FHFA Dell Servers and Blade Chassis

Solicitation Number: FHFA RFQ# FHF-12-Q-0363 / NASA SEWP RFQ# 140956 Notice Type: Special Notice Synopsis: 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 140956. 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 new servers and blade chassis specifically manufactured by Dell. 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, multiple distributors are available to quote on a competitive basis under the NASA SEWP multiple award contract vehicle. Brand Name Justification: If different brand names are procured, beyond those specified within this justification, FHFA will require additional staff to support the multiple brand names within the network environment. Moreover, OTIM has a limited number of system engineers / server support staff that are trained and have significant experience with Dell 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. FHFA currently uses Dell manufactured servers with a minimum 5-year gold support contract. Consequently, some of the current Dell servers are at the end of their lifecycle and are being replaced with the new servers that are being purchased, which have specifications that are tailored to those servers. Further, additional Dell servers are required to sustain operations and therefore the additional chassis are needed, and only a Dell chassis can fit the required servers. In addition, in order to minimize service interruptions to FHFA, support staff can swap computers, components and parts without compatibility and functionality issues, because FHFA is currently standardized on Dell equipment. Contracting Office Address: Federal Housing Finance Agency; 400 Seventh Street SW; Washington DC 20024-2705 Place of Performance: Federal Housing Finance Agency; 400 Seventh Street SW; Washington DC 20024-2705 Point of Contact(s): Carmen G. Rios, Contracting Officer