Notice of Intent - Sole Source to Metaflows INC. for Platform Maintenance and Support

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, AN INVITATION FOR BIDS, OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS. FURTHER, IT DOES NOT REPRESENT A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR COSTS INCURRED IN PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF DATA OR ANY OTHER COSTS INCURRED IN PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF DATA OR ANY OTHER COSTS INCURRED IN RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Office of Office of Chief Information Officer has a requirement for a multifunction cyber security platform which provides Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), Intrusion detection and Intrusion Prevention along with advanced malware analysis.

In order to satisfy this requirement, the NTSB intends to issue a sole source solicitation to Metaflows Inc. for annual subscription, maintenance and support for MetaFlow's Software. This procurement is being conducted in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) Soliciting from a single source.

The NAICS code for this procurement is 513210.

MetaFlows Inc. provides unified visibility, prevention and mitigation of cyber threats across all existing and future cyber tools within NTSB without significant impact to NTSB infrastructure. One of the unique capabilities that is required by the NTSB OCIO is the ability to operate as a non-inline IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) and still prevent/block cyber-attacks. According to OCIO extensive research, the MetaFlows Soft IPS module is the only intrusion prevention system that supports this mode of operation. Market research has identified MetaFlows Soft IPS as the most reliable in automatically blocking network attacks like ransom-ware or exfiltration attempts in passive mode, removing the need for an in-line configuration (In-line mode is the deployment mode used by most federal security installations). Metaflows system's unique surveillance formula uses an injecting spoofed transmission control protocol (TCP) packets into the network to disrupt unwanted communications.

MetaFlows provides multiple OMB/FISMA mandated cyber capabilities such as Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), Data Exfiltration detection, Intrusion detection and Intrusion Prevention, Sandboxing along with advanced malware analysis within a one physical device. Therefore, introduction of this one combined platform will significantly reduce OCIO maintenance and operating cyber security cost. While there are other brand name products which can provide the individual capabilities/requirements as separate products, none are able to provide the collective combined capabilities in one appliance/platform. It is imperative to acquire all these capabilities under a single appliance to increase operational efficiency, reduce the number of contracts, O&M costs and training costs to the agency.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be accepted. However, any firm that believes it can meet the requirements may give written notification to the Contracting Officer within 7 calendar days from the date of publication of this synopsis. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to fulfill following requirements within FISMA Title III of the E-Government Act of 2002, meet the IDS/IPS standards defined in NIST 800-94 Guide to Intrusion and Prevention Systems , ability to prevent cyber intrusions without being an inline device, exfiltration detection investigation capabilities, sandboxing of attachments and web links for malware detection, outbound encryption and exfiltration detection capability through Deep Packet inspection, provide industry standard cyber threat intelligence, insider threat detection capability per Executive Order 13857, ability to provide all the above capabilities/technologies under a one integrated platform, ability to run on non-proprietary commodity hardware or Cloud environments and Technology to reduce excessive false positives. Information, not to exceed five (5) pages, can be sent via e-mail to Jassiem Hodge Sr, at jassiem.hodge@ntsb.gov. Responses received will be evaluated; though, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received, the NTSB will proceed with the issuance of a sole source solicitation for this requirement to MetaFlows INC.