R--BDN HYPERchannel Refresh

Synopsis The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Technology Acquisition Center (TAC), Eatontown, NJ 07724, intends to procure a HYPERchannel technology "refresh" of hardware, software, and technical support services. This refresh shall include the HYPERchannel infrastructure connecting the Bull and IBM mainframes at the Hines Information Technology Center (HITC) and the Philadelphia Information Technology Center (PITC). This effort is intended to be sole source to Network Executive Software Inc., 6420 Sycamore Lane N STE 300 Maple Grove, MN 55369-6013, although all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. Submissions must be made within 14 days of this announcement. The Government anticipates award on or before 16 November 2009. The solicitation will be issued as a request for quote (RFQ) from the VA TAC, and the number assigned to it will be VA-118-09-RQ-0060. The proposed action is for a 9 month, Firm-Fixed Price contract. The place of performance shall be split between the contractor's facility, as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs, Information Technology Center campuses at Hines, Illinois and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The current HYPERchannel hardware infrastructure is obsolete and not currently supported. Parts are unavailable which does not allow for system maintenance. In the event the system fails, veteran benefits will be inaccurate or delayed until execution of this action. This refresh will upgrade the system to a supportable level so that a system failure can be brought back to successful operation as soon as possible. Due to the current condition of the HYPERchannel hardware and Bull GCOS OS, the HYPERchannel refresh is a required "first step" in the critical path to migrate the hardware and operating systems to currently supported technology. The refresh shall support both bulk file transfer between the Bull and IBM mainframes and print file transfer from the Bull mainframe to the IBM mainframe. The print file transfer requirements include transferring job print output to the BMC output management software CONTROL-D, the HITC and PITC output distribution management solution, for subsequent printing and/or archiving. The Government requires a solution that integrates with the bulk file transfer and print file transfer functions, and with the BMC Control software for subsequent printing, print file transfer, and archiving, as currently implemented on the HITC Bull and IBM systems. NetEx is the original developer and manufacturer of the HYPERchannel technology and infrastructure connecting the Bull and IBM mainframes including all the hardware and software used in the HYPERchannel. NetEx possesses unique knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the HYPERchannel technology and infrastructure and is the only company capable of providing the HYPERchannel refresh services required by the VBA under this proposed action. The Government does not possess a detailed technical data package, drawings, or data for the HYPERchannel infrastructure, hardware or software. In order to meet the Government's requirements, modifications to the existing HYPERchannel software are required. This software is proprietary to NetEx. All proposal documents and communications shall be made available through the Contract Specialist, Mark Junda, via email at contact@example.gov, or via telephone at +1 (555) 000-0000.