Request for InformationChannel Extenders December 31, 2007 The mission of the Bureau of the Public Debt is to borrow the money needed to operate the federal government, account for the resulting debt, and provide reimbursable support services to federal agencies. The Bureau of the Public Debt is located in Parkersburg, WV, and requires information about ways to modernize their current data mirroring between mainframe computers. BACKGROUND The Bureau of the Public Debt (Public Debt) is assessing the market to gain information pertaining to data mirroring between two mainframe computers through the use of IBM?s Extended Remote Copy (XRC) technology. The Office of Information Technology (OIT) is responsible for maintaining Public Debt?s storage network and is seeking ways to modernize its current processes. DESIRED ACCOMPLISHMENT Information is being requested from potential contractors that can best help Public Debt accomplish the following: The proposed storage network must support data mirroring between two mainframe computers through the use of IBM?s Extended Remote Copy (XRC) technology; The proposed hardware must enable stable Extended Remote Copy (XRC) communications and acceptable data mirroring times using a WAN with traffic parameters, as follows: WAN Transport Characteristics Bandwidth - 36 Mbps Packet MTU - 1340 Bytes Latency - Less than or equal to 250ms Jitter - Less than or equal to 45ms Packet Loss - Less than or equal to 2% Must use Internet Protocol (IP) based transport; Must allow an adjustable Maximum Transmission (MTU) size; Must interface with the agency network using Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) or Gigabit Ethernet (1000Mbps); Must support configurable and effective traffic-shaping which allows an average traffic rate, and an absolute maximum traffic rate to be configured and reconfigured onsite as needed, without limitation; Data Compression of two to one (2:1) or better; Must Support at least 500 volumes; Must Support FICON redundancy within the unit; Can support FICON over IP and fiber channel over IP using the same IP network path; and XRC certification by IBM. REQUESTED INFORMATION The Government, at this time for market research purposes, is requesting technical product literature that will demonstrate the contractors ability to provide the specified requirements, a commercial price list (if available), and similar projects performed (agency name, point of contact, and phone number). However, the Government may request for market research purposes an evaluation of software, product demonstrations, and/or technical presentations from Contractors responding to this announcement. Please note that this information is being requested for information and planning purposes only. The Government does not intend to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information requested. The Government is assessing the ability of the market to meet the needs as stated above based on the information received. Dependent upon the results of this market survey, the Government may subsequently issue a solicitation to acquire the appropriate tool(s). Any such solicitation would be based on a functional statement of requirements in order to maximize competition to the fullest. In addition to the information above, please submit your business size and any socio-economic statues that your firm has (i.e. 8(a), HubZone, Service Disabled Veteran-Owned, Small Business). The NAICS code associated with this request for information is 541512, Size Standard $23.0 million. Information sent in response to this request shall be addressed to Brent Burns, Contract Specialist, Bureau of the Public Debt, Division of Procurement, A5-F, 200 Third Street, Parkersburg, WV 26106 and received no later than January 15, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. EST. Electronic submissions may be emailed to [email protected]. Again, please note that no solicitation document is available at this time.

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