SOURCES SOUGHT
D -- Defense Information Systems Network Video Services - II (DVS-II)
- Notice Date
- 12/21/2004
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 517910
— Other Telecommunications
- Contracting Office
- Defense Information Systems Agency, Procurement and Logistics, DITCO-Scott, P.O. Box 25857, Scott AFB, IL, 62225-5406
- ZIP Code
- 62225-5406
- Solicitation Number
- DISN_Video_Services_II
- Response Due
- 1/20/2005
- Archive Date
- 2/4/2005
- Description
- DESC: The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)/Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO-SCOTT) hereby issues the following Request For Information (RFI) regarding global real-time videoconferencing services. A. PURPOSE: The Defense Information System Network (DISN) Video Service (DVS) Program Management Office seeks information for the provision of a global real- time videoconferencing service incorporating advanced technologies for the Department of Defense (DoD). The information gathered from this RFI will assist in the development of strategic alternatives for (a) future Request for Proposal(s). The RFI is intended to gather information about the availability of technology/products in the market that will fulfill anticipated requirements for video, audio, and interactive graphics and includes other value-added elements. Information submitted in response to this RFI will become the property of DISA. B. GENERAL: The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is seeking information regarding real-time videoconferencing services. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, DISA is not at this time seeking proposals, and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party?s expense. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked PROPRIETARY will be handled accordingly. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. Small Businesses are encouraged to provide responses to this RFI in order to assist DISA in determining potential levels of competition available in the industry, as well as helping to establish a basis for developing any subsequent potential subcontract plan goal percentages. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website and the DISA contracting web page. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this RFI. DISA will not be obligated to pursue any particular acquisition alternative as a result of this RFI. Proprietary information or trade secrets should be clearly identified. DISA will not pay for information provided, and is not liable for any costs incurred by the company in response to this RFI. General cost estimates are requested to assist in planning. Cost estimates provided will not be binding for the company. C. BACKGROUND: Video Teleconferencing (VTC) is considered a critical element of DOD Command and Control (C2). The use of videoconferencing in day-to-day operations of the DoD includes Combatant Commands (COCOMs) execution of war plans and exercise plans, military training, simulation, and general unit command and operation. Regular system users include the National Command Authority and Military Service leaders. DISA is assigned responsibility for providing global video teleconferencing (VTC) capabilities for the Department of Defense (DoD) for command and control (C2). These services are separate from services for non-C2 functions. However, non-C2 VTC is integral to the DoD video service requirements and complementary to C2 VTC. The current video services contract includes video hub services to provide video, voice and data conferencing. It also includes network bridging, speed matching, inter-hub bandwidth management, conference scheduling, conference set-up and control, security services including access controls, encryption and secure conferences, limited problem isolation, and other related services. The current contract does not include end-user equipment maintenance and support or customer conference room operations. Transmission and network bandwidth management is provided by other DISA managed contracts. A concept for an end-to-end videoconferencing system that provides both a reservation-less and reservation based capability is being considered. This system is intended to include integrated real-time video and the possible future integration of voice, and data conferencing. This also includes streaming and storage of videoconference content. DISN networks and their follow-on architecture will be the fundamental transport infrastructure for the new system and DOD end-users. This includes both IP and circuit-switched networks of the DISN. Inclusion of end-user conferencing systems is also being considered. These may include studio, fixed, desktop, mobile and deployable systems and related installation or maintenance services. Over the life of the service, periodic technology insertions would be expected to maintain standards-based services and to incorporate emerging real-time conferencing and related technologies. D. DESIRED INFORMATION: DISA desires information on industry capabilities to support the services and features listed below. This list is neither detailed nor all-inclusive, but is representative of the type of services DISA expects the real-time videoconferencing system to provide. DISA will consider responses to this request for information in defining requirements and alternatives. DISA is aware that some customization may be necessary to meet specific C2 requirements. FEATURES/REQUIREMENTS: 1. Support for integrated real-time video and future capabilities to include voice, and data conferencing. 