P02- RFI_36C10B25Q002_Pyramid or Equal_SAM.pdf

RFI NOTICE | VA-25-00008383 | PACT Act - Brand name or Equal Pyramid Analytics

Sources Sought/Request for Information

This is a Sources Sought Notice only. This Notice is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered an Invitation for Bid, Request for Task Execution Plan, Request for Quotation or a Request for Proposal. Additionally, there is no obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products described in this NOTICE.

Your response to this NOTICE will be treated only as information for the Government to consider. You will not be entitled to payment for direct or indirect costs that you incur in responding to this NOTICE. This NOTICE does not constitute a solicitation for quotes/proposals or the authority to enter negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this effort.

Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary, restricted, or competition sensitive information contained in their response. The Government does not intend to pay for the information submitted in response to this NOTICE. Any Service-Disabled Veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) or Veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) responding to this notice must include their intent and ability to meet set-aside requirements for performance of this effort in accordance with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) 852.219-10 or 852.219-11, VA Notice of Total SDVOSB/VOSB Set-Aside;

specifically the requirement for at least 50 percent of the cost of manufacturing or 50 percent of the services be performed by yourself and/or other eligible/verified SDVOSB/VOSB concerns; and verification from the VA Center for Verification and Evaluation. It is requested that all companies interested in participating in this effort please note their interest and provide indication of their respective capabilities to perform the effort described below. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor the Governmentwide Point of Entry for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

A brief synopsis of the required services is provided below:

PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS

VA, Office of Information and Technology (OIT) Product Delivery Service (PDS) Data and Analytics has a requirement to procure Pyramid Analytics or equivalent software, maintenance and support services that allows for reporting and visualization of data contained in Microsoft Structured Query Language (SQL) Server Analysis Services (SSAS) On-Line Analytic Processing (OLAP) cubes, SQL, Synapse, Oracle, Cloud-based Microsoft Tabular, SharePoint, Azure Blob, Starburst, Parquet, and other common data sources. Selected software must have the ability to consume existing Pyramid analytics content without significant interruption. Pyramid Analytics is a web-based reporting software (Business Intelligence application) used to access data sources to create reporting for use throughout VA.

The software shall provide VA staff the ability to visually query and analyze a variety of clinical, administrative, and financial data contained in Microsoft SSAS OLAP cubes and other data sources for reporting and analytics. Analysts shall be able to create analytic starting points including graphs, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), data grids and advanced visualizations like trend lines and perspective views for rapid identification of trends, opportunities and threats hidden within large quantities of data in a visual fashion. The software shall allow for the ability to report content usage statistics and track content lineage. The software shall also allow for self-service by the end user or end user groups.

To accommodate current users, the Contractor shall provide licenses to install and maintain software on unlimited servers and/or environments, regardless of location; at least 80,000 user licenses; software maintenance, including all updates, additional features, product enhancements, critical patches, bug fixes, and security updates. The contractor shall supply technical support services, both telephonic and web-based to include operational documentation. The platform shall be designed to scale with the needs of the organization, with the ability to support more than 500,000 content objects organized in up to 100 tenants or organizational groups.

The period of performance shall be one twelve-month base period from April 19, 2025 through April 18, 2026, and three 12-month option periods.

The following table contains the Pyramid Analytics brand name product that would meet the VA’s requirement.

Base Period

Period of Performance: April 19, 2025 through April 18, 2026

Description SKU Quantity

Pyramid Decision Intelligence

Platform or equivalent (for 80K -

100K users)

Option Period One through Three

Period of Performance: 12 Months

Description SKU Quantity

Pyramid Decision Intelligence

Platform or equivalent (for 80K -

100K users)

1.1 SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

The software shall provide VA staff the ability to visually query and analyze a variety of clinical, administrative, and financial data contained in Microsoft SSAS OLAP cubes and other data sources for reporting and analytics. Analysts will be able to create analytic starting points including graphs, KPIs, data grids and advanced visualizations like trend lines and perspective views for rapid identification of trends, opportunities and threats hidden within large quantities of data in a visual fashion. The software should allow the ability to report content usage statistics and track content lineage. The software also should allow for self-service by the end user or end user groups. The Pyramid Analytics software is currently installed at the OI&T Austin Information Technology Center in Austin, Texas.

