SOURCES SOUGHT
70 -- Training Classroom Virtualization
- Notice Date
- 2/6/2014
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541511
— Custom Computer Programming Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, 6707 Democracy Blvd., Suite 105, Bethesda, Maryland, 20894, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20894
- Solicitation Number
- NIHLM2014001-GLB
- Archive Date
- 3/21/2014
- Point of Contact
- Greg L Benedict, Phone: 3014438298
- E-Mail Address
-
gregory.benedict@nih.gov
(gregory.benedict@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This Request for Information (RFI) is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as either a solicitation or obligation on the part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), its Institutes or Centers. The purpose of this RFI is to help the CIT understand market availability, technical characteristics, and functionality of IT solutions for creating and maintaining a Virtual Classroom environment for the CIT Training program. CIT will use this market research information in its evaluation of potential solutions for implementing a Virtual Classroom environment. NIH welcomes comments from all interested product vendors on each or all of the questions contained in this RFI. NIH does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted or NIH's use of such information. Acknowledgment of receipt of responses will not be made, nor will respondents be notified of the NIH's evaluation of the information received. Description of Objective: NIH seeks information on implementing new virtualization technologies to aid in streamlining the setup process in the current classrooms and expanding the current ability for instruction for those students not physically in the classroom. Description of Environment: The CIT Training Program offers a wide variety of courses and seminars. The program's mission is to enable users to make efficient and effective use of computers, networks, and information systems in their work at NIH. CIT offers a program with a broad selection of IT-related topics based on the needs of its NIH customers. Course and seminar subjects include but are not limited to scientific, administrative, programming, networks, grants and other enterprise systems, web development, security, commercial off the shelf (COTS) software, and statistics. The program (1) ensures that class content is NIH-specific and reflects systems, science and other technology in use at the NIH; (2) provides classes that are cutting edge; (3) continually looks towards future needs and products; and (4) responds quickly to demands for new classes and programs. The CIT Training Program currently provides over 120 technical courses to more than 8,000 NIH customers (NIH Federal staff and contractors) per year utilizing classroom space in (1) Building 12A at the main NIH Campus at 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland; and (2) 10401 Fernwood Road (i.e., the Fernwood Building). Training is provided through formal classroom settings, as well as informally. CIT Training is open to NIH Staff and to all users of CIT computing facilities. CIT Training trained over 7,000 students last year and has a potential audience of over 30,000 NIH Staff worldwide. The CIT Training classroom in the Fernwood building has 15 Windows 7 laptop computers for students and a Windows 7 desktop computer for the instructor. The classroom in building 12A/B51 has 15 Macbook Pro computers for the students and a MacPro computer for the instructor. 12A/B47 has 5 Windows 7 laptops and 5 MacBook Pro computers. The CIT Training Program seminars/classes include: 1. Windows 7 (64 bit) • Windows 7 - New Features: This seminar introduces students to the new look and feel of Windows 7, as well as some of the new features. • Microsoft Outlook 2010 Tips & Tricks: This seminar was designed to familiarize participants with the shortcut techniques and commands to quickly communicate with co-workers or external parties. It will also provide methods to increase productivity when sorting through incoming mail; managing appointments, contacts, and tasks. 2. Mac OS 10.6.7 • Pathogen Analysis Using BEAST: One of the most powerful methods for the evolutionary analysis of molecular sequence data is Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). The most flexible software for implementing these methods is BEAST (Bayesian Evolutionary Analysis by Sampling Trees). However, this flexibility requires increased complexity, and this lecture will help the user to be less overwhelmed by the variety of options available in BEAST. • Using Xplor-NIH: These sessions will present an introduction to NMR structure determination using the Xplor-NIH molecular structure determination program. The morning session will provide an introduction to the general tools for structure determination available in the Python interface, including the use of the internal variable module for minimization and dynamics, parallel structure calculations, and analysis. The afternoon session will cover more advanced material including performing refinement against an ensemble of structures and a detailed description of the use of the PASD/Marvin automated NOE assignment functionality. The intended audience is all who use the Xplor-NIH program for NMR structure determination. Students are welcome to either attend only the introductory morning session or the more advanced afternoon session if that is appropriate to their level of experience. 