SOURCES SOUGHT
D -- Digital Communications RFI - Example
- Notice Date
- 5/15/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541511
— Custom Computer Programming Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Direct Reporting Unit - Air Force District of Washington, Acquisition Division, AFDW/PK, 1500 W. Perimeter RD. Suite 5750, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, 20762, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20762
- Solicitation Number
- 20120515AJN
- Archive Date
- 6/13/2012
- Point of Contact
- Andrew Ness, Phone: 2406126207, David A. Hartman, Phone: 2408574739
- E-Mail Address
-
andrew.ness@afncr.af.mil, david.hartman@afncr.af.mil
(andrew.ness@afncr.af.mil, david.hartman@afncr.af.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- Example Digital Communications RFI The Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) is requesting information to determine sources sought with demonstrated experience and ability to provide an integrated network capable digital sign and WayFinder solution. The Government needs a solution that provides a centrally managed content control system for displaying multiple media windows on a number of television screens. The content may be Internet Protocol Television for local and national news, information alerts, Medical Treatment Facility or AFDW specific information. The digital solution will enable employees, customers and visitors to quickly locate an office or clinic through touch screen. The directions or map can either be printed or sent to a mobile device such as iPad or smart phone. The digital functionality reduces the requirement for copy/physical signage changes. The Government needs software and services for comprehensive digital communications, including deployment of interactive interfaces and content to many platforms. Provide architecture and features unlike traditional digital signage software. In addition to a unique combination of feature offerings, design products to be easily implemented without technical or software programming knowledge. With our specific requirements in mind provide a platform that uniquely addresses our requirements with easy to use integrated tools. B. Objective The objective is to obtain information about suppliers that can provide the following: READERBOARD: Ability to create and easily maintain our own complex interactive interfaces to display (RSS, live feeds, IPTV, Powerpoint, etc) without having to convert format or require assistance from vendor. Content Management - Use and manipulate our content with minimal training, so users can easily create our own Readerboards without additional assistance. The template approach, with a "New/Edit/Copy" capability means we can design any interface by simply clicking, dragging, and dropping. Once designed, we want to be able to simply drag content to the desired area of the display and touch the "Preview" button for a fully-functional "WYSIWYG" view of how our Readerboard will look. This includes all timings, transitions, interactivity, etc. exactly as it will appear when deployed to a presentation device. Timing - Unlike other interface creation tools, we want to drag the "effective local time" bar to preview all future behavior of an interactive interface or digital sign in advance. Deployment to multiple platforms -Deployed content to a desktop computer, a computer's screensaver, to an interactive sign or other touch-enabled device like a tablet computer, to a static digital sign, and more. Need content layouts that can be deployed as a web page for easy consumption in any browser. A single application without add-on modules - Need all available functionality delivered with a single installer, rather than being divided into separately-purchased modules. We want to be able to immediately present content, to incorporate interactivity, to build interfaces, to connect easily to third-party data, and to perform many other valuable functions without purchasing additional modules or add-ons. Unlimited Scheduling capability -Digital applications that provide a range of scheduling options. (schedule content by date, time, range, expiry date, number of occurrences, day of week, week of month, and any combination of these as far into the future as we need). Also, the ability to trigger content by interactivity such as touch, card swipe, motion detector, etc. - any USB-connected device. Content may also be "linked" to automatically play one piece of content when another particular piece of content is played. Automatic presentation of content - Greet special visitors, highlight special events, and present date-driven reminders with scheduled presentation of any content. Schedule in Advance - Define as many events as we want as far in advance as we wish. Create an entire year's schedule for notifications of special events, deadlines, high level base/organizational visitors. Present linked content - Provide detailed information in locating specific offices within AFDW, or clinics within 79 MDW. Provide a photo, bio, contact information, even a route to their office if we want to present that detail of information. Simple to do - Scheduling can be assigned to any piece of content and multiple schedules can be defined for repeats. We'd like to create a category of multiple pieces of content and schedule that content for presentation on a recurring basis such as for a commercial loop or a series of images, events, or images. Time/Date/Day of Week Template customization - Schedule different templates (layouts) for different times of day, days of week, or dates. For example have entirely different information layouts and presentation in the afternoon and evening, and different again on weekends or holidays. Easy set-up and maintenance- Any digital image may be used as a map, making it possible to reuse existing content such as from your web site, pdf documents, etc. Click a location and type a name. Click and drag to create a route. Incorporate a complex twenty-two step algorithm to combine multiple routes to define a full path- showing just the shortest path, or multiple paths such as healthy stair routes and or ADA routing. A single application without add-on modules - All available functionality is delivered with a single installer, rather than being divided into separately purchased modules. We want the ability to immediately be able to present content, incorporate interactivity, to build interfaces, to connect easily to third party data, and to perform many other functions without having to purchase add on modules. Static digital - Static digital from a simple static digital map to dynamic connection with related data such as event lists to fully interactive identification and routing. Click and type a name to create a location and click and drag to create a route. With equal ease locations and routing this can be modified with a simple drag & drop -as base activities and events are constantly changing. Updates - Built-in text-to-speech function, and built in e-mail function to make updates Configuration Changes - AFDW needs the ability to configure interfaces by similarly dialog-driven and requires no programming or scripting. Traffic Control with schedule-based routing - routing will depend upon schedule factors such as the best exits when a different events are happening on base, and or roads are blocked. We need the capability to be sure the flow will be efficient even in the event of changing factors. Incorporation of locations based on back-end schedule of events - We need the ability to incorporate dynamic data such as event schedules with touch capability. Present a listing of events and touch on one to present an immediate route to that location. Contrast this to rigid mapping where all locations must be shown, making finding the one you want complex. Variable-defined locations - Uses machine variables" assigned to each sign which are used to define the "You Are Here" and associated routes all while using a single map and set of routes. "Take it with you" - Complex instructions require writing these down or frustrating "re-searches" to find your way along. We want to be able to use a tool that will provide turn-by-turn directions which can be printed or even presented as a Microsoft Tag or QR Code (similar to a bar code) which we can immediately capture with a smart phone. General Requirements:  Built-in Interfaces  Interfaces used to link to backend data (for example, CollegeNet's R25, Dean Evans EMS, Banner, Exchange, etc.)   