A -- Enhance Polar Satellite (EPS) System Gateway Sources Sought

Sources Sought Notice For Enhanced Polar System (EPS) Gateway Segment Description: This Sources Sought is for Market Research purposes only. The Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), MILSATCOM Systems Wing (MCSW), Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is seeking to identify sources which possess both the capability and experience to support the design, integration and test of a primary EPS Gateway site in Alaska (TBD) and a secondary EPS Gateway site in CONUS (TBD). The Enhanced Polar System (EPS) requirements are based on the requirements for Protected Extremely High Frequency (EHF) Satellite Communications (SATCOM) in the North Polar Region. EPS is the next generation SATCOM system that will replace the Interim Polar System (IPS). The EPS program plans to have two EHF eXtended Data Rate (XDR) payloads in Molniya orbits and operational in the 2014/2016 timeframe. The EPS Gateway will provide the interface between Polar users and mid-latitude users via the Defense Information System Network (DISN) Global Information Grid (GIG) Point of Presence (PoP). The major functions of the EPS Gateway will consist of: 1) two XDR based terminals with EPS upgrades for communication with the EPS payloads 2) automated transition of communications services from the descending payload to the ascending payload, 3) the gateway baseband equipment required to condition user traffic entering and leaving the gateway, 4) monitoring the gateway hardware status and health, and 5) an interface to the DISN GIG hardware. The contractor will be responsible to design, develop, integrate and test the major functions of the EPS Gateway to include the following: ? Perform a site survey and installation/checkout of a primary and secondary gateway sites. ? Conduct Developmental Test (DT) and End-to-End (E2E) tests with the user community in the 2011/2012 timeframe as the DISN core evolves. ? Have demonstrated experience with XDR communications, interfacing to the DISN, IP network services, and test. ? Responsible for all compliance requirements with regards to DoD IA practices, specifically DoDI 8500.2 series and DoD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process (DIACAP) certification. ? Handle material up to DoD Secret and provide personnel with access to DoD Secret. ? Work closely with the EPS Government Systems Engineering Integration and Test (SEIT) team to orchestrate the successful development, deployment, and integration of the EPS gateway. An Industry Day is tentatively planned for second quarter Calendar year 2008 will be held to provide an overview of the EPS system, the gateway and the responsibilities of the Gateway Contractor. Interested Gateway contractor candidates may submit a Statement of Capabilities (SOC). A minimum DoD security clearance of Secret is mandatory for all personnel supporting this effort. Interested parties must submit an unclassified SOC no later than 3 March 2008. Fully qualified sources will provide enough information to demonstrate they have performed systems engineering and integration on terrestrial satellite gateway efforts of similar complexity including contract type utilized (i.e., firm fixed, cost plus, etc.), have an understanding of MILSATCOM mission and future technology challenges, and can provide the capabilities listed above. Interested contractors should address potential Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) in their SOC. No real or perceived OCI can exist (Reference FAR 9.505-1). The SOC shall not exceed 20 single sided pages in length. All responses must conform to 8.5x11 inch pages, with font no smaller than 12 point. Responses from small business firms are encouraged. The NAICS code for this effort is 517919 with $23Million as the size standard. Interested parties shall state the size of their business. Small businesses shall identify their type of classification and express their interest as a prime or subcontractor. This Sources Sought is for information and planning purposes only; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal. Information herein is based on best information available at the time of publication, is subject to revision, and is not binding on the Government. The Government will not recognize any costs associated with submission of a SOC. Inquiries may be directed to Ms. Senah N. Williams at (310) 653-8011). Submit all responses to: MCSW/PKA, Attn: Ms. Senah N. Williams 483 N. Aviation Blvd., El Segundo, CA 90245-2808. Coordination: Charles R. Willett/SMC/BC/01 Feb 2008