2. Compliance with the latest Federal Telecommunications Recommendation for video teleconferencing including consideration for support of ITU recommendations for video including H.320, H.323, H.261, H.263, H.264, and H.239. 3. Consideration should be given to ITU recommendations for voice including G.711, G.722, G.723.1, and G.728. 4. Support for IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) developed Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). 5. Description of real-time data conferencing methodologies and standards used. 6. Support for conferencing among users on multiple network accesses including IP, T1, and ISDN. 7. Networks will include Defense Information Systems Network (DISN), Defense Switched Network (DSN), FTS2001, commercial ISDN, Secure IP Router Network (SIPRNet), and may include Nonsecure IP Router Network (NIPRNET). 8. Support for point-to-point and multi-point conferencing among diverse end-user systems including support for interactive, teleseminar, and telebroadcast services, with full duplex audio and video using a variety of compression standards in a single conference. 9. Provide for secure and non-secure audio add-on to videoconferences. 10. Provide for one-way streaming of videoconferences. 11. Provide caching of videoconferencing content for remote retrieval. 12. Support for all forms of real-time videoconferencing applications: teleconference, teletraining, telemedicine, tele-maintenance and similar applications. 13. Provide a variety of conferencing equipment suites including configurations for studio, room, desktop, mobile, satellite and deployable environments and remote management of these. 14. Provide installation and maintenance options for customer premise equipment. 15. Interface with Allied host nation networks and standards. 16. Provide video and audio transcoding, video continuous presence and support variable data rates and speed matching. 17. Features to enhance reliability and survivability to support C2. 18. Support for classified conferences at different security levels including Unclassified, Sensitive But Unclassified, and Classified (up to and including Top Secret Collateral). 19. Incorporate an automated interactive scheduling and reservation system with worldwide accessibility. 20. Support for both on-demand and scheduled conferences. 21. Integrated system management including fault isolation and performance management. Detailed requirements will be promulgated in (a) future RFP(s). DISA solicits information from industry about capabilities and services that can be supported as well as information about potentially qualified providers of these system capabilities. This information will assist DISA in alternatives definition and system planning and budgeting. E. SUBMISSION OF COMMENTS: ALL COMMENTS SHALL BE SUBMITTED VIA THE DITCO-SCOTT WEB SITE. SUBMISSIONS SHALL NOT BE MAILED OR EMAILED TO THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. Prior to submitting responses, Vendors shall register with DITCO via its Contracting Opportunities web site at https://www.ditco.disa.mil/dcop. During the registration process, choose the option for ?The solicitation/RFI response requires vendor registration for eligibility?. You will be prompted to enter the solicitation/RFI number. Upon completion of registration, Vendors will receive a user-id and password for use when uploading proposals. This process allows DITCO to precisely track when proposal/RFIs are uploaded (or attempted to be uploaded). Registration information will be verified by DITCO personnel, which takes about a day. Once the Vendor?s information is verified, proposal/RFIs will be able to be uploaded. Vendors must register a minimum of one week prior to uploading a proposal/RFI response to ensure the proposal/RFI response upload is accomplished by the closing date and time. Vendors should also attempt to upload their proposal/RFI response as early as possible to ensure no problems arise at the last minute. If a vendor would like to test the upload process, they may do so by typing in this URL: https://www.scott.disa.mil/dcop. Under the heading Submit Proposals for:, look for Upload Proposal Test. If you have any problems, please contact Kevin Mehlan at (618) 229-9334, email address: mehlank@scott.disa.mil, or the DITCO customer service center at (618) 229-9333. Comments in response to this RFI should be submitted not later than 20 Jan 2005 using MS Word 7.0 or later. Comments received after that date may not be considered. Proprietary information should be identified as such. Responses to the RFI SHALL include the Company Name, Street Address, City, State, NINE-Digit zip code, Point of Contact (POC), POC Telephone and facsimile numbers, Company Size (large or small business) and Status (women or veteran owned). If the company address includes a post office box, the complete street address must also be provided. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 517910 will be used for determining company size status. ALL inquiries regarding the DVS-II shall be submitted electronically. The point of contact for technical issues concerning this announcement is Mr. Robert Clayton, claytonr@ncr.disa.mil. The point of contact for contractual issues is Mr. John Herrmann, Contracting Officer at herrmanj@scott.disa.mil.
- Record
- SN00724234-W 20041223/041221211545 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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