Description
The Advanced Research Project Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is seeking a solution for providing Apple devices, including Mac laptops and iPhones with cellular service, to its employees as a Service. We expect to provide devices for 350 staff members and a portion of these staff members will use Apple devices as their primary end point. We have made current investments in Apple products,and would seek a vendor that could provide hybrid management capabilities (management of government-furnished Apple devices in inventory, while switching to a Device as a Service model). Our organization is looking to adopt a modern and cost-effective approach to managing our Apple device fleet and ensure seamless device access and excellent quality service for our employees. The vendor will provide excellent service by ensuring that devices issued are the latest model Apple device, that devices are shipped to employees overnight, and that the device effectively provisions and is ready for use out of the box (no touch deployment). The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to gather information from potential vendors regarding their capabilities to provide Apple Device as a Service solutions. This information will be used to evaluate vendor solutions and determine the best fit for our organization's needs. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ONLY. This Sources Sought is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. Responses to this notice will assist the U.S. Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.This request for information does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, ARPA-H is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Interested parties are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this Sources Sought; all costs associated with responding to this Sought Sources will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. Scope of Work: The scope of this RFI includes, but is not limited to, the following requirements: Device Management: Ability to manage, monitor, and control the entire device fleet including software updates, security patches, and asset tracking through the entire device lifecycle for devices that are government owned and for those offered as a service. Deployment and Provisioning: Ability to quickly and easily deploy and provision new devices to end-users, with minimal manual intervention. No refurbished devices will be deployed. Support and Maintenance: Provision of ongoing technical support, device repair, and replacement services to end-users. Cost-Effective: A cost-effective solution that eliminates the upfront capital expenditures associated with device acquisition and reduces overall device management costs. When devices are replaced, the offeror will utilize every possible mechanism to lower the cost of device as a service to the greatest extent possible through the sale of used devices (after properly sanitized). Vendor should note the refresh cycle (e.g., 3 years) in their proposal. Integration with Existing Systems: Ability to integrate with existing systems and processes, including the ability to manage and control devices through existing management tools and platforms. Security: Implementation of robust security measures to protect sensitive data stored on devices and ensure data privacy. Used devices are securely wiped by the offeror. Standards to support US government grade security are applied. In your submission, note standards that the vendor is familiar with and any preferred standards (optimizing security and excellent end user experience). Scalability: Ability to scale the solution to meet the changing needs of our organization, as well as the ability to add and remove devices as needed. Flexibility: Flexible deployment options, including the ability to choose the level of management and control needed for each device. Locations: Ability to manage devices across the United States, and support for devices internationally (acknowledging and addressing the additional security considerations that it would take to allow GFE to be used internationally – This could include, but is not limited to separate physical devices or different operating modes of said device). Reporting and Analytics: Ability to provide detailed reporting and analytics on device usage, performance, and security, to help our organization make informed decisions. Responses to RFI (limited to 3 pages): Potential vendors are requested to respond to this RFI by providing information on their capabilities to meet the requirements outlined above. The following information is requested: Company Profile: A brief overview of the company and its experience in providing Apple Device as a Service solutions. Solution Overview: An overview of the vendor's Apple Device as a Service solution and hybrid management capability, including its key features and capabilities. Solution will include a plan to manage current government furnished devices. Device Management: Information on the vendor's ability to manage, monitor, and control the entire device fleet including software updates, security patches, and asset tracking through the entire device lifecycle for devices that are government owned and for those offered as a service. Deployment and Provisioning: Information on the vendor’s ability to quickly and easily deploy and provision new devices to end-users, with minimal manual intervention. No refurbished devices will be deployed. Support and Maintenance: Information on the vendor's ability to provide ongoing technical support, device repair, and replacement services to end-users. Cost-Effectiveness: Information on the vendor's ability to provide a cost-effective solution that eliminates the upfront capital expenditures associated with device acquisition and reduces overall device management costs. Integration with Existing Systems: Information on the vendor's ability to integrate with existing systems and processes, including the ability to manage and control devices through existing management tools and platforms. Security: Information on the vendor's implementation of robust security measures to protect sensitive data stored on devices and ensure data privacy. Information on the vendor’s ability to wipe used devices. Scalability: Information on the vendor's ability to scale the solution to meet the changing needs of our organization, as well as the ability to add and remove devices as needed. Flexibility: Information on the vendor's flexible deployment options, including the ability to choose the level of management and control needed for each device. Locations: Information on the vendor's ability to manage devices across the United States and track devices internationally. Reporting and Analytics: Information on the vendor’s ability to provide detailed reporting and analytics on device usage, performance, and security, to help our organization make informed decisions. Important Considerations: Please provide information about other aspects of delivering an Apple Device as a Service experience that optimizes excellent customer service, speed of delivery of the device, cybersecurity, and limited the administrative burden on the Government. Proposed Architecture: Please provide your proposed tool stack and approach for management of the Apple devices and include any other options you have for management of devices (e.g., JAMF, Microsoft Intune, VMWare Workspace One, etc.).