RFI_Broadcom ELA_Draft.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Broadcom Enterprise License Agreement (ELA) 2025

VA-26-00001686

May 14, 2025

Introduction:

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only issued for conducting market research. Accordingly, this RFI constitutes neither a Request for Quote (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP), nor a guarantee that one will be issued by the Government in the future; furthermore, it does not commit the Government to contract for any services described herein. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is not, at this time, seeking proposals or quotes, and therefore, will not accept, review, or evaluate unsolicited proposals or quotes received in response hereto. This notice is not to be construed as a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract, nor does the Government intend to pay for any information submitted because of this request. The Government does not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with submission of the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred for responses to this RFI.

The information provided may be used by VA in developing its acquisition strategy and Performance Work Statement (PWS). Any information submitted by respondents to this RFI is strictly voluntary; however, any information received shall become the property of the Government and will not be returned to the respondent. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary, restricted, or competition sensitive information contained in their response. This is a request for information and does not obligate the Government in any way, nor does it commit the Government to any specific course of action. Product information, brochures, part numbers, and/or other description information may be included with the submission.

Executive Order (EO) titled, Implementing the President’s “Department of Government

Efficiency” Cost Efficiency Initiative, dated February 26, 2025, commences a transformation in Federal spending on contracts, grants, and loans to ensure

Government spending is transparent and Government employees are accountable to the American public. To comply with this EO, RFIs will now require a response to possible strategies and direction on how the VA can lower spending on future acquisitions. See question #7 below.

In accordance with EO 14028 titled Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity, dated May 12, 2021, the contractor shall comply with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memorandum M-22-18 when using third-party software on VA information systems or otherwise affecting the VA information. M-22-18 requires software producers to self-attest that secure software development practices are utilized as outlined by EO 14028 and NIST Guidance. The contractor must provide a self-attestation of compliance with these requirements. A third-party assessment provided by either a certified

FedRAMP Third Party Assessor Organization (3PAO) or one approved by the agency shall be acceptable in lieu of a software producer's self-attestation. This requirement is applicable to new purchases, software renewals, and major version changes. Although no documentation is required in response to this RFI, contractors are encouraged to upload attestations in advance of the actual solicitation to the CISA RSAA portal available at https://softwaresecurity.CISA.gov.

Requirement:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) depends on Broadcom products to provide the underlying core functionality crucial for the development and deployment of many new VA applications as well as applications already relying on Broadcom products. VA is currently in option year three of a one-year base and four option year VMware Enterprise Licensing Agreement (ELA) with several single-product Broadcom product licensing agreement. VA established this single ELA contract vehicle for all existing Broadcom software programs, while at the same time providing a means for VA to acquire additional software to augment and expand existing Broadcom infrastructure already in place at VA.

VA is seeking updated market research information regarding Broadcom products in order to make the best informed, data-driven decisions regarding current and future acquisitions.

The attached draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) describes the technical specifications for this effort.

Responses:

Please submit a capability statement describing your company’s ability to meet the overall requirement described in the draft PWS and responses to the questions below.

The capability statement shall be limited to 5 pages. Responses to this RFI shall be submitted via email to Contract Specialist Luis Lozada-Santiago, luis.lozada-santiago@va.gov and Contracting Officer Joseph Jones, joseph.jones6@va.gov no later than May 28, 2025 at 9:00AM EST.

1) VA is seeking a single base year and 6 option year contract to acquire the products outlined within the draft PWS. Is the OEM willing/able to accept this contract period of performance?

2) As outlined within the draft PWS and Attachment A, VA is requesting individual item pricing. Would it be more advantageous to VA if these were changed to single mailto:joseph.jones6@va.gov bundle pricing as has been done on previous Broadcom (VMware) contracts? If yes, what is your suggested bundle pricing?

3) VA would like to maximize the discount for purchased VCF cores by taking advantage of any price/quantity related terms. Does the OEM have price discount banding or other quantity related pricing terms VA can leverage to obtain the best total product pricing? If yes, what are these quantity related terms?

4) Has the draft PWS and any associated attachments provided sufficient detail to describe the technical and functional requirements that encompass the desired solution?

______ YES ______ NO

a. If “NO”, please provide your technical and functional comments/recommendations on elements of the draft PWS that may contribute to a more accurate quote submission and efficient, cost effective solution.

5) Are there any specifications that you believe are unachievable by industry? If so, please state why.

6) What additional information would be needed to provide a firm fixed price quote for each item/task?

7) If possible, please provide any insight or direction of how the VA could save money for this requirement (Maybe we could be procuring this product a different way?

Maybe counts could be reduced? Maybe further discounts could be provided?)

8) Include the following identification information:

a. Name of Company

b. Address

c. Point of Contact

d. Phone Number

e. Fax Number

f. Email address

g. Company Business Size

h. NAICS code(s)

i. Any Schedules held on General Services Administration (GSA), Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC) held on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Solutions for Enterprise Wide Procurement (SEWP) V, or any other schedule not mentioned above to assist in determining acquisition strategy if you are included in one or more. Please also include Contract Number, expiration date, etc.

j. Socioeconomic data: If a small business, what type of small business are you? Are you able to comply with FAR 52.219-6 and 52.219-14 in execution of this effort? Are you able to comply with VAAR 852.219-10, VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside and with subcontracting limitations in 13 CFR 125.6 in execution of this effort?

9) Is your company currently providing similar services to any government agency or other non-government customers? If so, please identify the agency or non-government customer. If you are unwilling to share your customers' identity, please address whether your company offers the same or similar services, commercially (outside the federal government).

VA is requesting assistance in obtaining estimated pricing based on the equipment and installation services list as identified in the PWS. The results of the estimated pricing and technical capabilities shall be used to finalize the VAs requirements prior to issuing a solicitation. Please provide a Rough Order of

Magnitude (ROM) for the product/solution being proposed if possible. The ROM is not part of the 5-page limit.

Responses are to include a clearly defined line item(s) in cost estimates to account for any applicable tariffs that may impact the pricing of products or services. If possible, this line item should identify the specific tariff(s) considered and reflect the estimated cost impact to ensure transparency and accuracy in overall pricing.

Post RFI Phase VA envisions that once RFI responses are reviewed, select responders may be invited to provide a face-to-face or telephonic briefing to VA personnel to answer additional questions with respect to the response given. VA retains sole discretion of whether any post RFI briefings are warranted, and which industry partners may be invited to provide additional market research information.

OFFERORS ARE ADVISED THAT THIS REQUIREMENT MAY BE DELAYED,

CANCELED, OR REVISED AT ANY TIME