70 -- MODIFICATION 2 TO WIDE TAPE BACKUP SOFTWARE

Notice Date

January 8, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), Office of Procurement, Box 6, Washington, DC, 20231

ZIP Code

20231

Solicitation Number

52-PAPT-1-01006.MOD2

Response Due

January 16, 2001

Point of Contact

Zalma Ross, Contracting Officer, Phone (703) 305-8441, Fax (703) 305-8294, Email zalma.ross@uspto.gov

E-Mail Address

Zalma Ross (zalma.ross@uspto.gov)

Description

THIS IS MODIFICATION #2 FOR THE WIDE TAPE BACKUP SOFTWARE NOTICE. The purpose of this amendment is to extend the closing date, answer questions from vendors and change the CLIN structure. Accordingly, the following changes are implemented: A. The closing date is extended from January 10, 2001 to January 16, 2001 at 2:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time. No further questions will be addressed after January 10, 2001 at 10:00 AM. EST. B. QUESTIONS FROM POTENTIAL VENDORS WITH THE USPTO'S REPONSES: 1. What does the licensing need to cover? PTO seeks a PTO-wide site license for tape backup software. PTO requires the flexibility to install and to use unlimited copies of the licensed software during the period of the contract. At the end of the contract (FY 2004), PTO will have the right to purchase additional copies (site license "true up") The price for each additional copy or seat will be the lower of the then valid GSA schedule price, or the unit prices for the software products under CLIN 0001 of this contract. See new CLIN structure included in this amendment. The quantities used in the requirements for this CBD announcement are based on the current installed base of hardware at PTO and additional computer hardware in PTO's budget requests through FY 2004. In this contract, PTO is taking the risk that the Government will be able to effectively deploy up to the required quantities of licenses, or the Government will be paying for licenses and maintenance that it is not able to use. The successful Offeror is taking the risk that the Government will not have the need nor the ability to effectively deploy licenses greater than the required quantities. 2. Are you looking for a bid on DLT (Digital Linear Tape)? No, the solicitation is for hierarchical storage management and tape backup and recovery software. The solicitation states: "This RFP incorporates all of the applicable provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-20, as if stated in full text." What specific provisions and clauses are applicable to this RFP? This is a commercial item requirement. All regulations pertaining to commercial items contracts will be applicable to this requirement. For your information, FAR regulation 97-21 was issued on and is similarly applicable to this procurement. 3. What is the breakdown of the 100 Databases that need to be backed up in a "Hot"/Open State? PTO operates 16 Microsoft Exchange data bases on NT servers. PTO operates 15 Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle data bases on NT servers. PTO operates 69 Oracle data bases on Unix servers. PTO requires the capability to back up all of them in a "Hot"/Open state. 4. In order to propose the correct configuration, we desire more information regarding PTO's computer environment. Certain central configurations may necessitate proposal of different software packages. Will you please define the central operation environment (Sun, HP, IBM, etc.) at PTO? Is there an IBM OS/390 style mainframe in use at PTO that would be involved with this project? PTO has moved to an open systems environment. PTO's current hardware standards are Hewlett-Packard and Sun servers for Unix, and Hewlett Packard Net Servers for Microsoft NT. The majority of Unix servers are Hewlett Packard, but the software products and licensing must be flexible enough to operate on HP-UX, Solaris or AIX. PTO defines three classes of Unix servers. First are the Text and Image Search servers, which are currently Hewlett Packard T and V class systems. PTO will have 19 Text and Image Search servers, 9 of which will be directly attached to tape libraries and will be running on-line data bases. Second are the Data Base and Workflow servers, which are currently Hewlett Packard K and N class systems, and Sun systems up to the E4500. PTO will have 90 Data Base and Workflow servers, 30 of which will be directly attached to tape libraries. 60 of the Data Base and Workflow servers will be running on-line data bases. Third are the Small Scale, Single Purpose, and Utility servers, which are currently Hewlett Packard D and L class systems. PTO will have 41 small scale, single purpose and utility servers, 3 of which will be directly attached to tape libraries. The totals of the three classes of Unix servers are 150 servers, 42 directly attached to tape libraries, and 69 running on-line data bases. PTO will have 300 Microsoft NT servers. 16 of the NT servers run Microsoft Exchange. 15 other NT servers run on-line data bases with either Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server. This is a total of 31 on-line data bases on NT servers. 