Native Active Directory integration  Applications that provides for a single sign-on and tight security with users and groups defined in Air Force National Capital Region's existing Active Directory structure.  Unlimited Scheduling capability -Applications that provide a range of scheduling options. (schedule content by date, time, range, expiry date, number of occurrences, day of week, week of month, and any combination of these as far into the future as we need). Also we want to trigger content by interactivity such as touch, card swipe, motion detector, etc. - any USB-connected device. Content may also be "linked" to automatically play one piece of content when another particular piece of content is played.  Automatic presentation of content - Greet special visitors, highlight special events, and present date-driven reminders with scheduled presentation of any content.  Schedule in Advance - Define as many events as we want as far in advance as we want. Create an entire year's schedule for notifications of academic deadlines, school events, and alumni greetings.  Present linked content - Provide detailed information such a touching a specific office/name in a directory and receive a photo, bio, contact information, even a route to their office if we choose to have that level of detail.  Simple to do - Scheduling can be assigned to any piece of content and multiple schedules can be defined for repeats. Create a category of multiple pieces of content and schedule that content for a commercial loop or a series of images, events, or images.  Time/Date/Day of Week Template customization - Schedule different templates (layouts) for different times of day, days of week, or dates. For example have entirely different information layouts and presentation in the afternoon and evening, and different again on weekends or holidays.  All content remain in native format - All content is in native format. No creation or conversion of content to proprietary content required.  Easily re-purpose existing content - Use the identical content you already present on your web site or PDF posters without any special handling.  Storage - Only store a pointer to the current location of each piece of content we have often avoid the need to create a duplicate copy or move existing content to a different location on our network.  Easily support emerging formats - Most video content runs in Windows Media Player and are supported by free codec's to speed access to new formats. For example need to be able to present H.264 (hi-definition) content directly from the source file.  Maintain native functions of formats - When presenting a Powerpoint all functions such as timing and transitions are maintained. Flash videos with embedded interactivity are also supported without any conversion.  Uniquely distributed load, software-driven, hardware-agnostic Architecture - Distributes presentation to separate PCs driving each sign or collection of signs showing the same content. Hardware and operating systems are off-the-shelf and support standard TCP/IP communications and networks.  Flexibility - Select equipment based on our requirements, rather than vendor requirements/limitations with regard to (functionality, existing purchase relationships, warranties, technology, and other factors).  Reliability - Displays that continuously present in the event of loss of network connection. All content is cached on each player so, should a power loss occur, the signs will automatically and immediately restart on restoration of power - even if the network is down.  Scalabilty - Unlimited scalability because processing load is distributed to each content Player PC rather than being distributed over our network, reducing network loading during most operations.  Support Emergency Messaging - A subscription-based model with an unlimited number of "channels" for various emergency situations.  Safety - ensure immediate notification in high traffic areas and wherever signs exist. Even expand to automatic notification on employee desktops using desktop players with automatic interruption.  Flexibility - Multiple mechanisms to trigger emergency notifications including human-initiated, sms text messages, RSS feed monitoring and web services. Easily incorporate our digital presentations into our existing emergency alert systems (AdHoc) if required. Even add automatic notifications through web monitoring such as weather emergency information via NOAA.  Speed - Emergency content is pre-loaded to each subscribed sign so that when an emergency occurs there is no need to transfer content to each sign, just send a trigger signal to the signs. This can save critical life-saving time. Typical notification occurs in approximately 10-18 seconds.  Maintain a professional appearance and precision to our displays.  Internal Promotion - Increase attendance at base events and services such as concerts, food services, fund-raising activities, and other events.  Presentation Tracking - Identify metrics of interactive signage usage by tracking how many times, or what time of day, etc. individuals interact with specific content such as ads or other content access. Incorporate WIFI so that every single piece of content presented is tracked. C. Requirements: RFI responses must include: 1. Name of the primary point of contact 2. Business title 3. Email address 4. A brief summary description of relevant experience and ability to provide a digital sign and WayFinder solution that meets the aforementioned objectives. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI OR REIMBURSE ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS RFI. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Whatever information is provided in response to this RFI will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for determining how to proceed in the acquisition process for the digital sign and WayFinder solution. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Respondents shall classify their company using one or more (if applicable) of the following NAICS Codes or suggest a different NAICS code: • 541511 - Customer Computer Programming Services • 541512 - Computer Systems Design Services • 541519 - Computer Related Services Due Date: All RFI responses are due no later than 1300 hours (1:00PM) EST, 29 May 2012. The Point of Contact A1C Andrew Ness, Contract Specialist, Phone 240-612-6207, Email andrew.ness@afncr.af.mil; Alternate: Stephanie Powell, Contracting Officer, Phone 240-612-6202, Email stephanie.powell@afncr.af.mil
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF/AFDW/11CONS/20120515AJN/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Andrews AFB, Maryland, 20762, United States
- Zip Code: 20762
- Zip Code: 20762
- Record
- SN02748287-W 20120517/120515235656-24a93afe6699e07a3af5c07f229cf62a (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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