National Imagery and Mapping Agency, 4600 Sangamore Road, Bethesda, MD 20816-5003

A -- GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION INTEGRATED PRODUCT TEAM=92S (GI IPT)= GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE GII 97 REQUIREMENT - SOL BAA POC Contract Specialist Steve Johnson (301) 227-4508 and Contracting Officer, Mary Ann Klaner (301) 227-2235 I. INTRODUCTION. The National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), on behalf of the Geospatial Information Integrated Product Team (GI IPT), is soliciting proposals for the Geospatial Information Infrastructure 97 (GII 97). The purpose of this effort is to gain information about the technologies and procedures necessary to support a comprehensive GII which embodies loosely coupled, highly integrated robust tools enabling performance of dynamic functions and services. The GI IPT also will consider component technologies and products which offer useful and/or innovative solutions that could become part of a comprehensive GII. Construction of GII 97 is an iterative process, following the spiral development plan of the GI IPT. This solicitation is part of the first spiral process for identifying available GII 97 relevant commercial and nondevelopmental technologies. A second spiral, beginning in April is planned. Background information on the GI IPT and the spiral process being used by the GI IPT was provided in the 27 December 1996 edition of the CBD, and also is available on the GI IPT web site at http://164.214.2.57/. The GI IPT has been actively working with industry and academia through the Open GIS Consortium/IPT Task Force conducting market research for commercial and nondevelopmental item technologies and data sources relevant to the GII 2000 requirement. The OGC/IPT Task Force process is open to all interested commercial industry and academic organizations. Information on the OGC/IPT Task Force is available on the OGC web site at http://www.opengis.org/ipt/. GII 2000 functional requirements relevant to this solicitation are contained in Volume 2 of the GI IPT Master Plan draft version 0.2, dated January 1997. The Master Plan is available from the GI IPT web site as listed above. The functional requirements form the basis of the technology and source data matrices being developed in the OGC/IPT Task Force. The technology and source data matrices will match technology solutions and commercially available data sources to individual GII 2000 requirements. Because the technology and source data matrices are an important element of the GI IPT= =92s work, all component technologies and data sources included in proposals answering this solicitation will be included in the technology or data matrix. The first iteration of the technology and source data matrices will be available by 20 February 1997 on the above referenced OGC web site. On 20 and 21 February 1997 there will be a meeting of the OGC/IPT Task Force. An agenda item will be this solicitation. The meeting is open; anyone planning to respond to this solicitation is encouraged to attend. Information on the agenda, meeting location and time will be available on the OGC web site listed above. II. GENERAL INFORMATION. From this solicitation, the GI IPT expects to make multiple awards for potential GII 97 solutions. Proposals should indicate if it represents a comprehensive or component solution. For comprehensive GII solutions, teaming is strongly encouraged. Additionally, the GI IPT strongly encourages the use of the =93Other Transactions=94 authority of 10 U.S.C. 2371, =93Section 845.=94 The =93Section 845=94 authority allows a commercial-type contract to be put in= place for testbed development efforts such as GII 97. Within 30 days of =93award of contract,=94 the technology solutions should be available to install in= the GPF for follow-on =93hands-on=94 evaluation, testing, and feasibility demonstrations. All awards will be based on a best value assessment. The GI IPT expects that each award typically will be: For a basic period to cover the GPF evaluation and technology feasibility demonstration efforts through November 1997, the end of GI IPT period. For an optional Government decision to acquire or lease for one year a successful solution. For an optional Government decision to acquire up to five additional configurations of a solution. At the conclusion of the tests, evaluations, and feasibility demonstrations the Government may also decide to integrate any solution with other existing or emerging GII solutions or systems. The original submitter of successful solution may be requested to provide this support. Results of the awards made for candidate solutions to be demonstrated, and the subsequent results of the evaluation and testing, and feasibility demonstrations conducted in the GPF will be publicly announced. III. CONDITIONS=97GENERAL. This GII 97 solicitation is specifically for four functional GII areas and associated requirements contained in Volume 2 of the GI IPT Master Plan draft version 0.2, January 1997. Potential proposers are advised to read this announcement