Sources Sought Cisco SW - 842266671 FINAL.docx

SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT

Tracking Number 842266671

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is seeking sources for a new Software Enterprise Agreement (SW EA) for Cisco maintenance, software subscriptions and Advanced Engineering Services.

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS:

DISA/Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO) 2300 East Drive, Building 3600 Scott AFB, IL 62225-5406

INTRODUCTION:

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT to determine the availability and technical capability of small businesses and large businesses including the following subsets, Small Disadvantaged Businesses, Certified 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, HUBZone Small Businesses and Woman Owned Small Businesses to provide the required products and/or services.

The Department of Defense (DoD) DISA and its 4th Estate (4E) agencies has a need to gather information for a requirement for a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) Cisco EA comprised of Software Support Services (SWSS), Smart Net Total Care (SNTC), software subscriptions and Advanced Engineer Services. The 4E agencies have an extensive footprint of Cisco brand-name products that are installed throughout their networks and infrastructure. The 4E agencies also require software that supports an email defense capability, voice services, Comply to Connect, advanced routing and switching, secure networking-based transmission capabilities across the network, and the capability to modernize infrastructure from the data center to the edge, simplify DevOps enablement, power traditional and cloud native applications, and optimize operations across distributed environments. Procuring brand-name, COTS software subscriptions to support the 4E agencies maximizes the investment by using existing hardware already in place while supporting the transition from perpetual licenses to software subscriptions utilizing the 4E’s infrastructure. The requirement to design, implement, deliver, and manage these devices and software within a Cisco environment is needed to ensure efficient usage of Cisco’s hardware and software products. All critical Information Assurance Vulnerability Alerts (IAVAs) require immediate remediation and lack of software support would create significant security vulnerabilities. Today, network, route, switch, wireless, and data center devices are connected to client systems or other systems that are attached to DISA networks and must be updated/patched accordingly. If the network failed due to hardware or software failure, day-to-day work functions, and command and control of forces in the field would be severely degraded.

This new SW EA will provide DISA and our 4E agencies with access to numerous Cisco Products. These products include the Global Enterprise Modernization Software & Support (GEMSS) bundle. The SW EA bundle is comprised of SNTC, legacy SWSS and Advanced Services. An individual GEMSS bundle will be tailored for DISA, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and other 4E agencies to service their current Cisco inventory Install Base (IB). In addition, GEMSS must provide Cisco DNA/SPNA Advantage, Classified Network Support (CNS) services comprised of High Touch Technical Support (HTTS) and High Touch Operations Management (HTOM), and remote Cisco SW/Hardware asset identification. The SW EA will also offer subscription software in the functional areas of Unified Communications (UC); also known as Knowledge Worker, Security, Email Security, and Data Center. This effort will maximize the 4Es’ investment in the use of its existing hardware (i.e., network, route, switch, data center, and wireless) while supporting the smooth transition from perpetual licenses requiring ongoing maintenance for patches and upgrades, to software subscriptions for the Cisco infrastructures already in place. The maintenance and support coverage of this requirement applies to Continental United States (CONUS) and Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) sites.

The anticipated period of performance (PoP) is June 21, 2022 - June 20, 2027.

DISCLAIMER:

THIS SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

CONTRACT/PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

Contract Number: HC1084-21-D-0003 Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price Incumbent and their size: Cisco Systems, Large Business Method of previous acquisition: Brand Name; open market Period of performance: June 21, 2021 – June 20, 2024

The current Cisco JELA III contract awarded on June 21, 2021, provides Enterprise-wide Cisco SNTC support and SWSS. The period of performance for the Cisco JELA III contract supports a 1-year base period of June 21, 2021 through June 20, 2022 and two, 1-year option periods, for a total contract life of three years.

