Closed-GSA RFQ1738765 for DELL Brand Name Only

The Department of the Navy Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has issued a Special Notice for a closed Request for Quotation (RFQ1738765) involving Dell brand-name computer hardware and peripherals. The RFQ was originally posted on GSA eBuy on January 7, 2025, with a closing date of January 22, 2025. This Special Notice serves to provide the official justification for the brand-name requirement in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The procurement is specifically for computer systems at the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE), focusing on Dell Precision 5480, Dell Latitude 5540, and Precision 3660 Tower systems. The notice falls under the NAICS category for Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers.

The primary purpose of the Special Notice is to document the rationale for a sole-source procurement of Dell equipment for the RDT&E network. The justification centers on the existing network architecture, which has been standardized on Dell workstations and servers since 2015 to support critical security systems and F-35 program integration. Changing to an alternative brand would necessitate rewriting the Authority to Operate (ATO), redesigning network architecture, and potentially incur over 1,800 manpower hours and nearly $58,000 in additional costs. The procurement is considered critical to maintaining ongoing support services and avoiding potential delays in F-35 program activities, particularly for aircraft entering the production facility. While no specific contractor eligibility criteria are outlined, the notice suggests that vendors must be capable of providing the exact Dell specifications detailed in the original RFQ. The total procurement appears to be below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000, with a project period extending through November 2024.