NATIONAL DISTRESS SYSTEM MODERNIZATION PROJECT (NDSMP) The US Coast Guard (CG), plans to expand its market research efforts by conducting one-on-one discussions and other communications with firms interested in participating in the National Distress System Modernization Project (NDSMP). This is a major system acquisition project to upgrade/modernize the current VHF-FM-based NDS. The existing NDS enables CG to monitor the international VHF-FM distress frequency (CH16), coordinate search and rescue operations, communicate with commercial and recreational vessels, and provide C3 (Command, Control, and Communications) for CG units performing missions in coastal and inland waterways. The CG anticipates a multiphase formal source selection acquisition under OMB Circular A-109 (4/5/76) procedures. CG desires to streamline and improve acquisition activity by providing information to industry as early as practical and throughout the acquisition process. Currently CG is posting relevant NDSMP documents on the Internet. Documents may be added to the Internet site periodically with no additional notification of their posting. CG anticipates advising industry of the high level NDSMP Acquisition Strategy through posting on the Internet and by a subsequent CBD announcement. Firms are encouraged to download and read the project documents posted on the Internet, inform CG of their interest in participating in the NDSMP and comment on the technical and acquisition concerns raised in the NDSMP documents. The target audience for this notice are firms with experience in integration of communications systems (system integration), original equipment manufacturers, and communications service providers. CG defines a systems integrator as a prime contractor working with other private or public sources on a system, whose function is total responsibility for integrating the products/processes/subsystems/components furnished by those service/commodity sources into a total system. Interested parties may present their comments either during one-on-ones, through a written submission (electronic or paper), or in video format. Prior to submitting comments on NDSMP issues or posted documents, firms are encouraged to send a concise corporate letter of introduction and interest in NDSMP, describing who they are, their experience in the communications industry, and what they may have to offer the NDSMP. Firms with no significant experience in systems integration, original equipment manufacturing, or communications services must state their company's specific benefits to the NDSMP. One-on-one sessions will last approximately 2-3 hours, inclusive of up to 90 minutes for industry presentations, followed by a question and answer period. Participating firms may submit a concise advance written response concerning issues posted on the Internet prior to their scheduled meeting. All one-on-one discussions will be confidential. CG will not disclose individual firms' responses to this Notice, including their written, oral or video communications of concepts, recommendations, market projections, other data or questions. However, firms responding to this Notice must clearly indicate any unusual data rights restrictions on information presented to CG by verbal, written or videographic means. All meetings will be held at CG Headquarters, Washington, DC. Firms electing not to have a one-on-one meeting may submit a video of up to 60-90 minutes duration or written response of not more than 15 pages by electronic or regular mail. In mid-June, the CG will post issues on the internet which the CG encourages all firms to focus their attention in preparing their presentations for one-on-ones, videos, and/or written responses. The desired outcome from this effort is to assist the CG in leveraging its acquisition strategy by expanding CG's understanding of the current and emerging state of the communications market, its trends, and practices; and receiving feedback on the planned acquisition strategy. CG intends to review and analyze all data submitted. However, due to resource limitations, CG reserves the right to determine with which firms to meet. Furthermore, separate, formal responses to the information, questions or recommendations of individual firms or of industry as a whole will not be provided unless discussed in and germane to a scheduled one-on-one meeting, except as necessary to effectively conduct this market research effort. The projected sequence of events is: (1) Firms submit letters of interest and indicate desired forum of communications within 2 weeks of this announcement; (2) Concurrently, in mid-June, the CG will post NDSMP issues on the internet to be addressed during the one-on-ones, videos, and/or written responses. Additionally a subsequent CBD describing the NDSMP acquisition strategy will be issued; (3) CG responds to letters of interest within approximately 2 weeks of receipt and plans logistics for one-on-ones by late-June; (4) CG will conduct one-on-ones from mid-July through end of September 97; (5) Firms may submit written/video responses in lieu of one-on-ones by end of August 97. Respond by e-mail to: eevans@comdt.uscg.mil; telefaxes to 202.267.4019/Attn: Elois Evans; first class mail to: Commandant (G-ACS-5/ee/nds), US Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street, SW, Washington, DC 20593-0001. The CG's Research and Development Center's (R&DC) Internet site where documents related to the NDSMP can be found is: http://comms.rdc.uscg.mil/NDSmod/NDS.html. The CG reserves the right to conduct follow-up meetings with industry, if required, for market research only. NDSMP project personnel will not release source selection or procurement sensitive documents nor provide information or documentation on other CG projects referenced in NDSMP documents. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) AND IN NO WAY COMMITS THE GOVERNMENT TO AWARD A CONTRACT.

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