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58 -- YEAR 2000 UPGRADE TO THE SSA HQ NORTHERN TELECOM SL-100 TELEPHONE S SOL SSA-RFP-98-0298 DUE 060298 POC ED CASSWELL, 410-965-9490 WEB: Download Solicitation when/if available, http://www.ssa.gov/oag. E-MAIL: Contracting Officer, SSA/OAG, ED.CASSWELL@ssa.gov. The Social Security Administration has a requirement to upgrade its SL-100 Northern Telecom switch at its Headquarters facility in Baltimore, Maryland in order to be compliant for the Year 2000. The switch is currently configured for the Batch Change Supplement Release 36, working off a Junctored Network. It is the intent of SSA to upgrade the SL-100 to the Meridian Software Load (MSL) platform, in order to move to MSL Release 07 which, according to Northern Telecom, is the software release that will accommodate the year 2000 conversion. At the same time, since the Junctored Network is Manufacture Discontinued effective December 31, 1998, SSA will also upgrade to Enhanced Networking (ENET) with decommissioning of all cabinets (hardware) that previously housed the network electronics and the network junctors, as well as the inter-switch cabling housed in protective Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) bulkheads. This will allow space for any expansion of the Main Distribution Frame, as necessary. This will include reconfiguration of the cable within the switch room to accomplish the consolidation and removal of equipment. In order to be compliant for the year 2000, all peripheral equipment attached to the SL-100 must be upgraded. The current release for Meridian Mail is Release 10. It is SSA's intention to upgrade to Release 11 within the same scope of work. SSA's requirement is for installation and acceptance by December 31, 1998. Award will be based on the best value to the Government in accordance with FAR Subpart 15.605(c). The Government will consider the following factors in its proposal evaluation: Total price, knowledge of the SSA Headquarters Telephone System and site in Baltimore, Maryland, and past performance. The proposed contract shall provide a one year warranty. Only written requests for SSA-RFQ-98-0298 will be accepted within 15 days from the date of this publication. The RFQ is scheduled to be issued on or about May 15, 1998 with proposals due June 2, 1998. (0128)

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