Purchase of SMS Gateway Hardware

The Social Security Administration (SSA) intends to negotiate under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501 (a) on a sole source basis with Pulse, Inc., 909 Ridgebrook Road, Suite 120, Sparks, Maryland 21152, for the purchase of specific Hypermedia GSM based SMS Gateway Hardware. This hardware is necessary for SSA to provide a 2 factor authentication method that satisfies the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and National Institute on Standard and Technology (NIST) security requirements to authenticate users of level 3 rated internet applications utilized by SSA business partners, other government agencies and potential citizens. SSA conducted market research to locate alternative sources of supply for these products and the research resulted in Hypermedia being the only GSM based SMS Gateway hardware able to meet the Government's needs. At this time, the Government intends to issue a firm-fixed price purchase order for the product(s) described herein. Any responsible firm that feels it has the capability to provide the necessary products to meet this requirement may respond in writing no later than March 10, 2011, with capability statements and information describing in full detail their products to accomplish SSA's objective. Capability statements must fully detail the respective firm's specific technical specifications of the product(s). At a minimum, any GSM based SMS Gateway products submitted for the Government's consideration must: - be rack mountable in a 19" standard server rack - have a common power supply for all modules or GSM radios / modems within the device - contain a back-up / redundant power supply - support or utilize a common antenna for at least 4 modules or GSM radios / modems within the device (this can be accomplished via antenna combiner, a device allowing at least 4 GSM radios / modules / modems to plug into / utilize a single antenna) - connect to network via Ethernet 10/100 Base T utilizing an RJ45 connector - use 230VA power 100-240 VAC - send SMS messages utilizing the GSM wireless network - be capable of sending at least 10 SMS messages per minute per radio device / GSM modem - support a minimum of 8 GSM cards containing 4 GSM radios / modules / modems each for a total of 32 GSM radios /modules /modems per hardware device with a total 320 SMS message per minute capacity - be expandable to support a minimum of 18 GSM cards containing 4 GSM radios / modules / modems each for a total of 72 GSM radios /modules /modems per hardware device with a total 720 SMS message per minute capacity - include a router to manage IP traffic - support web based device management - offer SMS management software that runs on the device to include GSM radio / module / modem load balancing - offer APIs to allow third party applications to send SMS messages - offer local on-site support (can be provided by vendor or manufacturer) - offer on-site installation and training (can be provided by vendor or manufacturer) - offer basic support by telephone or e-mail Again, this is a notice of intent to negotiate on a sole source basis with Pulse, Inc. for the purchase of Hypermedia products and is not a request for competitive proposals. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government to conduct a competitive procurement requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Verbal responses are NOT acceptable and will not be considered. No Phone Calls or Faxes will be considered in response to this notice. Interested parties are instructed to submit responses to this notice by March 10, 2011 via e-mail to the point of contact listed below.