NASA seeks IBM partner to manage agency's software portfolio
Gettyimages.com/NASA
By
Nick Wakeman
A new draft statement of work reveals how dependent the space agency is on Big Blue’s products and services.
NASA plans to continue relying on an IBM partner to manage the software licenses and the services needed to support the agency's IT infrastructure, which is built on Big Blue's products and services.
A request for information posted Wednesday lays the groundwork for a blanket purchase agreement to provide IBM software products, subscription support, expert lab services, and remote services.
The RFI states that bidders need to be IBM Platinum Partners and hold “special software terms certifications.” NASA expects the blanket purchase agreement to be a five-year pact.
While the RFI does not request a value-added reseller by that name, this BPA would essentially be another example of the services that VARs deliver because of their relationships with original equipment manufacturers.
The Sam.gov notice is similar in spirit to Defense Information Systems Agency solicitation released Monday, calling for a VAR to provide a managed security service to DISA.
The statement of work released with NASA’s RFI describes how deeply embedded IBM’s products and services are at the agency.
“NASA relies on International Business Machines technologies as the foundation of its business operations, enterprise IT infrastructure, and mission systems,” the statement of work says.
IBM is at the heart of NASA’s functions in application development, artificial intelligence, business intelligence, compute resources, finance, infrastructure management and scientific research.
“This broad implementation of IBM technologies supports all NASA centers, mission directorates, and partner organizations,” NASA says in the statement of work.
The document lists 23 different IBM software products and subscription services that NASA is using. These include IBM cloud, Watson, Cognos and high-performance storage systems.
While the document does not name any incumbents, NASA uses contractors to support these functions.
The statement of work is stamped as “draft,” and the Sam.gov notice says the RFI is part of NASA’s market research work to develop a new contract.
Responses are due by March 3.