Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2009 FBO #2862
SOURCES SOUGHT

D -- HP Proliant Blade Server OED

Notice Date

9/23/2009
 

Notice Type

Sources Sought
 

NAICS

334111 — Electronic Computer Manufacturing
 

Contracting Office

Department of Veterans Affairs;OA&L;1701 Directors Blvd;Suite 810;Austin TX 78744
 

ZIP Code

78744
 

Solicitation Number

68428
 

Response Due

7/22/2009
 

Archive Date

8/21/2009
 

Point of Contact

Brian Cox512-326-6979
 

E-Mail Address

Contract Specialist
(brian.cox3@va.gov)
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

Justification For Other Than Full and Open CompetitionDepartment of Veterans Affairs (VA) OI&T Engineering Lab Upgrade 1. Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), Austin Automation Center (AAC) 2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Approved: Use of brand-name specifications for the OI&T Innovation Lab Upgrade. The equipment specified under the Engineering Test bed consist of HP specific computers, the legacy VMS operating system and software that will be used to enhance the existing test bed used by the OI&T Engineering and the Innovation Lab teams. The system must mimic the current VA medical centers which are currently all running VMS on HP hardware. The purpose of this lab is to create new software and test transition software so that it may be implemented seamlessly in the field. It is imperative that the system be a clone of the current systems. The compatibility with current systems, will minimize any unexpected problems that could lead to software that is not compatible or just wont run, or runs with errors. None of the previous problems is acceptable for direct patient care systems. The innovation lab will produce new applications that must fit exactly into the present VA computing environment. That means in every way from compute nodes, to storage to backups. That is why this procurement has several subcomponent aspects to it. Those subcomponents are Processors (Itanium blades), Storage (EVA) and backups (tape libraries). The follow describes each subcomponent and why any substitutions would create great risk and endanger patient safety. 1)Computers: Need to procure 4 Itanium blade servers model 870s and necessary connectivity hardware and proprietary VMS software to run VA VistA applications. The Itanium processors running VMS is the only viable upgrade path that requires no modification to existing VA VistA applications. This system provides near 100% compatibility with the existing systems. This platform is viable transition platform since the current system that utilize the Alpha chips are no longer manufactured. The HP integrity BL870 has many unique characteristics it supports dual processor cores, and one to four processor modules and up to 192 gb RAM. The VA must have compatibility with current VMS supported architectures and for the ILO (integrated lights out management) of the systems. The BL870 uses Intels 9100 series processors. Built for managing high-end applications and armed with advanced features that improve reliability and reduce power consumption, the 9100 series accentuates the ongoing shift from proprietary RISC products to the choice offered by Itanium-based servers. The 9100 series represents the sixth generation of Itanium chips. The 9150N chip runs at 1.6 GHz, has 24MB L3 cache, and an FSB533. Integrity Integrated Lights-Out 2 (iLO 2) Advanced Pack (Factory integrated) is very important to the system maintenance and support of these systems and compatible with other existing HP hardware management tools. The HP BladeSystem c-Class Onboard Administrator allow administration of the blade servers while the HP BladeSystem c-Class Virtual Connect allow virtual connection to system wide resources. VMS is critical for compatibility with the existing Alpha VMS hardware that is presently deployed in the VA field. The Itanium blades offer both the compatibility and functionality necessary to be able to run the VAs VistA system transparently. OpenVMS 8.3-1H1 runs on the BL870 and supports an extensive range management tools based on HP corporate Systems insight Manager (SIM). A whole new family of software providers enables system managers to interrogate components of blades, and systems such as CPU, memory, Management Processor etc. Moreover, the provisioning feature delivers the ability to Load OpenVMS onto a blade or system with one click from inside the HP SIM GUI interface. This compatibility is extremely important to the VA for total system architecture and management. The BL860 Integrity system also benefit from these new capabilities with this release. Users are able to conveniently configure, deploy, and manage individual or groups of blade systems. Additionally, users are able to quickly set up logical collections of blade systems for convenient management and control. The use of SIM (which is free) ensures a common management interface or 'pane of glass' to virtually every HP server, reducing management training effort and complexity. The VA runs Serviceguard on many devices and compatibility with other system components is essential. HP Serviceguard Manager is a graphical user interface (GUI) that provides configuration, administration, and monitoring capabilities for Serviceguard, Serviceguard Extension for RAC, Metrocluster, and Continental clusters. Using Serviceguard Manager, operators see color-coded icons that provide a big picture view of multiple clusters. From this big-picture view, operators can drill down and proactively manage clusters, systems (nodes), and packages that run applications. This software feature is extremely important to the maintenance and operation of the system. VMS provides a unique clustering, network and coding environment and there is custom code written in DCL (a batch control language) that performs critical system activities. With VMS running Itaniums there would be little or no required changes to these critical infrastructure programs. The VMS system also hosts Cache the Mumps language which is what the entire VistA system is constructed from. Changes to any of this infrastructure can cause code malfunctions that could endanger the lives of the VA patients. 2)Storage EVA Enterprise Virtual Array Need to procure an EVA 8100 storage area network (SAN). This device is one of many devices in a family of storage devices provides by Hewlett Packard and is used to store vital patient data for VistA. This system is needed to be compatible with all VistA storage architecture which uses the same controllers, device drivers and hard disks. The HP integrity The 8100 StorageWorks Enterprise Virtual Array family is an enterprise class storage array system designed to aggregate and automate SAN array management tasks to manage more storage capacity with fewer resources. The EVA has deployed earlier models of this device in every medical center and it is a fundamental unit of storage in the VA VistA system. EVA is designed specifically business critical applications like VistA and is a highly available and highly reliable "virtual" array storage solution. This device is supported by a powerfully suite of management software making it easy for users to provision storage and the achieve highest level of productivity. This software for management can draw from the models already in use in the earlier models (EVA5000/6000) that the VA already has in the field, this will enable use of the skills and knowledge that the operational field staff has. The Enterprise Virtual Array EVA family is designed for the data center where there is a critical need for improved storage utilization and scalability. The EVA meets application specific demands for transaction I/O performance for mid-range and enterprise customers. It provides easy capacity expansion, instantaneous replication, and simplified storage administration. The Enterprise Virtual Array combined with HP StorageWorks Command View EVA software provides a comprehensive solution designed to simplify management and maximize performance. With HP Storage Essentials Standard Edition SRM Software, you have an affordable and complete Storage Resource Management solution to efficiently manage EVA and SAN infrastructure via a unified and integrated server and storage, secure web-based tool set. Standard Edition SRM software is designed for small to medium HP Storage-based SANs and it discovers HP EVA and SAN infrastructure devices with a big picture topology view of the entire EVA ecosystem including HP EVA, HP MSA, and HP ProLiant Storage Servers (NAS), HBAs, servers and fabric switches, and it provides an holistic view of storage from the application level including Oracle, MS SQL, Exchange, InterSystems Cache' and Sybase for quicker problem resolution. The software solution reduces SAN complexity, helps optimizes SAN capacity, automates manual intensive tasks, increases IT staff efficiency and simplifies end-to-end troubleshooting monitoring and reporting. It is essential that compatibility be maintained in the VistA Storage system in both operational management and the ability to program and manipulate the SAN with skills already in the field. No other vendor product would be acceptable to continue the present platform infrastructure, and provide the compatibility in both storage units and the skills required for its operation. The use of fiber channel HBAs (host bus adaptors) compatible of the current computers will allow access from VistA computers to the new SAN with little or no change to the VA code base. Only one source is capable of responding to this for compatibility of the firmware, in device cache, OS drivers, and file access, with known reliable results for Cache (the Mumps database). The EVA provides a unique storage environment for the VistA system. The EVA system has unique firmware that control the interaction between the CAN (cabinet area network) and the SAN management appliance. The interaction of the controller and the OS drivers is critical and compatibility across the CPUs and older EVAs is essential. Changes to any of this infrastructure can cause code malfunctions that could endanger the lives of the VA patients. 