Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of Acquisition Management, 700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22202

58 -- COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT SOL DEA-98-B-0002 POC Lisa Taylor, Contract Specialist, (202) 307-7820 Sources Sought -- The Drug Enforcement Administration has a requirement to monitor multiple microwave video transmitters from a central location. The Microwave Automated Repeater System (MARS) will satisfy this requirement. The MARS consists of a number of subsystems. The Antenna/Receiver subsystem is a steerable, high gain antenna mounted closely to a single or multi channel microwave receiver, which receives video and audio from remote microwave transmitters. The Downlink subsystem transmits audio and video from the Antenna/Receiver subsystem to the monitoring location. The Monitoring Station subsystem displays the audio and video from the Downlink subsystem and provides operator control for the entire MARS system. Multiple Antenna/Receiver and Downlink subsystems may be controlled from a single Monitoring Station. Installation and maintenance support is also required for MARS. MARS SYSTEM -- The MARS is operated as an "end to end" system. As such, it must operate in a "seamless" fashion from the operator's perspective. The system must be controlled with a minimum of commands during normal operation which are intuitive in nature. No formal training shall be required to perform basic operations. The system must be capable of receiving audio and video from DEA's existing L and S band transmitters without degradation over much longer ranges than currently possible with low gain antennas. ANTENNA/RECEIVER SUBSYSTEM -- The Antenna/Receiver subsystem (A/R) has one or more high gain antenna(s) mounted to a panning and tilting device(s) to allow the antenna(s) to "look" over a wide area. A single or multi-channel, frequency agile, synthesized receiver is mounted in close proximity to the antenna(s). The A/R is normally installed outdoors, exposed to the elements and must be capable of functioning in all weather conditions. DOWNLINK SUBSYSTEM -- The Downlink Subsystem (D) transmits the audio and video from the A/R to the Monitoring Station. A variety of D's are required to suit individual installations. The transmission media used by the D include, but are not limited to, C band microwave, coaxial cable and fiber optics. The transmission distance will vary widely with each installation and range from less than one hundred (100) feet to more than twenty-five (25) miles. The transmit end of the D must be capable of servicing from one (1) to eight (8) separate video singnals, each with high fidelity, stereo audio. The transmit end of the D must be capable of interfacing with multiple A/Rs. MONITORING STATION SUBSYSTEM -- The Monitoring Station (MS) subsystem is the operator interface for the MARS system. All normal operational functions and controls must be available to the operator. Since the operation is not normally expected to be a technically trained individual, the operation of the system must be straightforward and intuitive. Audio/video sources should be selected from a menu by a descriptive phrase, which automatically positions the antenna and tunes the receiver to the correct frequency. The MS must be able to display and record the audio and video selected. Multiple channel systems must be able to display multiple audio and video signals simultaneously. The MS will typically be installed indoors, in an area with limited space. INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT -- Extensive installation support services are required. The Contractor is required to assist in the selection of A/R and D sites. The Contractor will provide realistic estimations of operational coverage. The Government will provide the location of the MS at the time of installation. The Contractor will be responsible for the physical installation of all equipment. The Contractor will be responsible for maintenance for the life of the equipment. All interested parties must submit a capabilities statement within thirty days of this notice. It is expected that equipment meeting DEA's requirements is available as "commercial off the shelf (COTS). Therefore a two (2) step invitation for bid (IFB) is planned. The first step will be an evaluation of bid samples and technical proposals from Offerors. Only Offerors that successfully complete the first step will be considered for the second step. The second step will be the request for prices, each bid in the second step must be based on the bidder's own technical proposals. (0308)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0195 19971106\58-0006.SOL)