SOURCES SOUGHT
D -- Request for Information on Automatic Identification Technology (AIT)
- Notice Date
- 5/24/2013
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 334111
— Electronic Computer Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- ACC - Rock Island (ACC-RI), ATTN: AMSAS-AC, Rock Island, IL 61299-6500
- ZIP Code
- 61299-6500
- Solicitation Number
- W52P1J13XAITV
- Response Due
- 6/10/2013
- Archive Date
- 7/23/2013
- Point of Contact
- Trisha Taylor, 309-782-2836
- E-Mail Address
-
ACC - Rock Island (ACC-RI)
(trisha.m.taylor@us.army.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The Product Director, Automated Movement and Identification Solutions (PD AMIS) has a requirement to provide sources for AIT technologies and technical expertise across the suite of automatic identification and radio frequency identification technologies that support logistics and asset visibility. Technologies may also be used in the integration of global supply chains. Army Contracting Command - Rock Island (ACC-RI) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to identify potential sources capable of, and interested in providing hardware, software, documentation, and incidental services to authorized users worldwide. Incidental services include: AIT Integration software with automated information systems and customization, site surveys, installation, training, warranty maintenance services, and Technical Engineering Services (TES). Supply products include: interoperable wireless networking, portable data collection devices, AIT printing & marking equipment, software, and documentation to authorized users worldwide. Services will include hardware and software delivery and installation, as well as performance of associated training, warranty maintenance services at CONUS and OCONUS Government sites. Performance of TES will be required at CONUS and OCONUS Government sites, and the Contractor's facility(ies). The Army seeks to acquire technologies under an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract arrangement, which may include, but is not limited to: Portable Data Collection Terminals with Imagers Bar Code Imagers Wireless Data Communications (network equipment) Bar Code Printers Item Unique Identification Devices (IUID) Marking devices Warehouse Software Systems Property Book Software Contact Memory Buttons Potential NAICS codes are 334111 - Electronic Computer Manufacturing, 561499 - Barcode and Printing Services, 541512 Computer Systems Design Services and 334220 - Mobile Communications Equipment Manufacturing. THIS REQUEST IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY; IT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. NO SOLICITATION EXISTS AT THIS TIME AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE A FORMAL SOLICITATION WILL BE ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS A RESULT OF RESPONSES TO THIS RFI. THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR PAYMENT OF ANY RESPONSE PREPARATION EXPENSES. INTERESTED PARTIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ADEQUATELY MARKING PROPRIETARY OR COMPETITION SENSITIVE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THEIR RESPONSE. The RFI consists of two sections, Part A - Company Capabilities and Part B Questions. Part A: Companies with any of the specific capabilities that are interested in providing these services to the U.S. Army are invited to respond with a sixteen (16) page maximum Discussion Paper detailing their ability to provide such products and services. Emphasis should be placed on key considerations to facilitating and transacting business within the federal marketplace. That is, the Government seeks to also understand how your company's capabilities, practices, and experience in providing such products and services, both in-plant and on-site, CONUS and OCONUS, and as a direct manufacturer or reseller can be structured so as to reduce administration overhead and to transact business efficiently. Proprietary and/or competition sensitive information submitted in response to this RFI announcement shall be conspicuously marked so and will be protected as such by the Government recipient. 1. The Government seeks industry insight and comment on how the aggregation of supply orders, length of lead times, and/or other factors/requirements (e.g., HERO Testing for all equipment; CAC Card, UC APL and NI requirements; solution bundling; etc.) can drive costs. Furthermore, the Government seeks insight from Industry on how to lower individual product and contract costs? 2. The Government seeks Industry comment on cross-contract integration and criteria by which task orders and prime contracting arrangements can be determined. That is, the Government envisions the potential for integration of AIT and RFID products that can be acquired from multiple contract vehicles and multiple OEMs and would like Industry's views on Risk, Management, and Quality factors necessary to minimize the cost of integration. 3. The Government seeks information on what can reduce Industry's overhead costs (i.e., which requirements drive a disproportionate amount of costs). 4. The Government seeks information on how (if at all) the Industry's supply market dynamics are affecting the Industry's costs. 5. The Government seeks information on Industry's recommendation for alternate pricing strategies. 6. The Government seeks information on the Pros/Cons of a single versus multiple award strategy. In your opinion, what is the best strategy for the Government and why? 7. The Government seeks information on the implementation of a cost effective global help desk to provide Warranty/AIT equipment assistance. 8. The Government seeks information on the role of Small Business in the provision of AIT technology. Part B: The goal of Part B is to gather Industry experience and expert advice on any or all of the Government's needs as outlined in the scope above and questions below. Industry responses will be used by the Government to refine the scope of the potential future requirement for described services. Companies are encouraged not to include marketing informational materials that do not relate to the services described in this RFI as it will be discarded, however, responses may include URL links to technical documentation materials (i.e., technical data sheet). Limit question responses to no more than fourteen (14) pages. Specific information requested: 1. The Government seeks information on Industries' plans/timeline to move to various Mobile Operating Systems for the handheld device. In addition, what are Industry's handheld device's hardware refresh cycle - including, insight into new product versus incremental product improvements and schedule for the next hardware refresh (new product and incremental changes). 2. The Government seeks information on AIT Portable Data Collection Devices commercially available (handheld devices and 'tablets') with bar code imaging and wireless data communications capabilities, which operate on the Android or other mobile operating system 3. The Government seeks information on the current state of development of Portable Data Collection Devices with FIPS-140-2 Level 2 protection. Specifically, what level of supply is required for Industry to make the commitment to introduce Level 2 protection? Where Level 2 protection does not exist on devices today, what are the alternatives? 4. The Government seeks information on complete Warehouse Management Systems to include work in progress and inventory functions. Such systems should provide modular interfaces to commercially available ERP systems but also be capable of operating as a stand-alone system. Describe available systems and optional interfaces and modules. 5. The Government seeks information on commercially available quote mark keyboard wedge quote mark imagers capable of reading, decoding, and interpreting IUID markings and outputting a concatenated UII string. 6. The Government seeks information on commercially available alternatives to Thermal Transfer bar code labels (and printing equipment), which may be capable of use in harsh environments (long periods of exposure to direct sunlight, rain, and varying temperatures) typical of military use. 7. The Government seeks information on low cost Industry solutions to IUID / technology and reading requirements. All interested companies that possess the capabilities addressed herein are encouraged to respond to the RFI by providing the information specified within fourteen (14) days of this announcement. Respondents are requested to submit one (1) electronic copy of the response to Trisha Taylor at trisha.m.taylor5.civ@mail.mil and Chad Sims at chad.g.sims.civ@mail.mil. Include RFI No. W52P1J13XAITV in the subject line. NOTE: The use of a RFI number is for tracking purposes only. Point of Contact(s): Trisha Taylor, 309-782-2836 Contracting Office Address: Army Contracting Command - Rock Island (ACC-RI) ATTN: CCRC-TB Rock Island, IL 61299
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/47eea0e73521e2dcc44388b8d00b79c6)
- Place of Performance
- Address: ACC - Rock Island (ACC-RI) ATTN: AMSAS-AC, Rock Island IL
- Zip Code: 61299-6500
- Zip Code: 61299-6500
- Record
- SN03072072-W 20130526/130524234708-47eea0e73521e2dcc44388b8d00b79c6 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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