Cisco Network Equipment

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the Whiteriver Cisco Network Upgrade Project.

• Fiber and Copper Patch Cables: The contractor is responsible for providing all standard fiber and copper patch cables, including appropriate quantities and lengths, required for installation. The Bill of Materials (BOM) includes optics and backbone connectivity components, but not these patch cables.
• Rack Mounting Hardware: Standard rack-mounting hardware (rails, brackets, etc.) for the switches is included with the manufacturer equipment.
• Power Cords: Power cords for all equipment, including dual power supply configurations, are included with the equipment from the manufacturer.
• Optics: The BOM includes optics for uplinks and inter-switch connections. The contractor must ensure all required optics are installed as matching pairs and are compatible with the deployed equipment.
• Wireless Access Point Mounting Hardware: Government-provided wireless access points include appropriate mounting brackets. The contractor shall reuse existing serviceable brackets or utilize provided ones. Any minor ancillary mounting materials needed for installation must be provided by the contractor.

This Q&A document clarifies contractor responsibilities for providing specific hardware components not explicitly detailed in the original BOM, such as patch cables and ancillary mounting materials. Bidders should incorporate these clarifications into their project planning and cost estimations.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides clarifications and answers to vendor questions regarding the Whiteriver Cisco Network Upgrade Project.

• Switch Quantities: The Government will provide two (2) C9500-4874C core switches from existing inventory. All other required equipment is in the BOM or Government-furnished.
• Garret Building Equipment: The SOW is correct; one (1) C9200L-48P-4X switch is required for the Garret Building.
• Licensing: Advantage licensing will support standard enterprise network functionality, including routing.
• Stacking Kits: Quantities and placements are correct as per BOM and SOW; final placement will be validated during implementation.
• 40G AOC Cables: Used for uplink connectivity between core and distribution switches, and for stack interconnects.
• Network Diagrams: Topology diagrams (MDF to IDF) and port mapping/patch schedules will be provided upon contract award.
• Configuration Replication: Existing configurations will be provided for reference. The contractor shall replicate and optimize configurations per Cisco best practices, subject to Government approval.
• Complexity: Moderate complexity expected with multiple VLANs and inter-VLAN routing; no advanced routing protocols anticipated.
• Cutover Plan: Contractor shall develop and submit a detailed cutover plan, including rollback procedures, for Government approval.
• Wireless Access Points (APs): 65 existing APs will be replaced with Government-furnished Cisco 9130AXI-B APs. Existing cabling will be reused. The contractor will have controlled administrative access to the wireless controller.
• Cabling: Existing cabling is assumed serviceable. Contractor shall report deficiencies. Existing labeling may be inconsistent.
• Site Access: Site access and work hours will be coordinated with the Service Unit. Work may be required after-hours in clinical areas.
• Travel: Project includes work at Whiteriver Indian Hospital and Cibecue Health Center; contractor must account for travel.
• Switch Replacement: Contractor shall replace existing switches and decommission legacy equipment. Existing rack space, power, and cooling are assumed adequate, but the contractor shall verify and report any required remediation beyond minor adjustments.

These clarifications refine equipment details, configuration expectations, and project execution requirements. Bidders should review these answers carefully to ensure their proposals accurately reflect the project scope and technical requirements. Specific details regarding network diagrams, port mapping, and configuration details will be provided post-award.

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document is a Bill of Materials (BOM) detailing the specific Cisco networking equipment and associated services required for various locations. It serves as a detailed list of components and quantities needed for network infrastructure upgrades or deployments.

• Product Identification: Lists Cisco part numbers, manufacturer (CISCO SYSTEMS (CISCOPRO)), and descriptions for network switches, licenses, power supplies, fan modules, cables, and accessories.
• Quantity: Specifies the exact number of each item required per location.
• Location Breakdown: Organizes the BOM by specific sites, including 'SSB Building - MDF', 'SSB Building - IDF-1', 'Main Hospital - IDF D', 'Main Hospital - IDF E2', 'Main Hospital - IDF C', 'WR Power Plant', 'WR-Garret', and 'Cibecue Health Center'.
• Professional Services: Includes a line item for 'Installation Services'.
• Fiber Patch Cables: Lists specific fiber patch cable part numbers and quantities.
• Software/Licensing: Includes various Cisco DNA licenses (Essentials and Advantage) with different term lengths (3-year and 60-month services), Cisco ThousandEyes agents, and Cisco DNA Spaces licenses.

This BOM is critical for bidders to understand the exact hardware, software, and service components required for the opportunity. It directly informs procurement, configuration, and pricing strategies. Bidders must ensure they can supply all listed items, including specific Cisco models and quantities, and factor in the associated installation services and licensing terms into their proposals.

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC)

This document justifies a brand-name, firm-fixed-price contract for Cisco network equipment for the Phoenix Area Indian Health Service (IHS). The acquisition is anticipated for FY 2026, funded by Operations and Maintenance. The contract will be awarded to authorized Cisco Resellers.

• Cisco-branded network equipment, including:

  • Wireless LAN
  • Wired LAN
  • Routers and switches
  • VoIP systems
  • Server infrastructure

• Brand-name requirement is due to compatibility and support needs.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed-price

• Anticipated Award: FY 2026

• Funding: Operations and Maintenance

• Estimated Total Value: Not specified in this document.

This document is a justification for a sole-source or limited competition procurement, not a solicitation for proposals. Specific submission instructions or evaluation criteria are not provided here.

• The previous contract (75H71226P00003) was an ISBEE Set-Aside.

• Competition will be among authorized Cisco resellers.

• The rationale for brand-name requirement includes existing Cisco infrastructure compatibility, national support contracts, staff training on Cisco systems, and avoidance of additional contracts and costs.

• Alternatives were considered and determined not to meet requirements.

• Market research confirmed Cisco is required for compatibility and support.

• A notice will be published, and future market research will assess alternatives.

• Certified cost or pricing data is not required.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products, specifically brand-name Cisco IT equipment and associated components, for the Indian Health Service (IHS), Phoenix. The government intends to make a single firm-fixed-price award.

• All items must be new, original Cisco OEM equipment. No refurbished, gray market, or third-party products are allowed.

• Equipment must include manufacturer warranty and be fully compatible with existing Cisco systems.

• Serial numbers must be valid and supportable by Cisco.

• Delivery is required to Whiteriver Service Unit (WRSU), Whiteriver, AZ 85941, within 30 days After Receipt of Order (ARO).

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP)

• Award will be made using Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) procedures.

• Technical Acceptability (Pass/Fail): Offerors must demonstrate compliance with all specified Cisco brand-name part numbers, confirm products are new/genuine Cisco OEM, eligible for warranty/support, and meet the delivery schedule. Proof of Cisco Authorized Reseller status is required (e.g., certification, letter of authorization, distributor verification).

• Price: Evaluated for fairness and reasonableness.

• Submission Requirements: Offerors must submit a Technical Quote (listing part numbers, confirmation of new/genuine OEM status, warranty eligibility, delivery timeline, and authorized reseller documentation), a Price Quote (unit, extended, and total pricing), and Certifications (proof of ISBEE eligibility and active SAM.gov registration).

• Submission Method: Quotes must be submitted electronically to jimmy.perry@ihs.gov.

• Questions Due: April 13, 2026.

• Response Date/Time: April 15, 2026.

• This acquisition is set aside exclusively for Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEE).

• Offerors must be certified as an ISBEE at the time of quote submission and registered in SAM.gov with an active UEI.

• This procurement uses FAR Part 12 (Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services).

• The government reserves the right to award without discussions.

• A Brand Name Justification has been approved; no substitutes will be accepted.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To replace end-of-life network equipment at the Whiteriver Indian Hospital and Cibecue Health Center with new Cisco equipment, ensuring minimal disruption to patient care and updating configurations to current best practices.

• Whiteriver Indian Hospital Campus:

  • SSB Building: Install and configure 2 C9500-4874C core switches and 3 48-port 9300 series POE switches.
  • Main Hospital: Install and configure 3 48-port 9300 series POE switches, 1 48-port 9300 series POE switch, and 1 48-port 9200 series POE switch. Install and configure 65 existing Wireless APs.
  • WR Power Plant: Install and configure 1 48-port 9300 series POE switch.
  • WR-Garret Building: Install and configure 1 48-port 9200 series POE switch.

• Cibecue Health Center:

  • Install and configure 3 48-port 9300 series POE switches.

• Replace all end-of-life equipment.

• Port over and update existing configurations.

• Correct configuration errors according to best practices.

• Schedule work in critical care areas during low-risk hours.

• Locations: Whiteriver Indian Hospital (200 W Hospital Dr, Whiteriver, AZ 85941) and Cibecue Health Center (P.O. Box 37, Cibecue, AZ 85911).

• Contractor must have demonstrated positive past performance with Indian Health Service.

• Contractor must be a Cisco Certified Network Engineer.

• Compliance with Privacy Act, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2.

• All Information and Communication Technology (ICT) deliverables must conform to Revised Section 508 Standards and WCAG 2.1 Level AA. A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®) / Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) or HHS Section 508 Accessibility Checklists must be provided. Accessibility issues must be remediated at no additional cost.