U.S. Information Agency, Office of Contracts, 301 4TH STREET SW, Room M27, Washington, DC 20547

70 -- NEWSROOM PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOL B/PA-99-126 DUE 051499 POC Mr. Jim Sullivan, B/PA/AC, Facsimile Number: (202) 260-0855 E-MAIL: Click here to contact the Contracting Officer via, sullivan@ibb.gov. The USIA International Broadcasting Bureau (USIA/IBB) requires a commercial, off-the-shelf, "Newsroom Production Management System (NPMS)" for its VOA radio service. This NPMS consists primarily of computer software & associated peripheral equipment, user licenses, training, documentation, & on-site support. The NPMS software will be installed on existing client PC workstations & server computers at IBB's Washington, DC HQs, 3 Regional News Centers, & several field locations. USIA/IBB's intends to procure this NPMS IAW FAR Parts 6, 8, 12, 13, and 38. This synopsis announces the minimum capabilities that USIA/IBB intends to meet via a GS schedule procurement. This combined CBD Notice/Solicitation (RFQ) is for Commercial Items & is prepared IAW FAR 12.6, as supplemented with information in this Notice; which constitutes the only solicitation for the below-listed NPMS items. Quotations are herein being requested, & a separate written solicitation (RFQ) will not be issued. For the purpose of this RFQ, all references to "offers" mean "quotations", & all applicable FAR Provisions & Clauses, up through FAC 97-11, are incorporated by reference into this RFQ. The Contracting Officer (C.O.) has determined that this procurement is appropriate for an "unrestricted" procurement pursuant to FAR 19.502. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which will be considered by the Government. The NPMS components to be procured are as follows: A. DELIVERABLES. For its Washington, DC HQs, IBB requires the following items: a) software for 3 redundant, load-sharing, file-server computers; b) site-licensing for client software installation on user PCs; c) floating-licensing for system access by 125 simultaneous PC clients; d) floating-licensing for read-only access to story-files via an Internet Browser for 250 simultaneous PC users; e) 1 System Administrator (S.A.) per site; f) interface/control hardware & software for 24 serial communication (comm.) devices (intake of 16 wire services & output of machine control); g) 5 days training for each of the 5 S.A.s; h) 5 days training for 10 Client Trainers; i) 200 client User Manuals; and j) 25 days of on-site installation, integration, & configuration support. For its 3 Regional News Centers, IBB requires the following items: k) software for a pair of mirrored file- server computers at each site; l) floating-licensing for system access by 30 simultaneous PC clients (cumulative); m) floating-licensing for read-only access to story files via an Internet browser for 15 simultaneous PC users (cumulative); n) one System Administrator client per site; o) interface/control hardware & software for 16 serial comm. devices (intake of wire services & machine control) (cumulative); p) 5 days of training for each of 3 System Administrators, one of which is to be trained in London, UK; q) 50 each client User Manuals; r) 5 days of on-site installation, integration, & configuration support in Wash., DC; s) 3 days of on-site installation support in NY, NY; and t) 3 days of on-site installation support in London, UK. B. DELIVERIES & PERFORMANCE. IBB requires delivery of all client & server software, including User Manuals, within 30 days of a purchase/delivery order (PO/DO) award. Training shall be completed within 60 days thereof, & installation support at Wash., DC shall start upon delivery of the software & shall be completed within 120 days thereafter. All work shall be completed within 120 calendar days of PO/DO award. C. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS. The software delivered, when installed on the above-specified client PC & file-server equipment, shall provide a NPMS that fully meets all of the following salient characteristics: C1. System Protocols: The NPMS shall utilize the TCP/IP protocol suite, for use over both ATM & Ethernet physical network transports. The server operating system shall provide support for Network Information Service standard for authentication & host name resolution. Remote access shall be via LANand WAN using Point-to-Point Protocol. C2. Server Software: Server software shall incorporate: a) automatic client load-sharing across multiple servers at each site; b) mirrored database for automatic cutover in event of individual server failure at each site; c) automatic mirroring of specified Directories/Folders/Queues (DFQ) on all servers across WAN (4 sites, minimum); d) automatic file-refresh capablity across mirrored servers & to active clients; e) automatic archiving of story-files to 1 or more external storage systems; f) manual tape backup facility with ability to backup database, site configuration files, or system software; and g) Web-based, read-only browsing of server files & their structure, with security features. C3. System Inputs: The NPMS shall: a) capture, sort, & present at least 24 news wire-services; b) provide incoming wire-copy flow/sort based on copy-type & keyword search; & c) capture of copy composed at or imported into system client PC workstations. C4. SystemOutputs: The NPMS shall provide: a) local (network) printing from PC workstations, using Windows-defined printer characteristics; b) one or more dedicated formatted script-printers with multiple, user-defined printing formats; c) at least 2 house "news-wire" serial data-streams, with automatic numbering & dispersal of stories cleared thereto; d) interfaces for teleprompter & character generator equipment; e) machine-control interfaces for on-air operations; f) HTML automated export for Internet publishing; and g) automatic forwarding of files from DFQs so configured. C5. System Administration. The NPMS shall include: a) the ability to assign S.A. rights to several individuals; b) administrative access through client PC workstation interface; c) the ability to assign individual users to one or more workgroups; d) multitier DFQ hierarchy