Req 100625WSP91 DELL SAN Brand Name JA - R.pdf

Page 1 of

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

SECTION 1: IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND THE CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

Department of State Contracting Activity Acquisition Management Directorate (AMD)

Requiring Activity Bureau of Intelligence & Research Technology & Innovation Office (INR/TIO)

SECTION 2: NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING APPROVED

A delivery order under multiple award contract on a brand name basis is needed for the Bureau of Intelligence & Research Technology & Innovation Office (INR/TIO) who currently has need for operational and maintenance (O&M) support for its current Storage Areas Network (SAN) servers for approximately and it is required to be delivered NLT 8/29/2025.

SECTION 3: DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY’S NEEDS

The request is for the purchase of an additional enclosure expansion for Dell O&M Annual Support for its SANS server that is currently operational that is estimated to be . This annual support request must be only awarded to an authorized DELL O&M Support vendor based on its proprietary nature. A table with the Bill of Material (BOM) is provided below.

Period of performance for this renewal is 08/08/2025 through 09/29/2026.

Req xxx Item # P/N: Description Qty

1 886-5842 POWERSTORE NVME ENS24 FIELD ProSupport 4-Hour 7x24 Onsite Service 1

2 891-5164 POWERSTORE NVME ENS24 FIELD ProSupport 4-Hour 7x24 Onsite Medium Capacity SSD Add On 24

3 848-3675 POWERSTORE NVME ENS24 FIELD Keep Your Hard Drive for Enterprise Medium Capacity SSD Add-On 24

4 886-5844 POWERSTORE NVME ENS24 FIELD ProSupport 4-Hour 7x24 Technical Support and Assistance 1

5 869-3958 POWERSTORE NVME ENS24 FIELD Keep Your Hard Drive For Enterprise 1

6 886-5842 POWERSTORE NVME ENS24 FIELDUPG ProSupport 4-Hour 7x24 Onsite Service 1

7 891-5142 POWERSTORE NVME ENS24 FIELDUPG ProSupport 4-Hour 7x24 Onsite High Capacity SSD Add On 24

8 886-5844 POWERSTORE NVME ENS24 FIELDUPG ProSupport 4-Hour 7x24 Technical Support and Assistance 1

9 869-3958 POWERSTORE NVME ENS24 FIELDUPG Keep Your Hard Drive For Enterprise 1

Page 2 of

10 870-3754 POWERSTORE NVME ENS24 FIELDUPG Keep Your Hard Drive for Enterprise High Capacity SSD Add-On 24

11 886-5805 POWERSTORE 500T CUSTOMER RACK ProSupport 4-Hour 7x24 Onsite Service 1

12 886-5807 POWERSTORE 500T CUSTOMER RACK ProSupport 4-Hour 7x24 Technical Support and Assistance 1

13 847-9507 POWERSTORE 500T CUSTOMER RACK Keep Your Hard Drive for Enterprise 1

14 848-3675 POWERSTORE 500T CUSTOMER RACK Keep Your Hard Drive for Enterprise Medium Capacity SSD Add-On 25

15 891-5164 POWERSTORE NVME ENS24 FIELD ProSupport 4-Hour 7x24 Onsite Medium Capacity SSD Add On 25

INR/TIO currently utilizes this DELL solution for its SANS needs. The items listed within this request will augment the existing INR/TIO network as part of its 24x7 O&M server support requirements. Any other manufacturer’s product other than DELL would not be compatible with the existing system.

SECTION 4. IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

This acquisition is conducted pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 4103 and 4106 as implemented by FAR 16.505(b)(2) and substantiated by the following:

☒ FAR 16.505(a)(4)– Only one Brand can provide the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or high specialized.

As this is a brand name only justification, no one contractor’s unique qualifications are used as the basis for this justification. Rather, the product identified by brand name herein have been identified as one of the key products, currently in use by INR. It is anticipated that the requirement will be competed among NASA SEWP V authorized resellers and award will be made based on that.

SECTION 5: DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE

QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES USE OF THE AUTHORITY

CITED

The use of a brand-name is essential to meet system security requirements and to continue INR/TIO sustainment of the INRISS SANS environment. DELL annual systems support will be utilized for this equipment that is copyright protected intellectual property to DELL and can only be provided by an approved vendor by DELL or their authorized reseller/distributor. This will also ensure that counterfeit types of software will not compromise the DOS network and the TS/SCI fabric for the Department.