and the GI IPT web site thoroughly. They explain the GI IPT=92s needs in the four functional areas of concern to this solicitation=97a GII architecture, geospatial information production, geospatial information management & dissemination, geospatial information application. Proposals may be submitted by industry, academia (US institutions of higher education, other than federal government, with degree-granting programs in science and/or engineering) or by consortia or collaborations. Consortia or collaboration proposals must name one principle party as the responsible point-of-contact. Similarly, one member=92s institution or organization will be the primary awardee for purposes of award execution. The relationship among the institutions and their respective roles, as well as the apportionment (i.e. sub-award) of funds among the members, must be described in both the proposal text and budget. IV. REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPOSALS. Prospective proposers are requested to participate in the OGC/IPT Task Force process, in particular the development of the technology and source data matrices described in Part I above. Specifically, all technology or source data components contained in a proposal must also be submitted as technology and source data components for the OGC/IPT Task Force technology and source data matrices. An on-line submission form is available on the OGC web site listed above. a. General. Proposals must be received at the address shown below by 12:00 p.m. E.S.T on Monday, 10 March 1997. Proposers are requested to coordinate their delivery of proposals with Steve Johnson 301-227-4508 or Mary Ann Klaner 301-227-2235. The Government will consider both unclassified and/or classified proposals up to SECRET COLLATERAL for this requirement. Coordination for delivery of all classified proposals shall be made with Mary Ann Klaner. Proposals submitted in whole or in part by electronic media (e.g., facsimile machine, electronic mail) will not be accepted. Proposals received after the deadline will be treated according to Federal Acquisition Regulation part 52.215-10, Sections (a) (1) through (a) (5). Proposals will be evaluated against criteria (1) through (4) in Section V. Persons and resources from MITRE=92s Economic Decision and Analysis Center will= facilitate and support the Government=92s evaluation process of the proposals. MITRE persons will not participate in the evaluation itself. Awards are planned to be in place by about 22 April 1997; this should be cited as the proposed start date for the budget. b. Submission. A proposal signed by appropriate authorized representative officials and marked =93Original,=94= along with 4 copies of the signed original, should be submitted directly to the address listed below. To be eligible for consideration, all copies of the proposal should include a hardcopy of the completed OGC/IPT Task Force technology or data submission form for each component technology or data type included in the proposal. The attached technology and data submission forms are in addition to the rest of the written proposal, and do not count against the total number of pages. The forms are available on-line at the OGC web site listed above. Each proposal should be typed on 8-1/2 by 11 inch paper, using a font size no smaller than 12 points. Proposals should be no longer than 50 single sided pages, all-inclusive (including, for example, cover/signature page, and budget), except for thetechnology and data submission forms. The technical portion should be limited to no more than 30 of the 50 pages. The identification of the proposal as a comprehensive or component solution should be made in the first paragraph of the technical portion. Proposals shorter than 50 pages are encouraged. Separate attachments, such as brochures or reprints, that cause the proposal to exceed 50 pages can render the entire proposal ineligible. A copy of offeror=92s proposal on a single DOS formatted 3.5=94 diskette in Microsoft= Word version 6.0 format for text, graphics, and tables; Microsoft Powerpoint version 4.0 for graphics; and Microsoft Excel version 5.0 for spreadsheets or tables is requested. The address for submission of proposals is: NATIONAL IMAGERY AND MAPPING AGENCY, FY97 GII 97 Spiral I, PCU (D-88), ATTN: Steve Johnson, 4600 Sangamore Road Bethesda, MD 20816. Content. The proposal must be signed, complete, and self-contained to qualify for review. The GI IPT is most interested in a comprehensive GII which embodies loosely coupled, highly integrated robust tools enabling performance of dynamic functions and services. However, the GI IPT also will consider component technologies and products that offer useful and/or innovative solutions which include integrated services and reusable components. Proposals should be marked as either a comprehensive GII solution, or a component GII technology or product. Proposals should include: 1. Cover page: Reference BAA and title; identify individual or team included in proposal; identify principal investigator/program manager; proposal effort title and schedule; type of vehicle proposed; and signature and title of official authorized to obligate contractually, and with whom negotiations should be conducted. The cover page should be included on the original proposal and each of the 4 copies. 