Purchase of Firewalls, IPS and Related Maintenance and Monitoring Services

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) has issued a Request for Bids (RFB) for the purchase of firewalls, Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) sensors, and related maintenance and monitoring services. The procurement seeks to replace the MWRA's existing network security infrastructure, including Check Point NGX [R65] firewalls and Nokia IP390 appliances, with new Check Point Power-1, UTM-1, and Smart-1 devices, as well as IBM ISS Proventia GX4004-V2 and GX5008-V2 network sensors. The required deliverables include hardware, software, installation, configuration, training, and four years of maintenance and monitoring services. Bids are due by 11:30 AM on December 8, 2010, and the contract term is expected to commence on March 1, 2011 for an initial three-year period, with an optional one-year extension. The MWRA will award the contract to the qualified vendor with the lowest total cost.

The RFB is open to all eligible entities, with no set-asides or special procurement requirements noted. The MWRA has not disclosed any incumbent vendors or details on the current contract value. The RFB specifies the existing network and security components that must be integrated, but does not provide a budget range or estimated award value for the contract.