OPM calls on small biz for tech support

The Office of Personnel Management is gauging the market for small businesses interested in providing computer center support for its Federal Investigative Services Division.

In a recent notice, OPM said it will issue a formal request for proposals before the end of August.

The computer center is located at OPM's Boyers, Pa., office, a massive warehouse containing personnel data on current and prospective federal employees.

The winning bidder will be responsible for providing on-site support for the computer room that maintains the agency's Personal Investigations Processing System. The contractor must monitor the PIPS network, troubleshoot network problems, oversee and report any password or security problems, and monitor peripheral equipment, including the master console, modems, communication lines and tape drives.

Responses to the sources-said notice are due Aug. 14.

Rob Thormeyer is a staff writer for Washington Technology's sister publication, Government Computer News.