iia03_w9124d24q0085_jefo_iperms veritas netbackup_redacted 26 mar 24_Released.pdf

Control Number: KNOX-SAT-2024-0076

JUN 2023

5. Reason for Authority Cited: Veritas branded products are required for the following reasons:

a. The iPERMS backup systems infrastructure is comprised of Veritas branded products. Around 2006, the Decision, Analysis, Resolution (DAR) group conducted an analysis of various software products to determine which products provided the best solution for Army requirements at a reasonable cost. The process included initiating a request to industry for product lines, testing and analysis of functionality, and once a decision was made on product, procurement was conducted. As of that time, Veritas has remained the product best suited to meet the need and has become an integral part of the backup system infrastructure. This procurement is for renewal of software maintenance support for Veritas products that are incorporated into the existing infrastructure; the maintenance is proprietary to Veritas.

b. If this request is not approved, there is an unacceptable level of risk to the application backup and day to day operations that could make it difficult or impossible for HRC customers and stakeholders to perform their functions that support the Mission. If the data backup capability is degraded or has a total outage, every customer that needs access to an application and every application that depends upon the application may stop functioning.

c. To use other than the brand name items would incur additional cost and time for technical team personnel to ensure the other named items would be compatible with the existing iPERMS infrastructure.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: Periodically, DAR analysis is conducted to assess technological changes/improvements, and decisions are made to ensure the most effective (both cost/technology) remain in the best interest of the Government. The products to be acquired with this acquisition fit within the framework of a larger end to end system therefore, no other brands were considered. Upon end-of-life cycle of the entire system, all available software packages available from Computer Hardware Enterprise Software Solutions (CHESS) vendors will be considered.

7. Market Research: This action is an Information Technology (IT) procurement and CHESS is the mandatory source determined by the Army. HRC posted a request for market research quote on CHESS platform ITES-SW2, number 480798 on 6 February 2024 with responses due 13 February 2024. Responses were received from 11 vendors affirming they could provide the product and provided market research quotes. Responses included multiple large businesses and multiple small businesses. Market research supports that this requirement shall be satisfied by soliciting through CHESS ITES-SW2 contract holders.

During the past ear, additional market research was conducted. HRC attempted to identify sources for competition via internet searches and via the Army CHESS program. The

Control Number: KNOX-SAT-2024-0076

JUN 2023

driving factor for this effort is to identify reputable vendors who offer the equipment who are also covered under the Army VERITAS maintenance program. HRC identified VERITAS and Tandberg corporations as the only companies covered under the VERITAS maintenance program.

Also, HRC conducted a review of the VERITAS maintenance program to determine whether equipment exists from alternative manufacturers that are covered on the VERITAS maintenance program. It was determined that there are no known compatible maintenance programs to meet Mission requirements.

8. Other Facts:

Procurement history.

(1) Contract: W9124D23F0251 Period of Performance: 26 April 2023 to 25 April 2024 Authority: FAR 16.505(a)(4) Contractor: WWT Award Amount: $157,711.32 Prior justification was for brand name product like that herein. Four offers were received.

Circumstances remain unchanged until end of life cycle of current platform.

(2) Contract: W9124D21F0419 Period of Performance: 21 September 2021 through 20 September 2022 Authority: FAR 16.505(a)(4) Contractor: WWT Award Amount: $88,187.40 Prior justification was for brand name product like that herein. Two offers were.

Circumstances remain unchanged until end of life cycle of current platform.

(3) Contract: W9124D20F0631 Period of Performance: 21 September 2020 through 20 September 2021 Authority: FAR 16.505(a)(4) Contractor: WWT Award Amount: $87,548.38 Prior justification was for brand name product like that herein. Four offers were received.

Circumstances remain unchanged until end of life cycle of current platform.

(4) Contract: W9124D19F0601 Period of Performance: 28 September 2019 through 27 September 2020 Authority: FAR 16.505(a)(4) Contractor: WWT Award Amount: $40,420.94 Prior justification was for brand name product like that herein. Two offers were received.

Circumstances remain unchanged until end of life cycle of current platform.