SATPC0042829 Tab 06 BNJ..pdf
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- BeeGFS file system licenses for 3 HPC clusters
- Solicitation number
- 80NSSC26944519Q
About this file
This is a NASA Shared Services Center Recommendation and Determination to Solicit from One Source or Brand Name justification document dated March 15, 2017.
NASA Shared Services Center is recommending a brand name justification to procure BeeGFS file system licenses from ThinkParQ GmbH for three High Performance Computing (HPC) clusters. The total estimated cost is not specified in the document, with performance periods spanning from November 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027, with variations for different clusters (12/31/2026-12/31/2027 and 03/01/2026-12/31/2027). The justification indicates that BeeGFS is currently operational at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and specifically designed to provide parallel file system storage for HPC cluster environments. Continuing with this software minimizes implementation and integration risk, avoids system reconfiguration and personnel retraining, and protects the Government's existing investment in the infrastructure.
The document establishes that using an alternative vendor or brand would render approximately $1.7 million in HPC hardware unable to function as intended for several weeks, significantly disrupting scientific model processing dependent on parallel computing. The Government team lacks the specialized expertise required to rebuild the storage and HPC clusters with alternative software, resulting in substantial additional costs for alternative solutions and specialized labor. A cluster rebuild would introduce significant technical and schedule risk, particularly given aging hardware components that may lack compatibility with different software products or versions, further extending system downtime and jeopardizing mission-critical scientific workloads. The justification concludes that continued use of the existing operational solution minimizes disruption, protects the Government's million-dollar hardware investment, and reduces technical, financial, and schedule risks.
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Page 1 V2.0 3-15-2017
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
NASA SHARED SERVICES CENTER
RECOMMENDATION AND DETERMINATION TO SOLICIT FROM ONE SOURCE
OR BRAND NAME
PICK ONE
Sole Source:
☐I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate with Vendor Name only for . The total estimated cost of this effort is $ and the estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is Date.
OR
Brand Name Justification:
☒I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate only with vendors who can provide the subject band name from ThinkParQ GmbH for BeeGFS file system licenses for 3 HPC clusters The total estimated cost of this effort is and the estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is 11/01/2026-12/31/2027,12/31/2026-12/31/2027,03/01/2026-12/31/2027.
This recommendation is for the acquisition of supplies or services determined to be reasonably available from only one source/only one manufacture. Competition is impractical for the following reasons (please answer the questions below):
1. What are the reasons for soliciting only the suggested source/suggested brand name? Please provide the unique characteristics of the items or services along with the supporting rationale and the market research performed to substantiate your reason for the suggested source/brand name.
This software is currently operational at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and is specifically designed to provide parallel file system storage for High Performance Computing (HPC) cluster environments. Its proven compatibility with the Government’s existing HPC infrastructure provides a reliable and mission-ready solution. Continuing with this software minimizes implementation and integration risk, avoids unnecessary system reconfiguration and personnel retraining, and protects the Government’s existing investment. Replacing it with an alternative solution could introduce compatibility, performance, migration, and operational risks that may adversely impact mission requirements. Therefore, procurement of this software supports operational continuity, technical compatibility, and efficient use of Government resources.
2. What is the impact to the government if another vendor/brand is used? Include any dollar, schedule, or compatibility impacts if possible.
Failure to procure the required software would render approximately $1.7M in HPC hardware unable to function as intended for several weeks, significantly disrupting or halting the processing of scientific models dependent on parallel computing. The Government team does not currently possess the specialized expertise required to rebuild the storage and HPC clusters, resulting in additional costs for an alternative software solution and specialized labor.A cluster rebuild would also introduce substantial technical and schedule risk, particularly because portions of the existing hardware are aging and may not be compatible with a different software product or version. This could further extend system downtime, increase costs, and jeopardize ongoing scientific and mission critical workloads. Continued use of the existing, operational solution therefore minimizes disruption, protects the Government’s existing million dollar hardware investment, and reduces significant technical, financial, and schedule risks.
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