Solicitation spotlight: VERKADA access control licensing + Tier 1 support (Sources Sought, West Point)

Executive takeaway

The U.S. Army at West Point is conducting a Sources Sought for VERKADA Access Control licensing and Tier 1 support (W911SD-26-Q-A022). The government explicitly indicates interest in making this a small business set-aside—but only if enough qualified small businesses respond with credible capability information. This is an influence window: the most important “deliverable” right now is a clean, compliant capability submission that proves you can provide Verkada licensing and support at a fair market price.

What the buyer is trying to do

West Point’s Office of the CIO is planning a procurement for licensing for Verkada Access Control along with Tier 1 support. The notice is strictly for market research and acquisition planning; the government is not requesting quotes or proposals at this time, and it will not pay for response preparation costs.

The stated goal is to confirm whether there are two or more qualified small businesses capable of meeting the requirement, which would support a set-aside approach.

What work is implied

• Provide licensing for Verkada Access Control.
• Provide Tier 1 support associated with the Verkada access control environment.
• Prepare and submit a sources sought capability response with information sufficient to support a small business set-aside decision.
• Be prepared to monitor sam.gov for any follow-on RFQ/IFB/RFP (the notice states any solicitation would be synopsized there).

Who should bid / who should pass

Who should bid

• Small businesses (including 8(a), SDB, HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB) that can provide Verkada access control licensing and back it with Tier 1 support.
• Firms that can clearly articulate how they deliver Tier 1 support (help desk intake, triage, user support, escalation paths) for access control software environments.
• Teams where a small business can credibly serve as prime and demonstrate access to required licensing channels and support coverage.

Who should pass

• Firms that cannot provide Verkada licensing (or cannot credibly explain how licensing will be sourced and administered).
• Companies without a real Tier 1 support operation (or those that only offer Tier 2/engineering and would be forced to improvise front-line support).
• Non-small businesses, if the strategic objective is influencing a set-aside outcome rather than simply tracking for a later open competition.

Response package checklist

• Capability statement tailored to Verkada Access Control licensing and Tier 1 support.
• Small business status and any socioeconomic category representation (as applicable).
• Approach to Tier 1 support (scope assumptions, operating model, hours/coverage assumptions) — verify required details in attachments.
• Licensing fulfillment plan for Verkada Access Control (how you procure, administer, and renew licenses) — verify required details in attachments.
• Fair market price rationale at a high level (not a quote unless specifically requested) — verify in attachments.
• Any additional items the notice/attachments request — verify in attachments.

Pricing & strategy notes (how to research pricing; do not invent pricing numbers)

Because this is a sources sought, the pricing “win” is credibility and defensibility rather than a final number. To prepare:

• Research how your organization typically structures pricing for software licensing (subscription terms, true-up/true-down approach, renewal administration).
• Build a clear internal cost basis for Tier 1 support delivery (staffing model, escalation process, tooling assumptions), then be ready to explain how it supports a fair market price position.
• Keep assumptions explicit. If the government later releases a solicitation, you can refine pricing once quantities, coverage windows, and service levels are clear.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas

• Small business prime + Verkada-aligned licensing channel partner to strengthen the licensing fulfillment story (if your firm is not already positioned to provide licensing directly).
• Small business prime + support services subcontractor to provide Tier 1 help desk coverage if your internal support bench is thin.
• Teaming for response speed: one party drafts the Tier 1 support concept of operations while another compiles corporate capabilities and past performance narratives relevant to access control software support (where permissible and accurate).

Risks & watch-outs

• It’s a Sources Sought only: the government is not requesting quotes/proposals and may not issue a solicitation.
• Set-aside is conditional: if fewer than two qualified small businesses respond with sufficient information, the government states it may be unable to set this aside.
• Do not over-commit: only claim capabilities you can substantiate (especially around licensing authority and support execution).
• Monitor sam.gov: the notice emphasizes it’s the contractor’s responsibility to watch for any follow-on solicitation release.

Related opportunities

• Read-Out Support Equipment (ROSE)
• Incorporated Imaging Software
• Software, Service and Support for the Brooke Army Medical Center Nurse Call System

How to act on this

1. Open the notice and verify submission instructions and any attachments for W911SD-26-Q-A022.
2. Draft a tight sources sought response focused on Verkada licensing and Tier 1 support capability (and your small business status).
3. Submit by the stated deadline and set a reminder to monitor sam.gov for any solicitation release.
4. If you want a second set of eyes on positioning, teaming, and a compliance-ready response outline, Federal Bid Partners LLC can help you turn sources sought market research into a real capture advantage.