NATO International Competitive Bidding (ICB): Provision of Palo Alto Networks Devices & Palo Alto Networks Enterprise Support Agreement

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) intends to issue a Request for Quote (RFQ) for the provision of Palo Alto Networks Devices and a Palo Alto Networks Enterprise Support Agreement under the Enterprise Frequent and Swift Transaction (e-FAST) Contracts Program. Potential U.S. prime contractors must 1) maintain a professionally active facility (office, factory, laboratory, etc.) within the United States, 2) hold a Facility Security Clearance at the level of SECRET or higher, 3) be pre-approved for participation in NATO International Competitive Bidding (ICB), and 4) be issued a Declaration of Eligibilty (DOE) by the U.S. Government. The reference for the RFQ is RFQ-CO-115160-EAPA, and all correspondence concerning the RFQ should reference this number. The NCI Agency is seeking to establish Enterprise Agreements for the entire product lifecycle of Palo Alto Networks equipment and services. Through two Schedules, the NCI Agency will establish a preferred vehicle for the procurement of Palo Alto Networks devices (Schedule A) and the ongoing support of existing, and future, Palo Alto Networks devices through an Enterprise Support Agreement (Schedule B). The aim of this procurement approach is to maximise competition and value for the money; therefore, potential suppliers must be aware that receiving a place on the IDIQ framework in no way strengthens or weakens their ability to bid, or to be awarded the contract for Schedule B - or vice versa. Potential suppliers are also able to bid for one or both Schedules. The successful bid(s) will offer the lowest price and will be technically compliant in accordance with the evaluation criteria prescribed in the RFQ. SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS Please see attached. BECOMING ELIGIBLE TO BID NATO ICB requires that the U.S. Government issue a DOE for potential U.S. prime contractors interested in this project. Before the U.S. Government can do so, however, the U.S. Government must approve the U.S. firm for participation in NATO ICB. U.S. firms are approved for NATO ICB on a facility-by-facility basis. The U.S. NATO ICB application is a one-time application. The application requires supporting documentation in the form of 1) a company resume or capability statement indicating contracts completed as a prime contractor and 2) an annual report or set of financial documents indicating compilation, review, or audit by an independent CPA. U.S. firms can download a copy of the U.S. NATO ICB application from the following website: http://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/other-areas/strategic-industries-and-economic-security-sies/nato-related-business-opportunities The Department of Commerce (DOC) is the U.S. Government agency that approves NATO ICB applications. Please submit to the email address provided your application and supporting documentation (as attachments). If your firm is interested in a specific NATO ICB project at this time, please also include the following in the text of your email: - the title and/or solicitation number of the project - the name/phone/email of the company employee who should receive the bid documents After approval of your one-time NATO ICB application, DOC will then know to follow up by issuing a DOE for the project. DOC will transmit the DOE to the NATO contracting agency. IMPORTANT DATES: Request from DOC that a DOE be issued (and, for firms new to NATO ICB, submit the completed one-time NATO ICB application): 04 March 2021 NCI Agency distributes RFQ (planned): Q2 2021 Contract Award (anticipated): Q4 2021 Period of Performance: A basic period of three (3) years plus two 12-month option periods