DC01--Infrastructure Operations Franchise Fund Support Services

The Department of Veterans Affairs Technology Acquisition Center is seeking industry input and potential contractors to support enterprise-wide infrastructure operations through a recompete effort under solicitation 36C10A25Q0090, classified under NAICS code 541512 with product service code DC01. The contract encompasses comprehensive support across four critical domains: Application Services, Application Hosting Compute and Storage, Infrastructure Engineering and Operations, and Datacenter Facility Operations, requiring contractors to deliver modernized, secure, and highly available IT services across hybrid environments including on-premises, cloud, and mainframe systems. Key responsibilities include Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM), cybersecurity compliance with NIST and FedRAMP standards, database and middleware administration, certificate management, disaster recovery, facility operations for data centers in Austin and Philadelphia, automation, FinOps implementation, Service Integration and Management (SIAM) frameworks, and AI-driven operational enhancements. The performance period offers a 12-month base term with up to four additional 12-month options, extending the total potential contract duration to 60 months, with a strict requirement for 99.982% uptime in data center operations and adherence to VA-specific security protocols, including NISPOM, Trusted Internet Connections, and ICTS supply chain restrictions. Contractors must provide fully qualified personnel, including a Project Manager with HVAC certification and project management credentials, who will conduct hourly infrastructure tours, respond to critical failures within one hour, and ensure continuous operational oversight. Physical and logical access must be strictly controlled, with immediate revocation upon termination, and all systems must pass VA’s Assessment and Authorization process. The solicitation requires a full suite of compliance deliverables—including NIST SP 800-88 data destruction certification, NTIA-compliant Software Bills of Materials, FIPS 140-2 hashes for software integrity, and annual privacy and security assessments. Responses must be submitted electronically in MS Word format, not exceeding 40 MB, adhering to specific formatting requirements like 12-point Arial font and 1-inch margins, with a deadline of February 6 or February 13, 2026, depending on version. The procurement is being conducted under the VA Franchise Fund with invoicing handled exclusively through G-Invoicing and iFAMS, and all work may be performed at designated VA facilities or remotely with prior approval. The contract demands a performance-based outcome focus, emphasizing reliability, scalability, cost efficiency, stake