mgmt.; e) file-refresh intervals, adjustable from immediate to 10 sec.; f) incoming wire-copy flow/sort assignable to individuals &/or workgroups; g) read, write, & notification rights assignable for any work DFQ; h) ability to assign kill/purge dates by workgroup, wire service, or DFQ; i) an archiving DFQ with adjustable purge limits; j) the ability to assign rights to users for both full & Web access sessions independently to each user; k) permissions for Web-based access to all server files & structures configurable for each user; l) definition of story data-fields by template or DFQ; m) the ability to write automation scripts on servers to customize common work-flow issues; n) creation of group & user-specific buttons to run macros to automate repetitive client tasks; o) creation of forms-based information display formats; p) establishment of sort order for all DFQs; and q) customization of story alert aural & visual characteristics. C6. Client Software: Applications resident on workstation PCs shall meet the following requirements: a) Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Client OS; b) Windows cut & paste, drag & drop fully supported, including between client applications; c) user-defined keyboard macros & customizable button-bars; d) user-defined window sizes & positions, maintained on log-out; e) multiple split-screen mode with source & compose fields above/below or side-by-side; f) multiple session configurations for each user to support multiple job functions; g) capability of opening MS Word & MS Excel from within the client operating environment using single icon click & cut/paste interchange; h) secure logon separate from network logon; i) mark & print multiple wire-items or entire DFQ; j) audible & visual story-alerts; and k) all versions of stories retrievable. C7. Text Processor. This application with the integrated client suite shall provide: a) basic word-processing functions; b) Latin character set support; c) colorized scripting mode for comments, prompter, etc., not added into time-count; c) import/export ASCII, rich text (RTF), & HTML formats; d) automatic text-timing with customizable individual read-rates; e) spell-checker; f) edit, order & user-definable key-locks for individual stories; g) complete workgroup simultaneous viewing & automatic file display refresh capability; & h) document format copying with forced retitling. C8. Show Line-Ups/Rundowns: This integrated client application shall provide: a) rundown data-columns defined by templates within directory/folder/queue; b) show-templates that are overwrite-protected; c) late-run stories added to show in-progress shall appear in designated color; d) show-timing & back-timing with starting, running, & remaining times displayed; e) ability to pull story from timing while remaining on screen (float); & f) automatic export of "as run" show logs. C9. Searches. Search capabilities within the integrated client application shall include: a) definable range (i.e., wires, DFQ, rundowns, archives, all sources); b) user-specified criteria (i.e., keywords, date-range, source-range); & c) display of results: slug-line & whole text, displayed within 5 seconds of query initiation. C10. Story Assignment & Workflow: The integrated client application shall provide: a) notification of "House Urgent" messages to all users by means of audio & flashing video on PC workstations; b) assignment of multiple personnel IDs as story attributes (e.g., writer, editor, presenter, etc.); c) assignment, completion, deadline & approval time/date story attributes; d) drag & drop story routing (i.e., clearances, etc.); e) DFQ with out read-rights do not appear on workscreen; & f) last revision tracking saved with story. C11. Editorial Control. The client application software shall provide: a) a list of written stories awaiting review; b) multilevel review/clearance control; c) security control (locking) of cleared content; d) editor ID/date data-fields in story record; e) notification to all users when a story is cleared; & f) the ability to assign priority levels to stories with color & audible alarms. The Provisions at FAR 52.212-1 & FAR 52.212-3, and the Clause at FAR 52.212-4 are applicable to this procurement. FAR Clause 52.212-5 is incorporated by reference into this RFQ; with only the following Provisions within FAR Clause 52.212-5 applying to this procurement: 52.222-26; 52.222-35; 52.222-36; 52.222-37; 52.225-18; and 52.225-21, Alt. I. The Provisions at FAR 52.225-20, Alt. I, and FAR 52.247-34 are also applicable to this procurement. Evaluation: The Government intends to award a PO/DO resulting from this RFQ to the responsible quoter whose quotation, conforming to this RFQ, is the lowest price & most advantageous to the Government; specifically considering past performance & technical capabilities. To be technically acceptable, quoters submitting "or equal" items must furnish product literature that demonstrates that the products offered meet or exceed the above-stated requirements. Quoters responding to this RFQ shall submit to the C.O. the following information by FAX or mail as part of their quotation: unit & extended prices for the above-listed items, prompt payment terms, remittance address if different from the quoter's mailing address, & a completed copy of the Provision at FAR 52.212-3. A company not having the above-stated FAR Clauses/Provisions in full text may contact the C.O. for this procurement & upon request, a copy of the requested Clause(s) or Provision(s) will be facsimiled to the company. Quotations shall be in writing, & they shall include completed Reps. & Certs. or they will be rejected. Oral quotations will not be accepted. Any questions (technical or otherwise) related to this proposed procurement shall be in writing & be sent directly & only to the C.O., Mr. Jim Sullivan, for this procurement. All quotations MUST be received by the C.O., NLT COB (5 pm EST), Friday, May 14, 1999, via either FAX at (202) 260-0855 or by mail to the above-stated address. All quotations shall reference this RFQ # B/PA-99-126. Posted 04/16/99 (W-SN321442). (0106)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0284 19990420\70-0002.SOL)