SPECIAL NOTICE
D -- Online Audio Streaming and Command Information Delivery System
- Notice Date
- 2/10/2021 1:49:22 PM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 512250
—
- Contracting Office
- HQ DEFENSE MEDIA ACTIVITY FORT MEADE MD 20755 USA
- ZIP Code
- 20755
- Solicitation Number
- HQ0516-21-FY-0014
- Response Due
- 2/25/2021 1:00:00 PM
- Archive Date
- 03/12/2021
- Point of Contact
- Jesus Feliciano, Phone: 9513177396
- E-Mail Address
-
Jesus.m.feliciano6.civ@mail.mil
(Jesus.m.feliciano6.civ@mail.mil)
- Description
- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) Online Audio Streaming and Command Information Delivery System RFI Tracking Number: HQ0516-FY-21-0014 CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS: Defense Media Activity - Riverside 23755 Z Street Riverside, CA 92518 The Defense Media Activity (DMA) is posting this RFI to gain information on the agency�s requirement for non-personal turnkey managed and hosted Online Audio Streaming and Command Information Delivery System to conduct Internet delivery of news, entertainment, and command information in support of the American Forces Network (AFN) radio mission.� The responses provided may be used by DMA to assist in budgetary planning and developing an acquisition strategy, Performance Work Statement, salient characteristics, and performance specifications.� Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response.� Specific support is required to ascertain industry�s ability to furnish a cohesive digital audio streaming service and command information scheduling and delivery system to support the AFN360 suite of audio streaming services for global use by U.S. government personnel, and their families, performing official duties outside of the United States, it�s territories and possessions.� Supported services include, local and global radio services, music playlists, and audio-on-demand/ podcasts.� The system must include the ability to schedule and insert command information into the various audio streams and detailed real-time and historic listenership analytical data statistics whose level of accuracy shall meet or exceed the industry standard provided by the Media Ratings Council for accredited real-time statistics of radio streaming services described below under Metrics and Reporting.� The system shall comprise components that meet the required capabilities detailed later in this document. Vendors are encouraged to provide as much information as possible regarding their proven capabilities and to provide detailed cost information.� DMA representatives may choose to meet with respondents and others who express interest and hold one-on-one discussions.� Such discussions would only be intended to obtain further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements, including any development and implementation risks. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate.� Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed.� Providing a variety of solutions and applicable pricing options, where applicable, is appreciated.� Information provided will be used to assess availability of the anticipated requirement and may lead to the development of a solicitation.� Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. INSTRUCTIONS: Respondents are encouraged to provide the following: A summary of the respondent�s capabilities relating to DMA�s requirements. Questions related to the RFI�s Required Capabilities. Any questions received and subsequent answers will be posted to https://beta.sam.gov/ for the benefit of all interested parties. An itemized budgetary estimate for a system capable of satisfying the RFI�s Required Capabilities. Itemized estimates are preferred should DMA need to adjust system specifications. BACKGROUND DMA provides command information (CI) to the entire Department of Defense through all available media.� AFN provides U.S. radio and television news, information and entertainment programming to the authorized audience overseas to increase their morale, readiness, situational awareness and morale.� Securing an adequate system to provide streaming services, detailed user metrics, and targeted CI delivery is vital to the effective execution of the AFN360 digital audio streaming mobile and web platforms that support the American Forces Network (AFN) mission by enhancing our ability to support Joint Forces and DoD Components.� The DMA Contracting Office has purchased services of a similar nature in the past. REQUIRED CAPABILITIES: AFN has multiple individual requirements that shall compose the entire system. The following paragraphs establish the minimum requirements for the system that shall be provided by the Contractor. For the purpose of this RFI, the term �Station� is defined as a single representation of audio-based output provided by the contractor with the intent of being delivered to the AFN audience via the AFN360 digital platforms supported by the Online Audio Streaming and Command Information Delivery System. Audio and Metadata Encoding Management Station-side encoding management software which allows AFN to create and set up the audio stream consisting of title, artist, album, and artwork metadata. The software shall be compatible with the latest version AudioVAULT radio automation software. Station-side encoding management software compatible with the Windows 10 operating system that runs as a service that automatically restarts should the computer unexpectedly restart. Station-side encoding management software shall support simultaneous AAC and MP3 standard audio encoding with a minimum 32 kilobits per second (kb/s) encoding quality. Encoding quality rates shall be increased to higher bitrates if requested by the Government. Station-side encoding management software shall support dead air/ silence detection, and provide automated alerts (email) to AFN should no audio output be detected. Station-side encoding management software shall allow for redundant audio streams to be maintained on separate servers. Should the primary server fail to send encoded audio and metadata to the Contractor, the system shall automatically switch to the redundant source stream until connection to the primary source is reestablished. Content Distribution and Stream Management Provide a content delivery network (CDN) distribution of Global and local AFN audio streams to customer computers and devices with a minimum reliability rate of 99.99%. Provide a cloud-based radio-automation solution to support audio playlists and online radio. Provide a podcast/audio-on-demand hosting, recording, storage, distribution and archive solution.� Provide a mechanism to geo-filter or geo-lock audio streams to only those networks or IP ranges approved by DMA.� This mechanism shall also allow AFN to provide exceptions to allow specific device and/or network IP addresses to access the audio streams that would normally be denied through this mechanism. Web-based Audio Player Support a web-based player mechanism to play the streams that is HTML5 compatible, along with a software development kit (SDK) to allow AFN, and/or a designated agent, to design and develop custom web-based player mechanisms. Provide playlist files for each type of audio stream encode to be used with third-party software and hardware devices. Provide a password-protected, web-based interface for managing the player, to include integration with social media sharing with Facebook and Twitter. Provide a mechanism within the player to display currently playing artist, album and song title metadata contained in the audio stream via the player interface. Metrics and Reporting Provide Media Ratings Council-accredited real-time statistics via a web-based secure interface that allows differentiated access levels to data based on user account permissions. Provide a solution to gather metrics and generate reports on user data and listenership of on-demand audio and podcasts.