# SAM #SS-REQT-IHS-2026-00335

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

**Buyer:** PSC Acquisition Management Services
**Posted:** October 09, 2026
**Respond By:** October 16, 2026
**Identifier:** SS-REQT-IHS-2026-00335
**NAICS:** 541519, 423430

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

<p>See attachment.&nbsp;</p>

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

<p></p>

<p>IHS currently operates an FS BIG-IP/Local Traffic Manager (LTM) enterprise platform supporting<br />
network and application services at its Headquarters Data Centers in Albuquerque, NM, and<br />
Rockville, MD. The current FS support contract (IHS Order 75H70424F80005, via NASA SEWP)<br />
expires December 14, 2026. The renewal requirement must begin December 15, 2026, with no<br />
lapse in FS licensing, entitlement, or manufacturer support.<br />
The requirement transitions IHS from a hardware warranty/support model to FS&#39;s current<br />
Enterprise Licensing Agreement (ELA)/flexible-consumption configuration (&quot;Option 3&quot;), while<br />
retaining the existing FS BIG-IP/LTM platform. This is a brand-name FS requirement based on<br />
IHS&#39;s existing investment in FS-specific infrastructure, staff training, application configuration,<br />
and security validation. IHS personnel will perform all physical installation; no contractor access<br />
to IHS systems, networks, or data is anticipated under the base requirement.</p>

[View original listing](https://sam.gov/opp/61210b5a136343b083131bbcbd627a0d/view)