3. Linux/Unix • Introduction to Linux: This class is intended as a starting point for individuals new to Linux and UNIX. The class will center on basic UNIX/Linux concepts: logging in navigating the file system commands for interacting with files running and viewing processes checking disk space and other common tasks. The class will also cover the use of some services specific to Helix/Biowulf usage. • Bash Shell Scripting for Helix and Biowulf: The default shell on many Linux systems is bash. Bash shell scripting provides a method for automating common tasks on Linux systems (such as Helix and Biowulf) including transferring and parsing files creating qsub and swarm scripts pipelining tasks and monitoring jobs. This class will give a hands-on tutorial on how to create and use bash shell scripts in a Linux environment. 4. Other • Introduction to SharePoint 2010: The course is delivered from the perspective of the SharePoint users. It will focus on the "Site Visitor" and the "Site Member" users and introduce the "Site Owner" focusing on the activities of design and development of a SharePoint site. This course is not designed for SharePoint Administrators. • Automating Windows Server 2008 Administration with Windows PowerShell: This three-day instructor-led course provides students with the knowledge and skills to utilize Windows PowerShell for administering and automating administration of Windows Server 2008. The course focuses on cmdlets, script structure and flow control, language syntax, and implementation details of scripting administrative tasks using COM, WMI, and.NET foundations. Description of Request: CIT is interesting in implementing new technologies to aid in the following; Phase I: Streamlining the setup processes in the current classrooms. This would include the desktop OS environment and applications. Phase II: Expanding the current environment and experience to NIH scientists and users that are not able to physically attend classes. This may mean they are teleworking, located on off-campus NIH locations in the US or prefer to attend the class from their office computer to avoid the commute to one of the physical classrooms. These technologies may include but are not limited to solutions such as VDI, application virtualization, lab virtualizations, cloud based solutions, or a hybrid of technologies and should have the potential of being scalable based on future class demands. These technologies should provide a secure professional environment by adhering to U.S. DHHS Security and Privacy standards and requirements. As part of the response the vendor must demonstrate and explain how their solution complies with Section 508 as supported by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which was amended in 1998 to address the accessibility of electronic and information technology (EIT) for people with disabilities. Section 508 compliance includes, but is not limited to the following: • Audio capability • Captioning / Audio Description • Screen reading capability • Keyboard navigation Request for Information: Responses to this sources sought should include the organization's full name and headquarters location. They should also include the name of a point-of-contact and his/her e-mail and conventional mailing addresses. Industry feedback is vitally important and the Government will be receptive to any and all ideas received from industry. Proprietary information is not being solicited; however, if it is submitted, highlight and clearly mark those sections with "proprietary information". Firms are invited to demonstrate their capabilities by providing the responses to the following: 1. Provide a brief Statement of Capability (SOC) on your company and services to include a list of government agencies (if any) that you have supported, as well as, private companies. 2. Define the requirements for the implementation and deployment recommended solution(s). 3. How the vendor will ensure a secure environment 4. Examples of existing customer offerings similar to what we are seeking 5. How product pricing is determined. The CIT is conducting a market survey to seek potential sources from qualified business and agencies. Sources qualified to do business with the United States shall be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at https://www.ccr.gov/ and not be on the Excluded Parties List System (debarred list) at https://www.epls.gov. Responses to any of the above areas are welcome; respondents should not feel compelled to address all issues. Responses will be compiled and shared with the advisory committees. Response to the request will not be returned. The subject line of the email shall be "Sources Sought/Request for Information IT solutions for creating and maintaining a Virtual Classroom environment for CIT Training. Interested parties having the capabilities necessary to perform the stated requirements may submit capability statement via email to Greg Benedict at gregory.benedict@nih.gov, no later than close of business 12:00pm EST February 20, 2014.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/OAM/NIHLM2014001-GLB/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: National Institutes of Health, Center for Information Technology, Bethesda, Maryland, 20895, United States
- Zip Code: 20895
- Zip Code: 20895
- Record
- SN03283012-W 20140208/140206235119-2bde48332d8e7ab3158a471cfcf34637 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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