Records A3. RA Justification for Sole Source NetApp Redacted.docx

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

MARINE CORPS INSTALLATIONS NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO

3250 CATLIN AVENUE QUANTICO VIRGINIA 22134 5001

J&A No. M00264-25-JA-0021 FAR Subpart 16.5 Justification for Exception to Fair Opportunity FAR Subpart 16.5 Justification for Exception to Fair Opportunity

JUSTIFICATION FOR AN EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY – NASA SEWP

(Acquisition Over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold)

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

Requiring Activity: Marine Corps Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Enterprise (MCISRE) Insider Threat Program (InTP).

Contracting Activity: Marine Corps Installations National Capital Region - Regional Contracting Office (MCINCR-RCO)

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

The purpose for this purchase is to replace the Storage Area Network (SAN) that has reached the end-of-life and thus is not able to support the large amount of data that the MCISRE Insider Threat Program has to maintain.

3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

NetApp AFF C30 with 24x15.3TB drives - 36 months of maintenance

N9336C Cluster Switch

The planned period of performance is 1-Aug-2025 to 31-Jul-2026. The planned delivery date will be 1-Aug-2025.

4. Identification of the exception to fair opportunity and the supporting rationale.

FAR 16.505(a)(4) – The requirement is for an item that is peculiar to one manufacturer.

NetApp Storage solution is compatible with the existing infrastructure. The NetApp solution is fully integrated with multiple IT systems and applications within the Insider Threat Program (InTP) office. Over the last 15 years, the NetApp solution has proven to be stable and meets performance needs without downtime or data loss. Switching to another storage solution would require MCISRE to invest in more resources to determine if the existing IT systems and applications will be compatible and require extensive reconfiguration. Staying with the NetApp storage system avoids downtime or disruptions during migration to another vendor. The InTP relies on time sensitive review of events, a change to another storage solutions will negatively impact the Marine Corps’ mission.

At this time there are no alternative devices that will work due to incompatibility issues on the network. Some of the known issues with ordering alternative devices are:

· Cost and Impact: Introducing non-NetApp devices could escalate costs, introduce delays, and necessitate additional training expenses to prepare engineers for installation and configuration of devices. Rejecting this request might result in persisting with outdated storage systems, thereby jeopardizing services, and potentially leading to catastrophic failures.

· Security: Introducing non-NetApp devices could significantly impact network security and operational continuity. In summary, the NetApp solution and NetApp AFF system continues to offer compatibility, efficiency, and reliability, while non-NetApp alternatives pose risks and higher costs.

FAR 6.302-1(2) states, “When the supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source, or, for DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, from only one or a limited number of responsible sources, and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, full and open competition need not be provided for.

Department of Navy (DoN) Enterprise Software Licensing (ESL) Agreement for NetApp is a mandatory source of supply for DoN customers to purchase all NetApp hardware, software licenses, hardware/software maintenance, and professional services. A Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) Agency Catalog has been established by the DON for the purchase of all NetApp products. SEWP is a Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) that is managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

5. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

A price analysis in accordance with FAR 15.404-1(b) will be performed to determine the cost is fair and reasonable.

6. Any other facts supporting the justification.

All facts have been presented.

7. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the exception to fair opportunity before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

MCISRE intends to monitor the market and conduct market research to identify any emerging solutions that may satisfy future similar requirements. Should such solutions become available during the lifecycle of the current requirement, the Government will consider whether switching to and installing new systems is in the Governments best interest and seek competition to the maximum extent practicable.

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