Cisco Infrastructure Upgrades & Deployment

Agency: Department of Commerce
Office: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Location: National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), IT Division, intends to award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), to Xceptional Networks, Inc. for the deployment and upgrade of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Cisco Emergency Responder, Cisco Communication Manager, Cisco IM & Presence, Cisco Identity Service Engine (ISE), Wireless LAN Controller and access points upgrade, Cisco Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), Cisco Telepresence, and Communications Manager. This includes training of IT support staff at SWFSC on the above applications.

The sole source determination is based on National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) requirement for installation services of core applications from Xceptional Networks, Inc. The firm provided the enterprise original design architecture by developing a highly available and secure, intelligent and complex, layered network infrastructure to support voice, video, wireless, and mission-critical data applications. This unique design uses a building block approach leveraging a high-speed routed core network layer to which are attached multiple independent distribution blocks. The distribution blocks comprise two layers of switches: the actual distribution nodes that act as aggregators, and the wiring closet access switches. The hierarchical design segregates the functions of the network into these separate building blocks to provide for availability, flexibility, scalability, and fault isolation. The distribution block provides for policy enforcement and access control, route aggregation, and the demarcation between the Layer 2 subnet (VLAN) and the rest of the Layer 3 routed network. The core layers of the network provide for high capacity transport between the attached distribution building blocks. This intricate topology supports a multi-clustered, geographically separated contiguous network that supports the SWFSC in different locations (Santa Cruz, Monterey, and La Jolla).

It is therefore the most cost-effective and secure approach to deployment and upgrade, as this enhancement is a part of an in-progress integration; a substantial duplication of effort would be realized with any other vendor and would not be in the government's best interest. The current vendor, Xceptional Networks, has worked with SWFSC Information Technology Support staff extensively on infrastructure design and implementation and is in the best position to advise and complete the installation/configuration in a timely manner. They do not require additional time and resources to review the details of the existing Information Technology environment and will provide project planning, before moving on to the implementation stage. Therefore, no additional costs would be incurred and the continuity and uninterrupted service will continue. The suggested source is the only source capable of integrating these systems that meet specific mission critical requirements for the SWFSC Information Technology Division.

The Government intends to negotiate a firm fixed price contract. This Special Notice is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can fully meet the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing. Submissions are due no later than August 30, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. Responses may be emailed to Angela Royster at angela.royster@noaa.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. It is the Government's belief that only Xceptional Networks can provide the requirement stated above.

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