2. Abstract: Provide an abstract no longer than one page. 3. Text: The technical portion of the proposal should state in the first paragraph whether the proposal is a comprehensive GII solution or a component GII solution, should be limited to 30 pages, and should: Describe in detail all GII-related systems, products, and services that will be provided by the offeror for installation in and support of the GPF and for use in support of exercises/demonstrations. For GII-related systems and products, the offeror shall identify the vendor and item nomenclature. For services, the offeror shall indicate the nature of the service (such as installation, maintenance, training, engineering support), and the provider of the service (if different from the offeror). Describe in detail each of the GII 97 technical and management evaluation factors included in section V below, indicating how the offered GII-related systems, products, and services will accomplish GII 2000 objectives: Describe the proposed sub-awards or relevant collaborations (planned or in place). If sub-awards, collaborations or consortia are proposed, make clear the division of responsibilities and provide detailed budgets for these.4. Schedule: Provide a schedule that shows the soonest the solution can be installed in the GPF, when training can begin, how long training will take, and when the system will be ready for formal test and evaluation. 5. Management: Describe the qualifications of all organizations involved in the GII 97 solution. For consortia or collaborations, one organization should be designated as the principle point-of-contact. 6. Cost: The financial portion of the proposal, beginning on a new page, should contain cost estimates, based on a firm fixed price, sufficiently detailed for meaningful evaluation, including cost details for any proposed sub-awards. For budget purposes, use an award start date of 22 April 1997. The budget must include any GII-related systems, products, and services that are to be provided but are not included in the firm fixed price, such as any GII-related systems and products that will be provided on loan. The firm fixed price, together with the loan agreements, shall cover all proposed contractor effort during the demonstration period of performance. Also include labor rates and other cost factors that could be used to calculate additional support activities in the GPF, including exercises and demonstrations. The cost should include the total cost of the solution, as well as a breakdown by component technology or source data. The costs should address the base period and optional Government decisions discussed in Section II above. The proposal should include the following cost information for GII-related systems and products that are being provided as a part of the GII 97 solution being proposed, including GII-related systems and products that are included in the firm fixed price and those that are being provided under loan agreement: Cost for all components in the solution. Annual operations/maintenance cost, including upgrades and enhancements for the solution. Amount and type of =93glue code=94 or interface software developed specifically for GPF use= that is not a part of commercially offered GII-related systems and products. User/operator training cost for each required training course. V. EVALUATION CRITERIA AND SELECTION PROCESS: The primary evaluation criteria are the technical criteria. Other evaluation criteria, of lesser importance, but equal to each other, are management and the realism and reasonableness of cost. Technical Evaluation Criteria -- There are three and all three are of equal importance. GII 2000 requirements satisfaction. The degree to which comprehensive solutions or component technology or data solutions demonstrate satisfaction of the GII 2000 functional requirements in three functional areas=97information production, information management & dissemination, information application. Subcriteria include: Information production functional requirements for GII 2000. Information management & dissemination functional requirements for GII 2000. Information application functional requirements for GII 2000. Systems engineering and architecture. The architectural considerations, as defined by IEEE 610.12 (structure of components, their interrelationship, and the principles and guidelines governing their design and evolution over time); and engineering/design of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements that together form a complex whole, a =93system.=94 Subcriteria include: Architectures: The= extent to which the technical architecture identifies the services, interfaces, standards, and their relationship; the system architecture defines (see what=92s already written, up to but not including the sections on= =93additional weight will be given.