SOURCES SOUGHT
70 -- SSA-RFI-13-DRSYS
- Notice Date
- 4/16/2013
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 334310
— Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Social Security Administration, Office of Budget, Finance, and Management, Office of Acquisition and Grants, 1st Floor, Rear Entrance, 7111 Security Blvd., Baltimore, Maryland, 21244
- ZIP Code
- 21244
- Solicitation Number
- SSA-RFI-13-DRSYS
- Archive Date
- 5/8/2013
- Point of Contact
- VALERIE N. KING, Phone: 4109656496
- E-Mail Address
-
VALERIE.N.KING@SSA.GOV
(VALERIE.N.KING@SSA.GOV)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This request for information (RFI) announcement is for information and planning purposes only; vendors should not construe it as a commitment by the government. SUMMARY The Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of Acquisition and Grants (OAG), in conjunction with its customer, the Office of Disability and Review (ODAR) is currently performing market research to determine the availability of sources to provide and support a Digital Recording Process at the Social Security Administration (SSA). We are looking for sources to provide technical consulting services to implement and support a Digital Recording Process. BACKGROUND: The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) is responsible for holding hearings and providing appellate reviews as part of SSA's administrative appeals process. Currently, all hearings must be recorded digitally because a certified record of the hearing is required if a claimant files a civil action in the United States District Court. Once a hearing is recorded, it becomes part of the official agency claim file. There are approximately 2100 Digital Recording units located in over 880 ODAR hearing rooms in the United States and some US territories. Each hearing office location has from one to ten hearing rooms (the average is three to six). REQUIREMENTS: One of SSA's current missions is to improve the speed and quality of the Disability Process. SSA seeks to identify a Digital Recording Process that better utilizes modern technological advances in Digital Recording Solutions. The solution shall provide the following functionality: Clear Digital Recordings - Ability to produce an audio file that captures multi-channel digital recording of all participants in a hearing with clarity of voice. Audio from each input source (microphone, video, phone, etc.) should be able to be isolated and identified in a file. For Example: If there are two participants talking at the same time on the audio file, the solution should allow for a user to decrease the volume on one input for one participant and isolate the audio for the second participant in order to increase the volume for the second participant during playback. The solution should accommodate possible inputs for audio from multiple sources (ex. Audio from a Video Unit, Phones, and Microphones in room). Mobility- Ability to move the microphones or recording devices around during a session to accommodate the position of all participants within a hearing. Documentation- Ability to manually capture and store associated notes for each recording that documents events and certain time segments. If possible, the solution should provide for voice recognition of key words to tag time segments that could electronically update in a file as the recording process takes place. For Example: Hearing is now in session. The solution should allow for manual entry of notes to be added as the recording process proceeds as well. Solution should allow for documentation to be associated with the corresponding audio file to access later. Playback and review - Must allow for instant playback and review. Data Access- Solution should provide for the end user to be able to access the digital recording files at a later date and time. Portability - Must have a portable solution that can be used the same as a stationary unit and must allow for digital recording to occur with or without a network connection. Video Interface Capability - Must interface with Video Conference Equipment. SSA currently uses PolyCom models and Desktop Video Units. Support and Training- Contractor should be able to provide a plan for training and support in regards to installation and equipment. Visibility- Solution should provide a method that allows all participants in the room to know that a recording session has started and ended. Possible Enhancements: SSA would like to explore opportunities for solutions where the control of recording audio could be centrally located. For Example: Multiple hearings sessions can be recorded from a common system centrally located in one room in one building. Hardware and Software requirements: The solution: Must be compatible with Windows Platform. SSA is currently using Windows 7.0. Must Support multi-channel recording with inputs. Currently SSA uses inputs for 4 microphones, 2 telephones, 1 video units, and possibilities for further expansion. Must be Plug and Play and easily installed. Any software must be easily programmatically customizable to allow SSA developers to integrate and accommodate the business needs. SSA may request source code to customize the software. Other Requirements Contractor must provide for SSA to purchase the solution in bulk and if necessary to have the delivery of the solution postponed to a later time to accommodate the business process. A warranty period