SLED Opportunity · MICHIGAN · ANN ARBOR AREA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
AI Summary
Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority seeks proposals for cloud-based offsite backup services and Veeam licensing or approved equivalent. The contract is for three years with options. The service includes enterprise backup and replication software solutions with disaster recovery capabilities.
Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA) is seeking Proposals from experienced, qualified firms to provide a Cloud-Based Backup Service for offsite storage and Veeam product licensing or approved equivalent, for enterprise backup and replication software. AAATA anticipates awarding one (1) three-year contract to one firm with an additional three (3) one-year Option years. **Solicitation Type**: RFP - Request for Proposal (Formal) **Source ID**: PU.AG.USA.1871.C10556426 **Piggyback Contract**: No **Question Acceptance Deadline**: 03/27/2026 11:00 AM EDT **Questions are submitted online**: Yes **Bid Submission Type**: Electronic Bid Submission **Additional Bidding Instructions**: Submit Proposal in accordance with RFP **Owner Organization**: Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority **Solicitation Number**: 2026-12 **Reference Number**: 0000417300 **Pricing**: In attached document **Bid Documents List**: | Item Name | Description | Mandatory | Limited to 1 file | |---|---|---|---| | Bid Documents | Documents defining the proposal | Yes | No | **Bid Documents List**: | Item Name | Description | Mandatory | Limited to 1 file | |---|---|---|---| | Bid Documents | Documents defining the proposal | Yes | No | **Questions and Answers**: - Q1 Arrow Right Question: Support ID Hi, could we please get the Veeam Support ID# for this RFP? Thank you! Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/25/2026 03:16 PM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q2 Arrow Right Question: APPROVED EQUIVALENT REQUEST (Datto BCDR) Dear Miriam Flagler/AAATA Procurement Team, Watchdog Cyber, LLC respectfully requests Approved Equivalent consideration for the following solution in response to RFP 2026-12. Manufacturer/Platform: Datto (Kaseya) Solution: Datto Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) Description: Datto BCDR is a unified backup, replication, and disaster recovery platform supporting Windows and Linux environments across virtual machines and physical servers. The solution provides image-based backups, centralized management, and secure local and cloud recovery capabilities. Functional Alignment: -Centralized management of backups and recovery operations -Immutable, encrypted backups with ransomware protection -Backup integrity verification and anomaly detection -Granular file-level and full system recovery -Instant virtualization for rapid recovery and failover -Offsite replication to geographically diverse data centers -Secure restore validation to ensure clean recovery points -API-enabled reporting and integration capabilities Key Capabilities: -Hybrid local + cloud disaster recovery architecture -Automated backup verification and testing -Rapid recovery aligned with required RTO objectives -Scalable storage and flexible deployment options Specification Variances: Datto BCDR utilizes a hybrid appliance and cloud-based architecture rather than a software-only deployment model. Continuous protection is achieved through frequent snapshot-based backups instead of traditional CDP replication. These approaches provide equivalent or enhanced functionality aligned with the intent of the RFP requirements. Supporting technical documentation and product specifications can be provided for review. Sincerely, Aaron Gurgul Watchdog Cyber, LLC Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/26/2026 12:53 PM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q3 Arrow Right Question: APPROVED EQUIVALENT REQUEST (Datto BCDR) Dear Miriam Flagler/AAATA Procurement Team, Watchdog Cyber, LLC respectfully requests Approved Equivalent consideration for the following solution in response to RFP 2026-12. Manufacturer/Platform: Datto (Kaseya) Solution: Datto Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) Description: Datto BCDR is a unified backup, replication, and disaster recovery platform supporting Windows and Linux environments across virtual machines and physical servers. The solution provides image-based backups, centralized management, and secure local and cloud recovery capabilities. Functional Alignment: -Centralized management of backups and recovery operations -Immutable, encrypted backups with ransomware protection -Backup integrity verification and anomaly detection -Granular file-level and full system recovery -Instant virtualization for rapid recovery and failover -Offsite replication to geographically diverse data centers -Secure restore validation to ensure clean recovery points -API-enabled reporting and integration capabilities Key Capabilities: -Hybrid local + cloud disaster recovery architecture -Automated backup verification and testing -Rapid recovery aligned