Forum Sentry XML Gateway Hardware Appliance

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) intends to solicit and award a contract for brand name Forum Sentry XML Gateway hardware and maintenance support. This hardware is in support of the Return Review Program (RRP). The IRS has a need for Forum Sentry XML Gateway hardware and maintenance in support of the RRP effort. The IRS has standardized on the Forum Sentry XML Hardware running the Solaris operating system for the vast majority of Tier 2 processing. The Notice servers supporting the RRP have been operating on Forum Sentry XML Gateway from its inception and the applications, security configurations, and capacity and performance predictions are dependent on maintaining that standard. This requirement is an expansion of hardware for development and testing for existing servers, as it is modified for additional functionality. Changing platforms would cost the IRS millions in software, applications changes, testing and is not feasible. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written RFQ will not be issued. Contractors interested in this requirement should submit clear and convincing evidence that they can meet the Government's requirement. The IRS is purchasing the following: Part # P-SE-AP-3564-PR - Forum Sentry 3564 XML Gateway Hardware Appliance - Qty. 2 Part # FORUM-MAINT-SUP - Annual Premium Support & Maintenance for (2) 3564 XML Gateway Appliances - Qty. 2 Part # P-SE-AP-4564-TD - Forum Sentry 4564 XML Gateway Hardware Appliance (Test/Dev) - Qty. 1 Part # FORUM-MAINT-SUP - Annual Premium Support & Maintenance for (1) 4564 XML Gateway HW Test/Dev Appliance - Qty. 1 Period of Performance: Hardware: Delivery 30 Days ARO Support: Date of award through one year Offers are due at the Internal Revenue Service, 6009 Oxon Hill Road, Suite 500, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 on September 24, 2012, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Electronic mail transmissions of quotes are preferred, to Traci Brinkley, Business Operations Specialist, at Traci.A.Brinkley@irs.gov; fax number 202-283-1290. Place of Performance: Internal Revenue Service Enterprise Computing Center - Martinsburg 250 Murall Drive Kearneysville, WV 25430 Internal Revenue Service Enterprise Computer Center - Memphis 5333 Getwell Road Memphis, TN 38118 The following clauses are applicable to the subject solicitation (current through FAC 2005-61 Dated September 13 2012): FAR 52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration (FEB 2012) FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (FEB 2012) FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items (MAY 2012) 52.232-33, Payment of Electronic Funds Transfer - Central Contractor Registration (OCT 2003) IR1052.239-9008 Section 508 - Information, Documentation, and Support (SEP 2006) IR 1052.239-9009 Section 508 Conformance (SEP 2006) 1 IR1052.239-9008 Section 508 - Information, Documentation, and Support (Sep 2006) In accordance with 36 CFR 1194, Subpart D, the electronic information technology (EIT) products and product support services furnished in performance of this contract shall be documented to indicate the current conformance level with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, per the 1998 Amendments, and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Boards Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards. At no time during the performance of the award shall the level of conformance go below the level of conformance in place at the time of award. At no additional cost, the contractor shall provide information, documentation, and support relative to the supplies and services as described in this Purchase Order. The contractor shall maintain this detailed listing of compliant products for the full contract term, including forms of extensions, and shall ensure that it is current within five calendar days after award and within three calendar days of changes in products being utilized as follows: (a) Product support documentation provided to end-users shall be made available in alternate formats upon request, at no additional charge. (b) End-users shall have access to a description of the accessibility and compatibility features of products in alternate formats or alternate methods upon request, at no additional charge. (c) Support services for products shall accommodate the communication needs of end-users with disabilities. [End of clause] 2 IR1052.239-9009 Section 508 Conformance (Sep 2006) Each electronic and information technology (EIT) product and/or product-related service delivered under the terms of this contract, at a minimum, shall conform to applicable EIT accessibility standards at 36 CFR 1194 at the level of conformance specified in this Purchase Order. The following technical standards have been determined to be applicable to this contract: _X__ 1194.21, Software applications and operating systems. _(a) _(b) _(c) X(d) X(e) _(f) _(g) X(h) X(i) X(j) X (k) X(l) ____ 1194.22, Web-based intranet and internet information and applications. _(a) _(b) _(c) _(d) _(e) _(f) _(g) _(h) _(i) _(j) _(k) _(l) _(m) _(n) _(o) _(p) ____ 1194.23, Telecommunications products. _(a) _(b) _(c) _(d) _(e) _(f) _(g) _(h) _(i) _(j) _(k) ___ 1194.24, Video and multimedia products. _(a) _(b) _(c) _(d) ___ 1194.25, Self contained, closed products. _(a) _(b) _(c) _(d) _(e) _(f) _(g) _(h) _(i) _(j) ___ 1194.26, Desktop and portable computers. _(a) _(b) _(c) _(d) The standards do not require the installation of specific accessibility-related software or the attachment of an assistive technology device, but merely require that the EIT be compatible with such software and devices so that it can be made accessible if so required by the agency in the future. The following functional performance criteria (36 CFR 1194.31) apply to this contract. _X_ (a) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user vision shall be provided, or support for assistive technology used by people who are blind or visually impaired shall be provided. _X_ (b) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require visual acuity greater than 20/70 shall be provided in audio and enlarged print output working together or independently, or support for assistive technology used by people who are visually impaired shall be provided. _X_ (c) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user hearing shall be provided, or support for assistive technology used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing shall be provided. _X_ (d) Where audio information is important for the use of a product, at least one mode of operation and information retrieval shall be provided in an enhanced auditory fashion, or support for assistive hearing devices shall be provided. _X_ (e) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user speech shall be provided, or support for assistive technology used by people with disabilities shall be provided. _X_ (f) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require fine motor control or simultaneous actions and that is operable with limited reach and strength shall be provided. 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