Replace Network Switches Within Existing IT Infrastructure

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation(SLSDC) is for replacing sixty (60) network switches at it's Massena, New York Locations. This shall include removing the existing switches and configuring, installing, testing, and verifying the new switches access to the core.

The SLSDC has been required by the United States Dept. of Transportation(DOT) to replace the existing switches with Cisco brand switches. The SLSDC must remain singularly adaptable within the existing IT infrastructure connecting DOT’s Washington, D.C.-based Common Operating Environment (COE), SLSDC’s Massena, New York-based operations, and that of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC), the SLSDC’s Canadian partner.

With the added network security imposed by DOT, the SLSDC intends to issue a sole source contract to Meridina IT of Deerfield, IL for this work on the SLSDC network. Meridian IT, Inc. has completed multiple security assessments and recommended and installed upgrades to improve the security of the IT network.  Meridian IT has extensive knowledge of the SLSDC’s network due to work on past projects and for this reason, competition would lead to duplicate costs and unacceptable delays.

The SLSDC shall acquire the services using the provisions, clauses and procedures prescribed in FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 13. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform equivalent or better services in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30pm EST on April 1, 2020.  Such capabilities and qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis.  A determination by the SLSDC not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the SLSDC.  Oral communications are not an acceptable response.