SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- Systems Administration and Scientific Ptogrammatic Support for NOAA
- Notice Date
- 2/17/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541512
— Computer Systems Design Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division-KC, 601 East 12th Street, Room 1756, Kansas City, Missouri, 64106, United States
- ZIP Code
- 64106
- Solicitation Number
- NRMAC100-12-00012
- Archive Date
- 3/13/2012
- Point of Contact
- Sharon Clisso, Phone: 816-426-7471
- E-Mail Address
-
Sharon.Clisso@noaa.gov
(Sharon.Clisso@noaa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Acquisition Division - Kansas City Office, 601 East 12th Street, Room 1756, Kansas City, Missouri 64106 is conducting market research for the purposes of identifying sources who have demonstrated capabilities in the area of systems administration and computing support. No solicitation of offers is made by this synopsis. The DOC, NOAA, Air Resources Laboratory (ARL), Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division (ATDD), Oak Ridge, TN, proposes to enter into a contract with Wood International, Inc. on a basis of other than full and open competition. ATDD requires systems administration and computing support services for programmatic and infrastructure needs for a five year period. Base year, April 1, 2012 - March 31, 2013, 1560 hours, with four option years. First Option Year: April 1, 2013 - March 31, 2014, 1560 hours; Second Option Year: April 1, 2014 - March 31, 2015, 1560 hours; Third Option Year: April 1, 2015 - March 31, 2016, 1560 hours; Fourth Option Year: April 1, 2016 - March 31, 2017, 1560 hours. The requirement is to provide specialized computing support, including computer security, network and server management, desktop and laptop support, programming services, web support, database support, and other computing expertise for ATDD's internal use, as well as these services for programmatic requirements. The extensive expertise and experience of Wood International, Inc. with the needs of ATDD and its programs, both internal and external, cannot be duplicated without excessive programmatic expense and excessive start up time by any other source. Wood International's experience and outstanding track record with ATDD, its programs, and its unique set of data collection and processing requirements simply cannot be duplicated with as few contractor personnel at as low a cost while maintaining critical continuity of operations both for in-house computing needs as well as for programmatic requirements. An increasingly critical issue for all Government computer systems is IT security, and the requirements for computer security. The measures, mandated by various federal statutes and internal NOAA processes require a great deal of understanding of the entire ATDD network and each device attached to it, as well as an understanding of the scientific requirements and technical details surrounding their implementation. ATDD's network has largely been engineered, installed, and maintained by Wood International over many years. Wood International has successfully employed countermeasures against countless attacks on ATDD's systems throughout their tenure here at ATDD. ATDD has not experienced a computer security problem that involved an outside attacker for many years, although thousands of attempts have been made. It would take considerable and time-consuming effort by a different contractor to gain the needed familiarity with the complexities surrounding the configuration and management of this network, especially considering the many complex custom-built hardware and software systems. Many of these systems were designed and created by Wood International in collaboration with ATDD scientists and engineers. In addition to the practical application of successful defenses against computer security attacks, there has been an enormous increase in the required documentation concerning computer and network security. The certification and accreditation (C&A) process that is required to permit a federal facility to operate computers has become more complex and technical each year. This is driven by ever changing requirements with FISMA, Department of Commerce, and NOAA. Wood International has performed the work for every C&A process undergone by ATDD. This process requires documentation concerning every aspect of ATDD's network and each computer on this network: hardware and software inventories, patch management, network topology (including the connections with outside agencies such as DOE), security specifics including policies and procedures, quarterly security sweeps, user training, certification of minimum security standards, testing plans, etc. This documentation requires a deep understanding of the existing network as well as of the various mandates from NIST, DOC, and NOAA that comprise the C&A requirements. Wood International is the only company qualified to perform this work for ATDD. No one else understands the network as a whole well enough to proceed with this process; it would take months for another contractor to gain the requisite knowledge to complete the mandated tasks. For ATDD's scientific missions, Wood International has worked with scientific and engineering staff to develop