Update on State Department’s $10-Billion Evolve Contract

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has posted answers to bidder questions about Evolve, a multiple-award indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) solicitation aimed at modernizing the department’s IT capabilities. DOS issued an updated draft RFP this summer, incorporating industry feedback on the draft it issued in February.

DOS answered 499 questions in early August by releasing two Excel files. There are many excellent questions and answers that provide additional understanding of the draft RFP released in July 2022. Bidders should review the questions in detail and update their win strategies accordingly.

The Evolve acquisition will enable DOS to “acquire technology services from companies with proven track records and to advance modern U.S. diplomatic goals including the application of emerging technologies, cyber security, data analysis, innovations in climate and health, as well as workforce accessibility.”

Functional Categories

Evolve will involve five functional categories:

• IT Management Services: Includes IT Portfolio Management, Architecture, and Cybersecurity & Compliance categories of requirements.
• Network & Telecommunications Services: Includes voice and data network, and supporting services such as load balancing, domain services, VPN, Intranet, Radio services, and RIMC network support.
• Cloud & Data Center Services: Includes internal and external cloud services (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) and Data Center and their supported services.
• Application Development Services: Includes software application development, testing, release, support, and operations.
• Customer & End User Support Services: Includes support for end users and mobile computing devices.

DOS intends to solicit Functional Category 1 first, followed by Functional Categories 2-5, which will be issued as a group.

Awards and Period of Performance

DOS intends to award up to 36 IDIQ Contracts, specifically:

• IT Management Services Functional Category (FC1)
  • Up to four Full-and-Open IDIQ contracts
  • Up to four Small Business set aside IDIQ contracts
• Cloud & Data Center Services Functional Category (FC2)
  • Up to four Full-and-Open IDIQ contracts
  • Up to four Small Business set aside IDIQ contracts
• Application Development Services Functional Category (FC3)
  • Up to four Full-and-Open IDIQ contracts
  • Up to four Small Business set aside IDIQ contracts
• Network & Telecommunications Services Functional Category (FC4)
  • Up to six Full-and-Open IDIQ contracts
• Customer & End User Support Services Functional Category (FC5)
  • Up to six Full-and-Open IDIQ contracts to be awarded.

Evolve will have a 5-7-year Period of Performance.

Facility Security Clearance

Along with individual security requirements for some employees, bidders for Evolve must possess a facility security clearance at the Top-Secret level (see draft RFP Section H.14.1). For Joint Venture (JV) bidders, either the JV itself or all individual partners must possess a Top-Secret facility clearance.

OST Global Solutions is a professional business development consulting firm. We have experience supporting large, strategic bids like Evolve. We can provide capture and proposal teams to develop a complete, winning Evolve proposal. Or we can provide consultants on a case-by-case basis to fill gaps on your business development team. Our services related to the Evolve proposal consist of capture management, proposal management, orals coaching, proposal writing, graphics support, editing, desktop publishing, and cost volume development.

Reach out to us to discuss your Evolve bid, so we can discuss how to develop a winning proposal.

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