� Data should include downloads & listeners metrics, broken down by Client, podcasts, geographies and devices. Provide reports that track listening session starts, active listening sessions, total listening hours, average active listening sessions, average quarter hour listening sessions, average time spent listening, and cumulative unique listeners during a specified time period. Also provide reports on user agents used to access the streams, geographic location of listeners and amount of monthly data transfer consumed. Provide a mechanism to query data based on an unlimited date range and provide downloadable reports in CSV and PDF formats. Provide a mechanism to perform comparative reporting between two or more station statistic data sets. Targeted Advertising and In-Stream Ad Replacement Provide a secure web-based interface for the upload, scheduling and management of audio spot inventory per station and stream. Provide in-stream advertisement replacement based on the geographic location of the user, IP address range of the user or other demographic information as determined by AFN. In-stream advertisement replacement shall occur when cue metadata provided by an AFN audio system signifies the need for an in-stream advertisement to be played. Provide a scheduling mechanism that allows for ad campaigns, flights and dayparts. Provide a mechanism to measure and report ad impressions based on campaign, flight, and daypart. Provide a mechanism to display companion banner ads in the web-based player that correspond with the audio-based advertisement.� All advertising on this system will originate from DMA and no commercial advertising shall be injected into the audio streams. Additional Considerations: DoD Cyber security & DISA (Defense Information Systems Agency): Contractor must ensure services provided are compliant with the ""U.S. Government Approved Protection Profile - Protection Profile for Application Software Version 1.3"" - https://www.niap-ccevs.org/Profile/Info.cfm?PPID=429&id=429. Contractor may be required to submit documentation for approval through DISA DoD Application Vetting Environment (DAVE) - https://disa.deps.mil/ext/cop/dod_mobility/DAVE/SitePages/DAVE_Home.aspx. Services: The Contractor shall provide training services for AFN technical staff and app administrators. The Contractor shall provide technical support and guidance to AFN360 app development team, and app administrators.� Post launch, the Contractor shall provide 24/7 technical support via phone, email, and/or chat. REQUESTED INFORMATION: ����� a.�� Company�s Name, mailing address, phone number, fax number, company�s website, and e-mail of designated point(s) of contact. ����� b.�� Business Type:� Based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541511 - Custom Computer Programming Services.� Identify the type of entity (large business, small business, small disadvantaged, woman-owned, 8(a), HUBZone, service disabled veteran-owned, etc.). ����� c.�� Cage Code. ����� d.�� Contractor�s past performance in meeting stated objectives/requirements, statement of qualifications to include information that clearly demonstrates the respondent�s capabilities, expertise and experience to perform the specific requirements contained in this RFI. ����� e.�� Contract vehicles that would be available to the Government for the procurement of the product and service, to include General Service Administration (GSA), GSA MOBIS, NIH, NASA SEWP, Federal Supply Schedules (FSS), or any other Government Agency contract vehicle.� (This information is for market research only and does not preclude your company from responding to this notice.) RESPONSE GUIDELINES: Vendors who wish to respond to this should send responses via email NLT 25 February 2021, 9:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) to DMA-R Contracting Officer Jessie Feliciano, jesus.feliciano3.civ@mail.mil, and AFN-BC Chief of Radio, Thomas Arnholt, thomas.r.arnholt.civ@mail.mil. Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. Submissions cannot exceed 10 pages, single-spaced, 12-point type with at least one-inch margins on 8 1/2� X 11� page size, not including any manufacturer cut sheets or system block diagrams. Responses must specifically describe the contractor�s capability to meet the requirements outlined in this RFI.� QUESTIONS: Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted by e-mail to DMA-R Contracting Officer Jessie Feliciano, jesus.m feliciano6.civ@mail.mil. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 4:00 PM (Pacific), 24 February� 2021, will be answered.� The Government will not reimburse companies for any costs associated with the submissions of their responses. DISCLAIMER:� This RFI is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract.� Responses will not be considered as proposals nor will any award be made as a result of this synopsis. All information contained in the RFI is preliminary, as well as, subject to modification and is in no way binding on the Government.� FAR clause 52.215-3, �Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes�, is incorporated by reference in this RFI.� The Government does not intend to pay for information received in response to this RFI.� Responders to this invitation are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.� This RFI will be the basis for collecting information on capabilities available.� This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials.� All information received in this RFI that is marked �Proprietary� will be handled accordingly.� Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned nor will receipt be confirmed.� In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. PARTICIPATION IN THIS RFI IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY AND FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCURE ANY ITEMS/SERVICES OR FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR THE INFORMATION RECEIVED.� THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ASSOCIATED COSTS AS A RESULT OF PROSPECTIVE OFFERORS INTEREST, RESPONSE OR PARTICIPATION IN THIS RFI.� ANY FORMAL SOLICITATION WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE.� THE GOVERNMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THIS REQUIREMENT AT ANY TIME DURING THE ACQUISITION PROCESS.�� ANY SOLICITATION RESULTING FROM THE ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE POSTED TO THE PUBLIC IN FEDERAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FAR PART 5.� HOWEVER, RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED RESPONSES TO A SOLICITATION.
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://beta.sam.gov/opp/b0084b66b2dc4a9d951a275cca4472fe/view)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Riverside, CA 92518, USA
- Zip Code: 92518
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 92518
- Record
- SN05912938-F 20210212/210210230111 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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