unique software, databases, and data collection and processing methodologies whose loss would be highly damaging to existing ATDD programs and prohibitively expensive (if possible at all) to replace. For example, NOAA's national U.S. Climate Reference Network (CRN) equipment database, developed by Wood International, contains an inventory of all CRN-related equipment and associated NIST-traceable calibration records that is critical to the long-term success of the long-term (50 to 100 years) data collection efforts of the CRN program. Another critical system for ATDD is the Regional Air Modeling and Analytical Network (RAMAN). RAMAN is a system of seventeen remotely located observing stations scattered across East Tennessee that collect meteorological data and ozone concentrations. This system incorporates a database and website developed by Wood International that provides secure and quick access to this data in a variety of formats, including graphs and various data file formats, for ATDD and for our regional RAMAN partners. NOAA's Surface Energy Budget Network (SEBN) at ATDD has similar data collection and dissemination system developed by Wood International, including specialized data network links to overcome challenging networking issues at some of the very remote, autonomous SEBN sites. In the area of homeland security, DCNet/URBANet is a congressionally mandated NOAA/ARL program designed to test and evaluate the feasibility of acquiring useful wind turbulence measurements within the complex topology of the urban environment, with particular emphasis on the Washington DC downtown area. Wood International developed the database and website for this crucial program, which is used by a variety of government agencies dealing with homeland security issues. Wood International has also developed the security infrastructure for Threatmap, an ARL homeland security-related system providing critical information to various homeland security planners and emergency response agencies. Wood International has participated in the development and implementation of aircraft-based computer-driven data collection systems for both NOAA and its collaborative partners' research aircraft, including the joint University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) and Harvard University efforts between ATDD and UTSI and Harvard University. In the last several years, a host of new software packages have been introduced across NOAA by DOC and NOAA for critical management purposes. These include software for procurement, inventory, budgeting, travel, and time and attendance monitoring. These packages have usually been provided with minimal training and have often not run well from ATDD's remote location. Wood International has provided troubleshooting capabilities that were simply unavailable within NOAA, enabling the new systems to operate properly. In this instance, the key factors were extensively detailed knowledge of the peculiarities of the ATDD network and connection to the Internet, as well as a broad range of experience in making software work. In short, the expertise and unique knowledge of Wood International of all facets of computing at ATDD, from aircraft-based onboard data collection and processing systems, to remote sensing applications, geographic information systems, and secure wireless networking applications, to the in-house administrative systems necessary for day-to-day operation of the laboratory, and to their expertise in research, development, network design, implementation, DOC network security requirements and software, and network administration simply does not exist with any other source. Wood International currently is under contract and is responsible for the vast majority of the existing core computing infrastructure at ATDD and has maintained it for several years. No other source has the experience and knowledge to perform this function at the required level of competence and skill without an extended learning period. The extensive expertise and experience supplied by Wood International, Inc., coupled with the software and databases developed by Wood International, Inc., and used extensively throughout ATDD, coupled with their unique understanding of the programs and business practices of ATDD, limits other organizations from assuming a similar role with ATDD. A response to this notice should address a firm's ability to support with a high level of expertise and extensive hands-on experience the following technical criteria: 1. Expert level support for network administration, management, and Federally-mandated security requirements for computer systems attached to Department of Commerce and NOAA networks, including past and current certification and accreditation (C&A) processes and documentation requirements. Offeror must have experience within the past three years in performing computer forensic and system auditing activities on both Windows and non-Windows based desktop and server computing environments. 