SOLICITATION NOTICE
59 -- ATIS StarCaster System / Components / Installation
- Notice Date
- 8/27/2009
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 488111
— Air Traffic Control
- Contracting Office
- Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard (USCG), Commanding Officer, USCG Aviation Logistics Center, HU25, HH65, H60J, C130, ESD, IOD, ISD, CASA or ALD, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, 27909-5001, United States
- ZIP Code
- 27909-5001
- Solicitation Number
- 21-09-COM082
- Archive Date
- 8/21/2010
- Point of Contact
- Thomas A. Bailey, Phone: 2523847143
- E-Mail Address
-
thomas.a.bailey@uscg.mil
(thomas.a.bailey@uscg.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- 1StarCaster® ATIS System 2Technical Information StarCaster ATIS uses proven StarCaster “speech concatenation” technology, STR’s Text-to-Speech (TTS) process that has become the industry benchmark for superior quality voice output. The system employs the StarCaster TTS technology to provide the ultimate clear, natural voice, essential for critical message broadcasting. The TTS component of the system uses a pre-recorded digitized voice database to produce the high-quality voice output. Included in the StarCaster ATIS software is an executable software package with supporting configuration files and a database of digitized audio files containing an extensive vocabulary of weather and airport terms required for ATIS broadcast operation. The text-to-voice component of the system accesses this database to produce broadcast-quality voice output. The software also includes a set of pre-recorded standard fixed messages (i.e. Tower Closure, Standby for New ATIS, Contact ATC), as well as site-specific phrases that can be configured according to user specifications. The StarCaster ATIS System provides a high quality, fully automated replacement to manually-produced ATIS broadcasts, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The system can be configured to automatically receive ATIS weather information from any weather data source (i.e. AFTN, AWOS, ASOS, network connection). This weather information is then used to produce voice output for the ATIS Broadcasts, according to user specifications. The StarCaster ATIS system automatically generates and updates ATIS broadcasts from encoded text data that are provided by a weather data source. An automatic process first filters the coded weather data to select the weather products required, then converts the selected METAR and air traffic information from its encoded format to expanded English text. The system then converts the data into an audio stream, which is passed to a radio transmitter. StarCaster ATIS also controls the transmitter's Push-to-Talk (PTT) system. 2.1Overview of StarCaster System STR's speech concatenation system, marketed under the brand name StarCaster, was originally designed to meet the complex requirements of weather broadcasting, with a need for rapid conversion of encoded weather text to a natural, high-quality voice that is ready for broadcast. StarCaster is a sophisticated text-to-voice system that has been designed for various PC-based applications. The system uses a pre-recorded digitized Voice Database to produce very high-quality voice output from a text input. STR’s StarCaster ATIS system has been deployed at U.S. Air Force, Army bases and civil aviation airports across the U.S. Two StarCaster ATIS Systems are also operating at both the Keflavik International Airport and the Reykjavik Regional Airport in Iceland. StarCaster technology is also currently used by Nav Canada and the FAA for continuous broadcast of VOLMET weather advisories from the International Flight Service Station in Gander, Newfoundland, and the Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) in Islip, New York and Honolulu, Hawaii. Nav Canada has installed the StarCaster System to provide a PATWAS service (Pilot’s Automatic Telephone Weather Answering Service) at 12 sites in Canada, and to produce ATIS broadcasts at all major airports across Canada. The technology has also been deployed to meet FAA requirements for an automated Transcribed Weather Broadcast (TWEB) System at three AFSS locations in Alaska. Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMC) engaged STR to provide a TIBS-HIWAS system, generating aviation weather information in audio form, for broadcast via radio and telephone. This dual hot-standby system has been operational since 2007 and provides all TIBS and HIWAS messages for the Automated Flight Service Stations in the continental United States. 