ISBEE/IEE-Qualstar Q80 Tape Library Hardware Replacement and Warranty Services

INTRODUCTION

Pursuant to 48 CFR Part 326, Subpart 326.603-3 and IHM 5.5-6, Indian Health Service must use the negotiation authority of the Buy Indian Act, 25 U.S.C. 47, to give preference to Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE) whenever the use of that authority is authorized and practicable.

The Government is seeking to identify Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs) capable of performing the below Indian Health Services (IHS) requirement. Any vendor responding to this notice should submit their capability statement as well as the Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form (Attachment 1).  Instructions for submission are outlined below in Response Requirement section.

This is a Sources Sought Notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified small and/or other than small Indian-Owned Firms (25 USC 47) that can provide the required brand name Qualstar Q80 Tape Library System with 1 x IBM LTO-8 FC Tape Drive for IHS. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition strategy.

BACKGROUND

The Indian Health Service, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). The IHS is the principal federal health care provider and health advocate for AI/AN, and its goal is to raise their health status to the highest possible level. The IHS provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who belong to 573 federally recognized tribes in 37 states.

The IHS HQ OIT purchased the current backup appliances and supporting warranty in 2017. This included a 3+1 warranty coverage for replacement components and support services.  These appliances have reached the supported end date by the manufacturer.

IHS is seeking IEE/ISBEE vendors who are Qualstar authorized resellers and capable of provide the required brand name Qualstar Q80 Tape Library System with 1 x IBM LTO-8 FC Tape Drive as specified in attached requirement document (Attachment 2-Requirements Document)

The NAICS Code is: 334112 – Computer Storage Device Manufacturing. Size standard is 1250 Employees.

RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS

The Government requests interested parties submit a written response to this notice with the following information:

• Company Name
• Company Address
• Unique Entity ID (UEI) and Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code
• Point of Contact (include telephone number and email address)
• Identification of business size and category, ie. IEE, ISBEE, etc.
• Qualstar authorized reseller status
• Size of business pursuant to North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS)
• Capability statement of the company

Disclaimer and Important Notes. This notice shall not obligate the Government to award contract. Any information provided by industry to the Government as a result of this sources sought synopsis is strictly voluntary. Responses will not be returned. No entitlements to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges to the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses, or the Government's use of such information or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published on a government GPE. Furthermore, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). 

RESPONSE LIMITATIONS AND DUE DATE

Responses shall be submitted via email to Javier.medina-velazquez@ihs.gov no later than 9:00am EST on April 22, 2025.  Response shall reference the sources sought number 75H70425Q00018 in the email response header.

Capability statements will not be accepted after the due date. The maximum number of pages for this submission is five (5) pages.

ATTACHMENT 1 - IEE Representation Form

ATTACHMENT 2 - Requirement Document