3)Tape Backup Library Need to procure an MSL 6030 tape library device. This device is one of a family of tape drives provided by Hewlett Packard and is used to backup and restore vital patient data for VistA. Current VistA backup procedures use DCL (Digital Command Language) in VMS to perform the backups. Since backups are critical to patient care and there needs to compatibility to existing tapes and data sets it is important that the systems be identical. The HP StorageWorks MSL6000 Tape Libraries provide centralized backup in a single automated device. This tape library device is necessary to perform backups of data from the SAN. It can backup both logical and image data. These libraries are for medium to large IT networks, with a storage area network (SAN). The MSL6000 Tape Libraries offer best-in-class tape technology including the HP StorageWorks Ultrium 960, SDLT600 and Ultrium 460 tape drives. This portfolio of tape libraries offers a scalable, flexible, and manageable centralized tape backup solution that can grow with ever-changing backup and recovery needs, while reducing IT staff involvement. The MSL6000 Tape Libraries will scale to larger configurations by enabling a single library to grow and change with capacity and technology as needs require. Ultrium 960, SDLT600 and Ultrium 460 tape drives are available as upgrades to currently installed MSL5000 and MSL6000 Tape Libraries. With the MSL controller-based architecture, a direct-attach configuration can easily move to a SAN-based storage environment with only an interface card upgrade. This interface is necessary to maintain compatibility with other libraries and tapes from other VistA installations. With the same tape units and compatibility with the tape cartridges as well as the tape format and Operating system drivers, this unit will work without issue backup and recovery. The MSL6000 Tape Libraries are easily managed through an intuitive GUI-control panel and integrated remote web management, allowing simple management capabilities from any remote or on-site location. This library system is compatible with the VMS operating system and has custom drivers necessary for its operation. VA staff has written many DCL (Batch Digital Command Language) executable procedures that are dependent on this tape unit. Because of the complex nature of this system and all the subcomponents that comprise it, buying this as a turnkey system places the responsibility on the vendor HP to deliver the total system as one working unit. This system will include all software, hardware, power and cabling requirements. As defined in the equipment list that is attached, all items are manufacturer specific because the lab must duplicate the actual operational environment. 3. Description of Supplies: There are few supplies necessary for the system, but tapes will be required for the tape library. These are already in use at all VAs. Maintaining the compatibility of the tape media was an important driving factor in procurement of this system. 4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition: This acquisition is conducted under the authority of FAR 6.302-1(c), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. This is not a sole source justification; rather it is a justification to permit other than full and open competition due to a brand-name requirement. 5. Nature of the Acquisition: As described in paragraph 2 above, the Innovation and Engineering Lab must precisely model the medical center infrastructure in order to provide a test bed to test applications prior to implementation in the production environment. Since the lab and network are already in place, the equipment for the lab must be exactly the same as the current VistA systems, therefore, this acquisition requires specific brand names and models. 6. Sources Solicited: This acquisition will be solicited under the NASA Scientific Engineering, Workstation Procurement (SEWP), to all SEWP contract holders (this includes multiple small, veteran owned, woman owned and 8(a) businesses. 7. Fair and Reasonable Price: Pricing shall be determined fair and reasonable based on competitive quotes, as authorized in FAR 13.106-3(a)(1). 8. Market Research Conducted: No additional market research was conducted, this will be offered to all NASA SEWP contract holders. 9. Other Facts: N/A. 10. Sources Interested: No sources have expressed an interest. 11. Overcoming Barriers: No actions to remove or overcome any barriers is anticipated. Due to the nature of the requirement, as explained above, VA has to solicit for only the specific brand names/models already in place in the VA Computing Infrastructure. 12. Certification: I hereby certify that the justification for other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Approvals: The proposed contract is less than $1,000,000, which requires approval from the contracting officer. ____________________________ ________________ Contracting OfficerDate Department of Veterans Affairs Austin Automation Center (AAC)
 

Web Link

FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/bfeb1d41a295e296ef3f4d07bd636499)
 

Place of Performance

Address: SunGard Hosting Operations;Dept of VA;401 North Broad Street;Philadelphia PA

Zip Code: 19123
 

Record

SN01968155-W 20090925/090924002131-bfeb1d41a295e296ef3f4d07bd636499 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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