New Building IT Design and Build

The provided document outlines a phased schedule for a cable replacement project and network equipment installation, spanning from May to December. The cable replacement is divided into three phases: Phase 1 (Floors 4, 8th-10th), Phase 2 (Floors 5th-7th), and Phase 3 (Floors Concourse-3rd). Similarly, the installation of network equipment is also structured into three phases: Phase 1 (Floors Concourse, 4, 8th-10th), Phase 2 (Floors 5th-7th), and Phase 3 (Floors 1st-3rd). The schedule indicates that these activities will occur sequentially over several months, suggesting a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade or new implementation project.

This government requirement focuses on replacing copper cabling and designing the IT network for various agency spaces, including the IT Service Desk, Main Data Facility (MDF) Communication Equipment Rooms (CERs), and other network closets. The document outlines key questions for potential contractors, emphasizing adherence to structured cabling standards like ANSI/TIA-568. It seeks proposals on network topology design, considering space, power, cooling, and rack layout requirements for network rooms. Additionally, the agency is interested in how contractors determine bandwidth capacity, switching requirements, and redundancy levels, especially for environments integrating multiple technologies like audiovisual and imaging systems. Finally, the document asks about evaluation criteria beyond just price, indicating a comprehensive selection process.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) requires an Enhanced Communication Equipment Room Design & Build for its new headquarters at 401 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA. This project, outlined in a Performance Work Statement (PWS) dated February 2, 2026, involves designing and building a physical network to support approximately 2,400 federal employees and contractors. The scope includes establishing an enterprise network connected to a co-location data center, designing an enhanced computer equipment room (data center), and around 23 computer equipment rooms (switch closets). The contractor will be responsible for furnishing, installing, and terminating copper and fiber cabling, designing the physical network topography with government-furnished equipment, and building both the enhanced communication equipment room and additional communication equipment rooms. The project has an eight-month performance period, with design work performed off-site and build work at NSF facilities. Compliance with numerous federal regulations, including FISMA, FIPS, and NIST standards, is mandatory. Deliverables include a Contractor Project Management Plan, Monthly Progress Reports, a Gap Analysis Report, Verification & Validation plan, Site results/certification records, and a Cost & Technical Proposal. Personnel security requirements mandate background investigations (Tier 1, 2, or 4) based on task sensitivity, with the contractor bearing investigation costs and ensuring compliance with security procedures and policies.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has issued a Combined Sources Sought/Request for Information (SS/RFI) to identify qualified and experienced sources for the New Headquarters Enhanced Communication Equipment Room Design and Build project. This is not a request for proposal and aims to gather information for market research and to determine the acquisition strategy. The NSF encourages responses from small businesses across all socioeconomic categories. The anticipated NAICS code is 541512 Computer Systems Design Services, with a $34 million size standard. Interested vendors must submit responses by March 26, 2026, at 11:00 AM EST, via email to kmprice@nsf.gov. Responses should include corporate information, a demonstration of capabilities, recommendations on contract type and pricing, identification of potential barriers to responding to an RFP, and relevant organizational experience within the past five years. Cost or price information should not be submitted. Attachments include a Network Design Build Problem Statement, a Draft Performance Work Statement, and a Tentative Cable-Design-Build Schedule.