Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service, Division of Acquisitions and Grants Management, Acquisitions Management Branch, 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 450A, Rockville, MD 20852

D -- TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NATIONAL IHS IT SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT, SUSTAINMENT, DEVELOPMENT & OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SOL RFP 236-01-0001/DCL DUE 072000 POC Doreen Chino-Lente, Contracting Officer, (301) 443-5774 See Note 1. The Indian Health Service (IHS) has a national in scope requirement for a contractor to provide labor, administrative support and broad technology information support to the Division of Information Resources in the cities of Rockville, Maryland, Tucson, Arizona, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is a combined synopsis and solicitation in compliance with FAR 5.207 for Section 8(a) competitive acquisitions and national buys. This notice may represent the only official notice of such solicitation. The solicitation will be issued without further notice upon SBA acceptance of the requirement for the 8(a) program. Competition is limited only to eligible 8(a) concerns and is a 100% set-aside for small business concerns. The Government is seeking transitional 8(a) firms with expert management, consultation and development capabilities in support of the IHS IT systems. These systems are vital to the IHS operations and meet a critical need. Due to the criticality of the requirement, joint ventures will not be considered. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code for this acquisition is 7379 with a size standard of $18 million. The proposed contract will be awarded as a Labor Hours (fixed rates), Indefinite-Quantity-type, (task orders) contract for a base year and four option years beginning with anticipated award of on or about August 1, 2000. The 7 major functional areas in this requirement are: (1) Information Technology Management and Sustainment; (2) Automated M Systems Development and Support Services; (3) Telecommunications Systems Support and Services; (4) Hardware and Configuration of Information Systems; (5) General IT Support and Services; (6) Office Automation Support and Services, and (7) New Technology and Support Services. The proposed contract includes providing information technology development, operations and management or sustainment services in support of all IHS HQE, Area Offices, Service Units and Health Centers operated by IHS in the geographical support areas of the continental United States and Alaska. The proposed contractor must be able to provide IT support and services for the IHS automated systems, telecommunications systems, visual information, logistical support, system documentation, system training, development and services for the information systems security and all other requirements to sustain the infrastructure in support of the IHS contingency mission and installation requirements in accordance with HHS policies and guidelines. The proposed contractor must also be able to provide similar support and services to IHS tribal and urban Indian projects and facilities as required. IHS requires that the proposed contractor provide automated systems support and services to include, but not limited to, installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, testing, repairing, replacing, cleaning, updating programs, configure, and provide the appropriate labor mix for the operational support for all IHS automated systems. The office automation includes but is not limited to personal computers, IBM compatible microcomputers, local area network (LAN) servers, UNIX computers and pheripheral Automated Data Processing (ADP)equipment. The microcomputers operate under Microsoft operations systems, Disk Operating System (DOS), Microsoft Windows 95/98, Windows New Technology (NT) and some UNIX, LINUS and CACHE operating systems. The majority of the IHS desktop/portable microcomputers is Microsoft Windows 3.X or upgraded versions operating with Microsoft Office 4.3 or upgraded versions. The proposed contractor must maintain operational capability in response to emergency outages, national or catastrophic emergencies or severe weather within two (2)hours of notification. The proposed contractor must be able to provide IT capabilities during the customary duty hours, after duty hours, holidays and weekends, if required. The proposed contractor shall be able to provide expert consultation and information on the security development, support and its services for the IHS automated and telecommunications information systems. The proposed contractor shall provide expert understanding of the stated requirements and demonstrate the understanding in the technical proposals. Proposals must be in response to the RFP and received in hard copies in accordance with Section C; Section L -- Instructions to Offerors; and Section M, Evaluation Criteria. Proposals shall include a detailed description on all major functions of the requirements. Critical is the contractor's relevant experience, past performance and professional backgrounds of the staff that would have primary responsibility for the project. Any omission of the requested information pertaining to the RFP (or subcontractors) will weigh against the proposal during the evaluation. All questions, technical or otherwise, by a prospective offeror regarding this RFP shall be made in writing to the Contracting Officer. The evaluation of all proposals will be expeditiously handled to ensure a best buy for the Government. Interested 8(a) firms must submit a written request for a copy of the RFP as expeditiously as possible. The Government will only respond to written requests or questions and no other requests will be acted on. Facsimile requests will be accepted and should be sent to: 301-443-1329, Attn: Contracting Officer. All responsible, eligible sources may submit a proposal and shall be considred by the agency. The time for acceptance of proposals is based solely on the need that a contract must be awarded to avoid a break in critical services to IHS management and services related to patient care. The award must be completed under a constraint of time. The Government needs time to allow for a successful transition between the incumbent and new contractor to ensure a continuity of IT services. The Government will not be responsible for costs incurred by the offeror in preparation of a response to the RFP. Posted 06/19/00 (W-SN465969). (0171)

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