ISBEE Set-aside: IBM Db2 Subscription & Support Renewal (Base + 4)

Amendment 00001 to RFQ 75H70426Q00002 addresses vendor questions regarding a solicitation from the Indian Health Service, Office of Management Services, Division of Acquisition Policy. The amendment clarifies the IBM FRU (Field Replaceable Unit) number as MFR P/N: E0HPVLL and identifies the incumbent contractor as RedHawk IT Solutions, LLC (Contract # 75H70423F8002). It emphasizes that offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment by completing items 8 and 15, acknowledging on each offer copy, or via separate communication referencing the solicitation and amendment numbers. Failure to acknowledge receipt by the specified time may result in rejection of the offer. The document also details the Standard Form 30 (SF-30) for amendment/modification of solicitations or contracts, outlining various methods for modifications and emphasizing that all other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service (IHS), Division of Acquisition Policy (DAP) issued Solicitation 75H70426Q00002, a Brand Name Justification for other than full and open competition for the IBM Db2 Advanced Enterprise Server Edition software license. This software is critical for the existing National Patient Information Reporting System (NPIRS) and the National Data Warehouse (NDW), which relies on IBM hardware and software due to significant past investments and compatibility requirements. Changing platforms would necessitate a major rewrite and service interruption. Although this is a brand name justification, the Contracting Officer posted a sources sought (75H70426Q00002) to identify Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs) in accordance with the Buy Indian Act. Three ISBEEs responded and were found capable, leading to the decision to procure this requirement as an ISBEE set-aside under FAR Part 12. The anticipated price is deemed fair and reasonable based on comparisons to historical rates and commercial market pricing. The renewal and maintenance support for the IBM Db2 software are exclusively available from IBM.

The Indian Health Service (IHS) is seeking a contractor to provide a Brand Name IBM Db2 Subscription & Support Renewal through Request for Quotation (RFQ) 75H70426Q00002. This acquisition is a 100% set-aside for Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEE) under NAICS code 541519, with a size standard of 150 employees. The contract will be a Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order, covering a 12-month base period (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026) and four 12-month option periods. The contractor must be an authorized IBM reseller and comply with various Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR) clauses, including those related to ICT accessibility (Section 508) and IPv6 standards. Quotes are due by December 1, 2025, 10 AM EST, and will be evaluated based on the "Lowest Price Technically Acceptable" method.

The Indian Health Service (IHS) has issued a Sources Sought Notice (75H70426Q00002) to identify Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs) capable of providing IBM Db2 Subscription & Support Renewal. This aligns with the Buy Indian Act, which prioritizes Indian Economic Enterprises (IEEs). The required service involves the IBM Db2 Advanced Enterprise Server Edition Processor Value Unit (PVU) Annual SW Subscription & Support Renewal for 600 units. Interested vendors, specifically IBM authorized resellers, must submit a capability statement, the Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form, and an IBM authorized reseller letter. Responses must be emailed by November 6, 2025, 11:00 AM EST, referencing the notice number, with a maximum of five pages. This is not a solicitation, but rather a request for information to determine the appropriate acquisition strategy.

This document outlines a schedule of supplies for the renewal of IBM Db2 Advanced Enterprise Server Edition Processor Value Unit (PVU) Annual SW Subscription & Support. The base period is from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, for 600 units with a 3-month renewal term. This is followed by four option periods, each for 12 months, from 2027 to 2030, maintaining 600 units for each period. The consistent part number E0HPVLL indicates a continuous need for this specific software subscription and support renewal over several years.

The Indian Health Service (IHS) requires offerors to self-certify as an "Indian Economic Enterprise" (IEE) in accordance with the Buy Indian Act (25 U.S.C. 47) for solicitations, sources sought, and RFIs. This certification must be maintained from the time of offer through contract award and the entire performance period. If eligibility is lost, immediate written notification to the Contracting Officer is mandatory. Individual Contracting Officers may request documentation to verify eligibility, and awards can be protested if eligibility is questioned. In addition to self-certification, successful offerors must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). Providing false or misleading information is a violation of law, punishable under 18 U.S.C. 1001, and false claims during performance are subject to penalties under 31 U.S.C. 3729-3731 and 18 U.S.C. 287. The form requires the offeror to explicitly state whether they meet the IEE definition with "Indian Ownership" and provides fields for the 51% owner's name, certifying signature, tribal entity, business name, and DUNS Number. The document references a specific solicitation for "IBM DB2 Licenses-DB2 Adv Server Support."