Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, 4301 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92110-3127

D -- UHF SATCOM OFF-LOAD DEMONSTRATION SOL N00039-00-R-3218 DUE 061500 POC Kim Tu at (619) 524-7182 or Pam Kibler at (619) 524-7192 WEB: Click here to access the SPAWAR Business Opportunities, http://e-commerce.spawar.navy.mil. E-MAIL: Click here to contact the contract specialist via, tuk@spawar.navy.mil. The purpose of this Commercial Area Announcement (CAA) is to obtain information to aid in developing a Request for Commercial Offering (RCO) to conduct a demonstration. This demonstration will off-load shipboard communication circuits from Ultra-High Frequency military satellite communications (UHF SatCom) to a commercial solution. The RCO will procure the services and equipment required to conduct the demonstration described in this CAA. The Navy Ultra-High Frequency Satellite Communications System provides satellite communications between designated mobile units and shore sites. These links supply worldwide coverage between the latitudes of 70 degrees north and 70 degrees south. Two satellite constellations are currently in use: Fleet Satellite Communications (FLTSATCOM) and UHF Follow-On (UFO). The Navy intends to conduct a series of demonstrations wherein information that is currently communicated via UHF SatCom connectivity to ships is communicated via alternative commercial means. Phase I of this demonstration will exercise this alternative commercial connectivity to a single ship. The objective of Phase I is to demonstrate, in realistic operational scenarios, the ability to route all UHF SatCom circuits for a single ship over a commercial alternative path. The degree of success for the demonstration will be measured by the ability to divorce the ship from existing UHF SatCom connectivity during the test period. All information and connectivity with other fleet units normally communicated to the ship over UHF SatCom must be provided via alternative commercial means. Information typically communicated via UHF SatCom connectivity includes voice, secure voice, and data. Systems that utilize UHF SatCom connectivity normally include: -- Battle Group Command Net -- A secure voice net. -- Link Coordination -- Secure voice at 2400 bps. -- Fleet Broadcast -- System employing 15 encrypted message sub-channels operating at 75 bps each. -- HICOM (Secure Voice) -- The Secure Voice subsystem enables the transmission of ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and shore-to-shore voice communications at 2400 bps. -- OTCIXS (Officer in Tactical Command Information Exchange Subsystem) -- The OTCIXS is a network subsystem that allows fixed and mobile platforms to exchange data in a half-duplex manner at 2400 bps. -- TADIXS A (Tactical Data Information Exchange Subsystem A) -- TADIXS A is primarily a shore-to-ship broadcast message link at 2400 or 4800 bps. -- TADIXS B (Tactical Data Information Exchange Subsystem B (TRE)) -- TADIXS B operates in a manner similar to TADIXS A -- SSIXS/SI SSIXS (Submarine Satellite Information Exchange Subsystem) -- SSIXS allows the submarine to receive satellite-transmitted messages at scheduled intervals with data rates of 2400 or 4800 bps. -- BGIXS II (Battle Group Information Exchange System) -- The BGIXS II provides capability for direct, two-way, tactical communication between deployed battle group units and submarines at 4800 or 9600 bps. -- TACINTEL II (Tactical Intelligence Subsystem) -- The TACINTEL II system provides automated, high-speed, nets for transmission and receipt of Special Intelligence (SI) sensor data among forces afloat and ashore at 2400 bps. -- CUDIXS (Common User Digital Information Exchange Subsystem) -- Operating at 2400, 4800, or 9600 bps, CUDIXS handles message traffic. During the conduct of this demonstration, information contained in the systems listed must be communicated to and from the demonstration vessel via alternative commercial means. Such means may include commercial satellite communications, but any type of commercial solution may also be included and is encouraged. Phase I of this demonstration will be a minimum of 30 days of continuous underway time and is scheduled to be completed prior to 31 December 2000. Phase II of this demonstration is planned to follow Phase I. The objective of Phase II is to demonstrate in realistic operational scenarios the ability to route all UHF SatCom circuits for a Battle Group (approximately 12 ships) over a commercial alternative path. During Phase II of this demonstration, it is envisioned that the deploying Battle Group will be permitted no UHF SatCom connectivity during an entire 6-month deployment. The degree of success for the demonstration will be measured by the ability to divorce the Battle Group from existing UHF SatCom connectivity during the test period. The Navy intends to complete Phase II of this demonstration prior to 31 December 2001. Numerous details regarding Phases I and II of this demonstration have not yet been determined, including the type of ship for Phase I, locations of the phases, and the number and type of contracts, if any, that will be awarded to facilitate both phases. Prospective offerors are requested to provide cost, schedule, and performance data associated with carrying out this demonstration, as well as the means to be employed. In addition to describing technical means, prospective offerors should describe concepts of operation and risks, including both probability of occurrence and severity of consequence for specific risks. Offerors are also requested to provide documentation regarding corporate capabilities for accomplishing the demonstration objectives. Prospective offerors will have an opportunity to provide a 2-hour oral presentation of their response to the CAA, but oral presentations are not required. The Government will notify the prospective offeror of the date and time it may provide an oral presentation of its CAA response at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command in San Diego, CA. Any CAA response shall not constitute a legally binding offer. Parties interested in responding to this CAA should submit a response by email (preferred) or hard copy to Ms. Kim Tu (tuk@spawar.navy.mil) by 15 June 2000. Please provide these responses in contractor format, and include the name, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address of your company's designated point-of-contact for this matter. The Government will entertain questions pertaining to the CAA through 9 June 2000. All questions should be submitted via email to Ms. Kim Tu. Mailing address for Ms. Kim Tu is Commander, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), 4301 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92110-3127, Attn: Contracts Office, Ms. Kim Tu, SPAWAR 02-32L, OT4, Room 1038. The Navy and support contractors will review all written comments. All information received will be properly secured and protected by the Navy. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and must be marked. To aid Navy planners, please segregate proprietary information. Prospective offerors are encouraged to execute proprietary data agreements with Navy support contractor, Maxim Systems, Inc., but such agreements are not required. If a prospective offeror does not execute such an agreement, Maxim Systems and its employees will not be given access to that company's proprietary data. POC for Maxim is Mr. Kurt Fiscko, (619) 574-2304, kfiscko@maximsys.com. Please be advised that all submissions become government property. The information provided in this CAA is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Navy has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed and release of this CAA should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. This is a Commercial Area Announcement (CAA) {which is similar to a DoD Request for Information (RFI)}. It is not a Request for Commercial Offering (RCO), {which is a Commercial version of a DoD Request for Proposal (RFP)} of any kind and is not intended to guarantee procurement of these services. Further, the Navy is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondees are advised that the Navy and/or the Department of Defense will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this CAA. All costs associated with responding to this CAA will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this CAA does not preclude participation in any future CAA or RCO's related to this project. Posted 05/22/00 (W-SN457434). (0143)

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