Dept. of the Army, Directorate of Contracting, Attn: ATZS-DKO-I, P.O. Box 12748,Fort Huachuca, AZ 85670-2748

D -- TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING A VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK SOL DABT63-99-R-0017 POC Peggy Corcoran, Contract Specialist, e-mail: corcoranp@HUACHUCA-EMH1.ARMY.MIL E-MAIL: Click here to contact the contract specialist via, corcoranp@HUACHUCA-EMH1.ARMY.MIL. (i) This is a notice of intent to issue a future combined synopsis/solicitation/RFP for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 on or about 14 April 1999. This announcement constitutes the DRAFT solicitation. (ii) This DRAFT solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are in effect through the 1997 reissue of the FAR. (iii) This is a full and open competition under SIC 7379. (iv) GENERAL INFORMATION: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has a requirement for the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to provide its workforce with remote access to the DARPA internal network. For purposes of this DRAFT solicitation, a VPN is defined as a system that facilitates access to the DARPA internal network from the Internet. DARPA wishes to use current industry infrastructure, support services and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies to satisfy this requirement. The VPN architecture must support the transfer of data between the DARPA facility and employee residences, and between the DARPA facility and non-specific, other remote locations in the continental United States. (v) OBJECTIVES: Develop, install, and support a VPN. The offeror has complete flexibility to present innovative, cost-effective solutions that will meet the objectives. Solution must provide dedicated, secure, around-the-clock access to the DARPA internal network from the Internet. The encryption used in securing VPN traffic must use 128 bit keys, at a minimum. Solution must support a total of 600 users, and provide telecommute-speed connectivity for 200 of these users from identified locations within the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Solution must provide high-speed modem dial-in connectivity throughout the Continental United States. VPN client software must be usable when connected to other networks with Internet access. VPN traffic is to be separated from DARPA's current Internet service, default routes, and internal traffic. Solution must provide challenge/responseremote access authentication. Solution must be easy for the end user to operate. Solution must obscure the DARPA connection; there must be no reference to DARPA in any Internet accessible registrations. DARPA will maintain administrative control of all systems that are attached to the internal DARPA network. Solution must provide off-site users with full and unrestricted access to all Internet protocols, services and resources without contacting the internal DARPA network, when the VPN is not in use. All traffic must be routed through the VPN when the VPN is in use,. Solution must provide the ability for users to create personal web pages, supporting Microsoft Frontpage Extensions, without identifying DARPA affiliation. Solution must provide a simplified billing structure (i.e., flat rate billing/unlimited use accounts). Solution must support a minimum of 50 simultaneous connections to the internal DARPA network. Solution must provide ability to scale service up in the future increase number of simultaneous active connections, increase number of off-site users, and implement new technologies, as they become available. Solution must provide turn-on/turn-off, installation/de-installation, and maintenance for connectivity to VPN service at named off-site user locations. VPN client solutions must be centrally configurable, lockable, and deployable by DARPA Help Desk staff. Solution must provide around-the-clock support to end users for resolution of dial-in and contact problems; users must have ability to place their own trouble tickets to resolve remote access problems. Solution must provide support to DARPA Help Desk staff who will coordinate support issues. Solution must provide training and documentation to both DARPA Help Desk staff and to DARPA end users. Solution must monitor network traffic and report usage using a secure method. Solution must monitor and report status of customer calls using a secure method. Solution must provide full implementation to twenty (20) employees within 120 days after contract award and must provide full implementation to the entire user base within the first year of the contract. (vi) Period of performance will be one (1) year beginning on or about 1 July 1999 and three (3) 1-year option years, total not to exceed four (4) years. (vii) Collaborative/teaming arrangements to develop a full working solution are encouraged. (viii) Evaluations may/may not be conducted by both Government and Contracted Personnel, and may be published in a national information technology publication. (ix) This is a DRAFT synopsis/solicitation/RFP and is not a request for formal proposals. (x) A pre-solicitation conference is scheduled for 13 April 1999 at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, 3701 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. If a company would like to participate in the pre-solicitation conference, please submit the individual's name and title that will be attending the pre-solicitation conference (limit 2 per company) via e-mail to Peggy Corcoran at corcoranp@HUACHUCA-EMH1.ARMY.MIL by 8 April 1999. Posted 03/24/99 (W-SN312187). (0083)

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