Sybase Software Maintenance

On July 30, 2015, the Technology Acquisition Center awarded Delivery Order VA118-15-F-0206 General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) Schedule 70 contract GS-35F-5212H with SAP National Security Services, Inc., 3809 West Chester Pike, Suite 200, Newtown Square, PA 19073. SAP National Security Services will be providing Sybase software maintenance. The period of performance shall be from August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016, with three option periods, if exercised, the total order value of $571,292.72.

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LIMITED-SOURCES JUSTIFICATION



1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Office of Acquisition Operations

Technology Acquisition Center

23 Christopher Way

Eatontown, NJ 07724



2. Description of Action: The proposed action limits competition for the award of a firm-fixed-price delivery order for brand name Sybase software maintenance support. The proposed effort will be awarded under the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Information Technology 70 contract GS-35F-5212H to SAP National Security Services, Inc., 3809 West Chester Pike, Suite 200, Newtown Square, PA 19073.



3. Description of the Supplies or Services: This effort will provide VA, Office of Information and Technology, Service Delivery and Engineering, Field Operations Region 6, in support of the Health Administration Center (HAC), with Sybase software maintenance renewals to include telephonic support, patches, and software updates for existing Sybase gateway mapper installations on four environments supporting HAC Chief Business Office Purchased Care (CBOPC). The Sybase software product is an industry standard mapping product that inspects inbound and outbound healthcare claims being processed to ensure compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). When claims are submitted to CBOPC, they electronically pass through the Sybase mapping software. If a claim passes the Sybase mapping functionality, it is accepted by the agency, and if not a rejection notice is returned to the submitter with reason for the rejection. Rejection follows industry standards for the HIPAA and Electronic Data Interchange guidelines to include, at a minimum, the rules for processing inbound and outbound claims. The period of performance for the software maintenance support shall be from August 1, 2015 through July 31, 2016, plus three, 12-month option periods, if exercised.



4. Authority: This acquisition will be conducted under the authority of the Multiple-Award Schedule Program. The specific authority providing for a limted souce award is Federal Acquisition Regulation (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. Rationale Supporting Use of Authority Cited Above: This is a brand name justification in accordance with FAR Subpart 11.105, Items Peculiar to One Manufacturer. Based on market research, as described in Section 8 of this justification, only Sybase brand name software maintenance can provide the necessary support to meet VA's requirements. HAC previously acquired perpetual Sybase software licenses, which requires annual software maintenance to maintain the integrity of the product to ensure it operates correctly. To that end, the HAC CBOPC requires software maintenance support to provide all updates, patches, and documentation for its Sybase Mapping products. Additionally, the vendor must be able to provide telephonic helpdesk support to help users in resolving issues with the products or assistance in making the products operational. Sybase retains the proprietary rights over its software source code and the associated maintenance services. No other vendor, other than Sybase through an authorized reseller, is capable of providing the software maintenance or providing help desk support due to these proprietary restrictions.



6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market research was conducted, details of which are in section 8 of this justification. This effort did not yield any additional sources that can meet the Government's requirements. There is no competition anticipated for this acquisition.



7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Government will continue to conduct market research to ascertain if there are changes in the marketplace that would enable future actions to be competed.



8. Market Research: The Government's technical experts conducted market research during March 2015 by looking across the Internet for vendors advertising support for the Sybase products. Additionally, the Government's technical experts performed an internet search for similar software and maintenance services, and reviewed the websites for similar products, including EDIFECS and International Business Machines Sterling. Upon conclusion of the market research, the Government determined that while these products provide similar functionality, these brands don't offer Sybase software maintenance support. The costs associated with acquisition and implementation of new software similar to Sybase would not be recovered through competition as opposed to renewing the maintenance for the existing Sybase software. Further, Sybase has proprietary rights to the software licenses currently being used by CBOPC throughout its virtual infrastructure. The required software maintenance services must be compatible with the existing VA Sybase software licenses. Given that Sybase has proprietary rights, there are no other vendors that can provide the required software maintenance services. Only Sybase, through an authorized Sybase reseller, has the right to perform these maintenance services. Sybase's exclusive reseller to the Government for its software products and maintenance services is SAP National Security Services through GSA FSS 70 contract GS-35F-5212H.



9. Other Facts: None.