CBP awards 'total maintenance contract' in Hammond, LA, to Siemens

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is planning to award a sole source contract to Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., of Buffalo Grove, IL, to update, repair and maintain the HVAC control system and the fire suppression control system at CBP’s facility in Hammond, LA.

“The reason for the sole source award is due to the complexity and proprietary nature of the Siemens computerized automated control systems, i.e., HVAC, AFFF Fire System and Facility Fire and Life Safety System,” says a “presolicitation” notice published online by CBP on July 27.

Siemens will also be expected to provide “an initial audit to pinpoint any existing problems” and technical support services on its automated control systems.

“In addition, the Contractor will provide data protection and data recovery for [CBP’s] automation control systems, including routine on-site backups and quick recovery if data is lost or corrupted due to problems such as computer viruses, power outages, hard drive failures or physical damage,” says CBP’s notice.

CBP, a unit of the Department of Homeland Security, envisions awarding a base year “total maintenance contract” to Siemens, plus four option years. “Contractor shall be responsible for the cost of updating Siemens system software, inspections, training on software and Siemens systems, for all repairs, replacement parts, and labor,” says the notice.

Other companies that believe they can perform the same work, can e-mail a capabilities statement to Michael Hall, a contract specialist, at michael.a.hall@dhs.gov by August 3.