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Homeland Security Releases First Source RFP The Homeland Security Department has issued the final RFP for its First Source IT hardware contract, a multiple-award small business set-aside. It is a companion to the EAGLE contract for IT services, a partial set-aside. DHS officials have said they expect the two contracts to account for up to 90% of the department’s $6 billion in annual IT spending. All DHS agencies will be required to use First Source unless they can justify buying outside the contract. The RFP does not say how many contracts will be awarded. First Source contractors will provide IT equipment and software, networking equipment, wireless technology, imaging products, voice recognition technology, on-line data reporting services for order, delivery, warranty, asset, and spend tracking, and associated services. DHS officials earlier said they had modified the draft RFP to specify equipment standards. The final RFP says: “The high level equipment descriptions are intended to provide sufficient flexibility to meet a comprehensive range of potential agency requirements. Specific equipment, delivery, and performance requirements will be defined in individual delivery orders that will be competed prior to their issuance.” The source selection will be conducted using a best value analysis. Evaluation factors will emphasize price, technical and management solutions, and past performance. At an August industry day, contracting officer, Mike Smith, said there will be no discussions with offerors; contracts will be awarded on the basis of prices quoted in the company’s catalog. Contracts will be awarded for a two-year base period with three one-year options. The solicitation number is HSHQDC-05-R-00001. Proposals are due Jan. 10. The EAGLE RFP was released in September. Small and large businesses will be evaluated on separate tracks, with an undetermined number of awards reserved for small firms. Awards are anticipated early next year.
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