2. Expert-level experience in practical computer security, focusing on network security of Windows, Linux, and Mac machines, system hardening, firewall installation, monitoring, and management, tools and techniques for performing security audits of both computers and their associated networks, automated reporting of and response to system anomalies, and experience working with incident response personnel from the FBI, CERT, CIAC, and NOAA in handling security incidents. Offeror must have experience within the past three years in performing computer forensic and system auditing activites on both Windows and non-Windows based desktop and server computing environments. 3. Expert-level experience with various computer security-related software, including McAfee Antivirus Enterprise, Windows Firewall, iptables, Shorewall, Cisco security mechanisms such as access lists, OpenSSL (including a private Certificate Authority), ssh, IPsec, Apache HTTP Server security particulars, wireless security including WPA2, RADIUS, and full disk encryption software. 4. Ability and experience in all aspects of management of a Windows-based network, including Windows 2000 Professional, XP Pro, and Windows 7, plus Windows 2003 Server running an Active Directory domain. 5. Expert-level experience and expertise managing various Linux operating systems (Red Hat Enterprise Linux, CentOS, Ubuntu, Fedora, and other variants). Experience in custom software packaging and Linux kernel customization is required. This includes extensive expertise and experience in customized data collection systems deployed in field research sites utilizing custom, non-conventional hardware and software in harsh environments. 6. Expert-level expertise in managing Mac OS X, especially integration of Macs into an AD and Linux dominated network environment. 7. Expert-level experience in Linux clustering, specifically utilizing Message Passing Interface (MPI) specification. 8. Expert-level experience with running mathematical models in a Linux clustered environment. 9. A broad base of extensive experience with and knowledge of various networking technologies including IP (including IPv6 familiarity), DNS including DDNS, subdomains, and DNSSEC, NFS, NIS/YP, LDAP, PPP (including broadband cellular communications), high frequency radio-based networking, long-distance/difficult terrain 802.11a/b/g/n, bidirectional satellite communications. 10. Expert-level support in web server management, focusing on Apache HTTP Server running multi-site and SSL. 11. Expert-level experience with Cisco routers and switches. 12. Expert-level experience with embedded systems design and implementation of custom low-power, autonomous systems with remote communications capability for harsh environmental conditions that range from desert to polar regions, marine applications, and high altitude for use aboard aircraft. Offeror must have experience within the past three years in demonstrating knowledge of embedded systems design and implementation of custom low-power, autonomous systems with remote communications capability for harsh environmental conditions as noted above. 13. Expert-level experience with geographical information systems (GIS), particular ESRI products, Google Maps, and Google Earth. 14. Working knowledge of meteorology from a scientific and technical perspective, including hands-on experience with such tools as Campbell Scientific dataloggers and their associated software, RM Young anemometers (both sonic and propeller), and GRAW radiosondes and their associated software. Offeror must have experience within the past three years in demonstrating knowledge of meteorology from a scientific and technical perspective, including hands-on experience with above instrumentation and their associated software. 15. Expert-level experience supporting users of NOAA and DOC specific administrative applications such as CAMS, CBuy, CRequest, FDMS, Sunflower Enterprise, Travel Manager, etc. Offeror must have experience within the past three years in providing support of NOAA and DOC specific administrative applications. 16. Understanding and working knowledge of telephony, including POTS and VOIP. In addition to addressing the above technical capabilities, responses must include the following: the firm's DUNS number & CAGE code; size of business (i.e., large, small, small disadvantaged business, woman owned, etc.); firm's recent past experience (within past 3 years) performing relevant similar services (include contract numbers, contract type, dollar value of each procurement, point of contact - address and phone number). If based on the results of this description and the evaluation of any capability statement(s) submitted in response to this synopsis, it is determined that there are no other qualified sources, this synopsis will serve as the notice of intent to negotiate on a sole source basis with Wood International, Inc., and will meet the publication requirements of a proposed sole source award. Interested offerors having the specialized capabilities to meet the above requirements should submit a capability statement of 10 pages or less to Sharon Clisso at Sharon.Clisso@noaa.gov no later than the date specified in the notice. The capability statement should address the organization's ability to support all aspects of the aforementioned technical capabilities. Telephone responses are NOT solicited.
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- SN02678279-W 20120219/120217234634-3ea123763f7e75d488a19b611ccb13f3 (fbodaily.com)
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