70--U.S. Federal VMware vSphere 4 Enterprise Plus

Introduction: Pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to: Carahsoft Technology Corporation, Reston, VA 20191. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. RESPONSES WILL BE RECEIVED FOR FUTURE REQUIREMENT CONSIDERATION ONLY. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE. 1. Nature and description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs: The Teaching & Learning Lab (TALL) is an enclave environment to explore and try new technology and instructional approaches as well as test feasibility prior to making investment and/or request to bring new technology into DAU's network. The equipment must be consistent with DAU's network to ensure that any software, hardware or procedural evaluation run in the lab will run consistently in DAU's network. Any deviation will introduce risks of performance failure and may lead to a financial loss for DAU. 2. A demonstration that the proposed contractor is the only source available to provide these services or goods (i.e. unique qualifications, proprietary rights, etc.): The equipment listed is consistent with equipment located on DAU's network, is approved by DAU's network security policy and can be maintained by current personnel at no additional cost. 3. A description of the market research that was conducted and the results, or a statement of the reason a market research was not conducted: Market research was conducted between March and July 2010. The DAU Network Service Operations Center (NSOC) analyzed the evaluation scenarios intended for the TALL lab in the System Security Plan. Based on the use case and network support criteria, NSOC determined the equipment that would provide the most efficient network and would provide a consistent environment for the lab compared to DAU's network. 4. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: The equipment must be consistent with DAU' s network to ensure that any software, hardware or procedural evaluation run in the lab will run consistently in DAU's network. Any deviation will introduce risks of performance failure and may lead to a financial loss for DAU. 5. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required: None. 6. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement to the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division via e-mail to: [email protected] no later than 5:00 PM (EST) on January 15, 2011. Contracting Office Address: RDECOM Contracting Center - Natick CCRD-NA-SU, Natick Contracting Division Kansas Street, Building 1 Natick, MA 01760-5011 Point of Contact: Steven Streeter, Contract Specialist (508) 233-6180 [email protected]