SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Wireless Broadband Technology Desmonstrator - BAA 12-10
- Notice Date
- 8/3/2012
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, Washington, District of Columbia, 20528, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20528
- Solicitation Number
- BAA12-10
- Point of Contact
- Aaron H. Ford, Phone: 2022546032
- E-Mail Address
-
Aaron.Ford@dhs.gov
(Aaron.Ford@dhs.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- DHS Broad Agency Announcement 12-10 The Department of the Homeland Security is issuing Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) 12-10 for the Wireless Broadband Technology Demonstrator. This solicitation is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), as contemplated in Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 6.102(d)(2) and 35.016. A formal Request for Proposal (RFP) will not be issued in this matter. PROJECT OVERVIEW: In support of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mission to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other hazards, DHS owns, operates, and maintains some of the largest tactical communications (TACCOM) infrastructures in the Federal government. However, much of the TACCOM equipment in use has surpassed its expected service life and does not provide sufficient coverage, capacity, or encryption to meet DHS mission needs. While several DHS components have been working to modernize TACCOM infrastructure and equipment, recent developments have prompted a reevaluation of the current modernization approach: •Expanded Wireless Mission Needs. Existing systems provide narrowband voice only; today's users require data and video in addition to mission critical voice. •Spectrum Scarcity. Very High Frequency (VHF) spectrum used in current TACCOM networks is already in short supply, and is expected to become even scarcer in the future. •Interoperability Challenges. Current approach of modernizing to the P25 standard provides limited interoperability improvements. True interoperability continues to elude us. •Operational Challenges. Subscriber radios have become increasingly complex for operational users, with potential for hundreds of channels and configuration options. •Requirement for a Sustainable Cost Model. The traditional model of owning and operating multiple private TACCOM systems carries a multi-billion dollar price tag across the department. This model must give way to a "game changing approach" that allows for cost sharing across a broader user base (i.e., DHS, other Federal and public safety users) targeting reduced capital investment and lifecycle costs by leveraging networks owned by others. To this end, DHS is focusing on developing and evaluating new technologies and capabilities that address the challenges identified above. DHS is seeking cost efficiencies that allow users to leverage existing and emerging Commercial and Public Safety networks (e.g., 4G LTE and public safety networks built by public safety waiver recipients) on a subscription basis. Use of a subscription model reduces the ownership and operating costs by sharing the network ownership costs across a wider user base. Goals of the DHS Next Generation Tactical Wireless Broadband effort are: 1. LMR Over Broadband: Demonstrate capabilities performed today using LMR networks over broadband networks and demonstrate whether current industry solutions can meet law enforcement grade of service (e.g., low delay and high availability). This goal will also verify that devices' simplex (off infrastructure) direct mode communications capabilities are not affected. 2. Broadband Services to Tactical Users: Demonstrate data and video services to tactical users in the field. Services to be provided include biometric checks, database queries, image and file transfer, location based services, and streaming video. 3. Remote Radio Management: Demonstrate the ability to manage and configure devices through the broadband networks. Capabilities to be demonstrated include: Over-the-air programming (OTAP), Over-the-air rekey (OTAR), dynamic talk group management and the ability to push applications and maintain configuration management of devices both LMR and broadband devices. 4. Interconnect public safety and commercial network: Demonstrate the ability to seamlessly roam from public safety networks, commercial networks and LMR networks. Additional capability to be demonstrated includes demonstrating interoperability by connecting users operating on different networks. To achieve the above goals, BAA 12-10 calls for research and development in four Technical Topic Areas (TTAs) corresponding to each of the Goals identified above. Each TTA has two phases: (1) research and development leading to proof-of-concept demonstrations in controlled environments (i.e., laboratory); and (2) field demonstrations of capabilities with DHS users. Government will review the results of Phase 1 prior to awarding field demonstration phase. The attached MS Word file contains an official copy of BAA 12-10 and provides a detailed description of each of these four TTAs. Offerors interested in this opportunity may submit a white paper and, if deemed of particular value, a proposal for one or more of the four TTAs in accordance with the procedures outlined herein. DHS encourages the formation of partnerships and teaming arrangements to propose solutions that address multiple (ideally all four) TTAs, to achieve more comprehensive technical solutions and/or more extensive end-to-end solutions. Submitted white papers shall include research and development including a Proof of Concept with the field demonstrations in an operational. Proof of Concept phase will be conducted with technical personnel in various potential locations including Washington DC, Florida (Miami, National Law Enforcement Communications Center (NLECC) (Orlando)) and Colorado (NIST) facilities. Field demonstrations will be conducted with operational users located in various locations identified in the Proof of Concept phase and field locations on the northern and southern borders. For the field demonstration, scenarios will be established to cover a range of operating conditions including rural and urban settings, various terrain conditions, temperatures associated with Northern and Southern borders, and time of day. The objective of the above identified structure is to support immediate technology transition wherever possible, and to create transition paths for new capabilities from the outset. BAA 12-10 is open to ALL responsible sources. Foreign or foreign-owned offerors are advised that their participation is subject to the foreign disclosure review procedures, applicable export control laws, and other applicable federal laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to foreign entities. It is the intent of research and development contracting to obtain a broad base of the best contractor resources from the scientific and industrial community, to include small businesses and as a result, no portion of BAA 12-10 will be set aside pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 19.502-2.Offerors may include (but are not limited to): 1. Single entities or teams from private-sector organizations; 2. Government laboratories; 3. Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy national laboratories and centers and academic institutions as long as they are permitted under a sponsoring agreement between the Government and the specific FFRDC; 4. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU); 5. Minority Institutions (MI); 6. Small and Small Disadvantaged Business concerns, including Women-Owned Small Business concerns, Veteran-Owned Small Business concerns, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business concerns, and Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Small Businesses concerns; and 7. Any academic institutions or non-profit organizations not included in the above categories. Any offerors may join others as team members in submitting white papers/proposals under this BAA.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/OCPO/DHS-OCPO/BAA12-10/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: TBD, United States
- Record
- SN02825841-W 20120805/120803234626-f9abc20ea0365a038661004946cb4d26 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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