with required RTO objectives -Scalable storage and flexible deployment options Specification Variances: Datto BCDR utilizes a hybrid appliance and cloud-based architecture rather than a software-only deployment model. Continuous protection is achieved through frequent snapshot-based backups instead of traditional CDP replication. These approaches provide equivalent or enhanced functionality aligned with the intent of the RFP requirements. Supporting technical documentation and product specifications can be provided for review. Sincerely, Aaron Gurgul Watchdog Cyber, LLC Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/26/2026 12:53 PM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q4 Arrow Right Question: APPROVED EQUIVALENT REQUEST (Datto BCDR) Dear Miriam Flagler/AAATA Procurement Team, Watchdog Cyber, LLC respectfully requests Approved Equivalent consideration for the following solution in response to RFP 2026-12. Manufacturer/Platform: Datto (Kaseya) Solution: Datto Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) Description: Datto BCDR is a unified backup, replication, and disaster recovery platform supporting Windows and Linux environments across virtual machines and physical servers. The solution provides image-based backups, centralized management, and secure local and cloud recovery capabilities. Functional Alignment: -Centralized management of backups and recovery operations -Immutable, encrypted backups with ransomware protection -Backup integrity verification and anomaly detection -Granular file-level and full system recovery -Instant virtualization for rapid recovery and failover -Offsite replication to geographically diverse data centers -Secure restore validation to ensure clean recovery points -API-enabled reporting and integration capabilities Key Capabilities: -Hybrid local + cloud disaster recovery architecture -Automated backup verification and testing -Rapid recovery aligned with required RTO objectives -Scalable storage and flexible deployment options Specification Variances: Datto BCDR utilizes a hybrid appliance and cloud-based architecture rather than a software-only deployment model. Continuous protection is achieved through frequent snapshot-based backups instead of traditional CDP replication. These approaches provide equivalent or enhanced functionality aligned with the intent of the RFP requirements. Supporting technical documentation and product specifications can be provided for review. Sincerely, Aaron Gurgul Watchdog Cyber, LLC Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/26/2026 12:53 PM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q5 Arrow Right Question: APPROVED EQUIVALENT REQUEST (Datto BCDR) Dear Miriam Flagler/AAATA Procurement Team, Watchdog Cyber, LLC respectfully requests Approved Equivalent consideration for the following solution in response to RFP 2026-12. Manufacturer/Platform: Datto (Kaseya) Solution: Datto Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) Description: Datto BCDR is a unified backup, replication, and disaster recovery platform supporting Windows and Linux environments across virtual machines and physical servers. The solution provides image-based backups, centralized management, and secure local and cloud recovery capabilities. Functional Alignment: -Centralized management of backups and recovery operations -Immutable, encrypted backups with ransomware protection -Backup integrity verification and anomaly detection -Granular file-level and full system recovery -Instant virtualization for rapid recovery and failover -Offsite replication to geographically diverse data centers -Secure restore validation to ensure clean recovery points -API-enabled reporting and integration capabilities Key Capabilities: -Hybrid local + cloud disaster recovery architecture -Automated backup verification and testing -Rapid recovery aligned with required RTO objectives -Scalable storage and flexible deployment options Specification Variances: Datto BCDR utilizes a hybrid appliance and cloud-based architecture rather than a software-only deployment model. Continuous protection is achieved through frequent snapshot-based backups instead of traditional CDP replication. These approaches provide equivalent or enhanced functionality aligned with the intent of the RFP requirements. Supporting technical documentation and product specifications can be provided for review. Sincerely, Aaron Gurgul Watchdog Cyber, LLC Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/26/2026 12:53 PM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q6 Arrow Right Question: Professional Services It is stated that AAATA is currently on Veeam v12; will there be a need for professional services to do an upgrade of any kind, or is it assumed that AAATA will be taking that on if needed? Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/27/2026 10:11 AM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q7 Arrow Right Question: Need for Infrastructure Is there a need to do an infrastructure refresh at this time? If so, are there preferred OEMs for compute, storage, etc.? Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/27/2026 10:11 AM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q8 Arrow Right Question: Infrastructure clarification If there is a need for infrastructure, please provide system specs for infrastructure to be refreshed. Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/27/2026 10:13 AM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q9 Arrow Right Question: Deployment Please describe the Veeam deployment; where are the key components are deployed (ex: Backup Server, Proxies, Repositories)? a. And on what kind of systems they are deployed? i. OEM name? ii. Physical/virtual resource? Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/27/2026 10:16 AM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q10 Arrow Right Question: Sizing information Can you provide sizing information for the environment in scope? IE., before backup, approximate size in TB of VMs and physical servers (if applicable) being backed up before deduplication and compression is applied? Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/27/2026 10:17 AM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q11 Arrow Right Question: Backup Retention With weekly full backups and daily incremental, how long are backups and backup copies kept based on current retention schedule? Ex: 1 Month, 6 Months, 1 Year, etc. a. What is the approximate daily change rate for data? b. What is the approximate annual growth for consideration? Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/27/2026 10:18 AM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q12 Arrow Right Question: AAATA restore In lieu of a BaaS offering, would the AAATA team be able to perform the actions for restore as detailed in #8 on Page 13 if Veeam support were available to assist and help provide guidance? Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/27/2026 10:19 AM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q13 Arrow Right Question: Extension for bid Would AAATA grant a bid deadline extension? Is the current timeline tied to your licensing and/or services expiration date? Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/27/2026 10:19 AM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q14 Arrow Right Question: Managed services requirement Can AAATA clarify whether the managed services required are strictly BaaS, focused on backup management, monitoring, and restoration, or whether DRaaS capabilities, such as orchestration, failover, and full environment recovery, are also expected? Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/27/2026 10:20 AM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q15 Arrow Right Question: Recovery Process In the event of multiple server failures or a full environment compromise, does AAATA expect the provider to manage the entire recovery process (planning, execution, validation), or should the provider only support AAATA IT staff during restoration Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/27/2026 10:21 AM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q16 Arrow Right Question: Restoration Support Is AAATA looking for “hands-on” restoration support (where the vendor performs the restore and system validation), or “advisory” support (where the vendor guides AAATA staff through the restoration process)? Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/27/2026 10:21 AM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q17 Arrow Right Question: Disaster Recovery Testing Does AAATA expect periodic disaster recovery testing, such as scheduled “tabletop exercises” or live recovery drills, to validate backup integrity and restoration capabilities? Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/27/2026 10:22 AM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q18 Arrow Right Question: Onboarding and Transition Can AAATA clarify whether the provider is expected to manage the entire onboarding and transition process, including initial configuration, migration, testing, staff training, and documentation? Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/27/2026 10:23 AM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q19 Arrow Right Question: References For the required customer references, does AAATA prefer examples where full disaster recovery was performed, or are backup restoration-only scenarios sufficient? Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/27/2026 10:23 AM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT - Q20 Arrow Right Question: Future Requirements Are there anticipated future requirements for scaling, expanding, or integrating new workloads (e.g., SaaS, endpoints, cloud-native apps) into the backup service? We can deliver scalable, future-proof solutions. Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/27/2026 10:24 AM EDT 04/03/2026 01:21 PM EDT
SLED stands for State, Local, and Education. These are solicitations issued by state governments, counties, cities, school districts, utilities, and higher education institutions — as opposed to federal agencies.
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