JA_Apple Devices_redacted.pdf

VACO Apple Devices VA-20-00054292

In addition, Apple brand name devices are the only devices that are interoperable or compatible with current iOS based applications. Specifically, all iOS applications run on a source code that is based on Apple iOS proprietary data. No other devices can provide this communication capability without this source code.

Failure to procure the Apple iPhones and iPads that are capable of being activated and connected to the AT&T Mobility EMDS contract would result is Senior Executives and VACO employees limiting their communication and access to important VA data to only when they are in the office. As a result, VA Senior Executives and employees would not be able to communicate with VA staff nationwide in real-time and would not have access to VA data that is needed while attending off campus facilities, such as the White House, other federal government agency facilities, Universities, and Veterans Service Organizations.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market research was conducted, details of which are in Section 8 of this justification. This effort did not yield any additional sources that can meet the Government’s requirements. However, the undersigned VA technical representative determined that limited competition is available among resellers for brand name Apple mobile devices. In accordance with FAR 5.301 and 16.505(b)(2)(ii)(D), this action will be synopsized, and the justification will be made available within 14 days of award on the sam.beta.gov/Contract Opportunities webpage.

Additionally, IAW FAR 16.505(a)(4)(iii)(A)(1), the justification will be posted with the request for quotation on the NASA SEWP V GWAC.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Government will continue to perform market research to determine if there are any changes in the marketplace that will enable future actions to be competed.

8. Market Research: The Government’s technical experts conducted market research from February 2020 through May 2020 by reviewing similar mobile devices and its associated software operating systems; including, Samsung, Life’s Good, Google, and other windows-based mobile devices. Based on the review of the aforementioned product specifications, the Government’s technical experts determined that none of these products can meet the Government’s security, interoperability and compatibility requirements discussed in Section 5 of this Justification. Additionally, VA Subject Matter Experts regularly review industry trade publications and conduct internet research to ascertain if any other brand name product is available that is compatible with the iOS based operating systems for mobile devices that meet VA security requirements. Based on the market research efforts, the Government’s technical experts have determined that only brand name Apple iPhones and iPads can meet all of VA’s needs.

Additionally, the Contract Specialist (CS) conducted market research by issuing a Request for Information (RFI) on May 27, 2020 on the NASA SEWP V website. The RFI closed on June 1, 2020 and a total of 4 responses were received. The Government technical experts completed a thorough technical analysis of the RFI responses against the requirements detailed in the Draft Product Description on June

VACO Apple Devices VA-20-00054292

18, 2020. As a result of the analysis, all four vendors were found to be capable of enrolling all mobile devices into the Apple Device Enrollment Program (DEP) using the VA DEP Apple ID# 555101. Furthermore, in July 2020 the CS utilized the NASA SEWP V GWAC Provider Lookup Tool to determine whether the required brand name Apple Devices were available from current GWAC holders. The results of the search found numerous GWAC holders which are Apple resellers that could possibly meet VA’s needs, including several Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business resellers.

This requirement has been found to be within scope of the NASA SEWP V GWAC in a separate determination. Therefore, there is reasonable expectation that limited competition exists on the NASA SEWP V GWAC for the required Apple Devices.

9. Other Facts: None