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A -- DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, INTEGRATION, AND TESTING OF THE NATO IMPROVED LINK ELEVEN (NILE) SYSTEM NETWORK CONTROLLER (SNC) SOFTWARE, AND THE NILE REFERENCE SYSTEM (NRS) POC Gary Blasser, 02-21, 703-602-0839. Synopsis No. 19. The United States (US) Department of the Navy, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWARSYSCOM), in support of the Program Executive Officer for Space, Communications and Sensors (PEO-SCS), is seeking qualified sources for the design, development, integration, and testing of the NATO Improved Link Eleven (NILE) System Network Controller (SNC) software, and the NILE Reference System (NRS). The purpose of this Sources Sought is to facilitate dissemination of information relevant to this acquisition, thereby maximizing competition. Information submitted in response to this Sources Sought will be used to construct a bidders list, however, failure to respond will not inhibit future consideration in response to any draft/final RFP. NILE is an international cooperative project among seven nations: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The United States, as host nation for the NILE Project Management Office, will carry out the entire procurement process under US laws, regulations and procedures. NILE, also referred to as Link 22, is a secure, ECM-resistant, medium-speed tactical data link that will be capable of using HF and UHF fixed frequency and frequency- agile waveforms. The functional architecture of a Link 22 node will consist of the following subsystems: Data Link Processor (DLP), System Network Controller (SNC), and Media. DLP functions will include the interface between the user's Tactical Data System (TDS) and the NILE Communications Equipment (NCE) (SNC and Media). SNC functions will include management of the Dynamic Time Division Multiple Access (DTDMA) protocol, multiple media management, network monitoring and management, and relaying messages within one network and between separate networks. Media functions will include providing encryption/decryption of all messages, error detection and correction, modulation/demodulation, and radio equipment control. The NRS will be a test tool to demonstrate compatibility between independently procured and developed NCE. The NRS may be required to provide trouble shooting and fault isolation, as well as performance testing capabilities, for NCE. Additionally, the NRS may be required to provide the capability to perform configuration management and control of NCE hardware and software. Each member nation of this international cooperative project may procure additional NRSs as part of this effort. Any party interested in inclusion on a bidders list should provide its corporate name and address, the name and telephone number of a point of contact, the location of facilities that might be proposed for management, development, integration and testing of the SNC software and the NRS, and indicate whether it is a large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, Section 8(a) contractor, or non-US contractor. Each interested party should provide the name, address, and telephone number of its cognizant government Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO). Except for small businesses, each interested party should explain whether it has submitted a new or revised Disclosure Statement of its cost accounting practices to its ACO/audit office pursuant to US Public Law 100-679 (10 U.S.C. 422). (Refer to US Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.230-1 (''Cost Accounting Standards Notices and Certifications'') for further details.) Each interested party should state whether its cognizant ACO/audit office has determined that its cost accounting system is adequate for cost-reimbursement contracts, i.e., determining costs applicable to a given contract. (Refer to FAR 9.104 and FAR 16.301 for further details.) Finally, each interested party should explain whether (i) it has a national SECRET security clearance, (ii) is authorized NATO access, and (iii) has either a US COMSEC account or access to US COMSEC material via normal government accounts. Appropriate security clearances will be required to access certain RFP information. COMSEC account/access, a cost accounting system adequate for cost-reimbursement contracts, and (except for small business) an approved disclosure statement will be required prior to contract award. Each interested party is also invited to submit a brief description of its experience and expertise, to include previous efforts in data link (or related) software, hardware, and test tool development. Written responses (in English) should be received not later than 28 April 1995. Send written responses to Commander, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Attn: Code 02-21M, 2451 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA USA 22245-5200. Acknowledgment of receipt will not be made. Responses must reference the Synopsis Number shown above on both the mailing envelope and the enclosures. Proprietary data submitted in response to this synopsis will be protected when so designated on the submitted material. This request for information is not a Request For Proposal (RFP), a promise to issue an RFP, nor a promise by the government to pay for information received in response to this synopsis. Any resulting RFP will be separately synopsized in the US Commerce Business Daily (CBD) and its equivalent in other participating NILE nations, and will be restricted to sources within those nations. Direct telephone inquiries regarding this synopsis to Mr. Gary Blasser, Contracting Officer at (703) 602-0839, FAX (703) 602- 7367. Release of a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) O/A mid-1995 is planned. This draft will invite comments and questions from the public that will be considered before formulation and release of an official RFP that will invite competitive proposals to be submitted by prospective contractors. The draft RFP will be transmitted through the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command Bulletin Board System (BBS). The draft RFP will be available by calling the SPAWAR BBS, (703) 602-9494, and downloading the RFP. Written requests for the draft RFP will be honored. The Bulletin Board operates at 14,400 BAUD with a setting of 8:N:1. The file will be compressed by a shareware program, PKZIP 2.04G. The draft RFP file name will be announced in the US CBD and its equivalent in other participating NILE nations. To download the draft RFP, the prospective offeror will need, at a minimum, PC or MAC, with modem emulation software that supports VT100 or ANSI standing, a modem that operates between 300 bps - 14.4 bps and a to-be-determined amount of free disk space. The bulletin board will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, as the demand may be heavy, it may be necessary to call repeatedly or during non-business hours. If any assistance is needed regarding use of the BBS, please contact Mark Gurganus at (703) 602-1842. If you do not have access to a modem, a computer is available for reviewing and/or obtaining the draft RFP electronically in the Contractor Liaison Branch, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, 2451 Crystal Drive, CPK5, Room 201, Arlington, VA, 22245-5200. (0047)

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