will be required for all parts included in the proposed solution. Shipping of all parts must be provided by the contractor in his/her own shipping container. The turnaround time frame for replacements must not exceed 24 hours. Contractor will be required to communicate with SSA's Help Desk in regards to technical issues and coordination of repairs and replacements. SSA's Help Desk will provide first level support for the end users. Solution must follow SSA Standards for: •· SSA Security Protocols as indicated in the following: • i. OMB Circular A130, Appendix III, Guidance on the "Security of Federal Automated Information Systems" http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a130/a130appendix_iii.html • ii. Electronic Government (EGov) Act, Title III, Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) of 2002 http://csrc.nist.gov/drivers/documents/FISMA-final.pdf •· Section 508 Compliance • i. Requirements for accessibility based on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) are determined to be relevant to this notice. Specifically, SSA is performing market research on the availability of software which fully complies with all technical provisions listed under sections 1194.21, 1194.22, and 1194.31 of the Section 508 law ( www.section508.gov ). INSTRUCTIONS We request information from businesses that believe they have a bona-fide capability to meet the Agency's Digital Recording Process requirements. Specifically, interested firms should submit the following information: •1) General Information: Include the company name, address, point of contact name, point of contact number, DUNS Number, business size status for the indicated NAICS code. •2) Capabilities: Provide an explanation for how your firm has the capability and experience to support and meet the Agency's requirements. The explanation should include a description of the suggested Solution and the System's capability to meet each requirement. Each response must include a paragraph number to clearly identify which requirement above it is in response to. The description should provide programming, customization and implementation services for a system deployment; training programs for the system; and any maintenance and technical support programs. •3) Availability of Services through Existing Contracts: We presently believe that due to the scope of this acquisition; and the unique terms and conditions (such as the need to establish a Blanket Purchase Agreement over a five-year period), that an existing Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) or General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule may be a good fit for this potential requirement. Please identify if your firm agrees that a GWAC or GSA Federal Supply Schedule exists that could meet these requirements. If you do not believe that a GWAC or GSA Federal Supply schedule is the best procurement vehicle for this procurement, please provide specific details that could assist the Agency in evaluating and identifying the best source of supply. Provide details as to why the Contractor feels the agency could get the highest quality of supplies and services at a lower price using a different procurement vehicle. Interested sources that believe they have the bona fide capability to provide the requirements listed above should submit a detailed statement of their solution and system's capabilities, in writing, to Valerie King, Contract Specialist, Division of Information Technology Equipment and Maintenance, 7111 Security Boulevard, First Floor Rear Entrance, Baltimore, MD 21244. In addition, SSA will accept responses submitted electronically via email at Valerie.N.King@ssa.gov. Facsimile responses are not acceptable. Please reference SSA-RFI-13-DRSYS in the email subject line. SSA must receive all responses by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 23, 2013. Synopsis Terms and Conditions: This is a sources sought announcement, a market survey for written information only. This is not a solicitation announcement for proposals and the Government will not award a contract from this announcement. The Government will not reimburse for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement or any follow-up information requests. The Government will not accept any telephone calls, or requests for a bid package or solicitation. There is no bid package or solicitation. In order to protect the procurement integrity of any future procurement, if any, that may arise from this announcement; the Government will not give information regarding the technical point of contact. The Government will not make appointments for presentations. This synopsis is for planning purposes only, not a commitment by the Government. The Government will use responses to this sources sought/market research notice to make appropriate acquisition decisions. ANY QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE HONORED.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/SSA/DCFIAM/OAG/SSA-RFI-13-DRSYS/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Social Security Administration(SSA); Office of Budget, Finance, and Management; Office of Acquisition and Grants(OAG); 7111 Security Blvd, 1rst Floor, Rear Entrance., baltimore, Maryland, 21244, United States
- Zip Code: 21244
- Zip Code: 21244
- Record
- SN03038119-W 20130418/130416235042-a8d0085a7ecf3061fa2f1153fe05b09d (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |