REDACTED BNJ.docx

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION FOR SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS

From:

To: Contracts Department, Code 02

Subj: BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

1. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIRED SUPPLIES/SERVICES, ESTIMATED VALUE, AND DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division’s (NSWCCD) Additive Manufacturing Project Office Code 618 is in need of six (6) Expeditionary Fabrication (XFAB) network systems with the capability to perform intensive computing tasks and be inclusive of all supporting software; a Network Attached Storage (NAS) with the ability to hot swap storage drives; and a network switch capable of receiving and delivering gigabit fiber while connected to the MCEN network. The entire system shall also include an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) for safe shutdown of the high performance computer (HPC). The acquisition of the XFAB network systems will support ongoing Marine Corps programs that provide fleet operation readiness and operational availability, specifically in the XFAB program of record. The initial period of performance (PoP) of this contract is 3 months from contract award with one (1) optional period, with a PoP of three (3) months from date of exercise. The initial award is required no later than Dec 30, 2020. Based on market research, the estimated value of the contract, including the option period, is $ with the initial base period cost of $. The brand names for the XFAB network system for this requirement are:

· Pelican Products, Inc.

· Dell

· Synology Inc.

· Cisco Systems, Inc.

· APC by Schneider Electric

2. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR BRAND NAME BASED ON BRAND’S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION The six (6) XFAB HPC Network Systems will be utilized to support the ongoing Marine Corps XFAB program of record that provides fleet operation readiness and operational availability to the mobilized fleet. This procurement will enable the engineers at NSWCCD to support first article testing being conducted in conjunction with NSWC Crane and Marine Corps Systems Command. The existing XFAB HPC Network Systems, comprised of the components in this procurement, has already gone through significant configuration management tests in order to obtain an Authorization to Operate (ATO) utilizing the components tied to the individual make/models of hardware identified in this procurement.

The brand name component is required in order to replicate first article units for testing at NSWC Crane as this brand name component was already tested and proven in the existing XFAB HPC Network System. The item previously procured is being used to obtain testing certification, cybersecurity certification, and fielding approval from USMC Program Manager Supply & Maintenance Systems. If this, or any, brand name component are replaced within the system, additional testing and a new ATO would be required resulting in a 3-6 month delay in acquisition and development of XFAB. This delay to this mission essential work for the Marine Corps Systems Command is undesirable.

Additionally, failure to procure the brand name component will result in significant re-work and additional expense to the government to include:

· Re-work of previously completed engineering work, conducted for form/fit/function. Estimated cost of re-work: $ (~2 FTE)

· Re-work of previously completed cybersecurity work, conducted to secure individual systems (to include networking equipment, UPS, and laptop configuration) and to obtain Authorization to Operate (ATO) which is tied to individual make/models of hardware. Estimated cost of re-work: $ (~1 FTE)

· Re-work of network engineering design and requirement verification. Non-similar network hardware will result in additional analysis of network speed, bandwidth, latency, and security needs. This is required both for functional testing verification as well as cybersecurity verification. Estimated cost of re-work: $ (.3 FTE)

· Execution of additional environmental testing. A change in equipment will require additional testing efforts to ensure new components are survivable. Estimated cost of re- work: $ plus additional hardware items to test with.

· Additional costs will be required due to logistical considerations. Multiple hardware baselines will exist, causing tracking and supply considerations for fielded XFAB systems. Estimated cost of logistical differences: $ per year.

· Additional costs will be incurred due to increased cybersecurity and software development efforts. Multiple software baselines will exist, causing nearly double the effort in maintaining software, patching, and also ensuring interoperability and compatibility between software items. Estimated cost of software differences: $ per year (1 FTE).

An award to an offerer for other than the brand name components would result in: a) substantial duplication of costs to the U.S. government, which would not be expected to be recovered through open competition of minimum specifications, and b) unacceptable delays in the completion of mission essential work.

3. MARKET SURVEY

There are several companies who are capable of providing the component meeting the brand name specification available on a GSA schedule.

4. ADDITIONAL FACTS

None.

5. CUSTOMER SIGNATURE:

I certify that the statements and information provided above, are complete and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the processing of this brand name justification precludes the use of full and open competition.