Att 1 Layer 2 WBAS RFI 15 Nov 2024.docx

RFI Requirements Layer 2 White Box Access Switches (WBAS) 15 Nov 2024

This Request for Information (RFI) is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as an invitation for bid, Request for Quotation (RFQ), or Request for Proposal (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services described herein. Responses to this RFI will be treated as information only. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges to the Government will arise as a result of a contractor's submission of responses to this announcement or the Government's use of such information. This request does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. The information provided may be used by the Army in developing its acquisition strategy, Performance Work Statement (PWS) and/or Performance Specifications.

Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information submitted in response to this RFI.

All information submitted in response to this RFI must be unclassified. Interested parties possessing the capacity to provide the requirements outlined above are requested to provide a response including a primary point of contact (name, title/position, phone number, and email address).

Should an interested party desire a copy of the Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL & DD Form 1423s) that will support the PWS, please reach out to the Point of Contact (POC) listed on this RFI.

1. Introduction:

The United States Army, Program Executive Office, Command, Control, Communications-Networking (PEO C3N), Program Manager (PM) Integrated Enterprise Network (PM IEN) identified the need for a flexible, scalable, and secure network solution that can be standardized and deployed across the entire Army enterprise. PM IEN is seeking information from Information Technology Enterprise Solutions 3-Services (ITES-3S) prime contractors that can provide information technology and certification testing support services for White Box Access Switch (WBAS) solutions.

A WBAS is defined as a network switch that is decoupled from a specific (singular) proprietary network operating system (NOS). The Army desires a WBAS solution that will allow the Army to install its own choice of open-source NOS. The proposed WBAS models need to meet the Army’s stringent performance, scalability, and security requirements.

The WBAS uses open architecture to improve network flexibility and programmability. This open architecture separates and disaggregates switch software, allowing open and/or custom operating systems to be implemented. White Box switches can fulfill Core, Edge, Distribution, Spine, Leaf, and Data Center Switch roles. These switches are comprised of Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS), open network install environment (ONIE) configurable hardware, and open-sourced NOS.

Prior to standardizing the WBAS configurations and implementing across the Army, the selected WBAS solutions must undergo rigorous testing and evaluation to ensure compliance with all operational and cybersecurity standards. Testing will align with Approved Products List (APL) or National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) standards to ensure baseline interoperability and cybersecurity requirements are met, which will certify the WBAS product for approved Department of Defense (DoD) acquisitions, and access on the Army’s network installation campus area networks (N-ICAN). The prime contractor should provide previous experiences coordinating work with an approved testing facility (APL or NIAP).

The WBAS must be compatible with Software-Defined (SD LAN) and Software Defined Network (SDN) orchestration. This will allow centralized management and integration with existing management tools and equipment on the existing network. The WBAS must perform Layer 2 switching and routing, while also being capable of performing Layer 3 functions.

This RFI aims to gather comprehensive technical and market centric information regarding the individual and interoperative hardware and software currently available in the commercial sector, which may be used to provide a WBAS solution.

2. System Requirements:

· PEO C3N is seeking detailed information regarding how a contractor would procure and then certify access switches on the Approved Product List (APL), and/or the National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) list.

· The access switches must be commercial off the shelf (COTS) products.

· They must be open network install environment (ONIE) configurable.

· The switches must be Layer 2 power over ethernet (PoE) preferred (not required).

· The access switches must be capable of performing Layer 3 functions.

· They must be Original Device Manufacture (ODM) access switches.

· The selected access switch must align with the systems requirements in this RFI.

· PEO C3N is seeking detailed information regarding how a vendor would also procure and then certify an open-source Network Operating Systems (NOS) on the Approved Product List (APL), and/or the National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) list.

· The open-sourced NOS must be configured on the selected access switches.

· The combination of the ODM access switch and open-sourced NOS is what constitutes a white box access switch (WBAS).

· The selected NOS must align with the systems requirements in this RFI.

· PEO C3N requires a detailed analysis of the selected Original Device Manufacture (ODM) hardware (HW) and software (SW).

· The analysis must consist of non-proprietary HW and open-sourced NOS.

· The analysis must specify the selected HW and SW selections and combinations.

· These combinations will be considered WBAS options.

· The analysis must include a minimum of 3 separate WBAS solution that meet technical specifications.

· The analysis must address how to integrate the product into the U.S. Army’s non-classified internet protocol router network installation campus area network (N-ICAN) infrastructure.

· The evaluation must rate the WBAS options from best solution – to worst in regard to Key Performance Parameters (KPPs).

· The analysis must consider functionality, performance, adherence to security requirements, and costs.

3. Hardware Requirements:

Hardware Requirements

· 24 port 1GbE ethernet switch @ 48 Gbps

· 48 port 1GbE ethernet switch @ 96 Gbps

· 24 port 1GbE ethernet switch @ 71 Mpps

· 48 port 1GbE ethernet switch @ 142 Mpps

4. Software Requirements:

Software Requirements

5. RFI Questionnaire to Assess White Box Access Switch Solution

A. Based on the system requirements in the RFI, can the contractor procure, configure and test a White Box Access Switch Solution or similar equipment? If yes, provide a detailed example(s).

B. Based on the system requirements in the RFI, can the contractor’s proposed White Box Access Switch Solution or similar equipment be configured for interoperability on an Army network? If yes, provide a detailed example(s).

C. Based on the system requirements in the RFI, is the contractor familiar with or have knowledge of the APL or NIAP processes and have the ability to create the necessary test articles that align with to the process for certifying a White Box Access Switch Solution or similar equipment? If yes, provide a detailed example(s).

D. Based on the system requirements in the RFI, can the contractor produce a Test Plan(s) to include but not limited to Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) APL and/or National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) testing for the proposed White Box Access Switch Solution or similar equipment? If yes, provide detailed example(s).

E. Based on the system requirements in the RFI, does the contractor have the capability to execute the proposed test plan(s) to validate the requirements for the White Box Access Switch Solution or similar equipment? If yes, provide a detailed example(s) [facility, resources (people, equipment, etc.)].

F. What high level actions and activities would need to be taken to align White Box Access Switch Solution or similar equipment with the APL/NIAP requirements from start to finish?

G. Can you provide a ROM with breakout of all activities associated with procuring hardware and software, testing (functional, performance, cybersecurity) and any additional activities necessary to obtain APL/NIAP certification: labor hours, labor categories and labor rates?

NOTE: The Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimate includes assumptions regarding the scope of work, deliverables, schedule, and resources. Any significant changes to these assumptions may result in adjustments to the requirement. Once additional information becomes available, a more detailed requirement will be provided during subsequent phases of the project.

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