S02 - Redacted JA - COVID-19 TIC HW Exp 8.24.20-Signed.pdf

COVID -19 VA Enterprise Infrastructure Modernization and Refresh FORCE Number VA-20-00078282 among resellers is available for the required brand name Cisco and NetApp CVI components. This procurement will allow VA to upgrade, modernize and refresh of existing storage infrastructure to virtualize storage and compute space. VA requires this storage upgrade to support COVID-19 efforts that have expanded remote work capabilities, call center capabilities, and video teleconferencing capabilities. The additional storage capability from this procurement will allow for these efforts to continue to be supported, and expanded if necessary. Without procurement of the required brand name Cisco and CVI components, VA’s storage infrastructure will be insuffient to support any additional expansion to the volume of people who are accessing VA services. This will cause a negative impact on VA’s ability to provide services to Veterans.

The current infrastructure at each data center consists of only Cisco servers and NetApp data storage systems, and associated software and firmware. VA is not replacing the existing infrastructure, but rather upgrading/refreshing it with additional CVI components to provide increased performance and system availability to support COVID-19 efforts. The additional CVI components must be fully compatible with existing infrastructure within the data centers and storage facilities in both TIC Gateway facilities to ensure full interoperability and compatibility within each site and between the sites to allow for the transfer of data. No other brand virtualization hardware and software is interoperable or compatible with the existing infrastructure at the Chicago, Dallas, San Jose, Sterling, Waco and Denver facilities due to proprietary constraints.

Only brand name Cisco and NetApp FlexPod CVI software and hardware components can be integrated into the existing environment to ensure compatibility and interoperability with the existing systems. Introducing any other brand hardware and software would greatly increase the risk of network outages, data transfer issues, and project implementation impediments, thereby introducing an unacceptable level of risk to the VA network infrastructure and support processes. Furthermore, use of any other CVI components could potentially cause latency and stability issues to the existing systems within the infrastructure of the TIC gateways, and could also result in critical downtime and possible corruption of data. In addition, VA requires one source to provide the integrated set of CVI components due to the interactivity of both brands working together as part of the FlexPod CVI proprietary design.

Remote configuration and maintenance support of the CVI components is also required to ensure the Flexpod CVI continues to run efficiently. Due to the proprietary nature of the Flexpod CVI, only Cisco or NetApp and its authorized resellers can provide the required configuration services, license keys and maintenance support for the products to operate. Cisco or NetApp, or its authorized resellers are the only sources available that can provide software updates, troubleshooting, patches, and version releases as well as replacement parts and remediation services for the hardware and software components of the CVI. Other manufacturers do not have the proprietary source code or replacement parts necessary to provide the required maintenance. Maintenance performed by parties not authorized by Cisco or NetApp invalidate product warranties and remove liability for performance of the CVI from the manufacturers.