ESC/IYK, 50 Griffiss St., Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-1625

58 -- INTEGRATED BROADCAST SERVICE POC Kathy Munroe, Contracting Officer, 781-271-3989 WEB: ESC Business Opportunities Web Page, http://www.herbb.hanscom.af.mil. E-MAIL: Click Here to E-mail the POC, caseyb@hanscom.af.mil. This is a Request for Information. This synopsis is not to be construed as a commitment by the government to issue a request for proposal or award a contract as a result of this request. This synopsis is for planning purposes only and does not constitute an IFB or an RFP, nor does its issuance restrict the Government as to the ultimate acquisition approach. The Government does not intend to award a contract solely on the basis of this notice, or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. The Information Operations Systems Program Office is seeking information regarding contractors ability to design, develop, integrate, test and field the broadcast segment of the Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS). This is a Joint interest program focused on the dissemination of near real-time intelligence information from sensor to shooter. IBS will develop and implement a robust, flexible dissemination architecture using communications paths available through the Defense Information Infrastructure (DII) and othercommunications systems as developed. The Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS) will be a theater tailored dissemination architecture with global connectivity using a standardized format, fully interoperable with current and programmed tactical and strategic warfare systems. It will provide a near real time interactive network that facilitates sensor to shooter and producer to producer information exchange giving theater commanders more situational awareness thereby improving command and control. IBS will take advantage of existing bandwidth and disseminate data across the frequency spectrum (e.g., Extremely High Frequency (EHF), Super High Frequency (SHF)). This will allow the optimization of the limited Ultra High Frequency (UHF) communications paths to support highly mobile tactical users while retaining the capability to support all users should higher throughput communications not be available. Receivers will be standardized with the Common IBS Modules (CIBS-M) and Joint Tactical Terminals (JTT). IBS will incorporate the best features of several of our "legacy" intelligence broadcast systems including: Tactical Information Broadcast Service (TIBS), Tactical Related Applications Data Dissemination System (TDDS), Near Real Time Data (NRTD), Tactical Related Intelligence eXchange System (TRIXS). It is our goal to reduce stand-alone information management systems. Information management is becoming a central theme of the DOD C2 architecture and is a critical component of IBS. Military commanders operating across the spectrum of military operations require timely and accurate information and intelligence to successfully execute their missions. They use intelligence data to support command and control (C2), weapons delivery, and sensor tasking. Information management capabilities will augment the Commander- in-Chiefs (CINCs) and Joint Task Force (JTF) Commanders intelligence and communications architecture. Effective dissemination of tactical and strategic intelligence requires secure, worldwide data communications and prioritized use of available bandwidth between producers and users at all echelons of command. IBS will incorporate dynamic user defined prioritization and tasking to make the greatest use of available communications bandwidth, optimize use of sensor systems, and obtain the best operational utility. Global Command and Control System (GCCS) compatible capabilities will be identified or developed to assist the theaters in deconflicting and correlating possible data conflicts resulting from routing information from multiple producers into composite channels. Users, with full duplex capability, will have the ability through IBS to query producers and information providers for additional amplifying information. The following is a list of some key IBS features: (a) Permits dissemination of timely intelligence to tactical users, providing threat avoidance, targeting, maneuver, force protection, target tracking, and target/situation awareness; (b) Permits CINCs and selected users to dynamically prioritize, filter,and route information from producers; (c) Permits users to obtain additional amplifying information; (d) Permits producer to producer interaction; (e) Utilizes a common medium independent message format; (f) Utilizes common track/report/event numbers and provides an efficient means for producer to update previously reported tracks/reports/events; (g) Moves bandwidth-intensive UHF SATCOM applications to frequency bands more appropriate for their use, opening up UHF SATCOM bandwidth for highly mobile tactical users; (h) Delivers critical and other essential data as defined by CINCs and selected users to users in accordance with their dissemination requirements; (i) Complies with Department of Defense (DoD), Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), and Congressional Mandates, and adheres to National Policy as it relates to the provision of data on broadcasts to NATO, Allies, or Coalition Partners; (j) System will be capable of handling several levels of secure data simultaneously and will require accreditation for processing secure data. (k) Provides a theater interactive data chat capability. The Government requests interested offerors submit their companies information, not exceed more than ten (10) one-sided pages, with respect to the key features discussed above to ESC/IYK, 50 Griffiss Street, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731, ATTN: Ms. Kathleen Munroe. Any proprietary information should be marked as such. Sources should indicate intent to be either a prime contractor or subcontractor. Sources interested in being a subcontractor should briefly identify relevant experience and expertise only in a two page response. Names and points of contact from each potential subcontractor will be distributed to all interested sources. The ability to manage classified programs and experience in intelligence broadcast systems and integration of COTS and GOTS hardware are preferable but it is the Government's intention not to exclude any commercial vendors. An Industry day is planned for 30-31 March 1999. Visitors are limited to three people per company. Discussions on program requirements, existing broadcasts and associated risks will be conducted. Additionally, the Program Office will be open to conduct one-on-one discussions with those contractors interested in being a Prime Contractor during the two days following the industry day(s). Registration for the Industry Day and one-on-one discussions should be accomplished by calling Lt. Harris, (781) 271-5878, NLT 1600, 23 MAR 99. An offerors library is open and located at the AFRL Library on Hanscom AFB (Bldg. 1103), MA, and will be accessible to contractors by appointment, Monday through Friday, 0830-1600, excluding Government holidays and the first Friday of the month. Appointments must be made at least three (3) days in advance of the desired appointment date. Program status information is available via the Hanscom Electronic Bulletin Board (HERBB). It can be reached via the Hanscom AFB World Wide Web business opportunities page at http://herbb.hanscom.af.mil/. Industry comments and questions will be accepted via e-mail at caseyb@hanscom.af.mil or via direct mail to the contracting officer. Posted 03/03/99 (D-SN304134). (0062)

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