SOURCES SOUGHT
D -- Overview of IT Services for the Army Research Laboratory
- Notice Date
- 2/14/2017
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541513
— Computer Facilities Management Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Army, Army Contracting Command, ACC - APG (W911QX) Adelphi, 2800 POWDER MILL RD, ADELPHI, Maryland, 20783-1197, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20783-1197
- Solicitation Number
- W911QX-17-R-0014
- Archive Date
- 3/22/2017
- Point of Contact
- Jessica R. Camunez, Phone: 5756788283
- E-Mail Address
-
jessica.r.camunez.civ@mail.mil
(jessica.r.camunez.civ@mail.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Sources Sought Synopsis: (1) Action Code : SOURCES SOUGHT This is a Sources Sought Notice only. This is not a request for proposal, but a survey to locate potential sources. This Sources Sought does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposals, or a Request for Quotations, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue an order or otherwise pay for the information solicited, nor is it a guarantee of a forthcoming solicitation or contract. It is for market research purposes only. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities, and qualifications of various businesses in advance of a planned solicitation(s) for the Army Research Laboratory's IT Service Requirements. Additionally, this Sources Sought Notice is to inform interested parties of an upcoming industry day being hosted at the Comfort Inn Capital, 4050 Powder Mill Rd, Beltsville, MD 20705 tentatively scheduled for March 14 th and 15th 2017 at 9:00AM respectively. The Government must ensure there is adequate competition among the potential pool of responsible contractors. As detailed below, RSVPs for the Industry Day are due NO LATER THAN 3:00 pm EST on 7 March 2017. (2) Date : 14 February 2017 (3) Classification Code : D321 (4) NAICS Code: 541513 (5) NAICS Size Standard: $27,500,000.00 (6) Contracting Office Address: US Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground, Adelphi Contracting Division 2800 Powder Mill Road Adelphi, Maryland 20783 (7) Subject: Overview of IT Services for the Army Research Laboratory (8) Proposed Solicitation Number: W911QX-17-R-0014 (9) Sources Sought Closing Response Date: 7 March 2017 (10) Contact Point: Steven Herr, Acquisition Specialist, steven.c.herr2.ctr@mail.mil (11) Overview Members of the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) will be meeting with potential bidders on March 14 th and 15 th 2017 to discuss the landscape of ARL's IT service requirements. Specifically, ARL is seeking to learn of innovative methods that improve customer experience while reducing costs. The objective of these meetings is to generate a lively discussion among the government and potential bidders on how IT services can be delivered in the next five years and receive industry feedback on the grouping of task areas that will ultimately comprise separate contract requirements in forthcoming solicitations. ARL is pursuing vendors who can provide services in an environment where funding will be reduced over the life of the contract. The expectation is that costs will decrease using innovative methods and technologies. On Day 1, the discussions will be focused on Workplace Management. This includes help desk, VTC, desktop support and image/patch management. Day 2 discussions will target networking, enterprise management and monitoring, applications development and data center management. For example, the ARL Help Desk is looking to integrate social media, self- help tools and automated proactive measures that will reduce resolution times and increase customer satisfaction. Further, these tool should be available to customers during core and non-core hours. The same approach should be applied to other areas of ARL's IT environment. ARL is seeking vendors who bring new concepts developing applications using state-of-the-art software, use the latest network management tools and video-teleconferencing equipment, and using cutting edge techniques to develop images for PC and laptops. It has not been determined how many separate contracts will be used to meet ARL's requirements. Once the information from Industry Day is collected and analyzed, requirements will be developed and a synopsis will be posted detailing the information regarding forthcoming request for proposals. Below is a brief description of services that will be included in the next ARL IT Services Contracts. It is expected that each category includes Program Management, meets all Army Information Assurance requirements and can be expanded to meet additional requirements as they are funded. Day 1 March 7, 2017 Enterprise Service Desk Administration and Workflows The CIOC (Corporate Information Operation Center) administers and supports ARL's enterprise service desk customer ticketing system (currently CA Enterprise Service Desk), which is provisioned by the Army Material Command (AMC). The CIOC also provides some specific functions for Tier level II help desk, and coordinates escalation to Tier level III. Helpdesk and End User Support TIER 1: The contractor shall be responsible for providing the initial support level required for all customer IT issues. The contractor shall provide Tier 1 Help Desk support in accordance with IT service industry standards and best practices to include gathering the customer's information, inputting the issue into ARL's help desk ticketing system, performing the initial triage of the problem to determine the best course of action and resolving as many issues as possible on the first customer contact. Issues that cannot be resolved at first contact will be escalated to Tier 2. This support will also include maintaining ARL's IT asset management database with an accurate account of all IT assets. This support level will cover all of ARL sites and include both classified and non-classified environments. This coverage will be provided during ARL's