VMware vSphere Training - AMD 0001

Solicitation

This solicitation is for "VMware vSphere Training" for the Strategic Weapons Facility, Pacific (SWFPAC). The government anticipates awarding a firm, fixed-price contract.

• Training Session: A single, five-day, in-person, instructor-led training session for up to fifteen (15) students, conducted onsite at SWFPAC facilities.

• Instructor: One (1) currently certified VMware Instructor (VCI).

• Course Content: Must cover the official VMware vSphere 7 curriculum, including topics such as VMware ESXi 7, vCenter Server 7, vSphere Client, switches, datastores, vMotion, Storage vMotion, High Availability (HA), Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS), and Lifecycle Manager.

• Deliverables:

  • Official VMware Course Materials (Digital or Physical) for 15 sets.
  • Official VMware Certification Exam Voucher for 15.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance: Training must be completed by September 30, 2026. The period of performance is from April 10, 2026, to September 30, 2026.

• Estimated Value: USD 16,000,000.00 (This appears to be a placeholder or ceiling value).

• Offer Due Date: April 09, 2026, at 05:00 PM Local Time.

• Questions Deadline: 1 day prior to the solicitation's closing date, submitted via email.

• Evaluation Factors: Technical (including delivery date), price, and past performance, in no order of relative importance.

• Submission Requirements:

  • Quotes must clearly note any exceptions.
  • Authorized Distributor letter or documentation from the OEM is required if submitting as an authorized distributor.
  • Return a copy of SF 1449 with block 30 completed.
  • Provide company information including name, SAM registered CAGE code, email, phone number, and company size.
  • Company must be registered with SAM.

• Invoices: Via WAWF (Wide Area WorkFlow).

• This acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• NAICS Code: 611420 (Technical and Trade Schools).

• This is a Brand Name Requirement for OEM VMware vSphere Training.

• Base access procedures are detailed, including requirements for Rapid Gate System, DBIDS, and visitor badges.

• Contractor personnel require identification and must adhere to specific base access and conduct rules.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding Solicitation N6471026Q0003 AMD 0001, clarifying requirements for a VMware vSphere training course.

• Laptops & Setup: The Vendor is responsible for providing laptops and all information required for the training course. The Government will provide Wi-Fi.

• VMware Version: The Government requires VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V7] refresher training. While v8 training can be provided, the Vendor must explain the differences between v7 and v8 to attendees. The exam can be provided in either v7 or v8.

• Authorized Providers: Only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) VMware or AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS are permitted. Grey-market or unauthorized training providers will not be allowed.

• Evaluation Factors: The most advantageous offer will be selected based on technical factors (including delivery date), price, and past performance, in no order of relative importance.

• Instructor Qualifications: Resumes and VMware Certified Instructor (VCI) certification validation are not required with the quote submission but may be requested upon award.

• Brand Name Justification: The acquisition is on a BRAND NAME basis with OEM VMware or authorized distributors. Interested authorized distributors must provide OEM documentation.

• The offer due date has been extended to 9 April 2026 at 5:00 PM PST.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment modifies the solicitation N6471026Q00030001 dated 24 March 2026.

Key changes include:

• Providing answers to previously received questions.

• Updating CLIN 0002 to require Exam Voucher Version 7 "or newer" as Version 7 has been retired.

• Adding paragraph 10 to "Section L - Instructions, Conditions, & Notices to Offerors or Quoters".

• Extending the offer due date to 9 April 2026 at 5:00 PM PST.

• Section A - Solicitation/Contract Form: Response Due Date changed from 03 Apr 2026 to 09 Apr 2026.

• Section B - Supplies or Services & Prices or Costs: Description for CLIN 0002 updated.

• Section J - List of Attachments: AMD 0001 Questions and Answers added.

• Section L - Instructions, Conditions, & Notices to Offerors or Quoters: Miscellaneous text modified, including the addition of paragraph 10.

