FSC 70 -- PREQUALIFICATION NOTICE-USPS SOLICITATION FOR DATA COLLECTION SERVER DEPLOYMENT

Notice Date

November 9, 2000

Contracting Office

US Postal Service, Headquarters Automation Purchasing, 8403 Lee Highway, Merrifield, Virginia 22082-8150

ZIP Code

22082-8150

E-Mail Address

Attn: Thomas Fallon: RE: IDS (tfallon@email.usps.gov)

Description

The United States Postal Service (USPS) requests information for the purpose of pre-qualifying contractors with current experience in the development of software, providing real-time data collection servers and field service, to receive an RFP to upgrade the Integrated Data System (IDS), a data collection system currently deployed in 300 mail processing facilities in the U.S. Background: The Engineering Software Management group of the USPS has developed the Integrated Data System (IDS) to centralize the collection of data from mail processing equipment and material handling systems within mail Processing and Distribution Centers. This centralization allows the USPS to increase operational efficiency, and to rapidly accommodate changing customer and postal processing information requirements. The currently deployed IDS consists of a rack mounted computer server in 300 Processing and Distribution Centers located throughout the United States of America. These systems collect data from mail processing equipment for use by corporate information systems. The IDS Upgrade program -- The role of IDS has grown considerably since it was deployed two years ago. A program to upgrade IDS hardware and software is planned. The upgraded system is expected to roughly double the storage capacity and increase the throughput capacity by three to four times that of the current systems. The program is scheduled for USPS Board of Governors review in January 2001. If approved, deployment is expected to begin in July 2001. The upgrade program includes: a) contractor development of upgraded data collection software; b) contractor development of upgraded system management software; c) contractor replacement of the 300 nationally deployed servers; d) contractor installation of servers in 25 additional sites; e) contractor provided services related to testing, installation, documentation, quality assurance, and project management; and f) contractor-provided 24x7, 4 hour response service and maintenance of the installed hardware and software for five (5) years after system acceptance by the USPS. The current system -- The current operational IDS consists of: 19 inch rack mounted Pentium class servers with RAID storage Microsoft Windows NT Version 4, SR. 5 operating system Software application to receive, process, and pass on mail processing data files Microsoft System Management Server (SMS) V2.0 software to collect system management information and to provide remote management capability Servers and monitoring and system management software in two sites, and help desk personnel, providing 24x7 system maintenance and management support from one of these sites Contracted field service for the installed hardware and on-site software diagnostic and maintenance service The IDS operates continuously (24x7) without local operator monitoring and intervention. It is managed remotely. The required response To qualify for selection as a pre-qualified Offeror, contractors must provide: a) A short background of the company as it relates to this specific effort. A description of the financial capacity of the proposed Offeror to perform multi-year projects with a financial commitment necessary for the IDS Upgrade program. The description shall include examples of multiple projects within the past three (3) years that demonstrate the Offeror's financial, management and technical capabilities and capacity to perform projects of the scale and complexity of the IDS Upgrade program. Example descriptions must include: the scope of hardware procurement and software development the multi site installation and testing effort, and a technical point of contact with the current user of the system. b) A description that demonstrates the proposed Offeror's capability to provide 24x7, 4 hour response, hardware and software field service at 325 sites in the United States. The description shall include examples of multiple projects within the past five (5) years that demonstrate the Offeror's capability to provide such service. The example descriptions must include the scope of the national field service supplied by listing the equipment, the service level, the number of sites, and software serviced. a. Server hardware cost including installation in 325 sites b. Development and testing of software c. Service and maintenance of hardware and software for five (5) years after system acceptance The information required for pre-qualification must be limited to ten (10) pages of 11 point type or larger, submitted in hard copy (three copies) and in electronic form (MS Word 97 preferred), also in three copies. Additional supporting information, while not required for pre-qualification, may also be submitted for consideration. This information may include the names of teaming partners if contemplated and known, experience with Manufacturing Messaging Specification (ISO/IEC 9506), software development standards, application of QA industry standards, and copies of published articles relating experiences of the proposed Offeror which are directly applicable to this effort. The supporting information is limited to an additional ten pages and should be submitted in hard copy (three copies) or where available, in electronic form. A Draft Statement of Work describing the IDS Upgrade program requirements in some detail is provided for information only and may be obtained from Mr. Thomas A. Fallon at USPS Automation Purchasing, 8403 Lee Highway, Merrifield, VA 22082-8150 The USPS solicits this response on a voluntary basis only. The USPS will not compensate for any costs associated with responding to this request or any resulting RFP. The proposed Offerors must not provide any proprietary information in response to this request. The information received will be used within the USPS for the purpose of evaluating the qualifications of the proposed Offeror only for this effort. Responses must be received by the USPS by COB November 20, 2000. Responses must be addressed to Mr. Thomas A. Fallon, USPS Automation Purchasing, 8403 Lee Highway (Dewey Bldg.), Merrifield, VA 22082-8150 or email at tfallon@email.usps.gov.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001114/SPMSC009.HTM (W-314 SN5063U2)