Data Computing Appliance Relocation

On March 26, 2015 the IRS awarded a purchase number TIRNO15-P-00109 to EMC of McLean, VA under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1):For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. (i) 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 (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization). The Review Return Program (RRP) utilizes massively parallel processing (MPP) technology to perform advanced computing function on very large datas ts known as big data. The MPP technology platform is known as a Data Computing Appliance (DCA) which was manufactured, purchased, and installed at the IRS by the vendor EMC. The current DCA configuration provides multi-functional processing which has resulted in critical work stoppages due to system resource contentions between competing processes. Because of this issue, an executive decision was made to re-locate one of the DCAs. Because of repair or replacement costs of the DCA, timeliness and expertise to deliver and bring the system online, and warranty requirements, IRS requests that EMC be selected as the sole source vendor to ship the DCA. There is substantial business impact of not delivering this DCA or its replacement to Martinsburg with a POP of is 3/26/15- 4/30/15. Please also note that the warranty would be voided unless the vendor, EMC, is used for this task. The current processing that needs to be re-located to the DCA that is being shipped is not being utilized at full capacity. EMC is the only vendor that provides a high level of confidence of de-installing, shipping, delivering, and re-installing this DCA timely.