To accommodate current users, the Contractor shall provide license to install and maintain software on unlimited servers, regardless of location; at least 80,000 user licenses; software maintenance, including all updates, product enhancements, critical patches, bug fixes, and security updates. The contractor shall supply technical support services, both telephonic and web based. The platform should be designed to scale with the needs of the organization, with the ability to support more than 500,000 content objects organized in up to 100 tenants or organizational groups. The platform should allow for Cross Tenancy or organizational groups for access and sharing content and data within other tenants or organizational groups. The options should include both content and roles so the users can have the same content seen and accessible by different tenants or organizational groups without having to create duplicates and join roles outside of their own tenant or organizational group.

Standard software support and software license subscription includes:

• Data Prep / Modelling / Machine Learning Libraries

• Natural Language Querying

• Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engine

• Geospatial Analytics

• Collaboration

• Active Directory, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, Security Assertion Markup Language Authentication

• Mobile Access

• Custom Visuals

• Custom Maps

• Open Data Protocol Connectors (OData)

• SharePoint Connectors

• Azure Connectors

• Amazon Web Services Connectors

• Pulse Server

• Ability to send Publications as an attachment for licensed or unlicensed users, when distributing via email (Report Bursting).

• Ability to allow visuals, reports, and dashboards to be embedded into any website or application for consumption by licensed or unlicensed users.

• Software updates and a Support plan that covers web and telephonic support for 5 named contacts Monday through Friday, 6AM to 8PM, Eastern Time

2.0 NOTICE OF THE FEDERAL ACCESSIBILITY LAW AFFECTING ALL

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

PROCUREMENTS (SECTION 508)

On January 18, 2017, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board

(Access Board) revised and updated, in a single rulemaking, standards for electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by Federal agencies covered by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as our guidelines for telecommunications equipment and customer premises equipment covered by Section 255 of the Communications Act of 1934. The revisions and updates to the Section 508-based standards and Section 255-based guidelines are intended to ensure that information and communication technology (ICT) covered by the respective statutes is accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

2.1 SECTION 508 – INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

STANDARDS

The Section 508 standards established by the Access Board are incorporated into, and made part of all VA orders, solicitations and purchase orders developed to procure ICT.

These standards are found in their entirety at: https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-ict-refresh/final-rule/text-of-the-standards-and-guidelines. A printed copy of the standards will be supplied upon request.

Federal agencies must comply with the updated Section 508 Standards beginning on

January 18, 2018. The Final Rule as published in the Federal Register is available from the Access Board: https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-ict-refresh/final-rule.

The Contractor shall comply with “508 Chapter 2: Scoping Requirements” for all electronic ICT and content delivered under this contract. Specifically, as appropriate for the technology and its functionality, the Contractor shall comply with the technical standards marked here:

E205 Electronic Content – (Accessibility Standard -WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA Guidelines)

E204 Functional Performance Criteria

E206 Hardware Requirements

E207 Software Requirements

E208 Support Documentation and Services Requirements https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-ict-refresh/final-rule/text-of-the-standards-and-guidelines https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-ict-refresh/final-rule/text-of-the-standards-and-guidelines https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-ict-refresh/final-rule/text-of-the-standards-and-guidelines https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-ict-refresh/final-rule https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-ict-refresh/final-rule

2.2 COMPATABILITY WITH ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

The standards do not require installation of specific accessibility-related software or attachment of an assistive technology device. Section 508 requires that ICT be compatible with such software and devices so that ICT can be accessible to and usable by individuals using assistive technology, including but not limited to screen readers, screen magnifiers, and speech recognition software.

2.3 ACCEPTANCE AND ACCEPTANCE TESTING

Deliverables resulting from this solicitation will be accepted based in part on satisfaction of the Section 508 Chapter 2: Scoping Requirements standards identified above.

The Government reserves the right to test for Section 508 Compliance before delivery.

The Contractor shall be able to demonstrate Section 508 Compliance upon delivery.

3.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

3.1 VA TECHNICAL REFERENCE MODEL

The Contractor shall support the VA enterprise management framework. In association with the framework, the Contractor shall comply with OIT Technical Reference Model

(VA TRM). The VA TRM is one component within the overall Enterprise Architecture

(EA) that establishes a common vocabulary and structure for describing the information technology used to develop, operate, and maintain enterprise applications. Moreover, the VA TRM, which includes the Standards Profile and Product List, serves as a technology roadmap and tool for supporting OIT. Architecture & Engineering Services

(AES) has overall responsibility for the VA TRM.

