Microsoft Consulting Services and Premier Support

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intends to obtain Microsoft Technology Strategy Services (MTSS), Microsoft Consulting Services (MCS), and Microsoft Premier Support Services (MPSS) from Microsoft Corporation under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and all of its components, for a DHS-wide Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. This contract will have a Base and four (4) option years with individual task orders issued against the contract. This contract supports the DHS mission, is in compliance with and under the direction of DHS, federal and executive mandates, national security, as well as emergency response. CBP's Office of Information and Technology (OIT) is responsible for the implementation and support of information technology (IT), research and development functions, and automation and technological strategies for meeting mission related needs. Specifically, OIT is responsible for automated information systems, management of the research and development functions and all forensic and laboratory support of the agency. OIT manages all computer and related resources including all operational aspects of the Computer Security Program; establishes requirements for computer interfaces between CBP and various trade groups and Government agencies; and manages matters related to automated import processing and systems development. OIT focuses on integrating business and technical solutions across the OIT enterprise with an emphasis on a collaborative approach. The objective is to provide access to Microsoft Services in support of DHS effort in planning, implementing, deploying, using, and maintaining its Microsoft software, solutions, and technologies. Access includes DHS ability to establish unique and singularly distinct access to Microsoft's product divisions that is necessary to support and maintain CBP's far-reaching mission. Microsoft Services infrastructure and developer expertise will be engaged to implement solutions and provide knowledge transfer to the Government and support the Government in the validation and measurement of its system integrators involvement of Microsoft technologies in the areas of collaboration, security, connected systems, operational efficiency, and deployments. Microsoft personnel have access to proprietary information exclusively available within Microsoft such as internal product support knowledge bases and proprietary architectural and technical information not available to the public or third party (Microsoft Certified Software Engineers- MCSEs). Additionally, Microsoft personnel have access to internal development teams within Microsoft who wrote the code behind Microsoft's application. This is not only essential, but the only way to resolve complex programming and support issues efficiently. Given the state of the art technology and ability to obtain high level information available solely to Microsoft employees, Microsoft is determined to be essential to DHS ability to quickly develop and deploy applications that have a high degree of reliability. Microsoft is the only company that can provide an advanced escalation service that would support changes to the code-base within Microsoft's proprietary product offerings in order to respond to a Critical IT event, emergency, or for national security, within a 36-72 hour timeframe and resolve Critical IT Events within DHS major IT investments in order to achieve our objectives and overall success. The Government has determined that Microsoft Corporation is uniquely qualified to perform the services and has been selected to receive a contract award. Information received from interested parties will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Any responses shall be submitted electronically to Erin.Schwam@dhs.gov. Responses shall be submitted no later than 1:00 pm Local Washington, DC time on September 1, 2009. Responses shall include the vendor's experience, expertise, capabilities, and personnel with respect to the services described herein and address the vendor's access to Microsoft's proprietary information, access to Microsoft's internal development teams, Microsoft's internal product support knowledge bases, Microsoft's proprietary architectural and technical information.