Justification for OTFOC ExGrid Maint. REDACTED.pdf

Version 2, MAY 2018 PREVIOUS VERSION IS OBSOLETE

JUSTIFICATION FOR EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY for

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS VALUED BELOW $250K

☐ FAR PART 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) Only One Source Capable ☐✔ FAR Part 16.505(a)(4) Item Peculiar to One Manufacturer

PURCHASE REQUEST NUMBER:

PR #12173970

DESCRIPTION OF ACTION:

☐✔ New Requirement

☐ Modification

ESTIMATED VALUE (inclusive of options):

$ 110,390.64

FUND TYPE: YEAR:

O&M (2020) FY 2025

1. NAME OF PROPOSED SOLE SOURCE CONTRACTOR / BRAND NAME MANUFACTURER:

ExaGrid Systems, Inc., 350 Campus Dr., Marlborough, MA 01752

2. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED AND THE INTENDED USE:

The Communications Electronics Command (CECOM) Software Engineering Center (SEC) requires the acquisition of brand-name ExaGrid hardware and software maintenance for all ExaGrid assets and replacement on all faulty ExaGrid appliances for a 12-month base period and two

12-month option periods in accordance with the Statement of Work. Software support will include access to all software upgrades, patches and security updates from the manufacturer. The Government requires the servicing vendor for the Hardware and Software Maintenance to be an

ExaGrid certified vendor; alternative maintenance providers lack the necessary expertise to effectively support this unique system.

3. UNIQUE SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS THAT LIMIT AVAILABILITY TO ONLY ONE SOURCE, WITH THE

REASON NO OTHER SUPPLIES OR SERVICES CAN BE USED:

The ExaGrid devices utilize tiered backup that provided storage solution for up to thirty-two appliances. This allows data backups to be written to the tiered air gap disk-cache of the device at six times the rate of a normal backup. ExaGrid uses a repository tier where data is duplicated and stored in a series of objects and metadata. The ExaGrid system objects and metadata are not changed or modified, which makes them immutable. ExaGrid devices allow for long-term data retention and a retention time-lock option. Due to its second repository tier only being visible to ExaGrid software, only ExaGrid certified vendors can provide maintenance for these

4. REASON WHY CONTRACTOR IS THE ONLY SOURCE CAPABLE OF MEETING MISSION REQUIREMENTS;

SPECIFICALLY, THE REASON NO OTHER SOURCE CAN MEET THE UNIQUE CAPABILITIES IN SECTION 3:

This requirement is for a continuing maintenance contract to cover the hardware and software support on existing ExaGrid devices. The brand name must be specified to ensure that the contractor is a certified ExaGrid vendor and able to provide the government an proper maintenance contract supported by the manufacturer. Not using ExaGrid devices

Is this a follow-on contract? yes☐ no☐✔ If yes, provide contract number:

5. MARKET RESEARCH:

Market research occurred from January 2025 through August 2025 and was performed by the requiring activity and the contracting office. The market research findings showed that only ExaGrid brand name can provide the required hardware and software maintenance for SEC's existing ExaGrid information technology backup system. Only ExaGrid certified vendors can perform quality maintenance on ExaGrid systems. Market research techniques used included a review of commercial databases and recent market research results (W91ZLK-24-F-0236). A request for information posted on the Computer Hardware Enterprise Software Solutions (CHESS) program resulted in two informational quotes.

6. TECHNICAL CERTIFICATION:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which is included in the sections above, is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

NAME AND TITLE OF CUSTOMER

Michael Smith

DIGITAL SIGNATURE

SMITH.MICHAEL.AN

Digitally signed by

SMITH.MICHAEL.ANTHONY.104

THONY.1044495429 4495429

Date: 2025.08.28 17:31:42 -04'00'

EMAIL ADDRESS

michael.a.smith159.civ@army.mil

DATE

28 Aug 2025 mailto:michael.a.smith159.civ@army.mil

7. ACTIONS TO INCREASE COMPETITION (For Contracting Personnel Use):

Based on the market research conducted, it will be advantageous for the Government to acquire the HP brand-specific hardware and software maintenance IAW Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 16.505(a)(4) and 16.505(a)(4) – Restricting consideration to an item peculiar to one manufacturer (e.g., a particular brand-name, product, or a feature of a product that is peculiar to one manufacturer).

ExaGrid, Inc. has proprietary rights for the required hardware and software maintenance solutions and has authorized resellers. In-depth market research was conducted by both the requiring activity and Contract Specialist to identify any changes in the market conditions such as emergence of other that meets the specifications for this requirement. It was confirmed that currently there are no viable alternatives to the commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software maintenance solutions.

The ExaGrid hardware products being used are compatible only with maintenance and warranty support from the OEM. Therefore, ExaGrid, or its authorized resellers, are the only vendors who can provide the required hardware and software maintenance support. If the identified OEM elects to surrender their proprietary rights and move toward a complete open-source solution for the products being purchased under this procurement, then the Government will seek open competition as it pertains to the hardware and software maintenance.

Furthermore, the Government will continue to search the marketplace to determine if COTS alternative solutions exist. If the Government should determine these brand name solutions are no longer required or other solutions meets the Government’s needs, the Government will seek full and open competition for the required functionality. If similar requirements arise, every effort will be made to compete to the maximum extent practicable.

A Firm-Fixed-Priced (FFP) delivery order consisting for a 12-month Base Year and two (2) 12-months Option Years is recommended utilizing the CHESS ITES-3H contract vehicles for this procurement of Hardware and Software Maintenance Support.

This J&A is entered into the ACC APG Justification Log and Tracker as number JA-25-Inst & Tech-0665

8. CONTRACT SPECIALIST/PURCHASING AGENT REVIEW: COMPETE

I have done my due diligence in verifying the information presented above by the requiring activity and have attempted to obtain competition to the maximum extent practicable.

NAME OF REVIEWER

Christina R. Cheseldine

DIGITAL SIGNATURE

CHESELDINE.CHRIS

Digitally signed by

CHESELDINE.CHRISTINA.R.10429

TINA.R.1042996412 96412

Date: 2025.08.28 11:50:55 -04'00'

EMAIL ADDRESS

christina.r.cheseldine.civ@army.mil

28 Aug 2025

9. ENDORSEMENT OF THE ACC-APG TENANT DIVISION CONTRACTING OFFICER

I hereby ☐✔ approve / ☐disapprove this justification in accordance with the authority cited on this document.

Approval is based on the availability of funds and provided that the services and property herein described have been otherwise authorized for procurement.

NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

Birgit M. Jones

DIGITAL SIGNATURE EMAIL ADDRESS

birgit.m.jones.civ@army.mil mailto:christina.r.cheseldine.civ@army.mil mailto:birgit.m.jones.civ@army.mil

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