U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, ERF -- Bldg. #27958A, Quantico, VA 22135

58 -- DIGITAL NARROWBAND WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS WITH VOICE AND DATA CAPABIITIES SOL NA DUE 082997 POC Irving E. Hodnett, (703) 630-6508 The Federal Bureau of Investigation seeks information from radio manufacturers and commercial communications service providers on a new digital narrowband wireless communications system with voice and data capabilities. The new communications system will replace an existing analog Hi-Split VHF land mobile radio system that provides clear and encrypted communications throughout the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico. The current system provides mobile-to-mobile communications except in some metropolitan areas where the systems have been enhanced for portable-to-portable communications system. The information provided shall address the technologies available, the dates the technologies are available, and the costs associated with each item of equipment, system or service offered. NEW REQUIREMENTS: All current radio communications capabilities and functionality must be maintained in the new system while providing new and enhanced capabilities to facilitate investigative needs.The FBI is mandated to transition to narrowband digital technology and provide communications equipment and services that are in compliance with consensus standards as required by Public Law 104-113 and Office of Management and Budget Circular A-119. The FBI is aware of the status of emerging technologies, therefore, the technologies disclosed for this RFI must be capable of a software migration to new standards. Migration to new standards by replacing complete units or parts of an infrastructure is not acceptable. All providers of communications equipment and services are aware of the difficulty public safety agencies have with communications interoperability relative to diverse frequency bands and multiple modes of operation. The resolution of this issue should be key in the choice of equipment, services, and systems integrated for this new communications system. It is apparent that no one access technology or one frequency band satisfies all communications needs in a nationwide environment. Therefore, provide your methodology for selecting equipment, services, and frequency bands to complete this communications requirement. As you select technologies to integrate this communications system, remember that investigative needs occur in areas of the country where terrestrial communications networks do not and will exist, such as: National Forests, Indian Reservations, Everglades, and sparsely populated areas. The emerging technologies of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites should be considered for voice and data communications to support investigative needs in areas where terrestrial systems are not available. The communications equipment and system offered shall be adaptive and intelligent in the selection of the best communications medium, e.g. a transmission should test the terrestrial system first and automatically switch to the satellite system if service is not available on the terrestrial system. The subscriber unit offered shall provide the investigator with one unit that is capable of day-to-day voice and data operations over terrestrial and satellite systems but, is capable of being dynamically relocated to a tactical covert operation. SPECIAL NEEDS: The FBI has special operational needs that shall be addressed in the new system. No encryption/decryption devices shall be located at unmanned sites; therefore, end-to-end multilevel encryption is required. The system shall be capable of storing and operating on multiple encryption algorithms approved by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The system shall provide Over-the Air-Rekeying (OTAR) relative to encryption keys and Over-the-Air Programming (OTAP) relative to radio functionality. They system shall provide adaptable functions when possible to foster ease of operation, e.g. in a convention/trunking system, the system should change modes automatically when a subscriber unit traverses, in either direction, the intersection of two modes. Vehicular subscriber units shall be capable of covert installations for the radio, control equipment, and antenna. The subscriber units shall be capable of tactical modes of operation for small special case use with interface to the main infrastructure when required. AVAILABLE INFORMATION: The FBI has available information setting forth its needs on which vendors are requested to base their comments. Any interested party must furnish in writing their request for this material. No telephonic requests will be accepted. Requests should be sent to the attention: Irving E. Hodnett, FBI ERF-Building # 27958A, Quantico, VA 22135. NOTE: The FBI will not accept any request for information package after 8/29/97. Comments will be due by 10/1/97 and no comments will be accepted after the 10/1/97 date. All information and materials shall be made available at no cost to the Government. This is not a Request for Proposal and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. No award will be made based on this announcement. Any subsequent solicitation will be publicized in the Commerce Business Daily. (0191)

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