SOLICITATION NOTICE
70 -- Virtal Software
- Notice Date
- 12/9/2005
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 511210
— Software Publishers
- Contracting Office
- Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Procurement and Property Management, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Room 1830, Washington, DC, 20212
- ZIP Code
- 20212
- Solicitation Number
- BLS-06-03
- Response Due
- 12/16/2005
- Archive Date
- 12/31/2005
- Description
- Request for Information BLS06-03 The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is seeking information from industry relating to its need for virtual machine software. This notice is a Request for Information (RFI) from interested vendors who are able to satisfy the requirements detailed in the description below. BLS does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for information received in response to this request. This RFI is being issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. The information contained in this RFI is based on the best and most current information available to date, is subject to change, and is not binding on the Government. Below is background information and description of the requirements for virtual machine software. Technology Virtual Machine technology allows a more efficient usage of computing hardware by allowing more than one operating system to run concurrently on an individual hardware platform. Traditional configurations allow one operating system per hardware platform which often results in substantial underutilization of computing capacity. The ability to virtually host multiple operating systems on an individual hardware platform will allow the consolidation and more efficient use of this computing capacity. Security and Support Requirements As with any IT product being used in the Bureau, security related support is of primary importance. The supplier of the virtual machine technology chosen must have a stated policy regarding how they will address any vulnerabilities and security issues that arise in the software. This policy should consist of: Monitoring Public Security Tracking Resources Quickly Acknowledging Security Issues and Notifying Customers Issuance of Mitigation Strategies and Workarounds for Discovered Security Threats on a Published Time Schedule Timely Issuance of Security Patches Independently Audited Source Code with Recommendations Implemented Into Future Releases. Hardware Platform Requirements This research will be conducted using the current BLS approved hardware platform for Intel based servers. There is no intention to revisit the current BLS hardware specifications to accommodate the VM technology that is selected unless there is an overwhelming need to do so as determined by BLS technical management. (e.g. no candidates exist that will fulfill the requirements on the BLS approved hardware platform). The current BLS approved server hardware applicable to this request is: HP Proliant DL380G4 3.4Ghz Standard Features : 1 Intel Xeon 3.4 GHz processor (dual capability) 1 MB level 2 ECC cache Supports for up to six 1" Wide Ultra3/Ultra320 SCSI hot plug hard drives or five hot plug hard drives and one AIT hot plug tape drive 1 GB (expandable to 12GB) of 2-way interleaved capable PC3200 DDR2 SDRAM running at 400MHz, with advanced ECC capabilities and Online spare capabilities 800-MHz Front Side Bus 24x IDE CD-ROM Embedded NC7782 10/100/1000 PCI-X Gigabit Network Interface Cards Integrated ATI Rage XL Video Controller with 8MB SDRAM Video Memory 2U Rack form factor chassis, 3.5 inches in height and fits 19" wide racks 3 64-bit PCI-X slots - (2 non-hot plug 64-bit/100MHz, 1 64-bit/133MHz), 3.3 volts or universal card compatible 3.5" floppy drive 2 575-Watt Hot plug power supplies Hot plug fans Sliding rails for in-rack mounting HP Proliant DL360G4p 3.4Ghz Standard Features : 1 Intel Xeon 3.4 GHz processor (dual capability) 2 MB level 2 ECC cache Supports for up to two 1? Wide Ultra3/Ultra320 SCSI hot plug hard drives Internal hot plug capacity 600GB standard (2 x 300GB 1 inch HD) 2 GB (expandable to 12GB) of 2-way interleaved capable PC2-3200 DDR SDRAM running at 400MHz, with advanced ECC capabilities and Online spare capabilities Five Peer PCI Architecture with 400-MHz Front Side Bus 24x IDE CD-ROM Embedded NC7782 10/100/1000 PCI-X Gigabit Network Interface Cards Integrated ATI Rage XL Video Controller with 8MB SDRAM Video Memory 1U Rack form factor chassis, 1.7 inches in height and fits 19 inch wide racks 1 full length and 1 half length 64-bit PCI-X slots 3.5" floppy drive 2 460-Watt Hot plug power supplies Hot plug fans (with optional redundancy) Sliding rails for in-rack mounting Software should conform to the following hardware related requirements: Must run on Intel Based Hardware Platform (BLS Approved Platform) Must run Directly on Hardware (not as an application running on an existing operating system such as Linux or Windows 2000) o This is critical requirement due to the potential exposure of multiple virtualized operating systems and related data if a security vulnerability were to be exploited by unauthorized persons in the VM host. Having a VM host solution that runs directly on the hardware, as opposed to running over an existing operating system (such as Windows 2000 Server), minimizes the interfaces that must be secured and results in a purpose built host component that is striped down of unnecessary functionality and complexity. Must Offer Support for Multiple Processors Operating System and Application Support The VM system will be used to support the BLS approved server operating system, which is currently Microsoft 2000 Server. It must also support Windows 2003 server, which is almost assuredly going to be the next approved operating system in the very near future. The VM candidate must also support a specified minimum number of operating systems per hardware platform as specified below:. Must Support, at Minimum, a Total of 8 Windows Server Operating Systems on Each Piece of Hardware. This may be a combination of Windows 2000 and Windows 2003 Server Operating Systems. Must support Citrix MetaFrame XP Application Server Hosted on a Windows 2000 or 2003 Operating System. Must Support Microsoft Exchange 2003 on a Windows 2000 or 2003 Operating System. Other Requirements The vendors must provide a statement of how the applicable Federal 508 requirements are addressed. Respondents are requested to offer comments regarding the requirements as stated above, level of detail, completeness, consistency with industry best practices, suitability for achieving stated objectives, any areas that have been left out and should be considered, potential cost of the system and whether or not the items are available for purchase off the GSA schedule. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AT THIS TIME. BLS reserves the right to conduct oral capabilities demonstrations/discussions that may be scheduled at a later date. All information should be submitted to: The Bureau of Labor Statistics Attn: Karen Barton 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE Room #1830 Washington, DC 20212 Phone: (202)691-6025 Fax: (202)691-6026 e-mail: barton.karen@bls.gov Request for information will be accepted until December 16, 2005.
- Place of Performance
- Address: 2 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE NE, WASHINGTON, DC
- Zip Code: 20212
- Zip Code: 20212
- Record
- SN00948846-W 20051211/051209212014 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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