ENTERPRISE LINUX OPERATING SYSTEM AND VIRTUAL APPLICATION MANAGEMENT PLATFORM
ID: 1019530075Type: Special Notice
Overview

Buyer

STATE, DEPARTMENT OFSTATE, DEPARTMENT OFACQUISITIONS - AQM MOMENTUMWASHINGTON, DC, 20520, USA

NAICS

Other Computer Related Services (541519)

PSC

IT AND TELECOM - BUSINESS APPLICATION SOFTWARE (PERPETUAL LICENSE SOFTWARE) (7A21)
Timeline
    Description

    The U.S. Department of State is seeking industry capabilities to provide an integrated suite of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software solutions, specifically an enterprise-grade, Linux-based operating system and a virtual application management platform. The objective is to identify solutions that can effectively operate, automate, monitor, and manage virtual applications, data, memory, and storage services, while meeting federal security standards and supporting various State missions. This Request for Information (RFI) emphasizes the importance of robust security, automation capabilities, and support for advanced workloads, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. Interested vendors should contact John K. Warner at WarnerJ1@state.gov or Andrew Rothstein at RothsteinAT@state.gov for further details, as the outcomes of this RFI will inform future acquisition strategies and procurement methods.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The document outlines essential information required from vendors participating in government Requests for Proposals (RFPs) concerning cybersecurity and supply chain risk management. It includes contact details for the primary Point-of-Contact (POC) and specific requirements related to the vendor's risk management practices and security protocols. Key elements include the necessity for vendors to identify and map supply chain threats, ensure written SCRM requirements in contracts, and verify compliance through background checks on employees. Additionally, the document references NIST SP 800-53 to guide organizations in implementing adequate security measures. The completion instructions emphasize the need for a thorough vendor response, allowing the government to validate supplied information. Overall, this structured approach seeks to enhance security in the procurement process, addressing vulnerabilities in the supply chain and confirming adherence to cybersecurity standards. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring that all vendors meet stringent security requirements before engagement.
    The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Technology (DT) issued Request for Information (RFI) No. 1019530075 to gauge industry capabilities for providing an enterprise-grade, Linux-based operating system and a virtual application management platform. The objective is to find commercial off-the-shelf solutions that efficiently manage and monitor virtual applications, data, and storage services, meeting federal security standards and the needs of various State missions. Respondents are required to demonstrate their experience in the federal environment with proven technological solutions covering a range of mandatory functional requirements, including robust security, automation capabilities, application management, and support for advanced workloads like AI and ML. The submission process entails providing company details, a capacity assessment for functional requirements, and past performance information. The outcomes of this RFI will inform acquisition strategies and potential procurement methods, emphasizing the Department's commitment to securing capable partners to enhance their operational efficiency and cybersecurity posture.
    The document outlines the Secure Software Development Attestation Form, mandated by authorities including the Executive Order 14028 and the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA). This form requires software producers to confirm that their software is developed following secure practices as outlined in the NIST Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF) and is essential for ensuring the cybersecurity of federal software. It specifies conditions under which self-attestation is necessary, such as post-September 2022 software development or significant modifications thereafter. Notably, the form excludes certain categories of software, like open-source software obtained directly by a federal agency. Producers must complete all required fields and the attestation must be signed by a CEO or authorized designee. The document emphasizes the need for ongoing security assessments and vulnerability management. If a producer fails to attest compliance, agencies may still use the software under specific conditions, subject to risk mitigation documentation. The form serves as a tool for federal agencies to enforce software security standards and compliance with governmental directives, thereby safeguarding national cybersecurity interests.
    Lifecycle
    Similar Opportunities
    Information Technology Support Services
    Buyer not available
    The Department of State is seeking qualified vendors to provide Information Technology Support Services for its Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), focusing on software design, development, deployment, and maintenance for logistics systems. The contractor will be responsible for enhancing existing systems and developing new applications, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, and providing ongoing operational support across various divisions, including the Defensive Equipment & Armored Vehicle Division and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer. This initiative is crucial for maintaining the security and efficiency of U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide. Interested vendors must submit their capability statements by Noon EST on February 21, 2025, via email to the designated contacts, and must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to participate.
    FA8307_RFI_Red_Hat_Openshift_Alternatives
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Air Force, is seeking information from qualified vendors regarding alternatives to the Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus, which is currently utilized for application development and deployment. The government requires solutions that can operate across unclassified impact levels, support C++ software pipelines, and incorporate a DevSecOps approach to enhance security within development workflows. This initiative is crucial for maintaining productivity and compliance in software development processes. Interested vendors must submit their responses using the provided RFI template to the designated contacts, Geoffrey Bender and Elijah Simmons, by the specified deadline, noting that no contract awards will be made as a result of this RFI.
    Macbook Pros + Peripherals
    Buyer not available
    The U.S. Department of State, specifically the Bureau of Global Talent Management, is seeking a vendor to supply four units of the CTO MacBook Pro 16" equipped with advanced specifications, including the M4 Max chip, 128GB of RAM, and 4TB of storage, along with necessary peripherals. In addition to the laptops, the procurement includes four units of the MX Keys S Combo B2B and requires that each unit comes with AppleCare coverage. This procurement is crucial for supporting the department's technological needs and will be fulfilled through a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract. Interested vendors should provide pricing details, including any discounts, and confirm the inclusion of AppleCare coverage, with inquiries directed to Erin Myers at Myersec2@state.gov.