2.2StarCaster ATIS System Components This section describes the system components and hardware configuration details required for the proposed StarCaster ATIS System, shown in Figure 1-1. Figure 1 1 StarCaster ATIS System 2.3StarCaster ATIS Hardware Components a.Tower: The StarCaster ATIS Workstation will be located in the ATC Tower Cab. This workstation will provide the user interface to the StarCaster ATIS System. The workstation will have manual recording and monitoring capability. The workstation consists of the following components: i.A personal computer (Pentium PC) running in the Windows XP operating system, which will contain an audio output card (for local monitoring) and a network card (for connection to a Local Area Network). ii.A video monitor, which will display the StarCaster ATIS System’s graphical user interface. iii.A keyboard and mouse, which will be used to provide user input to the system. iv.An amplified speaker, which will allow personnel to listen to the voice output of the ATIS broadcast at the ATIS Workstation. v.A microphone and pre-amplifier, which will allow personnel to perform a recording of ATIS broadcast components (if necessary). b.Equipment Room: The StarCaster ATIS System’s Voice Output Server will be located in the ATC Equipment Room. This server will provide the audio signal and Push-to-Talk (PTT) control to the radio transmitter(s). This equipment will be sit in a rack/console, and will consist of the following components: i.One (1) StarCaster ATIS Voice Server. This voice server is a solid-state device that will provide continuous audio output of the ATIS broadcast. The voice server does not require a video monitor or keyboard/mouse input device. Its functionality will be controlled by the StarCaster ATIS computer in the Tower, which will send voice files and control messages to the voice server via CTI (Computer Telephony Interface) through a cross-over cable from the StarCaster ATIS Workstation. Note that the voice server is capable of storing audio files up to 8 minutes in length and that audio output is done at 64 kbit/sec (8 kHz at 8 bit coding). The integration of StarCaster ATIS with the other ATC components will not result in any degradation of operational systems, subsystems, networks, or facilities. All hardware components for the StarCaster ATIS System will be commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) items. 2.4StarCaster ATIS Functional Specifications a.StarCaster ATIS software package, including: i.Factory-configured site-specific weather information; ii.Automatic update of ATIS ID letter when New ATIS message is created; iii.Complies with ICAO International Standards and Recommended Practices, including compliance with ICAO formats for TCP/IP and serial connections; iv.Upgradeable path for automatic retrieval of weather data code via network or serial connection to customer-supplied weather data feed (N-TFS, AWOS, ASOS, IDS-5, etc.); v.Automatic conversion of METAR from its encoded format to English text and to natural voice for broadcast; vi.Automatic detection of weather data errors and software tools for manual error correction; vii.Free text entry viii.Optional call-in telephone access to listen to ATIS message on an analog phone line ix.Automatic logging of weather data received, weather data errors, start and end time of broadcasts, broadcast contents, and any technical errors; x.Text of ATIS broadcasts saved to hard drive and/or removable media; xi.Software (and hardware) for making manual recordings for broadcast, and for audio monitoring of ATIS broadcast before being sent to radio transmitter(s); b.Operations and Technical Maintenance Manual; c.One StarCaster software license; d.One-year warranty on hardware and software. 2.5Graphical User Interface The English language Graphical User Interface (GUI), shown in Figure 2-2 offers an easy-to-use tabbing design for navigation through the software. A large work area with pull-down lists, selectable buttons and editable text boxes allows the user to create a new ATIS message. The GUI includes access to log files, viewing of current broadcast text and specific weather data items, running technical and diagnostics tests, changing the speech rate and password control. In the New ATIS tab, the user is able to select Field Conditions, NOTAMs, Runways in Use, and Approach Types from editable lists and drop down menus. In the Fixed Message tab, the user can select pre-defined Fixed Messages to use during Tower Closures or during times of rapidly changing whether when pilots should contact ATC. Figure 2-2 StarCaster ATIS Graphical User Interface 2.6Contents of ATIS Messages StarCaster ATIS will be configured to provide a continuous audio broadcast of meteorological and airport information, including: •Automatic update of ATIS ID letter when New ATIS message is created •Runway in use and approach-type information •Current weather data (METAR or SPECI) •Field conditions •NOTAMs and advisories All ATIS broadcasts will be continuous, broadcasting 24 hours per day. 2.7Automatic Input of Weather Data 2.7.1Access to Weather Data As an option, the StarCaster ATIS System can be configured to automatically receive weather data (in METAR/SPECI format) from the site’s existing weather data source (e.g., ASOS, AWOS, N-TFS, IDS-5, etc.). The StarCaster ATIS System will automatically incorporate this weather data into ATIS messages, before they are monitored and approved by ATC personnel. 