Specifications include, but are not limited to: A. Scope: The Contractor will provide the following: 1) Analyze and gather information pertaining to current network hardware, software, and cloud-based configurations.; 2) Develop and provide a roadmap for changes, upgrades and industrywide best practices including change management to the future network design.; 3) Design and implement the new network.; B. Focused Areas: 1) Improve speed and efficiency for the increased number of remote users.; 2) Upgrade and move products and services to a cloud-based design for improved speed and ease of access for users.; 3) Improve overall network security and monitoring while maintaining high availability and access for users to access necessary data and information safely, securely, and promptly.; 4) Install and implement a Network Access Control (NAC) Solution to allow domain joined devices access through Active Directory control service to control and limit devices connecting locally and remote to the DCSS network.; 5) Develop and deploy a test network to configure and test hardware and software changes without affecting the Production network.; C. Contractor Tasks and Responsibilities: The following provides a brief description of implementation services as necessary to support the Network Upgrade and Modernization Project.; 1) DCSS utilizes the Azure Government Cloud. Any contractors or vendors must be certified to work on the Azure Government Cloud.; 2) Successful delivery of professional services engagements and Project, resource, and financial management with the Project. Provide implementation expertise, ensure adherence to the Statement of Work (SOW), identify, and allocate appropriate resources from Contractor, document and communicate status, at a minimum, weekly, and act as the single point of contact during the Project.; 3) Architectural analysis and design, overseeing and/or executing complex implementation activities, and participating in or guiding the process and technology workshops. Responsible for providing thorough leadership guidance in best practices, status updates, stakeholder engagement, personnel coordination, and communication as well as tracking and managing to resolution any identified Project issues and risks. Responsible for running process workshops, process analysis, design, and implementation.; 4) Responsible for engagement with DCSS Process Owners to ensure end-to-end business requirements are gathered, documented, and delivered for implementation to gathers and develop the requirement, understand current DCSS processes, and designs/develops best practice solutions to ensure the successful implementation of product and services. Builds, implements, and documents best practice Network Upgrade and Security solutions, modules, forms, creates and pushes update sets, performs functional testing, etc. during the Project.; 5) Training, documentation, knowledge transfer, and support for products and services introduced, installed, and implemented during the time of the project to ensure the solution is sustainable and maintainable.
