DISA/D211, 5113 Leesburg Pike, Room 428, Falls Church, VA 22041

D -- DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS NETWORK VIDEO SERVICES -- GLOBAL II (DVS -- G II) DUE 083100 POC Mr. Aaron Tilock, Contract Specialist, (703) 681-6985; or Mr. Peter G. Smingler, Contracting Officer, (703) 681-0526 E-MAIL: Click here to reach the Contract Specialist via e-mail, tilocka@ncr.disa.mil. The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)/Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO) hereby issues the following Request For Information (RFI) regarding global video teleconferencing services. A. PURPOSE: The DISA Defense Digital Video Service (DDVS) Program Management Office seeks information for the provision of a global digital video conferencing service incorporating advanced technologies for the Department of Defense (DoD). The information gathered from this RFI will assist in the development of strategic alternatives for (a) future Request for Proposal(s). B. INTENT: The RFI is intended to gather information about the availability of technology/products in the market that will fulfill anticipated requirements for video conferencing services. Information submitted in response to this RFI will become the property of DISA. DISA will not be obligated to pursue any particular acquisition alternative as a result of this RFI. Proprietary information or trade secrets should beclearly identified. DISA will not pay for information provided, and is not liable for any costs incurred by the vendor in response to this RFI. Price quotes are not required, however, general cost estimates are appreciated to assist in planning. Cost estimates provided will not be binding in the vendor. C. BACKGROUND: Video Teleconferencing (VTC) is considered a critical element of DoD Command and Control (C2). The use of video conferencing in day-to-day operations of the DoD includes CINC execution of war plans and exercise plans, military training, simulation, and general unit command and operation. Regular system users include the National Command Authority and Military Service leaders. DISA is assigned responsibility for providing video teleconferencing (VTC) capabilities for the Department of Defense (DoD) for command and control (C2). These services are separate from services for non-C2 functions that are supported by the Federal Telecommunications Service contracts. The current video services contractincludes video hub services to provide video, audio and data bridging; speed matching; hub bandwidth management; conference scheduling; conference set-up and control; security services including access controls, encryption and secure conferences; limited problem isolation; and other related services. The current contract does not include end-user equipment maintenance and support or customer conference room operations. Transmission and network bandwidth management is provided by other related contracts. A concept for an end-to-end video conferencing service with multiple service level options is being considered. In such a system, DoD customers could choose a level of service needed to support their operational environment. Services may range from a multipoint conferencing hub service to a complete end-to-end service including customer site operations. Conferencing systems may include studio, fixed, desktop, mobile and deployable systems and related installation or maintenance services. Over the life of the service, periodic technology insertions would be expected to maintain standards-based services and to incorporate emerging video conferencing and related technologies. D. DESIRED INFORMATION: DISA desires information on industry capabilities to support the services and features listed below. This list is neither detailed nor all-inclusive, but is representative of the type of services DISA expects the defense digital video teleconferencing service to provide. DISA will consider responses to this request for information in defining system requirements and alternatives. DISA is aware that some customization may be required to meet specific C2 requirements. FEATURES:  Support for integrated video, audio, and data conferencing.  Compliance with the latest industry profile and standards for video teleconferencing including consideration for support of H.320, H.321, H.323, H.310 and related standards.  Compliance with industry standards for data conferencing including T.120 andrelated standards.  Support for conferencing among users on multiple network accesses including T1, ISDN, IP and ATM networks. Networks may include Defense Information Systems Network (DISN), DISN Switched Digital Services (DSN), Nonsecure IP Router Network (NIPRNET), Secure IP Router Network (SIPRNet), DISN ATM, FTS2000, FTS2001, and commercial ISDN.  Support for point-to-point and multi-point conferencing among diverse end points including support for interactive, teleseminar, and telebroadcast services, with full duplex audio and video using a variety of compression standards. Support for all forms of video conferencing applications: teleconference, teletraining, telemedicine, tele-maintenance and similar applications.  Provides a variety of conferencing equipment suites including configurations for studio, room, desktop, mobile, satellite and deployable environments.  Provides installation and maintenance options for customer location equipment.  Interface with European or other host nation networks and standards.  Video and audio format and compression conversions and transcoding, continuous presence.  Variable data rates and speed matching.  Features to enhance reliability and survivability to support C2.  Support for classified conferences at different security levels including Unclassified, Sensitive But Unclassified, and Classified (Secret and Top Secret).  Incorporate an automated interactive scheduling and reservation system with worldwide accessibility. Support for both on-demand and scheduled conferences.  Integrated network management including fault isolation management. Detailed requirements will be promulgated in (a) future RFP(s). DISA solicits information from industry about capabilities and services that can be supported as well as information about potentially qualified providers of these system capabilities. This information will assist DISA in alternatives definition and system planning and budgeting. Comments in response to this RFI should be submitted not later than 31 August 2000 to Mr. Aaron Tilock, DISN Contracting Office, Room 302, Skyline 4, 5113 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041, using MS Word 7.0, on CD-ROM. Comments received after that date may not be considered. Proprietary information should be identified as such. Responses to the RFI SHALL include the Company Name, Street Address, City, State, NINE-Digit zip code, Point of Contact (POC), POC Telephone and facsimile numbers, Company Size (large or small business) and Status (women or veteran owned). If the company address includes a post office box, the complete street address must also be provided. Standard Industrial Code (SIC) 4899 will be used for determining company size status. ALL inquiries regarding the DVS -- G II shall be submitted electronically. The point of contact for technical issues concerning this announcement is Major Eric Bellows, USAF, at bellowse@ncr.disa.mil. The points of contact for contractual issues are Mr. Aaron Tilock, Contract Specialist, at tilocka@ncr.disa.mil; or Mr. Peter G. Smingler, Contracting Officer at sminglep@ncr.disa.mil. Posted 07/21/00 (W-SN477340). (0203)

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