Update on State’s $8-Billion IT IDIQ: Evolve

The Department of State announced last week they will release a revised draft Request for Proposals (RFP) in the coming weeks for its Bureau of Information Resource Management (IRM) Evolve contract, an $8-billion IT-Services Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).

The vehicle will help IRM modernize IT-Service needs within the department, transforming IRM’s operating model to Plan, Build, Test, Run, Support lifecycle with improved customer service. The department is expected to issue up to 30 IDIQ awards with a 5-year base period of performance. Bidders can submit a proposal for one, some, or all of the pools, with the exception of Pool One (IT Management Services).

According to the previous version of the draft RFP, Pool 3 was s a total small business set-aside. Pools 1, 2, 4, and 5 were unrestricted.

The Evolve vehicle will help IRM modernize its IT-Service needs, transforming IRM’s operating model to a Plan, Build, Test, Run, Support life cycle with improved customer service. In accordance with Executive Order 14028, the Federal Government must bring to bear the full scope of its authorities and resources to protect and secure its computer systems, whether they are cloud-based, on-premises, or hybrid. The scope of protection and security must include systems that process data (information technology (IT)) and those that run the vital machinery that ensures our safety (operational technology (OT)).

The Federal Government must adopt security best practices; advance toward Zero Trust Architecture; accelerate movement to secure cloud services, including Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS); centralize and streamline access to cybersecurity data to drive analytics for identifying and managing cybersecurity risks, and invest in both technology and personnel to match these modernization goals.

The Evolve solicitation will consist of five competition pools/functional categories:

Pool One – IT Management Services will provide management, strategy, and planning of the enterprise IT portfolio. This may include requirements ranging from Enterprise Architecture and IT Finance resources to data analytics and governance of portfolio management processes. Requirements for vendors in this pool may also include performance monitoring and reporting of services performed by vendors in Pools 2-5.

Pool Two – Network & Telecommunication Services will provide voice and data network and supporting services such as load balancing, domain services, virtual private network, and the internet to enable communications within and outside the enterprise.

Pool Three – Cloud & Data Center Services will provide internal and/or external cloud services including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. Providers will also offer secure and controlled environments for housing compute, storage, network, and other technology equipment.

Pool Four – Application Development Services will provide software application development, testing, release, support, and operations

Pool Five – Customer & End User Support Services will provide end user computing devices and support for end users.

Submitting to Multiple Pools

Bidders can submit a proposal for one, some, or all the pools, with the exception of Pool One.

To avoid Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI’s), contractors who submit a proposal for Pool One and receive an award will not be considered for an award under pools 2-5 and may not have partnerships or subcontracts with vendors providing services in Pools 2-5.

Additionally, to mitigate performance risk in Pools 2-5 and encourage the use of best-in-class suppliers, the Government will only allow a vendor to provide services as a prime contractor in a maximum of two pools.

To compete for an award within a given pool, a contractor must have the capability to meet each of the requirements listed in the Pool Descriptions. To see the latest scope of capabilities under each Pool, see the solicitation information at sam.gov.

The government does not expect every awardee to have expertise in all functional areas but intends to award enough contracts for adequate competition for each pool of services listed below.

• Pool One – IT Management: 541513 Computer Facilities Management Services, 541519 Other Computer Related Services
• Pool Two – Networks & Telecom Services: 541512 Computer Systems Design Services
• Pool Three – Cloud & Data Center: 518210 Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services,
• Pool Four – Application Services: 541512 Computer Systems Design Services, 541511 Custom Computer Programming
• Pool Five – Customer & End User Services: 541519 Other Computer Related Services, 541513 Computer Facilities Management Services

OST Global Solutions is a professional business development consulting firm. We support large, strategic bids by providing capture and proposal teams to develop a complete, winning proposal. We can also provide consultants to fill gaps or provide surge support on your business development team. Our services related to the Evolve vehicle consist of capture management, proposal management, orals coaching, proposal writing, graphics support, editing, desktop publishing, and cost volume development.

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