IA02_LSJ_W9124D19Q6404_USAREC_Gartner_SW_Spt_22_Jul_2019__Redacted.pdf

Control No: Knox-2019-39 Program/Equipment: USAREC Gartner Data

Version – March 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

JUSTIFICATION REVIEW DOCUMENT

FAR 8.405-6 LIMITED SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

UNDER THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

FEDERAL SUPPLY PROGRAM

Program/Equipment: This is a request from United States Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) G-6 Branch to procure Gartner Information License Subscription for research and consulting services.

Authority: Title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41U.S.C.

251, et. Seq) and Title 40 U.S.C 501, Services for Executive Agencies, as implemented by FAR 8.405-6.

Amount:

Prepared by:

Contracting Officer:

Technical:

Requirements:

Version – March 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support an exception to fair opportunity.

Version – March 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

FAR 8.405-6 Limited Sources Justification Under the General Services Administration

Federal Supply Schedule Program

1. Contracting Activity: Mission and Installation Contracting Command – Fort Knox

2. Description of Action: USAREC requests placing a firm-fixed-price, sole source delivery order to Gartner, Inc., a large business utilizing the Department of Defense (DoD) Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) N6600119A0049. Rates are based on the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract 47QTCA18D008L. Projected award is August 2019 and fiscal year 2019, Operations and Maintenance funds will be used. An acquisition plan is not required because this procurement does not meet the threshold at Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 207.103(d)(i)(B).

3. Description of Supplies/Services: This requirement is to procure brand name, Gartner information technology (IT) Research and Advisory Subscription License Agreements to access web-based products and services through a research database. The same supplier must provide both research and solutions through their database. The licenses provide unlimited access to telephone inquiry support, access to research via the websites, and analyst support for the number of users registered. These licenses enable clients to anticipate, react, plan, evaluate, and implement IT initiatives to support their underlying business and end-user requirements. The license support provides Army to access strategic advice, market intelligence, and analysis of all IT areas to include emerging trends, technologies, and detailed analysis of products, markets, technologies, and competition. Included in the license, is access to Gartner analysts who hold facility clearance that provides advice, education, counsel, and support through research, reports, consultation, and continuous, personal interaction. Additionally, the license support includes computer operations, configuration and maintenance. Gartner is an independent technology and market research company that focuses on delivering research-based services to its customers. The company aligns research, data, advisory, and consulting services to its customers' agendas and helps them understand existing and potential impacts of technology. Further, it works with customers to create a customized package that fits their needs and based on specific pre-established requirements that provide independent advice on tactical and strategic IT decisions as well as expert advice on a broad range of technical topics that specifically focus on industry and market trends. The following licenses acquired through this purchase will support USAREC:

a. Gartner Executive Program Leadership Team - Team Leader QTY 1

b. Gartner Executive Program Leadership Team – Delegate Member QTY 2

c. Gartner Executive Program Leadership Team – Partner Member QTY 2

d. Gartner Executive Program Leadership Team – Advisor Member QTY 3

e. Gartner Technical Professionals Advisor Department QTY 1

Base Period: 15 August 2019 to 14 August 2020 Value:

4. Authority Cited: Title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41U.S.C. 251, et. Seq) and Title 40 U.S.C 501, Services for Executive Agencies, as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.405-6 and substantiated by the following:

Version – March 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B). Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized.

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

(a) Due to Army Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (AFARS) 5139, Computer Hardware Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS) was given first consideration for IT products. DoD-ESI has provided only one vendor on the BPA with the stated capability at the level of quality required of the Gartner product. The license subscriptions provided to the Army are exclusive to Gartner. Gartner has proprietary rights to their published material and is subject to copyright protection. No other contractors or distributors can legally obtain access nor make duplicate copies, since copyrights and patent laws protect it. Gartner, Inc. owns all proprietary rights, does not have authorized resellers, and is the only contractor that is capable of providing the licenses. Gartner is the only company that can provide the licenses. Gartner provides meaningful support and guidance towards the Army’s goals, and is the only company able to handle top secret and secret documents, which is included in the licenses subscription (sole source

(b) USAREC, G6 is responsible to provide a globally dispersed command with all IT needs. This includes computers, internet, and telecommunications equipment. In order to provide the most efficient and cost saving equipment, G6 must determine industry standards. G6 has determined that the civilian industry in most cases, have already been down most paths and have determined the best practices. Gartner is the only CHESS approved vendor that has compiled research leaders and has access to provide pertinent data in one location. Research materials provided by Gartner have proven to be invaluable to USAREC’s IT needs, as it keeps them abreast of the latest technological advances and trends that otherwise would require hundreds of man-hours to compile.

If LSJ is not approved, it will result in degraded service for USAREC that would affect the execution of its mission since they will not be able to efficiently support their globally dispersed force with the most updated technological trends unique in each of their geographical locations.

USAREC will incur significant downtime and critical operational loss if the specialized support offered by Gartner is not in place. The licenses for this product are renewed yearly to support current operations. Army Recruiters have to effectively communicate with Generations Y (those born between 1984 and 1996) and Z (those born after 1997). Gartner provides extensive technological research to the Command to define emerging communication trends based on desired age groups. Gartner has research papers from industry professionals providing the latest advancements in technology. The Command has to be knowledgeable of the latest technology in use in order to reach the target market of applicants.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: The items requested fall within scope of a DOD ESI BPA. Per AFARS 5139, all in scope items must be procured through the CHESS contract vehicle unless a statement of non-availability and Information Technology Approval System (ITAS) waiver exist for the product or services.

7. Market Research: Market research was limited to searching mandatory sources for availability of the product. The items requested fall within scope of a CHESS/DOD-ESI

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9. Technical 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.

Date: See Electronic Signature

10. 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.

Date: See Electronic Signature

11. Best Value Determination/Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the order, represents the best value to the Government in accordance with FAR 8.405- 6(c)(2)(v). Additionally, I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable.

This determination will be made using price analysis.

Date: See Electronic Signature Daniel J. Hereford Contracting Officer

12. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date: See Electronic Signature Daniel J. Hereford Contracting Officer