I-Gate Test/Training System

Added: Jul 12, 2016 1:05 pm This is a Notice of Proposed Contract Action under FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This notice is for information only; a solicitation will not be issued. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. No contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334111 with a small business size standard of 1250 employees.

AFRL requires a Microsoft Windows 2008R2 based cluster consisting of one clustered application server with 64GB RAM, two domain controllers, and a 6 TB SAN. The hardware is procured with a vendor supported 3 year 24x7 - 4 hour response warranty. This task includes a full year of software maintenance support (providing helpdesk support and software upgrades). The hardware suite will consist of the following equipment:

- (2) Dell R530 Application Servers with dual 6 core processors and 64GB RAM
- (2) Dell R430 Domain Servers with a single 6 core processor and 16 GB RAM
- (1) Dell 3820f Storage Area Network (SAN) with 6TB of raw storage
- (2) Cisco Catalyst 3850 24-port Ethernet switches
- Dell rack mount monitor/keyboard with KVM switch to access all four servers
- (4) Windows Server 2012 Standard w/10 Client Access Licenses (CAL) (downgraded to Win 2008 R2 for installation) for the application server.
- (1) SQL 2014 Standard w/10 Client Access Licenses (CAL) (downgraded to SQL 2008) for the application server.

The task shall be completed and met with the following acceptance criteria:

- Delivery of DA I-GATE Test System
- Execution of Annual Maintenance Support
- Completion of Configuration, Functional operability and Certification (via phone, if required)

Market research was performed, and no suitable alternative was identified. The Government has determined that award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition and unacceptable delays in fulfilling the requirements including costs related to training, installation, software development, engineering, maintenance, and support. The DA I-Gate system is a Northrop Grumman Information Systems (NGIS) proprietary COTS system that is developed and licensed through NGIS, this additional DA I-GATE system required is also proprietary and only offered through NGIS, there are no other vendors who can provide the ancillary integration services required by White House Communications Agency (WHCA) to ensure this DA I-GATE Test system is operationally compatible with WHCA's existing infrastructure as installed by NGIS. Northrop Grumman does not license any entities the authority or ability to provide this system or any services related to the DA I-GATE system or software.

If the DA I-GATE Test system is not procured, WHCA will not be able to provide a platform upon which to test new software releases and security patches prior to deploying to their operational system. This greatly reduces the risk of causing an unintentional disruption of critical White House communications.

The Government intends to negotiate a sole source contract with Northrop Grumman Information Systems, 2340 Dulles Corner Blvd, Herndon, VA 201771-3400

This is a notice of proposed contract action and not a request for competitive proposals; however, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement or proposal, which shall be considered by the agency. All inquiries should be sent by email to Brooke.Hoffman@us.af.mil

Responses must be submitted by the date/time listed on the notice. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government in future procurements.

Responses received will be evaluated; however a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government anticipates an award date on or before 15 August 2016.

A Sole Source Justification will be attached to the subsequent Notice of Award in accordance with applicable regulation.