Specifications include, but are not limited to: The proposer will provide all materials, equipment labor, insurance, supervision, tools, supplies, services and other expenses necessary to develop and deliver a Security Operations Center (SOC)/Cyber Range Lab. The Scope of Work also includes (the “Lab”) and installation of Nutanix Cluster Deployment (Servers) Services. The intent of this solicitation is to receive proposals for the purchase of two (2) Nutanix Servers, which includes hardware and software support for five (5) years. 3.1 HCC’s Digital Information & Technology (DIT) Center of Excellence (COE) is repurposing its existing Cisco Lab at its West Loop campus (Room C.145) into a Security Operations Center (SOC) / Cyber Range lab (the “Lab”). The “Lab” will provide a state-of-the-art training environment where users will be able to simulate real world cyber-attacks based on real-world scenarios. In order to power the new “Lab”, the College plans to make use of powerful servers. The servers that the DIT department is seeking to deploy in the “Lab” must be setup in a way that maximizes utility, reusability, flexibility, and creativity. This is possible thanks to virtualization technology. 3.2 Virtualization software enables the creation of a virtual (software-based) representation of something, such as a computer, a networking device, a storage device, and any other physical hardware. For example, if we had a physical server with the following specifications: 10 CPUs, 100GB of RAM memory, and 10TB of storage. A server administrator could then install virtualization software (called a hypervisor) on that physical server. He/she could now control those hardware specifications (10 CPUs, 100GB RAM, 10TB storage) and divide them in multiple machines. For example, Machine A could now have 5 CPUs, 50GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage. Machine B could now have 2 CPUs, 25GB of RAM, and 5TB of storage. Machine C could have the rest. All three machines would now be virtual and still powered by the same underlying physical server. This is the underlying concept behind cloud computing today (physical servers that are paired together into one giant server or cloud that can be shaped, divided, and reshaped as needed). It is the single most effective way to reduce IT expenses while boosting efficiency and agility for lab environments. With the addition of powerful servers running virtualization technology, the DIT COE will be able to create as many complex virtual lab environments as it sees fit and can quickly re-purpose its resources depending on the demands. 3.3 The DIT COE is also seeking an ideal platform to leverage hyper convergence technology. Hyper convergence combines compute, storage, and networking in a single system. It is also referred to as “a data center in a box.” The DIT COE is also seeking hardware that supports this initiative so that students can directly interact and get the ultimate student experience (versus having the equipment housed at an off-site data center or in an existing IT room on campus). The “Lab” will also serve as a showpiece to attract additional funding and serve as a model and innovative hub to experiment with new technology such as Virtual Desktop Infrastructure to enable the streaming of desktops/labs. 3.3.1 The “Lab” will allow the COE to: 3.3.1.1. Create additional curriculum and lab offerings to our students; 3.3.1.2. Enhance existing curriculum and lab offerings to our students; 3.3.1.3. Provide professional development for its faculty; 3.3.1.4. Provide custom training workshops for specific industries/companies; and 3.3.1.5. Be a showpiece and model to our community and academic partners