Keyboards, Moniotrs and Printers

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (Brand Name Justification)

In accordance with FAR 11.105 (a) (3), the following brand name justification is hereby provided for public dissemination.

NOTE: This requirement will be competed under the NASA Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) to Groups B and C. All prime vendors under Groups B and C of the NASA SEWP contract will be given a fair opportunity to compete. The NASA SEWP RFQ Number is 144483.

1. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES AND SUPPLIES:

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Office of Technology and Information Management (OTIM) has a requirement for the purchase of Dell keyboards and monitors and Hewlett Packard printers use by FHFA employees.

2. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

FAR 6.302-1 (c) Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, application for brand name descriptions.

3. RATIONALE SUPPORTING USE OF AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE: (Note: A redacted copy of the full Brand Name Justification is attached.)

This requirement is for specific brand name equipment. Although this requirement is brand specific to Dell and Hewlett Packard, multiple distributors are available to quote on a competitive basis under the NASA SEWP multiple award contract vehicles.

Brand Name Justification: FHFA currently uses of Dell keyboards and monitors and Hewlett Packard printers. The current FHFA's IT support staff is trained and has significant experience with these product lines. The incorporation of additional brand names and devices would likely increase FHFA's administrative burden in managing a more diverse IT infrastructure. FHFA will require additional staff to support the multiple brand names within the network environment. FHFA has a limited number of system engineers / server support staff that are trained and have significant experience with Dell and Hewlett Packard equipment. Further, a change in brand name requires establishing new IT standards, images, and standard operating procedures, which would result in unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's requirements. Retaining a standard, uniform line of equipment allows FHFA the ability to substitute malfunctioning equipment with identical functioning equipment to avoid issues related to compatibility and functionality. The standardization of equipment also improves FHFA's ability to provide support as it promotes an experience base familiar with supporting these items.