Talos Linux FIPS Compliant Build and Support

The solicitation N0018926QL129 seeks a small business to provide a FIPS-compliant build of Talos Linux and associated enterprise support services for the U.S. Navy’s Cyber Defense Operations Command, with performance and delivery occurring in Suffolk, Virginia. The contract is a total small business set-aside under FAR 19.5, with a firm fixed price structure for two line items: 50 Talos Linux FIPS-compliant build nodes and one enterprise-level support contract covering 24/7 support for Talos and Kubernetes, all due by June 1, 2026. The offering must comply with stringent DoD security standards, including DoD Directive 8500.1E, DoDI 8510.01, HSPD-12, and DoD 5200.2-R, and all contractor personnel must undergo background investigations, including FBI fingerprinting and e-QIP submissions, with no interim clearances permitted. Must-haves include active DISS profiles, Common Access Cards, and completion of CUI training within 30 days of onboarding. All deliverables must be physically delivered to the Navy Cyber Defense Ops Command in Suffolk, VA, under FOB destination terms, and must be uniquely identified and labeled per MIL-STD-130 and MIL-STD-129 using two-dimensional Data Matrix barcodes compliant with ISO/IEC 16022 ECC200, encoded with enterprise identifiers, serial numbers, and part details as specified. Security requirements extend to prohibiting foreign nationals from accessing ERP system functions and mandating that all contractors designate a Security Representative within three business days of award. The evaluation is based primarily on price, with past performance considered only if it impacts best value determination, and no technical or other non-price factors are explicitly weighted. Offerors must be registered in SAM with a valid UEI and CAGE code, and must affirm compliance with all FAR and DFARS clauses including safeguarding controlled unclassified information, prohibiting procurement from designated jurisdictions such as Xinjiang and Venezuela, and avoiding conflicts of interest. Proposals must be submitted electronically by May 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM local time, using Microsoft Office or PDF formats, and must include complete CLIN pricing, authorized reseller certification, and signed representations confirming small business status and adherence to all applicable federal acquisition regulations.