SOURCES SOUGHT
D -- SEC Data Services Divsion (DSD) Messages and Protocol Branch (MPB)- Interoperability Test Tools, Message and Protocol Data Engineering and Transformation
- Notice Date
- 12/12/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541511
— Custom Computer Programming Services
- Contracting Office
- ACC-APG - Aberdeen Division B, HQ CECOM CONTRACTING CENTER, 6001 COMBAT DRIVE, ABERDEEN PROVING GROU, MD 21005-1846
- ZIP Code
- 21005-1846
- Solicitation Number
- W15P7T-13-DSD-MSB
- Response Due
- 12/27/2012
- Archive Date
- 2/10/2013
- Point of Contact
- Kelly Doolittle, 443-861-8027
- E-Mail Address
-
ACC-APG - Aberdeen Division B
(kelly.l.doolittle.civ@mail.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- The purpose of this Sources Sought is to obtain potential small business sources that can provide functional and technical capabilities needed in support of the SEC's Data Services Division (DSD) - Messages and Protocol Branch (MPB) - Interoperability Test Tools, Message and Protocol Data Engineering and Transformation. The Variable Message Format (VMF) Test Tool (VTT) provides test capabilities to validate proper implementation of VMF standards IAW MIL STD 6017: the Army/Joint Standard used for the Ground Operational Systems and the Joint Systems. The test tool capability provides an integrated software, message database, user interface, and communications protocol functionality. The test tool implements the application protocol specified in MIL-STD-2045-47001. The United States Message Text Format (USMTF) Test Tool (MTT) provides test capabilities to validate the proper implementation of USMTF standards IAW MIL- STD 6040: the Army/Joint Standard used for the Ground Operational Systems and the Joint Systems. The test tool capability provides integrated software, message database, user interface, USMTF message and protocol data unit (PDU) editing capabilities, automatic message generation capabilities, USMTF and eXtensible Markup Language (XML) Message Text Format (XML-MTF) validation capabilities, and communications protocol functionality. Additionally, the test tool implements the application layer protocol specified in MIL-STD-2045-47001. The Automatic Message Generator (AMG) is a companion tool to the VTT/MTT that automatically generates many VMF and USMTF Messages. The AMG tool provides a graphical user interface that control message construction. It has capability to create valid binary VMF/USMTF messages using randomly generated values for MIL-STD-6017x, MIL-STD-6040X and MIL-STD-2045-47001 specifications. The Combat Net Radio Protocol Test Tool (CNR PTT) provides Army and Joint programs a CAPABILITY for testing compliance to the CNR standards, MIL-STD-188-220 and MIL-STD-2045-47001, thereby facilitating system to system interoperability. The tool allows programs to test for CNR compliance early in the Systems Development Life Cycle to avoid late defects. Message and Protocol Data Engineering and Transformation Project coordinates the Army's requirements and changes to Joint and NATO Tactical Messaging and Protocol Military Standards (MIL-STDs); modifying and coordinating these standards as required to reflect new Information Exchange Requirements (IERs), to include urgent changes that if not implemented could result in destruction of equipment or loss of life. These IERs are often generated by mission changes and technology advancements that bear directly on soldiers operating at the tactical edge. Current efforts include developing a digital Tactical Combat Casualty Card message for use by Combat Life Savers to document casualty pre-evacuation stabilization efforts, and the development of XML-VMF which will act as an information bridge from the bandwidth-limited forward operating areas back to rear-echelon command and control nodes. Near term efforts include modifying logistics messages to support Condition-Based Maintenance reporting, and incorporation of newly developed message sets for Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) and the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS). This effort provides subject matter expertise in key interoperability standards to all Army users that implement tactical messaging operations in Air Defense/Air Command and Control, as well as Land Combat environments, using various messaging formats, to include - Variable Message Format (VMF), United States Message Text Format (USMTF), Combat Network Radio (CNR) protocol, Tactical Data Link (TDL) 16, Link 11, and the Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS) standards. The project also includes the formulation of single Army positions on all changes being suggested to the military standards involved in the project by the Joint and NATO communities, and the presentation of these unified positions at Joint forums as required. The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform software development for the VTT, PTT, and MTT and coordinates the Army s requirements and changes to the Tactical Messaging Military Standards (MIL-STDs). Contractor shall provide support for the following tasks but are not limited to: Establishing and conducting all aspects of the implementation of a unique development methodology for agile development based on iterative and incremental development for the VTT, PTT and MTT; Using industry standards and best practices for project management of data products and activities as well as software development and sustainment; Providing support in the areas of Strategy and Planning, Execution Management, Discovery (Information Gathering), Analysis, and Migration (Engineering and Development) for the VTT, MTT and PTT; Providing software engineering