3.2 SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN) REDUCTION

The Contractor solution shall support the Social Security Number (SSN) Fraud

Prevention Act (FPA) of 2017 which prohibits the inclusion of SSNs on any document sent by mail. The Contractor support shall also be performed in accordance with

Section 240 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) 2018, enacted March 23, 2018, which mandates VA to discontinue using SSNs to identify individuals in all VA information systems as the Primary Identifier. The Contractor shall ensure that any new

IT solution discontinues the use of SSN as the Primary Identifier to replace the SSN with the Integrated Control Number (ICN) in all VA information systems for all individuals. The Contractor shall ensure that all Contractor delivered applications and systems integrate with the VA Master Person Index (MPI) for identity traits to include the use of the ICN as the Primary Identifier. The Contractor solution may only use a Social

Security Number to identify an individual in an information system if and only if the use of such number is required to obtain information VA requires from an information system that is not under the jurisdiction of VA.

3.3 INTERNET PROTOCOL VERSION 6 (IPV6)

The Contractor solution shall support Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) based upon the memo issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on November 19, 2020

(https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/M-21-07.pdf). IPv6 technology, in accordance with the USGv6 Program (https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/usgv6-program/usgv6-revision-1), NIST Special Publication (SP) 500-267B

Revision 1 “USGv6 Profile” (https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.500-267Br1), and NIST SP

800-119 “Guidelines for the Secure Deployment of IPv6”

(https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-119), compliance shall be included in all IT infrastructures, application designs, application development, operational systems and sub-systems, and their integration. In addition to the above requirements, all devices shall support native IPv6 and dual stack (IPv6 / IPv4) connectivity without additional memory or other resources being provided by the Government, so that they can function in a mixed environment. All public/external facing servers and services (e.g.

web, email, DNS, ISP services, etc.) shall support native IPv6 and dual stack (IPv6 /

IPv4) users and all internal infrastructure and applications shall communicate using native IPv6 and dual stack (IPv6 / IPv4) operations.

3.4 SOFTWARE AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall be responsible for the provision of all software licenses and any associated licensing maintenance required for any development, delivery, integration, operation, and/or maintenance associated with its proposed application(s), software products, software solution, and/or system including, but not limited to, any and all application(s), software and/or software products that comprise, are a part of, or integrate with the Contractor’s proposed application(s), software products, software solution, and/or system for the life of any resulting contract.

HOW TO RESPOND:

Responses should be as complete and informative as possible. Responses shall be limited to no more than 10 pages and include:

a. Describe company’s technical capabilities to meet the requirement.

1. Is the solution a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS).

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/M-21-07.pdf file://///R04.med.va.gov/V03/EAS/Users/vhaeasWymbsk/TEMPLATES--NEW%20TAC%20PROCESS/PWS%20TEMPLATE%20(DO%20NOT%20TOUCH)%20-%20In%20Process%20Revisions/DO%20NOT%20TOUCH%20(next%20version/IPv6/(https:/www.nist.gov/programs-projects/usgv6-program/usgv6-revision-1 file://///R04.med.va.gov/V03/EAS/Users/vhaeasWymbsk/TEMPLATES--NEW%20TAC%20PROCESS/PWS%20TEMPLATE%20(DO%20NOT%20TOUCH)%20-%20In%20Process%20Revisions/DO%20NOT%20TOUCH%20(next%20version/IPv6/(https:/www.nist.gov/programs-projects/usgv6-program/usgv6-revision-1 https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.500-267Br1 https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-119

2. Is customization required to meet the PD requirements. If so, provide how the customization meets the requirements and be sure the Rough Order of Magnitude address the customization.

b. Provide commercially available list pricing for the solution that can meet the

Government’s minimum requirements, including recommended quantities and unit pricing. If commercially available list pricing is not available, provide a Rough Order of Magnitude, including estimated quantities, unit pricing, and any additional anticipated costs to meet the Governments minimum requirements.

c. Identify company name, address, email, and telephone number. Include a name, email, and the telephone number of a point of contact having the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with government representatives.

d. Include the company’s DUNS number, CAGE code, a statement regarding socioeconomic status (including business type (s)/certifications(s) such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.).

e. Identify if your company is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the solution or a reseller. If you are the OEM, do you have resellers available?

f. Identify existing contract vehicle(s) numbers you currently hold for which this requirement would be within scope for this solution (i.e., General Services Administration (GSA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) V Government Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), GWAC, etc.).

g. Indicate the likelihood of your company responding to a solicitation should this effort result in an acquisition. Note: Small businesses should include intent and ability to meet set-aside requirements for performance of this effort, if applicable.

h. Respondents are requested to identify any additional information considered applicable to this NOTICE.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES:

Responses shall be submitted electronically via Jay Upton at Jermell.Upton@va.gov no later than 3:00 pm EST, February 10, 2025. Information submitted by any other method will not be considered.

mailto:Jermell.Upton@va.gov