26-SIMACQ-D40-0005 Red Hat Directory Server and Enterprise Linux Extended Life Cycle Support

The contract N6339426Q4039 is a sole-source award under FAR 16.505(a)(4) for Red Hat Directory Server and Enterprise Linux Extended Life Cycle Support, issued by the Department of the Navy through the Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk. The acquisition leverages the NASA SEWP V Government-Wide Acquisition Contract to establish a Navy-specific Agency Catalog and Enterprise License Agreement (ELA) for Red Hat software, ensuring continuity for over 120,000 existing subscriptions across the Department of the Navy. The base period runs from January 27, 2022, to January 26, 2023, with four one-year option periods available, allowing for extended support and updates without recompetition. The procurement is justified solely on Red Hat’s unique technical compatibility with certified Department of Defense systems, the prohibitive costs and operational risks of migrating to alternative platforms, and the requirement to maintain existing Certifications and Accreditations. Substitution of competing software is strictly prohibited to preserve system integrity, security compliance, and configuration baseline stability. The contract requires delivery of software licenses, technical support, patches, and integration services specifically for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, including components such as Red Hat Satellite, Ansible Tower, High Availability, and Extended Update Support, all aligned with existing IT infrastructure. The place of performance is designated as Port Hueneme CBC Base, California, while the contracting office is located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, with point of contact Lawrence R. Mark overseeing administration. Historical spending of $31.8 million in FY19 and $37.4 million in FY20 underscores the scale of prior investment, though no formal contract value is specified for this ELA. No standard FAR clauses, packaging requirements, inspection criteria, or evaluation factors are documented beyond the sole-source justification, and no bid protest or small business set-aside applies. The agreement operates under a trade-off model prioritizing mission compatibility and risk mitigation over price competition, with all support and licensing provided exclusively through Red Hat under pre-negotiated GWAC terms.