Amendment 00001-Q_A RFQ 75H70424Q00046.pdf

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing items 8 and 15, and returning or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUISITION NUMBER 5. PROJECT NUMBER (If applicable)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

FACILITY CODE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended. is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER

NUMBER IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15C. DATE SIGNED

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

PAGE OF PAGES

6. ISSUED BY CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (X)

CODE

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

Previous edition unusable

Indian Health Service Office of Management Services Division of Acquisition Policy

00001 6/26/2024

X 75H70424Q00046

06/21/2024

XX

X

i. RFQ Amendment-00001 is hereby issued to answer vendor questions in response to RFQ 75H70424Q00046. See continuation pages with all questions and answers.

Q&A RFQ 75H70424Q00046

Questions & Answers:

a. Can you provide more details on the existing network infrastructure to ensure full compatibility with the new Cisco equipment?

• The existing Core switches (Cisco Nexus 9364C) support multiple Top of Rack (ToR) switches configured in vPC mode. This acquisition will replace some the older ToR switches that have gone end-of-support. The new switches must integrate with the core switches and other ToR switches. Plus integration with Cisco Nexus network device management software.

Some of the existing ToR switches in production are the models specified in the Bill of Materials. Subsequently there should be no compatibility issues.

b. Are there any specific performance benchmarks or technical specifications that the new equipment must meet beyond what is listed in the Bill of Materials?

• The new switches must support 40 and 100 GB uplinks ports to create virtual Port Channels to the core switches in the data center.

• As only a portion of the ToR switches require lifecycle replacement, the new switches must integrate with switches that do not require lifecycle replacement at this time. Plus integration with Cisco Nexus network device management software.

c. Can you provide any additional details on the expected lifespan and performance criteria for the new network devices?

• It is expected the vendor has not announced end-of-sale notifications for the hardware components specified in the Bill of Materials.

• Software versions change frequently and IHS plans to review available software releases at installation time.

d. Are there any specific delivery constraints or considerations for the locations that we should be aware of?

• The data centers support multiple customers. The delivery material should clearly indicate the equipment is for IHS and include the delivery Point of Contact which will be provided after award.

e. How should we coordinate with your team to ensure timely delivery and minimize disruption to your operations?

• Email can be used for communication.

• After contract award, provide an initial estimate when deliveries should be expected.

• Provide updates when delivery dates are known or change

• Provide confirmation licenses are assigned to the Cisco Smart account ihs.gov

• Provide Smartnet contract number(s)

f. Can you elaborate on the evaluation criteria for this solicitation? What factors will be weighted most heavily in your decision-making process?

In accordance with RFQ (page 21), the source selection method for this requirement will be “Lowest Price Technically Acceptable.” Award will be made to the quote that is technically acceptable and offers the lowest price.

• Compliance with set-a-side requirements.

• All items in the Bill of Materials are quoted.

• Evidence of Cisco partnership/authorization to resell their products.

• Price

Q&A RFQ 75H70424Q00046

g. Are there any specific qualities or capabilities you are looking for in a vendor that are not explicitly mentioned in the requirements document?

• Evidence of Cisco partnership/authorization to resell their products

h. Although installation services are not required, is there an expectation for the vendor to provide any post-delivery technical support or maintenance services?

• No

i. What is the protocol for handling any potential hardware failures or technical issues post-delivery?

• IHS will contact vendor.

j. What specific responsibilities will the vendor’s project manager have in coordinating with the IHS Project Officer?

• Provide an initial estimate on when deliveries should be expected.

• Provide updates when delivery dates are known or change

• Provide confirmation licenses are assigned to the Cisco Smart account ihs.gov

• Provide Smartnet contract number(s)

k. How frequently would you prefer updates and reports on the delivery status of the equipment?

• Initial estimate within 7 days of contract award

• Subsequent updates can be monthly

l. Since no physical or logical access to IHS facilities or systems is required, are there any additional security protocols we should follow during the delivery process?

• None

m. Are there any specific documentation or compliance requirements related to security that the vendor needs to adhere to?

• None

n. Are there any upcoming projects or expansions in the IHS network infrastructure that we should be aware of that might impact the current acquisition?

• None

o. How can we best position ourselves to support IHS in future hardware or network infrastructure needs?

• IHS post requirements for network equipment on Government procurement web sites such as https://sam.gov/

p. Do the following four switches no longer need qty 4 QSFP-100G-CU1M cables?

No.

https://sam.gov/