RFP: Secure Access Service Edge

The Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (“LACERA”) administers a defined benefit retirement plan and Other Post-Employment Benefit Program. LACERA is seeking proposals from qualified firms to provide product and services for the migration of LACERA’s current data network to Secure Access Service Edge (SASE).

Scope of Work

LACERA is requesting from qualified vendors to provide proposal for product and services for migration of LACERA current data network to SASE.

The SASE fabric will securely connect users, systems, endpoints, and remote networks to internal and external SaaS applications and resources. The main goal of SASE architecture is to reduce IT footprint and provide a seamless user experience, optimized connectivity, and comprehensive security in a way that supports the Zero Trust needs of LACERA.

LACERA’s intent is to contract with one vendor to provide the required hardware, software, design, deployment, and support services.

Solicitation Registration Procedures – LACERA Vendor Gateway PortalAccessing the Vendor Gateway Portal

1. Go to the LACERA Vendor Gateway Portal by clicking on the following link: https://lacera.cobblestone.software/gateway/SolicitationPublicSearch.aspx .

Account Registration

1. Create an account by providing the company information and user details. Complete the account verification process as instructed.

Accessing the Solicitation

1. Look for the login information confirmation email from Contract Insight Alerts and proceed to sign in to the LACERA Vendor Gateway Portal using the provided credentials
2. Navigate to the ‘Solicitations’ tab and select ‘Search All Solicitations’.
3. Locate the specific solicitation by clicking on the View link associated with Secure Access Service Edge

Responding to the Solicitation

1. On the left-hand side, find the ‘Page Actions’ section and select ‘Register as Respondent’.
2. Click the ‘Refresh’ button located above the ‘Register as Respondent’ option to ensure the page is up to date.
3. Scroll down to the ‘Response Status’ section at the bottom of the page. Change the response status to ‘Interested in Responding’ to indicate the intention to bid.
4. Click the ‘Submit’ button to save the response. Then, refresh the page by clicking on ‘Refresh’ on the left-hand side above ‘Page Actions’.
5. If the response status has changed, navigate back to the ‘Response Status’ section on the Opportunity Details page and make any required adjustments.

Additional Information

1. Access all registered solicitations by selecting the ‘My Dashboard’ tab after logging in.
2. Download all necessary solicitation documents from the ‘Public Files’ section located within the Opportunity Details page.

Submission Requirements

Minimum Qualifications submission: Ensure the completed proposal is uploaded to the ‘My Files’ section of the LACERA Vendor Gateway Portal by 5:00 PM PST, February 19, 2025. Proposals received after the designated deadline will not be considered.

Please note: Email, mailed, or faxed submissions will not be accepted unless specified otherwise.

If the proposal requires any confidential information to be exempt from public disclosure, upload an additional electronic copy marked “CONFIDENTIAL”. The redacted copy should exclude all material from the proposal that is believed in good faith to be exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act (Cal. Gov. Code Sections 7920.000, et. Seq.) (described in solicitation). Redactions should appear as blacked out material or blank page(s) with the word “CONFIDENTIAL” or “PROPRIETARY” inserted.

Questions Related to This Solicitation

Please submit all questions, inquiries, and requests for additional information regarding this solicitation through the ‘My Questions/Answers’ section of the Opportunity Details page n the LACERA Vendor Gateway Portal. Ensure the submissions are made no later than 5:00 PM PST, February 12, 2025.

All Questions received, along with their corresponding responses, will be posted in the ‘Questions & Answers’ section of the Opportunity Details page in the LACERA Vendor Gateway Portal on or about 5:00 PM PST, February 14, 2025.

Tentative Timetable

Bid release date

February 06, 2025

Written questions from Respondents due date

February 12, 2025

LACERA’s response to Respondents’ questions

February 14, 2025

Bid Minimum Qualifications due date

February 19, 2025

Interviews and Demonstrations due date

March 05, 2025

Finalist bid proposals (estimate)

March 10, 2025

Selection Notification (estimate)

March 14, 2025

Commencement of work

Upon Contract execution