2.7.2Verification of Weather Data By continually receiving new weather data from the specified weather data source, StarCaster ATIS obtains the most recently available data for weather products that are to be broadcast. In order to do this, the system also performs a date/time check of the incoming weather data. This involves checking the time of issue of all filtered weather data in order to prevent current data from being replaced by data with an earlier issue time. Before METAR data can be included in the ATIS Broadcast, StarCaster ATIS verifies that it conforms to a predefined format. The StarCaster ATIS System complies with ICAO International Standards and Recommended Practices. Any METAR data that do not conform to this format are identified as containing errors. Weather data items that contain format errors will be written to a log file, which can be viewed, printed and saved to disk. Technical and broadcast log files are also created automatically, allowing the user to save, review and/or print records of the program’s operation. Several standard fixed audio messages are included in the software, such as “Standby for new ATIS message” and “Contact ATC for Current Information”. 2.7.2.1Recording and Monitoring A component of the StarCaster ATIS system offers a manual recording feature as a back-up option to the automated voice generation capability. Recording, audio monitoring and audio alarms will make use of the pre-amplifier, microphone and powered speakers that are attached to the onboard sound card of the StarCaster ATIS Workstation computer in the ATC Tower. For recording, the ATIS Operator will access the StarCaster ATIS Workstation in the ATC Tower, then use the data recording operation in the GUI to start the recording. Once the recording has been completed, the operator may monitor it by selecting a playback operation in the ATIS GUI. Once the recording has been accepted for broadcast, it will be sent to the XMU ATIS Voice Server via CTI (Computer Telephony Interface) through a cross-over cable from the StarCaster ATIS Workstation. The recording will then be incorporated into the broadcast, based upon identifying features that are included with the recorded data. For monitoring selected weather data items when editing them to correct an error, the same approach is used. When the playback button in the GUI is clicked, a message is sent to the XMU ATIS Voice Server, which in turn sends a message to activate playback at the StarCaster ATIS Workstation. 2.7.2.2Correcting Errors in ATIS Weather Data Items It is expected that the StarCaster ATIS Workstation will be used for correcting any errors that the StarCaster system detects in the incoming weather data items. When an error has been edited for correction, it must first be listened to, in order to ensure that it is correct. It is then accepted for use, which makes the weather data item available for broadcast. When a weather data error has been detected, a visual notification is posted at the StarCaster ATIS workstation, and may be supported by an audio alert if required. 2.7.2.3ATIS Failure Alerts Upon failure of an ATIS operation, a visual indication of the failure will be displayed on the monitor at the ATIS Workstation. 2.7.2.4Transmission of the ATIS Broadcast When the StarCaster Voice Server receives the ATIS audio file from the StarCaster ATIS Workstation computer, the server will automatically start transmitting the audio data to the ATIS radio transmitter(s). The XMU ATIS Voice Server will also control the PTT functionality on the radio transmitter(s). 2.8System Access Passwords can be implemented for different access levels to StarCaster ATIS. The user password will be able to be changed at any time by the user at the StarCaster ATIS Workstation. The maintenance password will be able to be changed at any time by the Maintenance Technician at the StarCaster ATIS Workstation. Passwords will be case insensitive and will be masked on all forms of entry, including changing of passwords. 2.9Warranty STR will provide a 12-month warranty for the StarCaster ATIS System, beginning after the final site acceptance of the system. 