W9124D-20-Q-6514 IBM Cognos BI SW LSJ-MEPCOM signed Redacted.pdf

Control No: KNOX-SAT-2021-0003 IBM Cognos Business Intelligence (BI) Software License Subscription Renewal

Version – February 2017

Memorandum for Record – Limiting Competition at or below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

1. Contracting Activity: U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command- Fort Knox, 199 6th Ave., Fort Knox, KY 40121.

2. Description of Action: Headquarters United States Military Entrance Processing Command (HQ USMEPCOM) requests a firm-fixed-price task order for IBM Cognos Business Intelligence (BI) Software License Subscription renewal. The Government projects award for fiscal year 2021. Operation and Maintenance Army (OMA) funds have been budgeted. An acquisition plan is not required because this procurement is a supply and does not meet the threshold at Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation supplement 207.103(d)(i)(B).

Nature: New Requirement

Contract Vehicle: GSA Schedules

Purchase Order Number: 0011547145

Pricing/Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price

Funds: Operations & Maintenance, Army (OMA)

Fiscal Year: 2021

GSA Schedules: Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) vendors under NAICS 511210, where there are 884 vendors, of which 680 are small business vendors.

Brand Name Buy: Yes

3. Description of Services or Supplies: HQ USMEPCOM requests a firm-fixed-price task order for IBM Cognos Business Intelligence (BI) Software License Subscription renewal. The applicable NAICS Code is 511210, Software Publishers and the PSC is 7A21 IT and Telecom-Business Application Software (Perpetual License Software).

Period of coverage is 1 October 2020 through 30 September 2021; currently there is a lapse in coverage. It is anticipated that with approval of this justification, the task order award will reinstate the period of coverage back to 1 October 2020.

The total estimated value of the action is

IBM Cognos BI is a web-based integrated business intelligence suite. It provides a toolset for reporting, analytics, score-carding, and monitoring of events and metrics. The requested software consists of several components designed to meet the different information requirements in a company. This software allows HQ USMEPCOM to pull and manipulate data in order to provide internal and external reports. There are various

Version – February 2017 uses for this software to include, tracking of applicants as they proceed through each step of processing, validation of operations of providers that work on a fee basis to provide medical exams, and documentation of applicant consult appointments and associated invoicing. A breakdown of the products is provided below:

Item Part # Product Description U/I QTY 1 E03VJLL HCL Connections Authorized User Annual Software

Subscription and Support Renewal. (SITE: 3234622)

EA 455

2 E0BRXLL IBM InfoSphere DataStage and QualityStage Designer Workgroup Edition Concurrent User Annual SW Subscription & Support.

(SITE: 3234622)

EA 5

3 E0BRZLL IBM InfoSphere DataStage Workgroup Edition Processor Value Unit (PVU) Annual SW Subscription & Support Renewal

EA 500

4 E0K32LL IBM Cognos Business Intelligence Analytics User per Authorized User Annual SW Subscription & Support Renewal

EA 450

5 E0K30LL IBM Cognos Business Intelligence Analytics Administrator per Authorized User Annual SW Subscription & Support Renewal

EA 5

4. Authority: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), brand name - FAR 8.405-6(b)(1) Brand Name.

5. Reasons for Authority Cited: IBM Cognos Business Intelligence (BI) Software License Subscription renewal is required for the following reasons:

a. The mission of USMEPCOM is to process applicants for the regular and reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States. USMEPCOM has utilized the IBM COGNOS Business Intelligence (BI) software for approximately twenty years. The IBM COGNOS BI software is proprietary and only IBM can provide the software maintenance support. The software license subscription renewal with IBM provides USMEPCOM with security updates and patches to maintain the operational compliance.

Version – February 2017

b. Alternatives. Introducing another manufacturer’s product has been evaluated and procured. A replacement Business Intelligence (BI) system was procured via the Microsoft Enterprise Technical support Services-II/METSS-II (Contract HC102817D0001 / Task Order HC102819F1136 in September 2019. However, until configuration, testing and fielding of this replacement system occurs later in FY21, USMEPCOM must continue to operate the IBM Cognos application. USMEPCOM needs to continue to receive patches and updates as they are published so that operating systems remain current, secure, and complaint IAW DOD 8510.01 Risk Management Framework (RMF) instructions.

c. Impact if justification request is not approved. If the software license subscription is not renewed through IBM then the required patches and updates to remain compliant IAW RMF instructions will not be received. Failure to procure the requested software license subscription renewal would force the termination of business intelligence operations until the configuration, testing, and fielding of a replacement system occurs.

This would eliminate USMEPCOM’s ability to track, analyze, and report applicant-processing data for internal and external customers including all service components and DoD organizations for the next six to nine months. USMEPCOM would be unable to track applicants as they proceed through each step of processing, validate operations of Fee Basis Provider medical exams, and document applicant consult appointments and associated invoicing.

6. Publicizing Contract Actions: For FAR Part 13 actions, the public display and synopsis requirements of FAR 5.101 and FAR 5.203 apply and will be followed. In accordance with FAR 8.405-6(b)(3), the justification for the brand name will be redacted and posted with the solicitation.

7. Market Research: Army Directives and AFARS 5139.101-90(a)(1) state the Army’s CHESS program, under the Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems, is the mandatory source for commercial Information Technology (IT) hardware and software purchases. The Department of the Army mandates the use of the Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software & Solutions (CHESS) enterprise solutions to obtain all Information Technology (IT) products regardless of dollar amount. However, the requested products are not available through CHESS and an approved Statement of Non-availability has been provided.

Market research was conducted by the contract specialist from 25 - 29 September 2020. Market research results indicate the IT product is available on GSA eBuy through the GSA MAS, 511210 category schedule holders. The contract specialist requested verification of capabilities to provide the requested products from two small business GSA Schedule holders that provided budgetary quotes to USMEPCOM during the Market Research Phase. vendor responded with capability to provide the requested products via GSA eBuy. An RFI was issued to the GSA schedule holders on 25 September 2020 and closed with small business vendors responding with

Version – February 2017 capability to provide the requested product. There are a sufficient number of small business contractors available to set-aside this requirement for 100% small business.

RFI results support this action is not suitable for a socio-economic set-aside. Market research indicates this procurement can be satisfied by soliciting as 100% Small Business set-aside to the GSA eBuy MAS 511210 category schedule holders.

8. Other Facts:

Procurement History:

a. GS35F0312U/W9124D-20-F-0004, awarded to Four LLC on 4 October 2019 for $167,950. Competed unrestricted among GSA 70 schedule holders and resulted in three vendors responding (one large business and two small business vendors).

b. W52P1J-14-A-0003/W9124D-19-F-0023, awarded to Four LLC on 29 October

2018 for $167,777. Competed unrestricted among CHESS DOD ESI BPA contract holders with one small business vendor responding.

c. W52P1J-14-A-0003-2E15, awarded to Four LLC on 27 September 2017 for

$163,151. Competed unrestricted among CHESS DOD ESI BPA contract holders with two vendors responding (one large business and one small business).

Version – February 2017

9. Technical/Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

CIO/Director

10. Contracting Officer Certification/Approval: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based upon techniques identified in FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)(ii) and (v).

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that completing this purchase as a brand name is in the best interest of the Government. Additionally, I approve this justification to limit competition subject to the availability of funds and provided that the supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

Nathalie W. Riley Contracting Officer