RFI - backing up data using a private Cloud solution

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI is for informational planning purposes only and it must not to be construed as a commitment by the Government for any actual procurement of materials, machinery, or services. This notice does not constitute a solicitation or a promise of a solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI are solely at the responding parties' expense. Respondents are solely responsible for properly marking and clearly identifying any proprietary information or trade secrets contained within their response. The Government will not be liable for, or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly marked and clearly identified. Proprietary information received in response to this RFI will be safeguarded and handled in accordance with applicable Government regulations. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract or agreement. The BEP will not be obligated to pursue any particular acquisition alternative as a result of this RFI. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if one is issued. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) manufactures US currency. The BEP has two facilities, one in Washington DC and one in Fort Worth, Texas. The BEP is seeking information from vendors who are capable of providing detailed information on backing up data using a private Cloud solution. The BEP is conducting a study to find out if adopting a private cloud backup solution is economically and technically feasible. The BEP currently stores backup data on magnetic tapes and stores the tapes offsite via a contracted service provider. The requested information needs to contain, mention or consider the following in detail in no particular order and must be a maximum of 5 pages (attachments and exhibits are excluded from the 5 page limit): 1. Benefits and drawbacks of backing up data to the cloud. 2. An estimation of costs associated with backing up data in the cloud such as, but not limited to the following: Internet Service Provider cost, data storage costs, personnel training costs, and transmission media costs. 3. 100 mile physical separation from where the data originates and where the data is stored in the cloud. 4. Data currently originates and is backed up at the BEP's Washington DC and Fort Worth facilities. 5. Recovery availability must be 24 hours a day 7 days a week. 6. Details on technical training requirements for Systems/Network Engineers who configure, install, and maintain backup and recovery functions. 7. Identify security and other risks associated with implementing and maintaining a backup cloud solution and provide mitigation strategies for the risks identified. 8. Identify obstacles with implementing and maintaining a backup cloud solution. 9. Recommend a cloud service solution such as: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) or Software as a Service (SaaS) and elaborate on why the solution/s are/is the best choice. 10. Provide actual or examples of Service Level Agreements that your company uses pertaining to cloud data storage. 11. What are the capabilities of deduplication and encryption in a private cloud solution? 12. Company business size classification. 13. Company name, point of contact (POC), email, phone number, and web site. Responses shall be limited to 5 pages. All submission shall be in Windows compatible format. Responses shall be via email attachment. Responses can be submitted until January 16, 2012 2 PM EST to Kathleen Reidy, Contract Specialist, at Kathleen.Reidy@bep.gov. Please note, the BEP is closed between Christmas Day and New Years Day.