business hours of 0630-1800 on business days. For reference purposes only, the scope of the ARL environment includes but is not limited to: •· Operating system environments-Currently Windows, Linux, Mac OSX •· Desktops, laptops and tablets •· Wireless devices •· Personal and Workgroup printers •· Monitors, FAX machines UPS's and associated peripherals •· Number of user accounts is approximately 4700 •· Estimated annual number of tickets at the Tier 1 level is approximately: 17,000 Requests and 10,500 incidents TIER 2: The contractor shall be responsible for providing the Tier 2 level support required to resolve IT issues that are unresolved at the Tier 1 level. The contractor shall provide Tier 2 end user support in accordance with IT service industry standards and best practices and will include both remote access and on-site work at user's work locations. Issues that cannot be resolved at the Tier 2 level will be escalated to Tier 3. This support level will cover all ARL sites and include both classified and non-classified environments. This coverage will be provided during ARL's business hours of 0630-1800 on business days. This service includes but is not limited to: •· Hardware and software maintenance for end user devices •· Re-imaging workstations as necessary •· Deploying new end user devices •· End user device moves •· Ensuring workstations are maintained with the standard ARL image and that patches are applied in accordance with ARL security requirements For reference purposes only, the scope of the ARL environment includes but is not limited to: •· Operating system environments-Currently Windows, Linux, Mac OSX •· Desktops, laptops and tablets •· Wireless devices •· Personal and Workgroup printers •· Monitors, FAX machines UPS's and associated peripherals •· Number of user accounts is approximately 4700 •· Estimated annual number of tickets at the Tier 2 level is approximately: 10,000 TIER 3 The contractor will provide Tier 3 support for all aspects of the ARL IT environment (Information Assurance, Video Teleconferencing, Mobil Devices, Networking technologies (including wireless), Microsoft Products (including scripting), Windows/Unix/Linux/Mac platforms, Desktop and Laptop platforms, Printer technology (testing for security configurations), and the ARL toolset (CA Unicenter, Microsoft SCCM, ACAS, HBSS or other tools when implemented)). As a common business practice, most issues encountered in an IT environment are resolved at the Tier 1 and 2 levels. More complex issues require specialized skills over and above the Tier 1 and 2 levels. Tier 3 support also includes Problem Management to assess multiple complaints for the same or similar issue to determine if adjustments in processes or new automated solutions are required. IMAGE DEVELOPMENT ARL has instituted a standard disk image for IT enterprise-wide desktop, laptop, and tablet computers. This allows for a standard software configuration across the laboratory. The contractor will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and updating the standard image for all supported platform configurations within ARL and its partners. This includes providing configuration management of the common disk image and ensuring that changes are incorporated, maintaining configuration management and change control for image development, testing new applications and peripherals for image compatibility, and integrating the disk image into ARL's evolving Enterprise Architecture Management (EAM) process to include the classified and unclassified environments. Critical software updates and vulnerability patching are also part of the maintenance and update requirements of the image. Software updates and patches are tested, evaluated and deployed in a timely and non-disruptive manor. The contractor is responsible for the update and patching process, to include several levels of testing prior to full enterprise deployment. VIDEO TELECONFERENCE INFRASTRUCTUREAND ON-SITE TECHNICAL SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE: ARL has instituted an IT enterprise-wide VTC program that spans all major sites listed and is comprised of approximately ninety (90) Polycom or Cisco VTC enabled conference rooms, including classified conference rooms up to Secret. The Polycom and Cisco VTC conference rooms are managed enterprise-wide using the Cisco Telepresence Management System (TMS). The VTC infrastructure consists of one (1) Cisco Multipoint Call Unit (MCU) (MSE 8000 series), Cisco VCS-Control, and VCS-Expressway. ARL is transitioning the VTC endpoints in the conference rooms from Polycom to Cisco. ARL has also deployed streaming video as part of all Polycom and Cisco conference rooms. In addition to VTC-enabled conference rooms, ARL has deployed Jabber Movi to serve as the desktop VTC client. TECHNICAL SUPPORT: ARL has on-site support to provide technical support for the operation, troubleshooting and maintenance of the Cisco MCU and VTC enabled conference rooms. Technical support provides set up services for meetings requiring AV/VTC technology to ensure proper and timely connectivity prior to meeting start. ARL is looking to enhance the experience currently provided by incorporating audiovisual support as part of the new contract effort. Day 2 (March 8, 2017) System Software Team - Unix System Administration The System Software Team, SST provides enterprise support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Mac OS across all ARL sites. The SST's commitment to full life cycle support includes developing STIG compliant images that are utilized to provide secure platforms for mission critical programs and key infrastructure services such as DNS, NFS, Samba, Kerberos, SecurID, and OpenID. Once deployed the team monitors, patches, troubleshoots, and maintains the systems with Red Hat Satellite Server, Puppet, Nagios, and Casper. In addition the team safe guards ARL's data with CommVault Simpana using backup, archive, and disaster recovery strategies. System Software Team - Windows Server Administration The System Software Team, SST and Network Enterprise Center, NEC provide enterprise support for Windows Servers across all ARL sites. The teams' services include installation, patching, security analysis group policy, and active directory management. The servers provide enterprise services for SQL, file, print, and Hyper-V virtualization management. In addition to enterprise services the team provides end user service support for Cohesion, FileMaker Pro, Cumulus, Solidworks licensing, Matlab licensing, WEBEOC, SCAP and many others. Enterprise IT Monitoring Service The CIOC provides 24x7 monitoring of ARL's enterprise IT infrastructure; identifies, investigates and analyzes problems, and coordinates response communications for the CIO office. The CIOC maintains a CIO web information portal and IT Services Dashboard for situational awareness of both customers and service providers. Enterprise Configuration Management Support The CIOC supports enterprise-wide configuration management of software patches and updates via Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, and provides customer self-service remote software installations via the CA Service Catalog. The CIOC also maintains IT asset management information via ARL's internally-developed TrackIT database software, and manages all network-attached printers. Network Services ARL has high speed networks that connects users to the Defense Research and Engineering Network/internet/intranet at several ARL campuses in support of their research. Specifically, the ARL network is comprised of Network and Enterprise Infrastructure Management, High Performance Networking, Classified Networking, COMSEC programs and wireless networks. For Network and Enterprise Infrastructure, this includes network design and procurement for both Classified/Unclassified Networks, network installation and configuration, maintenance and decommissioning of End of Life equipment, five year planning, implementing new technologies, maintaining network certifications, installing/maintaining fiber plant, as well as coordinating moves, adds and changes across all sites. For High Performance Networking, the team develops innovative solutions for fixed networks, manages Research Development and Engineering Network (RDEnet), and manages dark fiber paths for our partners. The Classified Networking Team manages the access to SIPRnet and SDREN, supports the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS) and many Classified enclaves. The ARL COMSEC Team manages Secret and Top Secret COMSEC accounts, completes all COMSEC audits and inspections and Key Management Infrastructure (KMI) Software Programs and securely produces and distributes electronic keying materials. ARL installed several wireless networks that contact to the local LAN, (ARLEN), our Open Campus partners and to STEM users. Database Applications The Enterprise Application Development and Maintenance Team provides full software development life cycle, emphasis on JEE stack and Activiti workflow engine. This includes formulating requirements analysis, data modeling, and application/database design based on ARL architecture, system development, quality assurance and system roll out. Also, defect management is required to ensure end users' satisfaction. Additionally, provides Development Operation (DevOps) support to help automated development/deployment processes under agile principles, ensures system security compliant to DOD/Army standard and monitors and backup both development and production applications. Also, the team designs and develops templates for both internet and intranet site with ARL selected Content Management Systems, develops processes and workflows used by content authors to develop and publish contents and tunes the search engine to improve search results. (12) Industry Day Responses to this notice are due on or before 3:00 pm EST 7 March 2017. Offerors must p rovide the required information to Steven Herr, Acquisition Specialist, at steven.c.herr2.ctr@mail.mil. Due to limited space, a maximum of two (2) representatives from each firm will be allotted. To provide ample opportunity slots may be reserved for small businesses. Interested attendees shall provide the following information: a) Company Name, Address, Business Size Information (and applicable socio-economic standing) and Cage Code b) Names and contact information of each representative c) Capability Briefings limited to eight (8) pages in length All parties interested in the Industry Day shall notify this office via email only. This is a firm response date and Industry Day RSVPs and response information will not be accepted after 3:00 pm EST on 7 March 2017. If you are unable to attend the Industry Day, but still interested in submitting capabilities briefing documents, you must do so by the close of 09 March 2017. Submissions should be emailed to steven.c.herr2.ctr@mail.mil The both days will also allow for limited slots for ten (10) one-on-one meetings with the first ten (10) responding prospective offerors. Each one-on-one meeting will be limited to twenty (20) minutes. The intent of the one-on-one meetings is the opportunity to discuss technical capabilities of the firms in attendance. It is recommended a technical representative from prospective offeror's firm attend. If a one-on-one meeting is granted, presentation slides and briefing documents are required by 09 March 2017 3:00 pm EST. (13) Place of Contract Performance: Army Research Laboratory (ARL), Adelphi, MD Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Maryland White Sands Missile Range, NM (WSMR) Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, NC (RTP) (14) Estimated Contract Period of Performance (POP): One (1) base year and four (4) option years.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/51af03deee04fae17070c5f623b340c5)
- Record
- SN04401779-W 20170216/170214234434-51af03deee04fae17070c5f623b340c5 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |