COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY ISSUE OF JULY 18,2000 PSA#2644 U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command Acquisition Center --
Washington Operations Office, 2461 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA
22331-0700 D -- SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT, MAINTENANCE, REUSE, ENGINEERING, TESTING,
AND FIELDING SUPPORT FOR THE GLOBAL COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEM-ARMY
(GCCS-A) DUE 080700 POC Peggy Butler, 703-325-4994 WEB: Army
Interactive Business Opportunity Page, https://abop.monmouth.army.mil.
E-MAIL: Contracting Officer's E-mail Address,
pbutle@hoffman-issaa2.army.mil. The US Army CECOM Acquisition Center --
Washington, in support of PM, GCCS-A is conducting a market survey of
sources that are capable of producing additional software deliveries
and fielding of GCCS-A to user sites. GCCS-A is fundamentally GCCS with
additional ARMY functionality. GCCS-A will support all phases of the
force projection cycle Peacetime Operations, Deliberate Planning,
Crisis Planning and Execution, and Follow-on Operations. The GCCS-A is
the Army implementation of the joint staff sponsored GCCS and a key
element of the Army Battle Command System (ABCS). The mission of GCCS-A
is to extend the GCCS technical architecture into the Services area of
operations, ensure that the intra-Army C2 systems retain maximum
functionality and interoperability, and develop additional
functionality to satisfy the essential requirements of the emerging
21st Century Army doctrine. This is accomplished in several critical
steps: (1) extend the GCCS infrastructure; (2) systematically port the
"best of breed" functionality from the Army's legacy systems into this
infrastructure; (3) enhance this deployed functionality based on user
refinement of mission needs while developing additional functionality
to meet the objective requirements. GCCS-A also provides fielding and
technical support for the Echelons Above Corps (EAC) segment of the
ABCS and an extension down to the Corps/Division level. The GCCS-A
program is synchronized with the development and software release
schedule of the GCCS program and the ABCS software baselines for Army
digitization. Synchronization both with GCCS and ABCS is a key factor
in the GCCS-A development, production, and deployment. The GCCS-A is
being developed based on the GCCS four-layer architecture. The
applications layer (Layer 4) consists of joint applications fielded by
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) in incremental Versions and
Army applications from the legacy AWIS, STACCS and TACCIMS programs.
Additional mission capabilities are provided based on the system
requirements established by the Combat Developer at Ft. Leavenworth and
ideally will be met through software reuse. A prime example would be
using CSSCS functionality to meet the service support and logistics
requirements. Modules developed by the Services and the National
Imagery & Mapping Agency (NIMA) that become part of the DII COE
constitute Layer 3 to insure layer 4 applications are supported. Layer
1, a core suite of hardware, and layer 2, the operating system
software, are Common Hardware and Software (CHS) 2 compliant. In
addition, all capabilities developed in support of the Army
Digitization initiatives, commonly referred to as ABCS software
versions are to be integrated into GCCS-A. These capabilities would
include but not be limited to, the GCCS client Common Operational
Picture (COP), Maneuver Control System (MCS) client (Relevant Common
Picture) and necessary interfaces, [US Message text Format (USMTF),
Joint Variable Message Format, Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
and Message Distributed Exchange (MDX)] are also be to integrated into
GCCS-A. The GCCS-A is being implemented in a client-server
architecture. Sun Microsystems equipment operate as servers and in
selected cases as workstations. INTEL Pentium-based computers are
primarily used as workstations operating in a client mode. CHS 2 Sun
Sparc 20 computers are used for the LAN and WAN Servers. The Sun Sparc
20's will be replaced with more advanced technological models in the
future. CHS 2 Sun Sparc1000/Sun Sparc2000/Enterprise4000 computers
serve as the Database Servers at the Theater Mains. The objective
architecture is structured to provide a backup Database Server at each
Theater Main. CHS 2 Laser Printers and Tactical Scanners are also
being incorporated into the Command, Control, Communications, Computers
and Intelligence (C4I) architecture. Pentium-based Personal Computers
(PCs) are used as the NT Workstation. GCCS-A will use all DII COE
software modules required to achieve mission functional objective
software. Duplication of software development will be eliminated
through maximum use of COTS, non-developmental item (NDI), and reuse of
software modules. GCCS-A is being developed incrementally. The
established length of time between software deliveries is based on the
functionality incorporated into each specific delivery and resource
availability during the development period. Functionality incorporated
into each Delivery, the length of the delivery period, and the
resources applied to each delivery are established by agreement between
the government and the contractor prior to the start of each delivery
via the Delivery Definition Process. Each development cycle is based on
an evolutionary, prototyping approach. Each incremental development is
called a Delivery and the life cycle of a Delivery is termed the
delivery cycle. The content of each delivery is established prior to
the initiation of the delivery by a contractor team that works with the
Government to establish the definition of each delivery in terms of
both content and resourcesrequired to provide the content. There is
normally a three-month period for delivery definition. When definition
is complete, we enter the design phase, which culminates in a Critical
Design Review (CDR). Following the CDR, software is coded and the
entire testing program is initiated. Throughout the delivery life
cycle, product and process metrics are being collected and analyzed to
provide more accurate definition of the changes to the development
process and resources required for follow-on deliveries. The contractor
will integrate all hardware, software and communications to accomplish
the required system functionality. A Local Area Network (LAN) will be
used to link up all the devices within a small geographic area and
connection to a Wide Area Network (WAN) will be made for communication
between large geographic areas. The DISA SECRET Internet Protocol
Router Network (SIPRNET) will serve as the communications backbone for
WAN connectivity and provide global connectivity. The contractor will
identify the required hardware and software for each designated site
location. As defined in the delivery definition process, the contractor
will develop Free Play and Exercise Embedded Training (ET). The
contractor will integrate the ET capabilities into his Lesson Plans and
Trainee Guides. Other forms of ET such as animated examples and
interactive lessons will be evaluated as part of the delivery
definition process, and, if deemed necessary, separate Lesson Plans and
Trainee Guides will be provided for the interactive lessons. Software
User Manuals (SUMs) and Computer System Operator Manuals (CSOMs) will
be provided as on-line documentation aids. The ET capability will be
provided in both an exercise and training mode with separate databases
so that the use of ET does not conflict with operational requirements.
GCCS-A will consist of COTS hardware, NDI, and common hardware capable
of hosting new software releases. The system is being designed to
facilitate operator/maintainer ability to keep the system fully
operational when fielded. Common hardware is being supported under
terms of the CHS 2 contract. COTS hardware is dependent upon the
specifics of the individual, hardware warranties. Commercial warranties
may effect repair using on-site service, parts exchange, or repair and
return methods. The contractor will provide on-site software
maintenance support during the life of the contract. The contractor
will assist in the fixes to any software Delivery. There are 6 separate
Deliveries in this program: CP1 and Deliveries 1-2, which have already
been fielded, Deliveries 3-4, and an enhancement to the strategic
baseline (CP1). Delivery 3 is in-process. CP1, which was a port of AWlS
to the GCCS-A platform, was fielded to FORSCOM, USAREUR, USARPAC,
SOUTHCOM, and HQDA, and declared operational in August 1996. CP1will
also be installed at the Army War College. The contractor shall
research, engineer and develop software enhancements to the strategic
software baseline IAW Program Managers priorities and the applicable
software development standards. The contractor will also research,
engineer and develop web-based general user interfaces to the existing
strategic applications. Delivery 1 is a port of STACCS from the
HP/HP-UX platform to the Sun Solaris platform and was delivered to
USAREUR in August 1997 and is now the system of record. Delivery 2
provides a limited number of legacy STACCS applications, all of TACCIMS
capability, and Army Digitization initiatives operating against the new
GCCS-A Global Database (AGDB) using the Informix Database engine. The
AGDB must be compliant with the Army's Joint Common Database (JCDB)
concept in support of the Army Digitization efforts. These applications
include Friendly Unit Information, Enemy Unit Information,
Intelligence, and Targeting. Most of these applications will operate on
both the Solaris and Windows NT platforms. Selected capabilities may
operate on the Solaris platform or the NT Platform only. Delivery 3
will complete the integration of the legacy STACCS applications into
the AGDB. Delivery 3 will be fielded to all Delivery 1 and Delivery 2
users and will become the single delivery baseline. Delivery 4 will add
additional functionality into the existing GCCS-A baseline. These
applications will be implemented into the AGDB and will operate on both
the Solaris and Windows NT platforms. Delivery 4 will also integrate
new Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES) 2000
functionality, and an Integrated C4I System Framework (ICSF) from GCCS
Version 4.1. Delivery 4 will also support the ABCS Version 7.0
baseline. GCCS-A is the gateway between the ABCS tactical systems and
the joint GCCS. The contractor shall support a series of spiral
development events where new technologies are introduced and integrated
into the baseline within just a matter of two to three weeks, and
sometimes within days, combined with simultaneous testing with the
other ABCS systems, followed by on-the-spot fix and retest activities.
The specific requirements for ABCS integration are very dynamic and
constantly changing. The contractor source must be able to make quick
changes to the software code and minimize risk to the program cost and
schedule. Delivery 4 ABCS Version 7.0 requirements are not yet
sufficiently defined. The source is requested to respond to the
requirement to field Delivery 3, maintain fielded baselines, and
develop and field an enhanced strategic baseline and a Delivery 4. The
source should be a recognized leader in software development
practices, knowledgeable in the Army Major System Development Process,
and possess a proven track record of accomplishments and on time
delivery of software intensive systems. A clear understanding of Army
and Joint software development and fielding support at the DII COE
level 7 or higher and the ability to meet the GCCS-A's challenging
milestone schedules within budgeted cost are essential. The source must
show that they have widely recognized subject matter experts and
knowledgeable technicians in the following areas: the National Imagery
and Mapping Agency (NIMA), DISA, ABCS, commercial mapping products,
DII COE, Windows based mission applications, data replication, UNIX
server and NT client architecture, security accreditation, MACOMs, the
DISA sponsored map engine in ICSF, ADA programming (CP1), C++ and
PowerBuilder programming (Delivery baselines), Cobol, NewEra
perlscripts, Bourne and Korn shells, and GCCS-A External Transaction
Manager (ETM) functionality that provides the bridge between external
data sources (GCCS, JOPES, JTAV, MCS, TBMCS, GSORTS) and internal
GCCS-A functions. Responses are to be received via e-mail, within 20
calendar days of the date of this notice. Responses shall be limited to
no more than 10 pages. Telephone requests for additional information
will not be honored. Interested vendors are to furnish one (1) set of
descriptive literature via e-mail, with response submission. The
supporting literature must be in sufficient detail to enable the
Government reviewer(s) to determine if the development and fielding
process described will accomplish the fielding of Delivery 3 and the
completion of the development and fielding of Delivery 4 not later than
second quarter FY 02. Interested vendors are also requested to provide
three Government-verifiable references for contracts for similar work.
Acknowledgement of receipt will be issued. No information regarding the
results of the evaluation of data received will be provided. Posted
07/14/00 (W-SN474891). (0196) Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0039 20000718\D-0018.SOL)
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