New Building IT Design and Build

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for the design and build of the network topography for the National Science Foundation's (NSF) new headquarters in Alexandria, VA. The project aims to establish an enterprise network supporting approximately 1,200 federal employees and 1,200 contractors, integrated with a co-location data center.

• Design and build of the IT (voice/data) network topography, including equipment and performance specifications.

• Installation of fiber and copper cabling to support communication equipment rooms, work area outlets, and wireless access points.

• Installation of government-furnished equipment, including switches and wireless access points.

• Construction of an enhanced communication equipment room (data center) and approximately 23 computer equipment rooms (switch closets).

• Specific cabling requirements include:

  • Minimum 24 strand of 50 micron multimode OM4 and 12 strand single-mode fiber optic cable between the Point of Presence (PoP) and the Main Data Facility (MDF).
  • Minimum 24 strand 50 micron multimode OM4 and 12 strand single-mode fiber optic cable between the MDF and all computer equipment rooms.
  • Minimum Cat 6a copper cable from the Communication Equipment Room (CER) to Wireless Access Points (WAP), Conference Rooms, and executive offices.

• The project includes compliance with industry standards, local codes, and specific government requirements such as Section 508 accessibility and energy-efficient products.

• Performance will be assessed based on Technical Needs, Project Milestones and Schedule, Project Staffing, and Value Added.

• Acceptable performance levels for all objectives are "Satisfactory or higher."

• The Contractor will be monitored via a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).

• Period of Performance: Eight (8) months following award.

• Place of Performance: Design support work is generally performed at the vendor's location. Work requiring physical presence (survey, build) is at NSF facilities in Alexandria, VA.

• Contractor personnel require appropriate background investigations (Tier 1/NACI, Tier 2/MBI, or Tier 4/BI) based on task requirements.

• Compliance with NSF policies, standard operating procedures, and applicable laws and regulations.

• Adherence to security requirements, including physical security, IT security, and confidentiality.

• Use of ENERGY STAR, FEMP designated, low standby power, and EPEAT registered products for IT procurements.

• The Contractor must submit a Contractor Project Management Plan (CPMP) and Monthly Progress Reports.

• Deliverables include the CPMP, Monthly Progress Reports, Gap Analysis Report, Verification & Validation plan, Site results/certification records, and Cost & Technical Proposal.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Tentative Cable-Design-Build Schedule.xlsx", provides a tentative schedule for a cable design-build project. It outlines key phases and activities across several months.

• Cable Replacement: Divided into three phases, covering different floor ranges.
• Network Design/Topology: A distinct phase for this activity.
• Installation of Network Equipment: Also divided into three phases, corresponding to the cable replacement phases.
• Timeline: Activities are tentatively scheduled across May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December.

This schedule provides potential bidders with an estimated timeline for project execution. It indicates the sequencing and duration of major tasks, which can inform resource allocation, project planning, and proposal development. Bidders should review this schedule to understand the expected project flow and phasing.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains questions submitted by potential bidders and the government's responses, clarifying aspects of the network design and build requirement.

• Standards and Best Practices: Bidders are asked to detail the structured cabling standards (e.g., ANSI/TIA-568) and best practices they follow.
• Network Topology Design: Bidders must provide an example of a network topology designed for a similar environment, explaining the design considerations.
• Room Requirements: The government seeks descriptions of how bidders determine space, power, cooling, and rack layout for network rooms like MDFs and CERs.
• Bandwidth and Redundancy: Bidders need to explain their approach to determining bandwidth capacity, switching requirements, and redundancy levels for agency networks.
• Equipment Specification: Factors to consider when specifying equipment for environments with integrated technologies (audiovisual, imaging) are requested.
• Evaluation Criteria: Bidders are prompted to suggest evaluation criteria beyond price that the government should consider.

This Q&A document provides critical details that bidders should consider when developing their proposals, particularly regarding technical specifications, design approaches, and evaluation factors. It helps clarify the government's expectations for the network design and build project.

Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)

This document is a Combined Sources Sought (SS)/Request for Information (RFI) issued by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to identify qualified and experienced sources for the "New Headquarters Enhanced Communication Equipment Room Design & Build." This is for informational purposes only and is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). The NSF is conducting market research to determine the acquisition strategy for this procurement.

The NSF is seeking information on companies capable of designing and building an enhanced communication equipment room at their new headquarters. Specific details regarding the scope of work, technical requirements, and problem statement are provided in attached documents.

No contract details are provided as the acquisition strategy has not yet been determined. The results of this RFI will inform this decision.

Interested and qualified vendors are requested to submit a response by March 26, 2026, at 11:00 AM EST via email to kmprice@nsf.gov. Responses should be concise and include:

• A cover page with corporate information.
• Up to ten (10) pages addressing the attached problem statement and questions.
• One (1) page of recommendations on contract type and pricing methodology.
• One (1) page identifying potential barriers to responding to a future RFQ/RFP.
• One (1) page of applicable and relevant references for organizational experience (within the past 5 years), including period of performance, dollar value, contract type, and role (prime/sub).

Responses should be in 11-point Times Roman font. Generic marketing materials, cost, or price information will not be reviewed. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted; questions must be submitted in writing to kmprice@nsf.gov.

The anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541512 Computer Systems Design Services, with a size standard of $34 million. The NSF encourages small businesses in all socioeconomic categories to respond to aid in a potential small business set-aside determination.

Attachments include: Network Design Build Problem Statement Questions, Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) for the "New Headquarters Enhanced Communication Equipment Room Design & Build" dated February 2, 2026, and a Tentative Cable-Design-Build Schedule.