NIPR Virtual CORE Storage Hardware Upgrade

The 42d Contracting Squadron at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, is conducting market research to identify qualified vendors capable of delivering a turnkey upgrade to the NIPR Virtual CORE Storage Infrastructure, focusing on the procurement, installation, and seamless integration of Hewlett Packard Enterprise MSA 2070 storage arrays and DL360 Gen 11 servers, or an equivalent solution that guarantees full compatibility with the existing HPE network environment. The contractor must provide end-to-end services including project management, engineering design, physical installation, VMware vSphere/vCenter data migration, network configuration, system testing, and over-the-shoulder technical training, ensuring zero mission degradation and no retraining of government personnel. The solution must be entirely new, non-refurbished, fully STIG-hardened, TAA compliant, JELA eligible, and meet all Air Force Information Assurance standards without the use of gray market or counterfeit parts. All legacy equipment must be removed and properly disposed of off-base, with old hard drives retained by the government for sanitization. Performance is required at Maxwell AFB, with deliveries designated F.O.B. Destination to Building 1154, IT Warehouse, and all work must be executed by Authorized Technicians. Vendors proposing an "or equal" alternative must submit a detailed technical narrative with supporting documentation proving native interoperability with HPE infrastructure. The response must include the company’s CAGE Code and Unique Entity Identifier, along with size status under NAICS code 541519, and affirmative responses to capabilities questions. Contractors must notify the Contracting Officer at least 30 days in advance of on-site performance, provide full employee identification details, and comply with REAL ID access requirements for base entry. A Project Completion Test Plan must be submitted 30 days prior to contract start, and final deliverables require as-built documentation, full manufacturer warranties, technical manuals, and comprehensive training. Responses are due by May 5, 2026, via email only to the designated points of contact, with no formal solicitation or contract clauses issued at this stage, as this is a pre-solicitation market research action to shape an eventual acquisition strategy.