    Diplomatic Security Credit Reporting Services and Credit Verifications
    Buyer not available
    The Department of State is seeking information from qualified sources for the provision of Diplomatic Security Credit Reporting Services and Credit Verifications. The primary objective is to conduct credit history checks to assess financial responsibility and identify potential financial risks, with reports required to be delivered within 30 minutes of each request through a secure electronic interface. This service is critical for ensuring the financial integrity of individuals involved in diplomatic security operations, adhering to government standards for data protection and reporting. Interested parties can direct inquiries to Kenneth R. Waddell at WaddellKR@state.gov or by phone at 240-210-3734, or to Brain Schott at Schottbc@state.gov or 202-769-9479. Please note that this notice is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a request for proposals.
    Document Repository & Workflow System Development
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Defense, through the Washington Headquarters Services, is seeking qualified vendors to develop a centralized document repository and workflow system aimed at enhancing the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process. This initiative focuses on automating document processing, review, approvals, and coordination to improve efficiency and transparency across various government departments involved in FMS. The Request for Information (RFI) is intended to gather vendor capabilities without constituting a solicitation, with interested parties encouraged to submit capability statements by February 6, 2025. For further inquiries, vendors may contact Lamont Joy at darrell.l.joy2.civ@mail.mil or Kim Robinson-Leach at kim.m.robinson-leach.civ@mail.mil.
    Request for Information (RFI) DevSecOps / NetApp / Trellix
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Defense, through the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC PAC), is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) to gather insights on DevSecOps solutions, specifically focusing on NetApp and Trellix technologies. This initiative aims to explore the current market landscape for these solutions, identifying potential sources, existing vehicles, and set-asides to support the Program Executive Office (PEO) Digital Enterprise Services (DES) Enterprise Agreement Services (EAS) Program Office and the Department of Defense Enterprise Software Initiative (DoD ESI). The information gathered will be crucial for understanding the capabilities available in the IT and telecommunications sector, which are vital for enhancing the Department's digital infrastructure. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out to Contract Specialist Susan A. Chamberlin at susan.a.chamberlin.civ@us.navy.mil or call 717-377-0474 for further details.
    Request for Information Software as a Service 3.0
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC), is seeking industry input through a Request for Information (RFI) regarding Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions to modernize its software applications supporting nuclear deterrence missions. The primary objective is to transition from legacy systems to a cloud-enabled architecture that enhances procurement efficiency and expedites capability delivery to the warfighter, while also managing over 2,000 software applications for a user base exceeding 1,000 by FY23. This initiative is critical for improving system reliability, reducing procurement timelines, and adopting continuous integration and delivery pipelines for software deployment. Interested parties can reach out to Hunter Adams at hunter.adams.5@us.af.mil or call 801-586-7750, or contact Raquel Zaelit at raquel.zaelit@us.af.mil or 801-586-7728 for further information.
    Diplomatic Security RFI - Education Verification Support Services
    Buyer not available
    The U.S. Department of State is seeking information from qualified vendors for Education Verification Support Services as part of a Sources Sought notice. The primary objective is to perform comprehensive education record checks to confirm academic qualifications, including degrees obtained, institutions attended, and dates of attendance, while ensuring the safeguarding of Personal Identifying Information (PII) through secure transmission methods. This service is crucial for maintaining the integrity of personnel qualifications within the department. Interested parties should direct their inquiries to Kenneth R. Waddell at WaddellKR@state.gov or Brian Schott at Schottbc@state.gov, with responses being used for market research purposes only and not constituting a solicitation for proposals.
    NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING (NLP) FOR SEARCH, ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION
    Buyer not available
    The Department of State is seeking qualified businesses to provide Natural Language Processing (NLP) solutions for the search, analysis, and visualization of arms control data. The project aims to develop a secure, standalone environment that enhances historical analysis and data visualization capabilities, focusing on extracting and organizing both structured and unstructured data while implementing user-friendly NLP features. This initiative is crucial for the Bureau of Arms Control's mission to reduce international conflict risks and will involve processing sensitive data at a classified level, necessitating compliance with specific security protocols. Interested vendors must submit their company information, technical capabilities, and responses to a market survey questionnaire by February 12, 2025, and can contact Bilal Kayani at KayaniBA@state.gov or 7712049390 for further details.
    Request for Information - Oracle PeopleSoft Configuration Current State Documentation
    Buyer not available
    The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to gather insights on the documentation of their current Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) configuration within PeopleSoft 9.2, in anticipation of transitioning to a new ERP system due to Oracle's phase-out of support. The primary objectives of this RFI are to create comprehensive technical documentation of the existing system and summarize the museum’s ERP business cases, which involve various modules, custom configurations, and integrations with tools like Anaplan. This documentation is crucial for crafting a Request for Proposal (RFP) for future procurement, with the acquisition process expected to span from supplier reviews through late 2025, culminating in contract awards by December 2025. Interested parties are encouraged to submit voluntary responses and can reach out to Courteney West at CWest@ushmm.org or Bruce Falk at bfalk@ushmm.org for further discussions, with the RFI remaining open until February 2025.