JA BRAND NAME IntelliJ IDEA VA-25-00011621 _Redacted.pdf

This document is a Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to procure 635 IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate software subscription licenses and maintenance support from JetBrains through NASA's SEWP V GWAC contract vehicle. The period of performance is January 6, 2025 through June 5, 2026, supporting the VA's Benefits, Appeals and Memorial Services (BAM) Portfolio's modernization efforts related to the PACT Act.

The justification explains that JetBrains is the only viable source due to proprietary technical data and the integrated nature of the software in BAM's development environment. Market research conducted in October 2024 evaluated multiple development tools including Microsoft Visual Studio, Eclipse, and others, with IntelliJ IDEA determined to be the only solution meeting requirements. Two RFIs were issued (328083 and 328834) through NASA SEWP V GWAC, resulting in eight responses each time. The second RFI yielded five capable responses, including two from SDVOSBs. The procurement will be set aside for SDVOSBs, as 33 of the 57 authorized JetBrains resellers on the GWAC are SDVOSB firms. Switching to a different IDE would incur significant costs in retraining 650 developers and migrating code bases, potentially delaying critical veteran services supported by the PACT Act implementation.