10 of the NT servers will be directly attached to tape libraries. Oracle is PTO's current standard data base management system. All of the on-line data bases on Unix are currently using Oracle. PTO requires the flexibility to switch standard data base management systems. Therefore, the backup software products and licenses must be able to support Sybase, Informix and DB2 in case PTO chooses one of those data base management systems as a new standard during the term of this contract. If a new data base management vendor is chosen, the total number of on-line data bases will not change. 5. Repository for backup tape files and PTO disaster procedures may affect software that is proposed. Will you please briefly discuss disaster recovery initiatives, as well as off-site vaulted storage location and procedures? Tapes are taken off-site. In the event of a disaster that destroyed the data center, the off-site tapes would be used to restore PTO systems at an undetermined new location. For verification and other reasons, individual off-site tapes are periodically retrieved and used for restore procedures. 6. Capability to automatically backup from a snapshot copy of data on EMC storage or network attached to storage. More definition is needed regarding snapshot processing. Is the data to be snapshot accessible from any file system? From the same server? From any other server? From a raw partition? PTO's environment using EMC storage includes a primary copy of data mounted on an application server, and a secondary, read-only copy mounted on a second server. EMC software tools are used to update the secondary copy when changes are made to the primary copy. Tape backup software integrated with EMC software tools is required to create a snapshot of the secondary copy. This is a snapshot such that the tape backup software can create a valid, complete, consistent point in time system backup, and the secondary server can concurrently maintain its synchronous, read-only copy of the primary data. That is, the secondary copy will continue to change, due to writes on the primary copy, while the backup is being performed. The copy for the backup will not change while the backup is being run. The tape backup software may run on the secondary server or a third server. "Server-less" backup approaches with the necessary integration with EMC that meet the requirements of availability and synchronization of the primary and secondary copies of the data will be considered. PTO's future environment using network attached storage (NAS) will include a read-write copy of the data mounted on an application server. Common NAS tools include the capability to create a snap shot of a filesystem. Tape backup software integrated with the NAS tools is required to perform a backup from a snap shot copy. Offerors should identify which NAS products they are integrated with, and whether a second server is needed to mount the snap shot copy and perform the backup. 7. Capability to stripe a server's data across up to 12 tape drives simultaneously. Data striped over multiple tape drives is designed to speed backups. While this approach can dramatically speed backup, striping over multiple drive has proven to greatly increase the time required to accomplish restore functions. In addition, striping over multiple tapes is potentially dangerous should one of the dozen or more tapes be damaged, destroyed or not readily accessible at time or recovery or restore. Will PTO eliminate this requirement or reword it to accept an alternative incremental backup approach to striping which can be proven to speed both backup and restore operations? No. PTO has stated its requirement. 8. Capability to multiplex several servers to a single tape drive simultaneously. Similarly to the cumbersome data striping issue discussed in question #4 above, data multiplexed for several servers simultaneously is designed to speed backups. While this approach can dramatically speed backup, multiplexing of servers is potentially hazardous in restore operations in that a failure of a single tape causes the loss of data for multiple servers. Will PTO accept an alternative incremental backup approach to server multiplexing which can be proven to speed both backup and restore operations, while decreasing the problems inherent in multiplexed server backups? No. PTO has stated its requirement. 9. Capability to provide failure monitoring data via SNMP and SMTP. Since monitoring of failures is essential and since future PTO systems may not be hindered by adherence to these two protocols, it would seem more prudent to use an independent failure monitoring tool? Will PTO accept an alternative which provides a master console regardless of protocols? SNMP and SMTP are required for compatibility and integration with PTO's Enterprise Management System. 10. Capability to provide web-based administrative interfaces. Given the known lack of security in web based applications and interfaces, it seems more prudent to utilize some other form of remote access for administration. Will PTO reword this requirement to accept an alternative which provides another form of remote console access? No. PTO has stated its requirement. 