The offer due date has been extended to 9 April 2026 at 5:00 PM PST.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for VMware vSphere Training services. The Strategic Weapons Facility, Pacific (SWFPAC) requires in-person, instructor-led training for 15 personnel on VMware vSphere 7. The training aims to provide SWFPAC employees with the skills needed to manage the agency's standardized VMware virtual infrastructure, which is critical for supporting, troubleshooting, and optimizing their virtual environment.

• Training Session: A single, five-day, in-person, instructor-led session conducted onsite at SWFPAC facilities for up to 15 students.

• Instructor: One (1) currently certified VMware Instructor (VCI) is required.

• Course Content: Must cover VMware ESXi(TM) 7, VMware vCenter Server(r) 7, vSphere Client(TM), vSphere standard and distributed switches, vSphere VMFS datastores, vMotion(r) and Storage vMotion(r), High Availability (HA) & Distributed Resource Scheduler(TM) (DRS), and Lifecycle Manager(TM).

• Deliverables: Official VMware Course Materials (Digital or Physical) for 15 sets and 15 Official VMware Certification Exam Vouchers.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance: Training must be completed by September 30, 2026. The period of performance is from April 10, 2026, to September 30, 2026.

• Estimated Value: The North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code is 611420, with a size standard of USD 16,000,000.00.

• Offer Due Date: April 3, 2026, at 05:00 PM Local Time.

• Evaluation Factors: Technical (including delivery date), price, and past performance.

• Submission: Quotes/proposals are due by the date specified. Questions deadline is one day prior to the closing date.

• Invoices: Submission of invoices will be via WAWF (Wide Area WorkFlow).

• This acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• Training must be conducted between 0700 and 1600 hours.

• Base access is required for SWFPAC on Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor, WA. Vendors must obtain base access prior to the contract start date.

• Brand Name Requirement: The acquisition is for OEM VMware vSphere Training, requiring authorized distributors to submit documentation from the OEM.

• All quotes must clearly note any exceptions to the solicitation's terms, conditions, specifications, or statement of work.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Brand Name Justification for a limited source acquisition, as per FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) and FAR 8.405-6(b). It justifies the need to procure specific training for the VMware vSphere 7 product suite from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or an authorized partner.

• Agency and Contracting Activity: Department of the Navy, Strategic Systems Programs, located at SWFPAC, Naval Base Kitsap – Bangor, WA.
• Action Being Approved: Acquisition of supplies/services peculiar to one manufacturer, where the brand name is essential.
• Supplies/Services: Five-day, intensive, hands-on OEM-authorized training for the VMware vSphere 7 product suite. This training is required for system administrators and engineers to install, configure, manage, and troubleshoot the agency's standardized virtualized server infrastructure.
• Specific VMware Components Covered: VMware ESXi™™ 7, VMware vCenter Server® 7, VMware vSphere® Client™™, vSphere standard and distributed switches, VMFS datastores, vSphere® vMotion®, Storage vMotion®, High Availability (HA), Distributed Resource Scheduler™™ (DRS), and Lifecycle Manager™™.
• Estimated Dollar Value: Not specified in the document.
• Justification Authority: FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) and FAR 8.405-6(b).
• Rationale: The agency's mission-critical infrastructure is standardized on VMware vSphere 7, making operational readiness dependent on this specific technology. Only the OEM or an authorized partner can deliver training on the unique, proprietary features required to ensure system uptime, security, and mission continuity. Training on alternative platforms is deemed insufficient.
• Market Research: Conducted to confirm no other sources can provide the specific, brand-name training. Competition is limited to the OEM and its authorized training partners.
• Solicitation Efforts: The requirement will be posted to SAM.gov to allow for as many potential sources as practicable.
• Fair and Reasonable Determination: All offers will be evaluated, and award will only be made if the price is found fair and reasonable.

This document indicates that the upcoming procurement will be for specialized VMware vSphere 7 training. It highlights that the acquisition is justified on a limited source basis due to the proprietary nature of the technology and the agency's reliance on it. Bidders who are authorized VMware training partners may be interested in this opportunity. The posting on SAM.gov will allow for potential offers, and award will be subject to a fair and reasonable price determination.