Just Three Weeks to Submit for Commerce’s New $1.5B IT Modernization Contract – Total Small Business Set-Aside

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The Department of Commerce (DOC) Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) issued the final request for proposal (RFP) for the Commerce Acquisition for Transformational Technology Services (CATTS) contract, a multiple-award contract with a $1.5 billion ceiling. Questions are due Monday, November 22nd, and the first phase of proposals is due in three weeks (December 8, 2021).

This contract is 100 percent set aside for small businesses. The OCIO anticipates it will award between 15-20 IDIQ contracts for a 10-year-period of performance, with a minimum of 50 percent of these contracts set aside for socioeconomic firms. The OCIO has the following goals: 3-5 awards to SDVOSBs, 3-5 awards to WOSBs, 2-4 awards to HUBZones, and 2-4 awards to small, disadvantaged businesses/8(a)s.

CATTS is a great opportunity for small businesses; however, the proposal is complex, and the timeline is aggressive. The deadline for the second phase of the proposal is January 17, which — given the holidays — isn’t much time to prepare. Contact us if you need assistance with bid strategy or any part of the proposal development process.

Proposal Instructions and Timeline

DOC is looking to conduct the CATTS procurement through a phased proposal submission, which includes:

  1. Phase One – Advisory: This phase requires proof of Top-Secret facilities clearance and a Self-Assessment of the 6 areas listed above.
  2. Phase Two – Evaluation of Written Proposals and Selection: This phase requires the 5 volumes of the whole proposal.

Here’s the timeline:

Event Date
RFP Questions Due November 22, 2021
RFP Answers Posted December 1, 2021
Phase I Proposals Due December 8, 2021
Notification of Advisory Down Select December 21, 2021
Phase II proposals Due January 17, 2022
Award May 18, 2022

 

The Details

DOC’s objectives are to operate and sustain the current environment while migrating to cloud services to the maximum extent possible. DOC wants to minimize its physical footprint and the investments needed for technology refreshes every 3-5 years. The OCIO desires contractors to improve service delivery and migrate from Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) to either Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Additionally, the OCIO is requesting support from contractors to move toward a level 5 Capability Maturity Model (CMM).

DOC has begun restructuring and redesigning the IT environment by implementing centralized shared services, establishing centers-of-excellence, providing cloud-based solutions, and consolidating duplicative efforts throughout the Department. The purpose of these efforts includes the following:

  1. Realize efficiencies by reducing duplication and redundancy, which reduces overall costs.
  2. Remove and reduce outdated legacy applications and infrastructures.
  3. Improve project management of DOC-wide IT investments.
  4. Provide high quality, consistent, and repeatable services for the entire Department using current and future technologies.
  5. Retain necessary service levels in support of DOC missions.
  6. Maintain or improve IT security posture, standards, and controls.

DOC has begun migrating services to the cloud, migrating web hosting, and consolidating internet and network backbone infrastructure support provided by other DOC bureaus. Contractors will be required to provide a wide range of IT services and solutions nationwide. Some solutions may be required for Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS). Offerors are required to have a Top-Secret clearance and will need to show capability and past performance in the following 6 areas:

  1. Task Area 1: Chief Information Officer (CIO) Support: analytic and program management support functions involving the leadership (i.e., strategy, introduction, and direction) and management (i.e., execution, performance, and oversight) of information systems.
  2. Task Area 2: Digital Document and Records Management: support functions involving the capture and management (i.e., authentication, verification, validation, and disposal) of documents and digital media.
  3. Task Area 3: Managed Service Outsourcing and Consulting: use outside organizations that assume the responsibility of your information systems with little to no managerial input (i.e., not staff augmentation).
  4. Task Area 4: IT Operations and Maintenance: perform information systems support with direct Federal oversight.
  5. Task Area 5: Digital Services:
    1. Integration Services: coupling of information systems with disparate data, information, and/or systems.
    2. Digital Services: digital communications between entities.
    3. Application/Software Development: planning, requirements gathering, development, and implementation for software applications.
    4. Data Governance and Management: planning, requirements gathering, development, and implementation of open data platforms.
    5. Application Operations and Maintenance and Design, Modernization, and Enhancement: planning, requirements gathering, development, and implementation of Development, Modernization, and Enhancement (DME) and operation and maintenance support for existing systems.
  6. Task Area 6: Cyber Security: authentication, verification, validation, and protection of data, information systems, and resources.

OST Global Solutions is a professional business development consulting company, and we are available to support your efforts to secure one of the CATTS contracts. Reach out to us if you need Proposal support for this effort.

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