70 -- Wireless handheld computing devices for worldwide implementation.

NOTICE OF EXTENSION TO RESPONSE DATEALL RESPONSES DUE BY COB 08/26/05 Description: You are invited to respond with information to assist the U.S. Department of State, Office of e-Diplomacy in identifying prospective providers for wireless handheld computing devices for worldwide implementation. Further, the Department would like to review contractor existing solutions to meet the requirements as defined in this RFI. Lastly, the objective of this RFI is to identify providers with demonstrated success in the offered solution. Please use the information contained in this document and the format requested as the basis for your response. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for information received in response to this RFI. This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. Information provided in response to this RFI will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives to determining how to proceed with the acquisition process for the handheld devices and related services. Industry responses will be used by the Government to assess feasibility, technical solutions, and acquisition approaches for worldwide implementation of wireless handheld computing devices. The Government requests that no proprietary information be provided in response to this RFI. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. 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. Background: Department of State (DoS) users are increasingly mobile, intensifying the need for adequate supporting technology. By providing personnel in the field with up-to-date resources and access to key information, diplomats and other Department employees can be more productive and effective. Remote access to DoS resources must serve numerous types of usage from casual email access to the mobile worker and teleworker who require an environment similar to that at their duty station office. The use of wireless handheld computing devices such as Personal Digital Assistants (commonly known as - PDAs), provides one mechanism for users to have compact, mobile solutions to their business information access needs. DoS users are keenly aware of the technologies available in the market place and know that if implementation slows, the gap between capability and need widens. If the gap is allowed to widen between available resources and user needs, a far greater risk to DoS business than the perceived risk associated with remote access looms ahead. The lack of availability of up-to-date information for the mobile user can in fact, place personnel and the DoS mission in unnecessary jeopardy. User Business Needs: The user needs and requirements for mobile computing devices were compiled through interviews, surveys and as a result of the wired PDA (hp iPAQ Pocket PC) and wireless (BlackBerry) pilot testing in 2004. In general, most users want reliable, up-to-date, and consistent access to e-mail, calendar, and contacts. Additional requirements from users include robust access to tasks, files, memos and Internet sites through their mobile device. The purpose and value of PDAs are to insure that Department of State users have current information readily accessible in an affordable, portable, compact, and digital form which adequately ensures the confidentiality and integrity of the information. Users will expect Department of State PDAs to have functionality as reliable and easy to use as those available - off-the-shelf through commercial outlets. This requirement does not support the use of non-U. S. Government (USG) devices, which cannot be connected to USG systems and networks. Specifically, the solutions chosen should address the tiered nature of the business needs with a selection of devices providing a range of capabilities for the diverse needs of the DoS user. User Requirements: - MS Outlook Type Functions - Provide full access to e-mail, calendar, contact and task items from the user's Microsoft Exchange profile. - Ensure that information is consistently synchronized between MS Exchange profiles and the mobile computing device (PDA) so that information is up to date. - Permit users to view, create, modify and store DoS e-mail, calendar items, contacts and tasks while away from the office. - Provide access to common e-mail attachments including, but not limited to, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and Adobe PDF files. - Provide Internet/Intranet web browsing from links in e-mail. Other Functionality - Provide Internet/intranet web browsing from PDA. - Provide access to user documents and/or files that have been downloaded to the PDA. - Permit users to view, create, modify and store documents on the device. - Ensure that information is consistently synchronized between user's workstation and the PDA so that the documents/files remain current and reliable. - Permit users to utilize commonly-available peripherals such as printers, keyboards, external storage devices and projection devices. - Provide a reasonably priced solution to users stationed around the world. Performance - Support maximum device storage capacity for users to manage information needed to complete business-related tasks, including standard add-on memory cards. - Permit quick access to stored information regardless of location. Users must be able to access and record unclassified information (only to which the user is entitled) in a reasonable timeframe during meetings and other times without overly burdensome security protocols. - Provide continuous synchronization with MS Exchange profile so that new information is immediately available to the user. - Provide the option to synchronize with MS Exchange profiles from any workstation on OpenNet. - Support 24x7 resolution of technical issues in coordination with responsible systems administrator - Vendor managed solution Technical Requirements - Must be COTS based (off-the-shelf) - Scalable - Deployable and operable worldwide - Centralized configuration and operations management, including: - Centralized security policy administration & enforcement capabilities - Remote lock/kill (only for wireless devices) - Password protection for DoS network access in accordance with Department standards - Multiple device types supported (wired and wireless/multiple form factors) - Patch management capabilities and remote configuration management services - Worldwide service (data and voice and equipment) - Available Application Programming Interface (API) Requirements: The U.S. Department of State is requesting contractors interested in participating in this effort to present information on their firms resources, capabilities, experience and qualifications for providing mobile computing devices and services. Response Format: The following is an outline for responding to this RFI. This outline is intended to minimize the effort of the respondent and structure the responses for ease of analysis by the department. Please adhere to this 1861 format without compromising your response. Section 1: Profile Describe your company, including its - history - ownership and management structure - business practices - products and services - locations - human, technological and other resources - other information you deem relevant Section 2: Product/Service Delivery Describe one or more product/service delivery models your firm has used to provide wireless handheld computing devices for worldwide implementation or large geographic region/area. Include information on the - nature of client organizations and portfolios - process by which their requirements were assessed - planning, design and implementation service delivery strategy - service by subcontractors, vendors and consultants - planning for service arrangements Section 3: Solution Describe an optimal solution for Department of State wireless handheld computing devices for worldwide implementation Section 4: Additional Information Provide any other information, materials, suggestions, and discussion you deem appropriate. Point of Contact Information: Jeffrey Kurfees, Contract Specialist, Phone (703) 875-6846, FAX (703) 875-5272, Email Kurfeesjt@state.gov. Please submit questions and responses via email by 19 August 2005 to Kurfeesjt@state.gov and herriottdj@state.gov You may submit supplemental hardcopy materials to the following mailing address: U.S. Department of State Office of Acquisitions P.O. Box 9115, Rosslyn Station Arlington, VA 22219 Information Exchange: After the department has reviewed the submitted material, your firm may be contacted and asked to participate in an information exchange with the department. The objective of this forum is to gain further understanding of your proposed approach.