would delay and impede Departmental mission effectiveness. Switching to an alternate brand is unacceptable since alternate brand software would be incompatible with the current software presently utilized by DHS and the Components.

The results of the market research indicates other companies’ similar products lacks the particular feature(s) required and do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the needs of DHS. Specifically none of the other appliances were able to interconnect and function with current DHS network architecture, maintenance platforms, protocols, and configuration. Procuring an alternate brand other than IBM WebSphere MQ will require complete infrastructure replacement with a significant increase in cost. This involves purchasing and configuring the new equipment, configuration control boards, implementation, change control boards for removal of old hardware. These costs include a re-acquisition for a replacement an entire suite of suitable software already implemented, installation, tuning, and cross-Component training across the DHS Enterprise to ensure the new protocols to run the data transport and messaging operations and ensure correctness in such data processing.

5. DHS/OPO intends to post this requirement on e-Buy pursuant to FAR 8.405-6(b)(3)(i)(A).

6. Certification/Approval.

I hereby determine that the circumstances described herein exist and that the information is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge:

Contracting Officer Date

DHS/MGMT/OCPO/OPO/ITAC

http://uscode.house.gov/