NIPR Virtual CORE Storage Hardware Upgrade

The 42d Contracting Squadron at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama is conducting market research to identify qualified vendors for a turnkey NIPR Virtual CORE Storage Hardware Upgrade for the 42d Communications Squadron. The requirement involves the procurement, installation, and seamless integration of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) equipment, specifically HPE MSA 2070 storage arrays and HPE DL360 Gen 11 servers, along with comprehensive integration services including project management, engineering design, physical installation, virtual environment data migration, network configuration, system testing, and technical training. Vendors may propose alternative "or equal" solutions only if they can demonstrate 100% compatibility and seamless native integration with the existing HPE infrastructure without causing mission degradation or requiring significant re-engineering of government systems. The government will use responses to finalize its overall acquisition strategy, and respondents must provide detailed company information, NAICS code classification (541519), CAGE code, UEI, business type designation, and technical capabilities addressing specific requirements. The deadline for submission of responses is May 5, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time, with responses to be submitted via email to either 1st Lt John Putnam or Mr. Jeremy Kersey at the addresses provided in the Sources Sought notice.

This is a pre-solicitation notice with no set-aside designation, and no specific incumbent contractor or award value is identified in the notice. The requirement involves upgrading the existing HPE 3PAR 8400 2N storage infrastructure by adding a fourth node, transitioning four hosts to direct connect architecture, and removing two HPE SN6000B Fibre Channel switches from the data path. All equipment must be new (not refurbished or gray market), Trade Agreement Act compliant, and include three years of initial licensing and sustainment support warranty. Delivery is required to Maxwell AFB, Building 1154, IT Warehouse, with the contractor bearing full responsibility for project management, design, engineering, installation, network configuration, data migration, testing, and operational handoff. The contractor must provide 24/7 telephone support with next business day onsite response capability and maintain all parts and labor for repairs, with security requirements including 30-day advance notification before on-base performance and compliance with Air Force installation access controls and REAL ID Act requirements.