SAM #SS-REQT-IHS-2026-00335

IHS Seeks F5 BIG-IP Appliances, Licensing, and Support

IHS is seeking an eligible authorized distributor for an F5 BIG-IP platform refresh and three years of licensing and support. - Government buyer: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Indian Health Service (IHS), Headquarters Office of Information Technology (OIT). - OEM: FS Networks, Inc. (F5); the requirement supports IHS’s existing BIG-IP/Local Traffic Manager platform. - Products: BIG-IP r5920-DF and r5900-series appliances, or current FS-approved successors; perpetual FIPS 140 Ready licensing; SFP+ fiber connectors; and AC power supplies. Quantities and additional part numbers are not specified. - Licensing and services: Enterprise Licensing Agreement (ELA) and Software ELA annual billing under flexible-consumption Option 3, associated software schedules and licensing, and Premium First Line Support. - Key requirements: Continuous licensing, entitlement, and manufacturer support with no lapse; U.S.-based support provided by U.S. Nationals; electronic delivery of license keys and support documentation; and IHS identified as the Government end user of record. - Implementation: IHS personnel will perform physical installation. Contractor access to IHS systems, networks, or data is not anticipated under the base requirement. - Eligibility: IHS is conducting market research for capable ISBEE or IEE authorized distributors.

Description

See attachment. 

The Indian Health Service (IHS) is conducting market research in accordance with FAR Part 10 and HHSAR Subpart 326.71 (Acquisitions Under the Buy Indian Act), as revised by HHSAR Class Deviation 2026-25 (effective October 1, 2026), to identify qualified sources capable of furnishing the brand-name FS Networks, Inc. ("FS") products, licensing, and support described below. This notice is specifically intended to determine whether there is a reasonable expectation of receiving two or more competitive offers from Indian Economic Enterprises (IEEs) and/or Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs), as those terms are defined at HHSAR 326. 7101, prior to IHS determining its final competition and acquisition strategy.

IHS currently operates an FS BIG-IP/Local Traffic Manager (LTM) enterprise platform supporting network and application services at its Headquarters Data Centers in Albuquerque, NM, and Rockville, MD. The current FS support contract (IHS Order 75H70424F80005, via NASA SEWP) expires December 14, 2026. The renewal requirement must begin December 15, 2026, with no lapse in FS licensing, entitlement, or manufacturer support. The requirement transitions IHS from a hardware warranty/support model to FS's current Enterprise Licensing Agreement (ELA)/flexible-consumption configuration ("Option 3"), while retaining the existing FS BIG-IP/LTM platform. This is a brand-name FS requirement based on IHS's existing investment in FS-specific infrastructure, staff training, application configuration, and security validation. IHS personnel will perform all physical installation; no contractor access to IHS systems, networks, or data is anticipated under the base requirement.

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