11. Capability to encrypt data transfers between server and client. While we understand the desire for encryption, when the encryption function is performed by the tape backup handling software, this will normally result in dramatic consumption of time and resource cycles. We believe that the encryption function is best handled by encryption software and not a tape backup facility. Will PTO reword this requirement to make this a "desirable" rather than a requirement? Is PTO currently encrypting backups? No. The PTO requirement can be met through inherent product features or through documented compatibility and integration with the Entrust/PKI products. PTO has selected Entrust as its standard PKI product. PTO understands the processing cost of encryption/decryption. PTO does not intend to encrypt all backups. 12. Capability to backup an online database using the Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase, Informix, and DB2 data base management systems. In order to proposed the optimum configuration, it is preferable to be aware of the use of data base agents for each of these systems. Will PTO identify the number of data base agents for each of these systems? PTO operates 16 Microsoft Exchange data bases on NT servers. PTO operates 15 Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle data bases on NT servers. PTO operates 69 Oracle data bases on Unix servers. Oracle is PTO's current standard data base management system. All of the on-line data bases on Unix are currently using Oracle. PTO requires the flexibility to switch standard data base management systems. Therefore, the backup software products and licenses must be able to support Sybase, Informix and DB2 in case PTO chooses one of those data base management systems as a new standard during the term of this contract. If a new data base management vendor is chosen, the total number of on-line data bases will not change. 13. Item 0001: Delivery and installation of PTO wide software licenses, (Qty 1), Unit Price and Total $ _____. In order to properly configure and most favorably price the initial system, it is desirable to be aware of exactly how many servers are affected. Further, we believe that all offerors should propose based on the same quantities. One reference in RFP indicates "more than 100 Unix servers and more than 200 Windows NT servers." Another reference in the RFP indicates "Capacity to backup 150 Unix and 300 NT servers." Will PTO please identify the number of Unix servers and the number of Windows NT servers to be configured in the initial bid for Item 0001? Item 0001 has been restated as "Delivery of PTO wide software licenses, (Qty 1), Unit Prices and Total $. See new CLIN structure. The Offeror must provide unit prices for each separate software product being proposed. PTO has moved to an open systems environment. PTO's current hardware standards are Hewlett-Packard and Sun servers for Unix, and Hewlett Packard Net Servers for Microsoft NT. The majority of Unix servers are Hewlett Packard, but the software products and licensing must be flexible enough to operate on HP-UX, Solaris or AIX. PTO defines three classes of Unix servers. First are the Text and Image Search servers, which are currently Hewlett Packard T and V class systems. PTO will have 19 Text and Image Search servers, 9 of which will be directly attached to tape libraries and will be running on-line data bases. Second are the Data Base and Workflow servers, which are currently Hewlett Packard K and N class systems, and Sun systems up to the E4500. PTO will have 90 Data Base and Workflow servers, 30 of which will be directly attached to tape libraries. 60 of the Data Base and Workflow servers will be running on-line data bases. Third are the Small Scale, Single Purpose, and Utility servers, which are currently Hewlett Packard D and L class systems. PTO will have 41 small scale, single purpose and utility servers, 3 of which will be directly attached to tape libraries. The totals of the three classes of Unix servers are 150 servers, 42 directly attached to tape libraries, and 69 running on-line data bases. PTO will have 300 Microsoft NT servers. 16 of the NT servers run Microsoft Exchange. 15 other NT servers run on-line data bases with either Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server. This is a total of 31 on-line data bases on NT servers. 10 of the NT servers will be directly attached to tape libraries. 14. Closing date of January 10, 2001. In order to provide sufficient time for all offerors to consider all questions from all sources, as well as responses provided by PTO, will PTO please extend the due date for receipt of proposals to a date which is ten business days after publication of any amendment providing modifications and/or answers to questions? The closing date has been extended. See above. 15. Is there a detailed list of the computer equipment that will be used for the backup? No. PTO is acquiring the software site license before the hardware detailed design has been completed. Thus, PTO has specified that a total of 10 tape libraries with a total of 100 tape drives must be supported. Storage Tek and Quantum ATL tape libraries must be supported. Tape library models and the distribution of tape drives among the libraries have not been determined. PTO currently operates Storage Tek 9710, ATL 6/176, ATL P1000, ATL L500, and ATL 2640 tape libraries. 