SOURCES SOUGHT
70 -- Mobile Computing Telecommunications (Polling) System
- Notice Date
- 2/9/2005
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 334111
— Electronic Computer Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, U. S. Census Bureau, Suitland, Acquisition Division Room G-314 FB#3, Washington, DC, 20233
- ZIP Code
- 20233
- Solicitation Number
- RFI-PKB-FY05-PDA
- Response Due
- 3/22/2005
- Archive Date
- 4/6/2005
- Description
- The U. S. Census Bureau requests Design, Hardware and Software suggestions to modernize its current Computer Assisted Interviewing (CAPI) Mobile Computing Telecommunications (Polling) system. The intent is to modernize the system to take advantage of new telecommunication tools and systems, to increase the speed of data transfer and minimize downtime to users. We are interested in a system that allows for mixed-mode telecommunication transfers and allows for mixed devices to connect for data exchange (laptops, tablet PCs, PDAs). The system must ensure sufficient redundancy to provide 24x7x365 availability to our mobile users. High level requirements for the system are: 1. It must allow for Multiple Points of medium access such as broadband, wireless, LAN connectivity and asychronous (dial-up) for all users. 2. It must have a completely redundant and reliable instrastructure which accomodates the following: a. Full capacity telecommunications accessibility, 365 days per year X 24 hrs per day, b. uninterrupted telecommunications access during system maintenance activities, c. Must allow for a minimum of 7,500 mobile devices (laptops, tablet PCs, PDAs) to be connected simultaneously, d. The system needs to be scalable, e. The system needs to have reporting capabilities. 3. Every mobile device/user will have some sort of email access. 4. Every mobile device/user will have restricted Internet access. 5. Data and physical security solutions must meet all NIST, NSA, DOC, and Census Bureau standards and regulations including but not limited to FIPS 140-2 and NIST Special Publication 800-63. 6. The system should be expandable. 7. Redundant site(s) must be located in different metropolitan areas. (Note: Currently the Census Bureau has over 15 facilities located across the Continental United States). Oerview of the Current System: The current CAPI Telecommunication (Polling) system supports communications between the Census Bureau Headquarters and our Field Representatives (FRs) that collect data for several time critical surveys that are of national importance. The Field staff is located throughout the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Some of the FRs are located in remote areas that do not have access to the newer telecommunciations infrastructure. The need to have a system that can accommodate these people is critical. The FRs currently connect to the Census Bureau Telecommunciations (Polling) system using laptop computers and PDAs equipped with 56Kbps modems. When the FR connects, software updates are automatically sent to and installed on the FRs mobile device, and new work for the FR is sent to the device as a zipped encrypted file. Completed work is then zipped, encrypted and transferred to the Census Bureau Headquarters system. Once an FR initiates a transmission, no further action is required of them. Currently the FR has the option to choose two types of tranmissions, one that is ?Preset? to occur at a designated time each day, or an to transmit ?immediately? meaning, at the time of making that selection. The average file size currently transmitted is 1 mb, but has been as large as 4 mb (and will continue to rise. The Census Bureau is interested in obtaining suggestions for this redesign from the industry. The timing for release and use of the system would be late 2007 to early 2008. Companies that plan to respond should send a mail message stating that they intend to provide information by February 25, 2005. E-Mail messages should be sent to: patti.k.becker@census.gov. Interested firms must submit information on their capabilities, design, hardware and software suggestions for the above described system no later than 3:30 pm EST on March 22, 2005. Please note: This REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)is for market research purposes only. This RFI is NOT a formal solicitation. The Census Bureau is not prepared to purchase any individual products at this time. No contract will be awarded as a result of this notice. No telephone inquiries will be answered. All responses must be in writing via e-mail to patti.k.becker@census.gov or mailed to : U. S. Census Bureau, Acquisition Division ? FB#3, Room G-312, 4700 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233-1700, ATTN: Patti Becker.
- Record
- SN00748293-W 20050211/050209211701 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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