services for the development and maintenance of the PTT in compliance with MIL-STD-188-220, VTT and VMF Integrated Database (VID) in compliance with VMF and MTT in compliance with USMTF; Providing enhancement recommendations and engineering services for government approved modifications to VTT, MTT, PTT and AMG; Providing training and demonstrations to VTT, MTT, PTT and AMG to users; Following the DoD and DA Information Assurance (IA) policies, CMMI Level 3, and the Software Engineering Center s software release process; Providing support services for the Army Configuration Control Board (ACCB), to include a.Serving as the point of contact for the receipt and distribution of standards Interface Change Proposals (ICPs) and evaluations, b.Distributing the newly developed ICPs to the ACCB members, tracking the status of ICP processing, c.Maintaining a database that tracks the status of all outstanding ICPs d.Preparing reports on the status of all Joint and Army ICPs and distribute to the appropriate ACCB members. e.Collecting and coordinating ICP responses from ACCB members and package them IAW the ACCB Terms of Reference (TOR) to the next ACCB meeting, to support ICP voting f.Providing the Army and the Joint Configuration Control Board (JCCB) representative with the record of vote / Army position resulting from ACCB ICP votes Providing software engineering services for Army and Joint/Combined messages and ICPs based on Army requirements. CECOM SEC shall perform independent technical analysis and provide recommendations on ICPs; Providing support services for Army and Joint actions and activities at the following forums, to include preparation of technical presentations and reports, and any associated follow-up actions and activities as necessary to promote the Army's interests and visibility a.Army Configuration Control Board (ACCB) b.Joint VMF Standards Sub Working Group (JMSWG) c.Joint Multi-Tactical Data Link (Joint Multi-TDL) Standards Working Group (JMSWG) d.Joint Tactical Data Link (Joint -TDL) Configuration Control Board (JMTCCB) e.Combat Network Radio Working Group (CNRWG) f.Army Interoperability Technical Review Board (AITRB) g.Joint USMTF Configuration Control Board (USMTFCCB) h.Integrated Broadcast Service-Implementation Sub Group (IBS-IMSG) i.United States-United Kingdom BiLateral Discussions (US-UK BiLat) j.Other meetings as appropriate Coordinating and managing the configuration of change proposals and subsequent evaluations through the Army community (and Joint community for the CNRWG), making the most current versions available for review and comment to the ACCB/CNRWG membership via messaging and protocol web solutions; Providing software engineering services to harmonize new Army Information Exchange Requirements (IERs) into a single technical solution to go forward to Joint messaging forums, and to evaluate the technical solutions of other Services and Agencies so that a single Army position can be put forth at these same Joint messaging forums; Providing enhancement recommendations and engineering services for modification through ICP, to current messaging and protocol Military Standards, collaborating with Army, Joint, and NATO messaging communities to migrate these standards towards net-centric solutions, (such as migration of binary VMF to XML); The work to be shall be primarily performed at the Communications-Electronics Command-Life Cycle Management Command (CECOM-LCMC) SEC facility at Building 6002 Combat Drive, Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), MD 21005. Travel to both CONUS and OCONUS sites may be required. All contractors will be required to be in compliance with DFARS 252.239-7001, Information Assurance Contractor Training and Certification. Contractors shall ensure that personnel accessing information systems have the proper and current information assurance certification to perform any information assurance or privileged access functions in accordance with DoD 8570.01-M, Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program before they access or are granted access to any Army or DoD information technology resource, mission application, or computing system. All Contractor personnel shall complete annual information assurance awareness training and security training and maintain a record of that training in the Total Employee Development (TED) system and Army Training and Certification Tracking System (ATCTS). All contractors will be required to ensure that all of their personnel working this task order complete all ongoing and mandated traditional security, file management, information assurance training to include computing environment training and certification and operational security training. Small business vendors that are interested in possibly providing these services are asked to submit the following information: 1.) Company name 2.) Company Address 3.) CAGE Code 4.) Company website 5.) Business type: SB/SDB/8a/WOSB/HUBZONE/VOSB/SDVOSB/HBCU/MI 6.) List of existing Government Contract Vehicles The purpose of this Sources Sought notice is to assist the Government to determine an acquisition strategy. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this requirement is 541511. Please identify your company's small business size standard based on the applicable NAICS code of 541511 - Custom Computer Services. The Small Business Size Standard for this NAICS code is $25 Million dollars. For more information refer to http://www.sba.gov/content/table-small-business-size-standards. If your company is awarded the contract, will you be able to perform at least 50% (percent) of the work required in house in accordance with (IAW) FAR 52.219-14? If you are a small business can you go without a payment for 90 days? Please provide details regarding proposed joint ventures, teaming arrangements, strategic alliances, or other business arrangements to satisfy the requirements described in the attached Description of Requirements document. Offerors are encouraged to identify teams, indicating each team member's size status based upon the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code of the work that the team member may be doing. Is your company currently providing similar services to another government agency (you may also include contract #s for government) or other non-government customer? If so, please identify the agency or non-government customer. If you are unwilling to share your customer's identity, please address whether your company offers the same or similar services commercially Does your company have a DCAA approved accounting system? Please address the following questions in your response in any format: 1.The mission of Messaging and Protocol Test Tools is to provide value added conformance testing applications that provides conformance testing for MIL-STD-188-220, MIL-STD-6040 (USMTF), and MIL-STD-6017 (VMF). The Tools may be used for validation of live, archived, or generated messages. Protocols and Standards tested currently include MIL-STD-188-220, MIL-STD-6017, and MIL-STD-6040 messages. How would you approach Developmental Testing, Certification Testing, Interoperability Testing and Conformance-To-Standards Testing of Army developed Tactical Data Systems that are utilizing one or more of the standards covered by the Messaging Test Tools? 2.A key mission of MPB is to schedule meetings for the CNRWG and Army CCB, to act as the CNRWG and ACCB Chairperson, coordinates meeting schedule with members, and to prepare ICPs to be addressed at meetings. In addition to provide SMEs in VMF, USTMF and LINK-16, MPB provides for the administrative support for the planning of meetings and running of the meeting while in session. How would you approach the planning, coordination, and execution of said meetings? 3.SEC Messaging Test tools implements Waterfall and Agile software development approaches for establishing and conducting all aspects of the Messaging Test Tool development. What qualifications are in your personnel inventory to support software system development? 4.SEC DSD has attained Maturity Level II in the Software Engineering Institute's (SEI) Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) with work in process areas; Requirements Management, Configuration Management, Process and Product Quality Assurance, Project Planning, Supplier Agreement Management, Measurements and Analysis, Project Management and Control. Given SEC DSD's Maturity Model, how would you perform the full range of activities to provide sustainment support including: requirements analysis, software development, testing, security, training, documentation, fielding support and customer assistance services in an effort to reach Maturity Level III? 5.SEC DSD implements a SCRUM based Agile development method for establishing and conducting all aspects of the system development based on iterative and incremental development. a.What qualifications do you have in this SCRUM or other Agile system development method? b.What is your experience in using SCRUM based Agile tooling such as Atlassian or Team Foundation Server. 6.Demonstrate in writing your understanding of the Army Capability Sets (formerly Army Software Blocks). Please also describe the major tests that an Army system must go through prior to fielding. 7.Describe your experience in designing, writing, and maintaining software and hardware based testing tools that test and validate messaging and communication protocols. 8.The Combat Net Radio (CNR) protocol consists of the MIL-STD-188-220 and MIL-STD-2045-47001 United States (U.S.) military standards. a.Describe your experience in MIL-STD-188-220 and MIL-STD-2045-47001. b.Illustrate your experience and understanding of the tactical systems that use this protocol. c.Discuss your expertise in configuring and using equipment that uses this protocol. d.Describe your experience in creating and modifying hardware that interfaces with CNR compatible devices such as Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) programming and interface cable design and development. 9.The Variable Message Format (VMF) messaging standard consists of the MIL-STD-6017 and MIL-STD-2045-47001 U.S. messaging standards. a.Describe your experience in MIL-STD-6017. b.Illustrate your experience and understanding of the systems that use this protocol. 10.The United States Message Text Format (USMTF) messaging standard consists of the MIL-STD-6040 and MIL-STD-2045-47001 U.S. messaging standards. a.Describe your experience in USMTF. b.Illustrate your experience and understanding of the systems that use this protocol. 11.Regarding all the aforementioned military standards, describe your experience in testing and debugging systems that use these standards? Questions and or concerns regarding this synopsis shall be directed to Mrs. Kelly Doolittle via email at Kelly.L.Doolittle.civ@mail.mil. Any questions must be presented to the POC via e-mail no later than 19 December 2012. NO PHONE INQUIRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/2868c0aecb7009c1eecf40486e92eeb0)
- Place of Performance
- Address: CECOM Software Engineering Center (SEC) 6002 COMBAT DRIVE ABERDEEN PROVING GROU MD
- Zip Code: 21005-1846
- Zip Code: 21005-1846
- Record
- SN02947833-W 20121214/121212235123-2868c0aecb7009c1eecf40486e92eeb0 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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