16. How many servers of each operating system? PTO has moved to an open systems environment. PTO's current hardware standards are Hewlett-Packard and Sun servers for Unix, and Hewlett Packard Net Servers for Microsoft NT. The majority of Unix servers are Hewlett Packard, but the software products and licensing must be flexible enough to operate on HP-UX, Solaris or AIX. PTO defines three classes of Unix servers. First are the Text and Image Search servers, which are currently Hewlett Packard T and V class systems. PTO will have 19 Text and Image Search servers, which could run HP-UX, Solaris, or AIX. Second are the Data Base and Workflow servers, which are currently Hewlett Packard K and N class systems, and Sun systems up to the E4500. PTO will have 90 Data Base and Workflow servers, which could run HP-UX, Solaris, or AIX. Third are the Small Scale, Single Purpose, and Utility servers, which are currently Hewlett Packard D and L class systems. PTO will have 41 small scale, single purpose and utility servers, which could run HP-UX, Solaris, or AIX. PTO will have 300 Microsoft NT servers. 17. What tape drives and libraries are attached to what servers, by SCSI or Fibre? Tape library models and the distribution of tape drives among the libraries have not been determined. The topology of server attachments to tape libraries has not been determined. PTO expects to transition to all fibre channel connections to the servers. 18. Model number of tape libraries and technical specs? How many tape backup administrative servers required? PTO is acquiring the software site license before the hardware detailed design has been completed. Thus, PTO has specified that a total of 10 tape libraries with a total of 100 tape drives must be supported. Storage Tek and Quantum ATL tape libraries must be supported. Tape library models and the distribution of tape drives among the libraries have not been determined. PTO currently operates Storage Tek 9710, ATL 6/176, ATL P1000, ATL L500, and ATL 2640 tape libraries. PTO has not set a fixed number of tape backup administrative servers. The number of tape backup administrative servers is included in the total number of servers. 19. How many USPTO sites are involved? How many are end users? Any clients, mobile machines, off site storage facilities, fail over "hot" sites? PTO operates in one campus in Crystal City. In 2004 as a result of new construction, the single PTO site will move to Alexandria. PTO has 10,000 desktop workstations. There are no other clients or mobile machines within the scope of this contract. PTO does not have a fail over "hot" site. How many people do we need to deal with from a technical, business, and user standpoint? 12 system administrators, 4 system designers/engineers, and other PTO staff as the Contracting Officer may direct. 20. What will be the deciding factors used to choose the winner? What Weighting will they get? Are there Technical and Functional capabilities or past performance or price factors that are specified? For example, is there a hard limit on the budget for this project, e.g. if we told you it was $1,000,000 would you still be able to buy it? If we told you it was $100 would we be determined non-responsive? How do we demonstrate superior past performance or technical and functional capabilities? Do specific technical and functional capabilities carry more weight than others? If so, and there is a pricing differential in offering higher end product, would the government want the higher end product? If we had to trade one feature for another to get within the price range, which would be most desirable? Whose past performance will you be evaluating, and how will you do so? How do business factors play into the final decision? For example, technically and functionally, you could easily deliver mattresses by carrying them on the hood of your car, but as a business selling mattresses, your customers and the state would be much happier if you used an enclosed truck for delivery? Evaluation criteria are described in the CBD announcement. 21. Will there be more than one winner? No. The purpose of the solicitation is to select one standard tape backup product for PTO. Multiple awards will not be made. 22. How can the government be asking for a quote for a firm fixed price contract with so many unknowns in the equation, e.g. backup technologies to be used, amount and kind of software required, number of people to be trained, and etcetera? This looks like a time and materials contract or pay to cover X servers at the outset of the contract and pay as they grow, or does it need to pay for Y servers up front that they might grow in to satisfy the firm fixed price contracting method? How does the USPTO intend to deal with future growth (or shrinkage) in the numbe

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Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010110/70SOL002.HTM (D-008 SN50A422)