SECTION 6. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS WERE SOLICITED FROM AS

MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS IS PRACTICABLE, INCLUDING WHETHER A NOTICE WAS OR

Page 3 of

WILL BE PUBLICIZED AS REQUIRED BY FAR SUBPART 5.2 AND, IF NOT, WHICH EXCEPTION

UNDER FAR 5.202 APPLIES

The Market Research Tool via SEWP V Portal was used to perform a preliminary search using the criteria of “Dell” as the Provider. Then based on the initial results query, a sub-search by part number for the items requisition. The number of SEWP Contract Holders able to DELL and the identified description are displayed below:

There is a total of 118 SEWP small business contractors have DELL on contract. Of those small business, between 4 through 9 small businesses on the specific part numbers on contract.

The market research results are evidence that this requirement should be set aside for small business.

SECTION 7. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED COST

TO THE GOVERNMENT IS FAIR AND REASONABLE

Vendors must quote prices at or below their NASA SEWP V established contract unit ceiling prices for each item. The SEWP contracts are FAR Part 12 Commercial Contracts, and additional price analysis was done in accordance with the following: The price design for SEWP is a proposed discount off the offeror’s commercial list price. Price analysis was conducted in accordance with FAR 15.305(a)(1), to ensure that a "fair and reasonable" price is paid by the Government.

Reasonableness of proposed prices was established in accordance with 15.403-1(c)(1)(i)(B) which provides that a price is based on adequate price competition if two or more responsible offerors, competing independently submitted price offers that satisfy the Government's expressed requirement and there are not any findings that the price of an otherwise successful offer is unreasonable. To verify price reasonableness, offerors were instructed to submit their published price catalog or published schedule of list prices in a form

Page 4 of regularly maintained by the manufacturer or offerors, such as a catalog, price list, schedule, or other verifiable and established record. Additionally, each contractor may propose a discount off of product categories (such as input-output device) of IT equipment, licenses, and/or support/maintenance.

These discounts remain for the life of the contract. Therefore, when new technology is added or list prices change due to market fluctuations, the SEWP price remains fair and reasonable. There are several other price reasonability checkpoints in SEWP:

When items are added or prices updated on a SEWP contract, prices are automatically compared to other SEWP contracts and must be within a reasonable price of all other contracts All SEWP Delivery Orders are subject to fair opportunity through competitive procedures through the SEWP RFQ Tool. This internal competition provides an incentive for Contract Holders to provide the best possible price in order to be selected for award.

Pursuant to FAR 16.202-2(a) the Contracting officer can establish fair and reasonable prices at the outset when there is adequate price competition.

By signing the justification, the Contracting Officer makes a determination that the price paid under this delivery order is fair and reasonable.

SECTION 8: DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED (SEE PART 10) AND THE

RESULTS OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASON MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED

The initial market research was conducted to give INR/TIO an estimate for the desired products/services. The use of DELL brand name is essential to the Government’s requirements, thereby precluding consideration of the products of another manufacturer. It is anticipated that the final award will be to the entity providing the best competitive price among NASA SEWP V authorized resellers.

SECTION 9. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION

The use of a brand-name is essential to meet system compatibility requirements and to continue INR/TIO sustainment of the INRISS Network. Elevated levels of RAM ensure that timely information is delivered to key Department Officials. This service is a necessary enabler to ensure predictable and sustainable RAM of the INRISS Network and builds credibility with the user community. As this is a brand name justification, any authorized Infoblox reseller’s qualifications/services are requested. This will be competed amongst brand name authorized resellers of the products listed within the justification.

SECTION 10. LISTING OF THE SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN WRITING, AN INTEREST

IN THE ACQUISITION

To date, no other sources have written to express interest.

Page 5 of

SECTION 11. STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES

REQUIRED

The Department of State shall conduct future market research if the current product becomes obsolete. There are currently no known actions that the Department may take to overcome barriers to competition for the acquisition of the DELL expansion encloser due to the proprietary nature of this device from DELL or their designated partners on a brand name basis.