VPN Ethernet Transport Services - Marion VA MC, Marion, IL

Amendment / Modification

This amendment provides answers to questions submitted by offerors regarding the solicitation for VPN Ethernet transport services.

• The document clarifies requirements related to ISP/carrier circuits, procurement responsibilities, carrier approvals, demarc locations, internal pathway installation, and security compliance (CJIS, FIPS).

• It details network topology, encryption standards, key management, MFA requirements, and equipment specifications.

• It also addresses responsibilities for modem, router, firewall, optics, and cabling ownership, as well as firmware updates and end-of-life/end-of-service policies.

• Clarifications are provided on IP space, routing, log monitoring, incident response, bandwidth, and SLA requirements.

• Information on approved telecommunications carriers and POP locations is also included.

• This amendment does NOT extend the quote submission deadline. Quotes remain due on 04/10/2026 by 10:00 AM CST.

• The Point of Contact for questions is Erika Kobulnicky (Erika.Kobulnicky@va.gov).

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation seeks proposals for Virtual Private Network (VPN) Ethernet transport services to support the Illinois Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS 3.0) connectivity at the Marion VA Health Care System. The government anticipates awarding a single-award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.

• Provide a dedicated, private Ethernet transport circuit (e.g., Metro-E, EVPL, Layer-2 point-to-point) from the Marion VA Health Care System to an Illinois Century Network (ICN) point of presence (POP).

• Minimum required bandwidth is 10-20 Mbps; higher speeds are acceptable.

• Service must be logically segmented from the VA production network and support LEADS access only, adhering to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) and VA security requirements.

• Contractor must provide and install any necessary new fiber or copper cabling, certification test results, and potentially rack infrastructure and power.

• Personnel accessing LEADS-connected infrastructure or the DoIT router must be CJIS-screened.

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is required for LEADS application access and user authentication.

• Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)

• Period of Performance: Five (5) ordering periods, each twelve months long, starting 06/01/2026 and ending 05/31/2031.

• Set-Aside: This acquisition is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside.

• NAICS Code: 541519

• Size Standard: $34 Million

• Offer Due Date: 04/10/2026, 10:00 AM CDT.

• Submission Method: Quotes must be submitted electronically via email to Erika Kobulnicky (Erika.Kobulnicky@va.gov).

• Evaluation Factors: Technical, Past Performance, and Price (all factors are equal in comparative evaluation).

• Offerors must be registered in SAM and, if applicable, the SBA VetCert database.

• This solicitation is set aside exclusively for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs).

• Transport must use the Illinois Century Network (ICN) as the Z-location for LEADS VPN Ethernet service.

• Transport contractors must be approved by the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) and LEADS, and meet CJIS security and background screening requirements.

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

To procure a dedicated transport circuit and associated services for accessing the Illinois Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS 3.0) via the Police Desktop computer at the Marion VA Health Care System.

• Provide a private Ethernet transport circuit (MetroE, EVPL, Layer2, or similar) from the Marion VA Health Care System to an Illinois Century Network (ICN) point of presence (POP).

• Upgrade or retain equipment to provide the fiber transport circuit and all necessary software for functional LEADS service.

• Ensure the service is logically segmented from the VA production network and supports LEADS access only, adhering to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) and VA security requirements.

• Install any new fiber or copper cabling required between the telecom demarc and the Main Distribution Frame (MDF).

• Provide and install a dedicated, segmented network drop for the LEADS workstation.

• Support 802.1X or other strong device/user authentication methods.

• Minimum required bandwidth: 10–20 Mbps (higher speeds acceptable).

• Minimum service level: 99.9% availability recommended.

• Contractor must be approved by Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) and LEADS as an acceptable ICN provider.

• Contractor must be approved by Illinois State Police LEADS Administration for CJIS security and background screening requirements.

• Place of Performance: Marion VA Health Care System, Marion, Illinois, including associated telecommunications spaces.

• Period of Performance: Base period plus four (4) ordering periods, from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2031.

• Compliance with CJIS Security Policy is mandatory for all involved personnel, including background checks.

• LEADS endpoint hardening must comply with CJIS principles.

• Multifactor authentication (MFA) is required for LEADS application access.

• No end-of-life or end-of-support network devices are permitted.

• Contractor must cooperate with VA and ISP LEADS Administration in incident response and investigations.

• The Government anticipates awarding a single-award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Sources Sought Notice / Market Research

This notice is for market research purposes to identify potential Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB), 8(a), HubZone, and other Small Businesses capable of providing VPN Ethernet Service to access the Illinois Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS 3.0) for the Marion VA Medical Center. This is not an invitation for bid or a request for proposal, and no contract will be awarded based on this notice.

• Service: VPN Ethernet Service to access Illinois LEADS 3.0.
• Location: Marion VA Medical Center, Marion, Illinois.
• Technical Needs: The service must provide fiber, VPN line, and necessary items/software for functional service. It must operate on its own network, separate from the VA network, due to the sensitive nature of LEADS 3.0 data. Access is via a VPN through the state network and a desktop computer.
• NAICS Code: 517111 - Wired Telecommunications Carriers (Size Standard: 1,500 employees).

Respondents must provide:

• Company Name, Address, Point of Contact, Phone, Fax, Email

• UEI number, Cage Code, Tax ID Number

• Business size status (SDVOSB, VOSB, 8(a), HubZone, WOSB, Large Business, etc.) and indication if small under NAICS 517111.

• Manufacturer, distributor, or equivalent solution details.

• Subcontracting plans and self-performance percentages.

• Information on existing federal contracts (FSS, NASA SEWP, etc.) and availability of the solution on those contracts.

• General pricing for products/solutions.

• A capability statement detailing qualifications and ability to perform the work.

• A total set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business firms is anticipated, based on Public Law 109-461.

• If SDVOSB responses are inadequate, an alternate set-aside or full and open competition may be considered.

• Deadline: Responses must be received by Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM CST.

• Method: Submit responses via email to Erika.Kobulnicky@va.gov.

• Note: Telephone responses will not be accepted. This notice does not guarantee a solicitation will be issued.