DISA/DITCO/PAD, 5111 Leesburg Pike, Room 9178, Falls Church, VA 22041

D -- MOBILE SATELLITE SYSTEM POC Contact: Peter G. Smingler, Contracting Officer, 703-681-1235 Synopsis number 96032. The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) hereby issues a Sources Sought regarding the planned availability of a global mobile satellite system which can support applications requiring real-time connectivity for voice and low rate data (nominally 2.4 kbps with a design goal of 9.6 kbps) communications services in support of command, control, communications, and intelligence (C3I) requirements of the Department of Defense during peacetime and other-than-peacetime situations. DISA intends to acquire these services from an existing or planned commercially based full earth coverage satellite communications system. The response to this Sources Sought announcement will be used as a basis for determining whether or not a full and open competitive procurement is feasible. The Government may acquire this service on an other than full and open competitive basis if only a single vendor can meet the requirements set forth herein. The system must, at a minimum, have the following attributes: 1. From any global (90 Degrees North - 65 Degrees South) location, the system shall support 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, clear and secure voice and data from a lightweight portable terminal to either a second portable terminal or provide connectivity into the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) and the terrestrial public switched telephone network (PSTN). 2. Terminal configurations shall be capable of supporting hand-held, shipboard, land-mobile and airborne platforms. 3. Shall support mobile-to-mobile and mobile-to-DISN/PSTN STU III compatible encryption of voice and data. 4. Shall provide real-time services with no significant transmission delays through the system. 5. System operation should provide set-up time of one minute or less to establish point-to-point communications connection between users. 6. In addition to the anticipated commercial subscriber demand, the system subscriber capacity should be sufficient to accommodate the total number of DOD subscribers which is expected to approach or exceed 80,000 worldwide. It should be noted that while DOD anticipates a potentially large number of subscribers and terminals, many of these may be used infrequently. 7. The system shuld have sufficient capacity to support an estimated 3,000 simultaneous DOD users worldwide with no degradation to probability of system access. 8. Terminals shall have the functional capability to connect handset/equipment to other devices including a PCMCIA security module (Fortezza), mobile adapters for use in vehicles, microphone adapters for hands-free operation, data devices, etc. 9. Shall allow DOD control of DOD registered users. DOD control shall include the ability to allow/deny DOD user access, determine DOD call priority, and control of sensitive DOD user information, i.e. geographic location. 10. Shall meet National Telecommunications Information Systems Security (NTISS) Policy - 1, para 2, criteria for use by the DOD. 11. Shall comply with National Security/Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) telecommunications functional requirements that maintain a state of readiness to respond to and manage any emergency event or crisis situation. Desired NS/EP service requirements include priority information exchange, priority service provisioning and restoration, emergency broadcast capability, sustainable coordinating mechanism, interoperable services, protected information support, assured and reliable service and network security. 12. Global system access from outside of the United States shall not rely on any regional communications infrastructure or equipment, other than user terminals. Connectivity to regional PSTN/DISN assets is desirable, but should not be required for global connectivity. 13. Respondents are requested to provide the planned time frame for initial and final operational system availability which satisfies the minimal criteria listed above. DOD desires the earliest possible availability dates. The information provided will be considered in the full and open competition/other than full and open competition determination. Interested sources are invited to describe their existing or planned system in a white paper. In addition to the minimum attributes listed above, the white paper should address, but is not limited to, the following topic areas. A. A system description, discussion of network architecture, specific capabilities and how they meet the above minimal requirements, capacity limits for each system segment, and known vulnerabilities and limitations. In addition, address issues concerning dual-use interoperability with and availability/use of trrestrial cellular systems such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) modes, as well as any potential for incorporating Global Positioning System (GPS) capability. B. A discussion of the systems total capacity and its ability to meet expected DOD demands for total number of subscribers and simultaneous users. This should include information regarding regional capacities and limitations as well as worldwide system capabilities. C. Discuss the capability of the system to support broadcast situations as well as nets of three or more users. D. Identify and discuss specific modifications, features and services to the proposed system to meet the requirements, in terms of impact to system design, software and/or hardware changes required, level of effort involved (SLOC, additional hardware, engineering design, etc.), and changes to program schedule, milestones, and risk factors. Identify any proprietary technologies and the costs/benefits the DOD may be asked to accept. E. Explain and discuss which portions of the system must be certified for secure communications processing/operations as a COTS product/service, and what modifications may be necessary to comply with certification requirements for DOD Type I secure communications. F. Since the proposed system will support commercial or other communications in addition to DOD traffic, include a discussion of actual/projected growth, estimated usage fees and/or initial DOD investment costs. Outline differences resulting from DOD use of the system. G. Provide current status of system capitalization, FCC filing status, host nation agreements, frequency approvals, and submit a program schedule outlining key milestones, tasks, and major risk factors leading to the system IOC/FOC service dates. H. In addition to the above, a discussion of technical capabilities and experience in providing systems/services to the Government is desired. This should include voice and data network design, routing algorithms, secure data encryption, ground and space system segments, experience in satellite systems and launching of constellations, if applicable, fielding of similar systems, and system integration/interoperability of available and emerging COTS equipment and technology. The point of contact for technical issues concerning this announcement is Lt. Col HarveyLeister, DISA/D25 at (703) 681- 0220, Fax (703) 681-0345. The point of contact for contractual issues is Mr. Peter G. Smingler, Contracting Officer, DISA/DITCO/PAD at (703) 681-1235, Fax (703) 681-0342. It is requested that an original and 10 paper copies plus one (1) 3.25'' high density disk using Word Perfect 6.1 be provided. Proprietary information should be identified as such. Responses should be mailed, no later than 19 January 1996, to: DISA/PAD; 5111 Leesburg Pike, Room 9178; Falls Church, VA 22041-3205. Sources submitting a white paper who are interested in also making a technical presentation between 24 January 1996 and 2 February 1996 may arrange to do so by contacting Lt. Col Harvey Leister at (703) 681-0220, Fax (703) 681-0345. (0354)

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