REQUIRED CAPABILITIES:

1) The DISA SW EA team will support a SW EA with a focus on missions to support DISA and 4E agencies in using existing and emerging Cisco service maintenance capabilities for hardware assets tracked for DISA and 4E SW EA agencies. Hardware maintenance support is specifically provided within a bundle known as the GEMSS. The GEMSS bundle consists of SNTC, SWSS, network subscription software (SPNA & DNA), and advanced services. GEMSS’ inclusion of SNTC will meet the requirements addressed by providing responsive replacement of defective hardware, access to online product and technology information, interactive network management, and troubleshooting tools. The network SW subscription and SWSS products provide access to the latest software updates to defend against potential security threats and meet cybersecurity mandates for each device operating on the DoD network. Additionally, the GEMSS bundle must provide access to a limited number of Network Consulting Engineers (NCE). These are dedicated Cisco resources to support design, implementation, delivery and management of the Cisco environment. The SW EA will provide access to Cisco engineering support through specific limited Advanced Services. These services are delivered by appropriately cleared Cisco operations managers and network engineers, and use High Touch Operations Management (HTOM). In addition, an asset management tool is needed for Cisco resources to maintain and document Cisco hardware and all software licenses. Describe your experience deploying, configuring, testing, or using these Cisco products stating specific products when possible.

2) Cisco technology has been proven to work in its final form and under expected conditions. The Cisco SW EA products provide regularly recurring software maintenance, updates, revisions, error detection and correction, and rights to new minor releases and/or versions of subscription software to maximize the potential the software is error free. In addition, the SW EA is required to provide error support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days of the year (24x7x365) should errors be experienced. Describe your experience supporting and implementing these requirements with a focus on techniques used for support of a help desk, and technical support with on-site visits.

3) The SW EA provides engineering support through direct consultation to 4E end users, system owners, system developers and any personnel for all issues concerning the use of the SW EA. The range of support is broad and could be a basic support question, such as “how to configure and send an encrypted email”, or more complex, such as a request for on-site support to assist in the design of an email security architecture. Describe your experience configuring or testing the capabilities of Cisco COTS products (e.g., network devices, servers, desktops, patches, updates within a network infrastructure etc.) to use the services, software subscriptions, advanced services of the SW EA.

4) In addition, an asset management tool is needed for Cisco resources to maintain and document Cisco hardware and all software licenses. Describe your experience providing asset management support.

5) Describe your experience supporting a Cisco EA to advance an organization’s maintenance and support of a Cisco network infrastructure.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must have a Secret Facility Clearance. Please provide your current Facility Clearance level.

SOURCES SOUGHT:

The North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) for this requirement is 511210, with the corresponding size standard of $41.5 million.

To assist DISA in making a determination regarding the level of participation by small business in any subsequent procurement that may result from this Sources Sought, you are also encouraged to provide information regarding your plans to use joint venturing (JV) or partnering. Please outline how you would envision your company's areas of expertise and those of any proposed JV/partner would be combined to meet the specific requirements contained in this announcement.

In order to make a determination for a small business set-aside, two or more qualified and capable small businesses must submit responses that demonstrate their qualifications. Responses must demonstrate the company’s ability to perform in accordance with the Limitations on Subcontracting clause (FAR 52.219-14).

SUBMISSION DETAILS:

Responses should include:

1) Business name and address;

2) Name of company representative and their business title;

3) Type of Small Business;

4) CAGE Code;

5) Your contract vehicles that would be available to the Government for the procurement of the product and/or service, to include ENCORE III, SETI, NIH, NASA SEWP, General Service Administration (GSA): OASIS, ALLIANT II, VETS, STARS II, Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) (including applicable SIN(s)), or any other Government Agency contract vehicle that allows for decentralized ordering. (This information is for market research only and does not preclude your company from responding to this notice.)

Vendors who wish to respond to this should send responses via email NLT December 22, 4:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) to carmelynanne.bryan.civ@mail.mil; and melanie.m.reinhardt.civ@mail.mil. Interested businesses should submit a brief capabilities statement package addressing the specific questions (no more than five pages) and demonstrating ability to perform the services listed under Required Capabilities.

Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All government and contractor personnel reviewing submitted responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described 41 USC 423. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.

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