70--VISN 4 LAN Upgrade

The Veteran's Affairs - IT Acquisition Center has a requirement for a Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) 4 Local Area Network (LAN) Upgrade for a period of one base year, with three (3), one year option year. Hardware selection is based on providing our veteran customer the best and most reliable network that can realistically be provided. Adequate bandwidth will be provided to users who require it to process and evaluate images needed to provide the best health care to our veterans. The VA is presently embarking on strategy to implement and govern an Enterprise Architecture (according to OMB A-130). The criticality of the architecture makes it necessary to test all major applications before deployment begins. The estimated value of purchasing the Cisco hardware is estimated at $8,887,103.00. This action is to justify the use of a Brand Name Description as described in FAR 6.302-1(c), Application for Brand Name Description. Cisco equipment can be purchased from a number of agent contractors at a variety of prices. This product will be solicited utilizing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Solutions Enterprise Wide Procurement (SEWP) IV Government Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) as specified by VA directive. Responses to this notice must be in writing and must be received by 12:00 pm CST on July 17, 2007. Third party firms will be considered only if responding with clear and convincing evidence that the Government will avoid additional cost of ownership and production will not be affected if non-McAfee software is purchased. The determination to open brand name competition based on responses is solely within the discretion of the Government. No additional synopsis information will be published, and a solicitation will only be issued to SEWP IV contract holders, regardless of the Government's brand name decision. Responses should be emailed to contact@example.gov or faxed to +1 (555) 000-0000.