Social Security Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, Md. 21207-0696

D -- NOVELL SOFTWARE SUPPORT SERVICES DUE 110596 POC Alan R (Dick) Tokosch Tel:(410)965-9492 FAX (410)965-9560 SSA intends to negotiate with and issue a SOLE SOURCE Purchase Orderunder the Simplified Acquisition Procedures to NOVELLE Inc; 1555 North Technology Way; Orem, UT 84057; for software support services for SSA's existing LAN's which utilize Novelle Netware, Unixware and related connectivity and communication software. Background: At the present time SSA programmatic and management information workloads are supported, in part, by intelligent workstations (IWS) and Novell local area networks (LANs) that have been integrated over the past 5 years into SSA's wide-area-network (WANs), SSANet. With 161 Office of Hearings and Appeals NetWare LANs and over 150 Interim NetWare LANs supporting SSA field offices and the pilot IWS LANs and other older legacy NetWare LANs, SSA has over 465 LAN segments and 536 NetWare licenses operating in support of SSA's critical information processing requirements. Requirements: SSA requires support services from its major LAN network operating system (NOS) to address the complex integration and performance issues which affect SSANet services. SSA is aware of only one source, Novell, Incorporated, who is capable of providing the premium support services designed to support large organizations which manage their network resources centrally and have strong technical support staffs. The requested support services includes support for NetWare, UnixWare and all connectivity and communications software. The support services shall include: 1. Account Management - A certified Novell representative shall be assigned to the account to ensure customer satisfaction and that support needs are being met. 2. Support Coverage shall be provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 3. Priority Access - to certified Novell senior support engineers.4. Novell Support Encyclopedia - The Novell Support Encyclopedia (NSEPro) is an electronic info-base that contains the technical information necessary to install, maintain and troubleshoot all Novell products. NSEPro is a CD-ROM subscription updated up to 12 time per year. Subscription is licensed for one (1) network file server with up to four (4) concurrent connections. NSEPro runs under DOS, Windows and Macintosh. 5. Pro-Active Information Service - Access to technical information via electronic ''mailing list'' The mailing list will receive weekly information/updates regarding technical support issues which Novell determines as relevant. The information will allow customers to deal pro-actively in preventing problems. 6. Pre-Release Software - allows the customer to receive pre-release software for early evaluation of new products. It does not include any type of formal feedback process and imposes no requirements on participants. 7. In addition to the premium services and four (4) support contacts, SSA requires a Primary Support Novell certified engineer to be available to resolve/coordinate SSA technical issues and will include one (1) on-site visit. This engineer will have a working knowledge of SSANet's configuration and provide continuity to the process of integrating the tuning SSA's LAN/WAN environments. Vendors capable of providing Novell support services as described above are invited to submit complete information, product descriptions, pricing, brochures and GSA schedules (if applicable) about their services. Interested parties must response to this notice in writing within 20 calendar days from the date of this publication. NO RFP WILL BE ISSUED and requests for a solicitation will not be honored. All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. Firms responding are required to indicate whether they are a small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a) certified business or a large business. The Government does not intend to pay for any information provided. Note 22. (0290)

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