U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, Acquisition ManagementBr., AG CODE 0567, 14th & Independence Ave.,SW,Wash.,DC

D -- TECHNICAL ARCHITECTURE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION POC Scott Cook, 202/720-7349. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is developing a technical architecture for the future requirements of all agencies. This technical architecture will address the core technologies, productivity enabling technologies, technology supporting business architecture technologies, and telecommunications areas. The areas and the associated elements that are currently under consideration are: (1) Core Technologies: Operating System (O/S), Data Base Management, Interfaces, Security, and Telecommunications Links; (2) Productividy Enabling Technologies: Office Automation, Graphical User Interfaces, and Supporting Hardware; (3) Technology Supporting Business Architecture: Systems Life Cycle Management Methodolgy, Development Environments, and Inventory Control; (4) Telecommunications Architecture: Wide Area Network Architecture, Local Area Network Architecture, Voice, Video, Mobile Access, Satellite, Network Control/Remote Systems Administration, FAX, Router, E-mail, and Internet/Intranet access nodes. Definition of these elements, related requirements, and implementation strategies will be developed in phases. After an initial internal review and clearance process, information about the USDA Technical Architecture will be released for external evaluation on the Internet at address http://wwwaix.fsa.usda.gov/amb/amb.htm. All customers, other government organizations, and private sector entities who do business with USDA now or plan to in the future are invited to periodically assess information on the world-wide website listed as updates to the technical architecture occur. Interested parties may provide comment on the USDA Technical Architecture via electronic mail to techarch@wdc.fsa.usda.gov or by letter to IRM Council Board Architecture Team, USDA, Post Office Box 2415, AG BOX 0580, 14th & Independence Ave., SW, RM 5977, Wash., DC 20250. Regardless of the method of comment chosen, use of commonly available word processing and graphics file formats are requested as part of the response, to facilitate review of the information provided. Vendors currently supporting USDA under open contracts may be contacted directly for information. All vendors are invited to respond to this request for information. Each comment provided will be evaluated for its potential to increase service and reduce the cost of USDA operations, consistent with objectives of the National Performance Review. Final determination of USDA technical requirements is associated with related activity to align business needs, program delivery processes under assessment and appropriate information systems. Specific procurement activities of the Department and its agencies arising from this technical architecture effort will be addressed in a separate forum. (0172)

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