SOURCES SOUGHT
D -- Census Bureau Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
- Notice Date
- 7/18/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541512
— Computer Systems Design Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, U. S. Census Bureau, Suitland, Acquisition Division, Room 3J438, Washington, District of Columbia, 20233
- ZIP Code
- 20233
- Solicitation Number
- YA1323-RF-12-IT195
- Archive Date
- 8/16/2012
- Point of Contact
- Kevin F. Moore,
- E-Mail Address
-
kevin.f.moore@census.gov
(kevin.f.moore@census.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Purpose This Request for Information (RFI) will provide the Census Bureau with information that will be used in developing an approach to configure its current PC-based desktop computing platform to function and perform as thin clients accessing an existing Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). The principle objective of this RFI is for the Census Bureau to receive information from industry that would assist to: 1. Define the requirements for this effort. 2. Provide recommendations for utilizing existing PC's to transition from PC hardware based desktops to PC hardware based desktops that function and perform as thin clients. 3. Define the steps involved to convert the existing PC hardware to function as thin clients. Background The US Census Bureau is the government agency responsible for the US Census and gathering national demographic and economic data. The Census Bureau also conducts surveys for other government agencies relating to employment, health, housing, consumer expenditures and various other topics. The Census Bureaus requires information to develop requirements to assist with configuring existing PC's to act as thin clients. The goal of this effort is to have users access a pre-existing Virtual Desktop environment using their existing PC's. The Census Bureau seeks a best practice solution which would allow us to meet our goal of delivering the required functionality while ensuring that the government obtains the best value. Scope The Bureau is investigating the options available to connect Windows based PC's and Laptops to the Census Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. The existing PC's will be clients of an existing Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. The Census Bureau currently utilizes a PC based desktop which consist of a variety of Dell Desktops which range from Optiplex 620's to Optiplex 990's and a small contingency of Dell Precision Workstations. The majority of the systems involved either use or has dual monitor capabilities. The solution should meet federally mandated requirements for Secure Configuration, 508 Compliance, IPV6, HSPD12 and Green Power settings. The solution should eliminate the user's ability to write and or store data to the PC hard drive. The solution should allow for a means to control\limit the ability to read and write to both internal and external media. The following Software, Protocols, Directory and Management Tools and capabilities are currently used to support, manage and secure Census Bureau Desktops. These tools should be taken into consideration in relationship to the current PC configuration and the proposed solution: • McAfee Endpoint Encryption - Drive encryption and pre-boot authentication • McAfee Host Data Loss Prevention Endpoints (HDLP) - Data transfer protection • SCCM - Software distribution, computer management and security patching. • Active Directory - Network Directory System • Trend Micro Office Scan - Antivirus Protection • HSPD12 - Common identification standard for federal employees and contractors • VDI Host - Current Windows or Linux Operating System • Wired and Wireless capability - Network Access • Remote Management capability - Remote Access and management The Bureau is interested in improving several aspects of the existing desktop solution: • Reduce operating costs • Increase reliability • Improve security of data Should the Census Bureau decide to solicit proposals for this project, a draft RFP will be posted for comment on this website. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS The following information should be provided in response to this RFI: 1. Name and Address of the Organization; 2. Point of contact with name, title, phone, and email; 3. Vendor DUNS number, business size, and contract numbers through any Government contract vehicles such as GSA Schedule, NIH, NASA, etc. Responses to the RFI should be in soft copies that utilize the PDF or MS Word file formats. Provide written descriptions of the solution, technical papers describing typical solutions, marketing brochures, descriptive articles, and other informative materials that may be helpful to the Bureau's understanding of configuring PC based desktops to function and perform as thin clients. Responses to the RFI must be received by 5:00PM EST on August 1, 2012 via email to Mr. Kevin F. Moore, kevin.f.moore@census.gov Please submit any questions, comments, and concerns via email to Mr. Moore, kevin.f.moore@census.gov. Please allow time for Mr. Moore to respond to the inquiry. Oral communications should not be used. DISCLAIMER: THIS RFI IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION OR ULTIMATELY AWARD A CONTRACT. RESPONSES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AS PROPOSALS NOR WILL ANY AWARD BE MADE AS A RESULT OF THIS SYNOPSIS. All information contained in the RFI is preliminary as well as subject to modification and is in no way binding on the Government. FAR clause 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes is incorporated by reference in this RFI. The Government does not intend to pay for information received in response to this RFI. Responders to this invitation are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. This RFI will be the basis for collecting information on services available. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in this RFI that is marked "Proprietary" will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned nor will receipt be confirmed. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOC/CB/13040001/YA1323-RF-12-IT195/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Suitland, Maryland, 20770, United States
- Zip Code: 20770
- Zip Code: 20770
- Record
- SN02807726-W 20120720/120719000236-02dd05899542a94efe7074479b9cad37 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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