Brand_Name_Justification.pdf

SUBJECT: Brand Name Justification, Check Point Annual Support and Maintenance

SOLICITATION NUMBER: SB1341-16-RQ-0002

CONTACT POINTS: RICHARD KIM, Contract Specialist (301) 975-6219;

KEITH BUBAR, Contracting Officer (301) 975-8329

DESCRIPTION: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate with authorized resellers for the brand name procurement of Check Point annual hardware/software maintenance, support, and security packages (blades) to be used at the Office of Information Systems Management, at NIST in Gaithersburg, MD and Boulder, CO. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 USC 3304(a)(1).

***** Brand Name Justification is based on the following: The NIST network Security Team uses strategically placed Check Point firewalls to provide network security protection for both

NIST campuses. The NIST firewall infrastructure is based on Check Point products. The firewall infrastructure consists of Check Point firewalls running the Check Point firewall application, Check Point management devices, and other devices supporting firewall management. The firewalls are considered a moderate availability service at NIST; therefore, firewall appliances are deployed in redundant pairs with one active and one standby appliance at each enforcement point. Because the NIST firewall infrastructure is based on Check Point products, the refreshment of the existing infrastructure must also be Check Point products, to allow for uninterrupted service and unnecessary costs.

Due to the proprietary nature of firewall products, the hardware, software, and maintenance are commingled. Purchasing new hardware and integrated software would result in redundant costs to the government and impose a substantial learning curve for government employees. Check

Point hardware/software maintenance and technical support are only available through manufacturer approved and authorized vendors.