OIS-FY26- Palo Alto Network Services (1145993)

This contract involves the procurement of wireless networking equipment and related services for the State Office Tower in Columbus, Ohio, specifically for the Department of Jobs and Family Services (JFS). Due to recently installed windows that significantly inhibit radio frequency transmission, the use of State-provided cell phones, mobile devices, and employee-owned devices (BYOD) has encountered connectivity challenges. To address this, the contract seeks to equip the facility with Palo Alto Networks security appliances and support services that enable a secure wireless network, allowing users to access the Internet directly for phone use and provide a backup to the primary JFS production network via VPN. The solution also accommodates multi-factor authentication requirements critical for JFS security, ensuring that BYOD users can maintain the necessary second authentication factor through reliable wireless connections. The contract’s key components include the purchase of Palo Alto Networks PA-410 security appliances, a five-year premium hardware support agreement, and accompanying software service bundles with AI-enhanced precision capabilities for network security management and support. The solicitation, identified as SRC0000036462 and titled "OIS-FY26- Palo Alto Network Services," was posted in January 2026, with a response deadline in early February. The agency responsible is the JFS Contracts & Acquisitions office in Ohio, and the work will be performed in Columbus. This initiative directly addresses the pressing need for modernizing secure wireless infrastructure in a facility affected by architectural changes, ensuring continuity of secure and efficient network access for State employees and their devices.