Redacted LSJ.pdf

J&A Number: 25-0298

Unified Computing System is a suite of components, hardware, virtualization, switching fabric, and software, which Cisco introduced in 2009; UCS is a Cisco brand. The Cisco UCS suite utilizes Netapp storage components, VMWare software, and other hardware & software only after it�s been validated as compatible under the Cisco UCS concept; a validation process which ensures the products they deliver work seamlessly with each other right �out of the box�. The UCS suite is only available from Cisco/Netapp because they are the only organization(s) which validates and certifies for UCS compatibility. The suite of existing hardware and software is a Cisco UCS; the new hardware and software in this procurement request needs to be 100% compatible with the existing equipment.

All the products in this procurement action will be assembled together to establish an unclassified Defense Research and Engineering Network VDI with the service being provided to multiple Teams . This hardware and software will be assembled to expand the capabilities of a smaller but already established VDI. The existing infrastructure contains Cisco UCS Series Fabric Interconnects and Fabric Extenders essential to the operation of the Cisco UCS Blade Chassis and Blade Server infrastructure. The interconnects/extenders in conjunction with the Cisco UCS Manager ensure that workload balance and failover occur as needed. The storage appliances used for our infrastructure are only available from Netapp and is 100% compatible with the existing network infrastructure already established on the network. The technology, proprietary to NetApp, Write Anywhere File Layout (WAFL) support high-performance RAID configurations, is able to support rapidly increasing storage capacities, and has built-in data saving features to ensure inactive data never goes �stale�.

Our storage arrays are used to store and maintenance of Research and Development data

, and have retention requirements for some programs as long as 10 years or more. In addition, the existing infrastructure is required to maintain 66 Terabytes (TB) of data consisting of Applications, source code, etc. and is growing with each passing day. In conjunction with WAFL, NetApp�s Storage Deduplication technology allows us to store the amount of data required by our Programs in physically less space providing a storage savings of up to 75% in some cases. Once properly assembled by a properly certified manufacturer partner, the entire system will provide the organization the ability to begin virtualizing workstations/desktops reducing our physical computer footprint.

5. Determination by the Ordering Activity Contracting Officer that the Order Represents the Best Value Consistent with FAR 8.404(d).

In accordance with FAR 8.404(d), by placing an order against a schedule contract, the ordering activity has concluded that the order represents the best value and results in the lowest overall cost alternative to meet the Government�s needs. Additionally, NAVAIR will seek additional discounts from the schedule holder before placing an order, as the order will exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, in accordance with FAR 8.405-4(d).

J&A Number: 25-0298

6. A Description of the Market Research Conducted among Schedule Holders and the Results or a Statement of the Reason Market Research was not Conducted.

Market research was not conducted because 100% compatibility with existing hardware and software is required. Transitioning the existing data onto new storage devices from another manufacturer would cause the recreation of Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment pipelines on new infrastructures, which will cause unnecessary delays

7. Any other Facts Supporting the Justification.

If not purchased, the increased data collection activities of the programs will overrun our current capacities, our expansion capabilities will be severely limited, and the availability of resources will be adversely affected. This would force some critical organizations to reduce the amount of historical information they maintain about specific flight results, missions, software, and adversary data and would delay the ability of the organization to deploy virtual machines to a growing user base of software development teams. Additional delays with the deployment of Windows 11 Virtual Machines will jeopardize our compliance

8. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers that Preclude the Agency from Meeting the Requirements of FAR 8.405-1 and FAR 8.405-2 before any Subsequent Acquisition for the Supplies or Services is Made.

If a requirement to replace the existing system became necessary, market research would be conducted. However, the additional rework, migration to new hardware, and the transition of existing software tools and utilities which need to be deployed in order to support the hardware-in-the-loop testing, software development environments, data analysis, etc would require additional labor and funding resources not identified in this document or supporting quotes. An evaluation of the entire migration effort will need to take place for a cost to be determined.