6515--*Special Nexsan Assureon (VA-21-00068240) VA BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA

***INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE NOTICE-***

Estimated Date of Award: July 1, 2021

Synopsis:

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Columbia, South Carolina on behalf of the Birmingham VA Health Care System (BVAHCS)Â located at 700 19th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233 intends to award a sole source procurement for the Nexsan Assureon Data Vault, AS-SXR-BE6016-480 to include hardware, software updates and maintenance services.

Item Description: CLIN 0001: QTY 1: AS-SXR-BE6016-160 SXR Replicated Assureon Data Vault Node Pair. Each site's node includes an Assureon server with 9x 1.92TB SSD for OS/DB/Cache/Spare and a BE60 (in single write mode) with 160TB after RAID before format (145.6TB after RAID and format) using 1 array of 12x 16TB (RAID-6). Add 1, 2, 3 or 4 drive packs to expand capacity to 320TB, 480TB, 640TB or 800TB. QTY 2 AS-DP-BE6016-160 (adds two additional drive packs at each site to reach 480TB per site capacity): Assureon expansion drive pack for BE60/X with 160TB of additional usable capacity after RAID and before format (145.6TB after RAID and format). Includes 24x 16TB for 2 arrays of 12x 16TB (RAID-6)

The contract will include a base year with the possibility of four (4) additional option periods for a total of five (5) years. The manufacturer is Nexsan, Inc., DUNS number 014182518 and the authorized distributor for this requirement is Exit 123C, LLC., DUNS number 088577293. Exit 123C, LLC. an authorized reseller for Nexsan, Inc. Nexsan, Inc. is the exclusive and sole source manufacturer and provider of the Assureon Secure Data Vault. Also, Nexsan has deemed Exit 123C, LLC. as the exclusive reseller for this opportunity for the VA Birmingham Assureon Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). The applicable NAICS code for this procurement is 334112 -Computer Storage Device Manufacturing, with a business size standard of 1,250 employees.

Furthermore, the Contracting Officer has determined that no opportunities exist for competition for either Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) or Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB). The Contracting Officer has determined that Exit 123C, LLC. is a Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB); no other providers are authorized to resell/install/maintain the Nexsan Assureon Data Vault at the Birmingham VA Health Care System (BVAHCS)Â located at 700 19th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233.

Therefore, the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the Authority of FAR 13.106-1 which states that Contracting Officers may solicit from one source if the Contracting Officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available. This is because market research efforts found that Nexsan has deemed Exit 123C, LLC. as the exclusive reseller for this opportunity for the VA Birmingham Assureon Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS).

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. However, the Government will consider all quotes received within 2 days (NLT) June 25, 2021 at 4:30pm. EST) after date of publication of this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete with the proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Attached is a copy of the approved justification and approval notice that supports the sole source award.

System for Award Management (SAM): Rule requires a firm to be registered in the SAM Registration Data Base (SAM), prior to award of any contract and agreements. Firms must register on an on-time basis, and annually confirm accuracy and completeness of registration information. To register in SAM, go to: https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. If you have any questions, please contact; Joseph Locke, Contracting Officer, joseph.locke@va.gov