Capacity as A Service (CaaS)

Request for Information (RFI) and Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This RFI is issued by the Marine Corps Installations National Capital Region - Regional Contracting Office (MCINCR-RCO) on behalf of the Marine Corps Installations Command (MCICOM), G-6 Installation Systems Branch (ISB). The purpose is to conduct market research and gather industry feedback on providing "Capacity as a Service" (CaaS) to support RDT&E core infrastructure, laboratory environments, and data centers. This RFI is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation or a commitment to award a contract.

• Industry Feedback Requested: Vendors are asked to provide input on their capability to deliver the described services, potential barriers to competition, interest in submitting a proposal, commercial availability, pricing structure feasibility (Firm Fixed Price), competition influencers, Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) pricing, and appropriate NAICS codes.

• Draft PWS Attached: The RFI includes a draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) detailing the technical specifications for CaaS.

• Submission Deadline: Responses are due no later than 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time on January 16, 2025.

• Submission Method: Responses must be submitted via email to Kellie Holley (kellie.holley@usmc.mil) and Kevin Guertin (kevin.guertin@usmc.mil).

• Response Format: Submissions should not exceed 10 pages (excluding cover page) and must include responses to the "Industry Feedback" section, business information, company representative details, business type, Cage Code/UEI, available contract vehicles, and estimated delivery lead time.

• Objective: To acquire an agile, on-demand, on-premise CaaS solution delivering scalable computing, networking, and storage resources tailored to mission requirements.

• Scope: The contractor will deliver and install compute, networking, and storage hardware at designated Government facilities. The Government retains operational management, while the contractor handles procurement, delivery, installation, de-installation, and lifecycle maintenance.

• Hardware Requirements: Detailed specifications are provided for various hardware types including compute, storage (NAS and SAN), and network switching, with requirements for compatibility, performance, scalability, and security (e.g., FIPS 140-2/3 validation for encryption).

• Performance: Solutions must be modular, enterprise-grade, and capable of seamless integration. Specific performance criteria are outlined for compute, storage, and network components.

• Support: Requires 24x7 OEM support, technical assistance, firmware updates, and part replacement within specified timeframes. Contractor acts as the liaison for OEM support.

• Locations: Performance locations include MCITC in Kansas City, MO, and Newlin Hall at Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP) unit pricing for a Capacity as a Service model.

• Period of Performance: One (1) year Base Period with four (4) one-year Option Periods.

• Responses are voluntary and no funds are available to pay for preparation.

• All submitted information becomes Government property.

• Proprietary information must be clearly marked.

Request for Information (RFI) / Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This RFI is issued by the Marine Corps Installations National Capital Region - Regional Contracting Office (MCINCR-RCO) on behalf of the Marine Corps Installations Command (MCICOM), G-6 Installation Systems Branch (ISB). The purpose is to conduct market research and gather industry feedback on providing "Capacity as a Service" (CaaS) to support Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation (RDT&E) core infrastructure, laboratory environments, and data centers. This RFI is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation.

This RFI includes a draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlining the requirements for CaaS. Key aspects include:

• Scope: Providing on-premise CaaS, including compute, networking, and storage hardware, delivered and installed at designated Government facilities. The Government will order discrete hardware capabilities from a vendor catalog.

• Hardware & Software: Platforms must support specified operating systems (Windows Server, Red Hat Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Solaris, VMware vSphere, HP-UX, AIX) and include required interfaces (FC, FCoE, 10/40 GbE). Specific requirements are detailed for Enterprise Storage (e.g., multi-controller, RAID, replication, FIPS 140-2/3 compliance), Network Attached Storage (NAS), and SAN Switching.

• Performance: Solutions must be modular, scalable, and integrate into existing Government environments. Baseline performance criteria include physical delivery, racking, operational readiness, high availability, fault tolerance, and compliance with DoD cybersecurity standards.

• Support: Requires OEM support contracts for all delivered hardware, including 24x7 technical assistance, firmware updates, and part replacement within specified timeframes. Contractor acts as the liaison for OEM support.

• Transition: Requires onboarding and offboarding transition strategies.

• Industry Feedback Requested: Vendors are asked to provide input on:

  • Capability to deliver products/services.
  • Potential barriers to competition.
  • Interest in submitting a proposal.
  • Commercial availability.
  • Feasibility of a Firm Fixed Price contract.
  • Conditions affecting competition.
  • Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) pricing.
  • Relevant NAICS codes.

• Submission Deadline: January 4, 2025, 08:00 AM EST.

• Submission Method: Email to specified Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist.

• Format: No more than 10 pages, excluding cover page.

• Required Content: Responses to industry feedback questions, business information, company representative details, Type of Business, Cage Code/UEI, available contract vehicles, and estimated delivery lead time.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP) unit pricing for each catalog item.

• Period of Performance: One (1) year Base Period plus four (4) one-year Option Periods.

• Performance Locations: Marine Corps Information Technology Center (MCITC), Kansas City, MO and Newlin Hall, Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA.

This RFI specifically seeks to identify small business vendors capable of providing CaaS. However, the RFI does not specify a set-aside at this stage.

• This RFI is for market research and planning purposes only. It is not a request for quote (RFQ) and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment to award a contract.
• No funds are available to pay for response preparation.
• All submitted information becomes Government property and will not be returned.
• Proprietary information must be clearly marked.

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To acquire Capacity as a Service (CaaS) to support the Marine Corps Installations Command (MCICOM) G-6 Installation Systems Branch (ISB) in modernizing its hosting capabilities for RDT&E core infrastructure, laboratory environments, and data centers. The goal is to provide an agile, on-demand, on-premise solution for scalable computing, networking, and storage resources.

• Deliver and install compute, networking, and storage hardware at designated Government facilities.

• Provide discrete, fit-for-purpose hardware capabilities from a catalog of vendor-offered solutions.

• Hardware must be delivered as bare-metal systems, compatible with specified operating systems.

• Contractor is responsible for procurement, delivery, installation, de-installation, and lifecycle maintenance of all hardware.

• Government retains operational control of the equipment.

• Hardware must meet enterprise-grade requirements for modularity, scalability, and availability.

• Specific performance criteria include physical delivery, racking, operational readiness, modularity, vendor-neutrality, and compliance with DoD cybersecurity standards.

• Detailed requirements for compute, storage (NAS and SAN), and network hardware are outlined.

• The contract includes a Base Period of one year and four one-year Option Periods.

• Performance locations include MCITC, Kansas City, MO and Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA.

• Contractor must maintain active Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) support contracts for all hardware.

• All personnel must be U.S. citizens and comply with security requirements.

• The contract is Firm Fixed Price (FFP) for hardware-based capacity delivered as a service.

• Specific deliverables include transition strategies, capacity reports, and SLA compliance summaries.