Notice ID: 1605TA-24-Q-00018
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) currently makes available multiple files and data extracts from approximately twenty different surveys to eligible outside researchers working on approved projects through written agreements. This data currently is made available to eligible researchers through three types of environments with different types of physical and virtual access and security. The BLS is interested in consolidating access to a virtual data enclave (VDE) approach for providing outside researchers’ secure access to all restricted BLS confidential information research files that are protected from unauthorized disclosure under the CIPSEA.
The primary objective of this effort is for the contractor to provide services to create a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-171 compliant virtual data enclave (VDE) through which confidential information can be stored and disseminated. If proposing a cloud-based solution, Contractors shall be a FedRAMP authorized Contractor at the moderate impact level. The Contractor shall ensure all employees of the prime and sub-Contractors (including third-party cloud service providers) that have access to the cloud data storage sign BLS agent agreements found in …
The Contractor shall ensure that BLS-approved researchers can access data from their own computer via a ‘virtual desktop’ but cannot download or remove confidential data from the remote server.
The Contractor shall ensure the virtual desktop is isolated from the user’s physical desktop computer, restricting the user from downloading files or parts of files to their physical computer.
The Contractor shall ensure that external access is restricted, preventing users from emailing, copying, or otherwise moving files outside of the secure environment, either accidentally or intentionally.
The Contractor shall provide a VDE that shall allow for virtual file sharing among research project team members and BLS disclosure review staff.
The Contractor shall provide a VDE that includes technical support provided by the enclave staff and offers a variety of software packages for statistical analysis.
The Contractor shall ensure the data enclave offers enhanced security while updating the method of data sharing to take advantage of advancements in IT security that have occurred since the off-site data sharing program at BLS originated.
The period of performance is one 12-month base year with four option years.
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