=94). Security -- Extent to which the proposal demonstrates that the system can satisfy appropriate security directives for the security level of the data being used. [NOTE: If the proposal does not cover a complete system, but only a component or components of a system, then the proposal will be evaluated for the extent that the component(s) will not cause a system that satisfied a class of protection defined in the DoD standard to fail to be able to provide that class of protection.] Additional consideration will be given to proposals that meet or exceed accepted DoD standard levels for data security. Integration -- The arrangement of components or systems in an architecture so that they function together in an efficient and logical way. At a minimum proposals should demonstrate the use of common services and standard interfaces, especially public API=92s. Additional consideration will be given to proposals that comply or nearly comply with the integration requirements of DII COE level 5. Interoperability -- The ability of the system to provide services to and services from other systems, enabling them to operate effectively. At a minimum, the proposal should internally use consistent data formats. Additional consideration will be given to systems that interoperate with one or more other systems, with the greatest emphasis given to systems that interoperate at the system and product levels with all other systems. Ease of use -- Human computer interface provides for ease of operation. At a minimum the proposal should have a graphical user interface (GUI). Additional consideration will be given for proposals that comply with standard GUI interfaces such as Windows or MOTIF; for having on-line help files, useful error messages, and robust operation; and for complying with the HCI style guide requirements for DII COE level 5. Work Flow -- Addresses the number of steps required for process completion, the efficiency of those steps, and the flexibility of task completion. At a minimum it should not disrupt other automated or manual work flow. Greater consideration will be given to proposals that provides multiple paths to accomplish end-to-end work flow by allowing user selection of appropriate sequences; allowing intelligent use of information for multiple processes; allowing for multiple collaborative users. Component Potential in An Integrated Solution. These criteria will be used for component technology and source data solutions. Subcriteria include: Potential for the component or data to add value to a GII solution. Ability for the component to be adaptive (i.e. integratable, and interoperable) to a proposed GII solution. Ability to create a new comprehensive or mostly comprehensive GII solution by being adaptive with other component technology and/or data solutions. 2. Management evaluation criteria. There are two which are of equal value. a. Corporate commitment to open geographic information systems processing. The degree to which the offeror is committed to the marketing of open solutions for geographic information systems processing. b. Past performance/corporate reputation for product quality, support and timeliness. 3. Cost evaluation criteria include cost realism and cost reasonableness for the immediate procurement as well as over the life cycle. The options identified in Part II, above, will be part of the evaluation. Evaluation Process. Evaluation teams will review the proposals using the criteria in this Section and supported by the facilitators and resources of the MITRE Economic and Decision Analysis Center, using best value process. MITRE persons will be involved in the Government evaluation, however they will not be an evaluator nor vote in any manner during the evaluation process. Findings of the evaluation teams will be reviewed by senior GI IPT managers. VI. AWARDS. Awards will be made at funding levels commensurate with the commercial technology solutions being demonstrated and the Government=92s need for successful demonstration of GII 97 solutions. Awards will be made only if one or more sufficiently meritorious proposals are received. The GI IPT reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received in response to this announcement. No other request for proposal or other solicitation for GII97 Spiral I will be made. In an effort to optimize streamlined technical and business approaches, DoD Agencies have recently been delegated authority to conduct prototype development outside the normal constraints of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). NIMA is permitted to consider usage of =93Other Transactions=94 authority of 10 U.S.C. 2371, =93Section 845=94, Authority to Carry Out Certain Prototype Projects for= this requirement. This authority permits offerors to propose more flexible non-procurement arrangements or non-Federal Acquisition Regulation contracts for Section 845 prototype agreements. The Government will also entertain offers for technology demonstration under Bailment Agreements in addition to the standa (0017)

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