2.10Manuals The StarCaster ATIS system includes the following manuals: a.Operator Manual: This is designed to provide ATC personnel with information required to generate, test and broadcast ATIS messages. b.Installation and Configuration Manual: This is designed to provide Technical Maintenance personnel with information required to install and configure the StarCaster ATIS System. 2.11Optional On-site Installation and Training As an option, STR will provide on-site installation and training for the StarCaster ATIS System. On-site installation will include setup, connection and testing of all equipment components. Training will include a combined training course, as follows: a.ATC Training – to provide ATC personnel with training on the generation, testing and broadcast of ATIS messages b.Technical Maintenance Training – to provide Technical Maintenance personnel with training on system maintenance 2.12Maintenance Contract Option As an option, after contract award, STR will provide the customer with a year of maintenance of the StarCaster ATIS System, as described below. See Table 2 for price details. Annual maintenance includes the following: 1.Up to two times per year, modifications or additions to the voice library as requested. This includes changes or additions to the Field Conditions, NOTAMs/Advisories, Fixed Messages, and other items (e.g., local place names, commonly used phrases or abbreviations). The requested modifications will be delivered on CD-ROM. 2.Provide technical support to answer questions ATC personnel have involving operation or maintenance of the StarCaster ATIS system. Above specifications should be met and quote is needed for the items listed below. 1The StarCaster ATIS system consists of the following components: a.StarCaster hardware, including: i.Fully configured PC, minimum PC requirements: •3.4GHz, P4, 800 FSB, 512K Cache •1Gig RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive •48X/32X/48X CD-Rewriteable Drive •160GB, 7200 RPM •Windows XP Operating System •Integrated video/audio •Integrated 1GB NIC •Mouse, Keyboard ii.Monitor (17 inch flat panel) iii.Microphone/Pre-amplifier for manual recordings (as backup); iv.XMU+ Radio Interface Unit and Voice Server b.StarCaster ATIS software package, including: i.Factory-configured site-specific weather information; ii.Compliance with ICAO International Standards and Recommended Practices iii.Automatic update of ATIS ID letter when New ATIS message is created; iv.Automatic conversion of METAR from its encoded format to English text and to natural voice for broadcast; v.Optional automatic inclusion of weather data, field conditions and/or NOTAMs appended to Tower Closure messages (if weather data feed is available); vi.Optional call-in telephone access to listen to ATIS message from analog phone line; vii.Automatic logging of weather data received, weather data errors, start and end time of broadcasts, broadcast contents, and any technical errors; viii.Text of ATIS broadcasts saved to hard drive and/or removable media; ix.Software tools for manual correction of weather data errors; x.Software and hardware for making manual recordings for broadcast, and for audio monitoring of ATIS broadcast before being sent to radio transmitter(s); c.StarCaster ATIS pre-configuration demo CD (to assist in finalizing site-specific customer requirements); d.Site-specific questionnaire; e.Post-purchase site-specific software configuration; f.Installation and User’s Manuals; g.StarCaster software license; h.One year warranty on hardware and software. Optional StarCaster ATIS Components ItemQtyDescriptionUnit Cost 1.1Interface to automated weather feed (AWOS, ASOS, IDS-5 etc.) 2.1Annual Maintenance Agreement Installation ItemQtyDescription 1.1On-site Installation: •System Installation APPENDIX A - ACRONYMS AFTNAeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network ATCAir Traffic Control ATCCAir Traffic Control Center ATISAutomatic Terminal Information System AWOSAutomatic Weather Observation System COTSCommercial Off-the-Shelf DHSDual Hot-Standby GUIGraphical User Interface ICAOInternational Civil Aviation Organization LANLocal Area Network LRULowest Replaceable Unit METARSurface observation NOTAMNotice to Airmen OEMOriginal Equipment Manufacturer PTTPush-to-Talk SPECISpecial Hourly Report STRSTR - SpeechTech Ltd. TTSText-to-Speech
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/USCG/USCGARSC/21-09-COM082/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: USCG AIR STATION ELIZABETH CITY, HANGER 49 TOWER, ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina, 27909, United States
- Zip Code: 27909
- Zip Code: 27909
- Record
- SN01930386-W 20090829/090828083811-8a47332b00ecf3d4e4c8b03d5267aaff (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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