AFCEC-R-0002-237130 Long Term Evolution

Background The rapid evolution of commercial mobile device technologies offers unprecedented opportunities to advance the operational effectiveness of the Air Force workforce. Using small, "smart" mobile communications and computing devices will enable faster access to a broader array of real-time information and computing power from any location. There are a variety of wireless devices currently employed at Air Force bases around the world. Many aircraft maintainers are equipped with wireless tablets to access technical orders used to repair weapon systems; Security Forces personnel around the Air Force have employed wireless devices at installation entrance gates to check identification card validity. Innovative Airmen are continuing to find new ways to leverage mobile devices to enhance mission effectiveness and improve quality of life. In order to maximize usage of mobile devices, cellular connectivity across all Air Force bases is a crucial enabling capability. Cellular coverage is needed on all Air Force bases where missions are supported (i.e. flightlines) as well as centers of the community such as retail locations, the library, the gym, and housing neighborhoods. Cellular coverage on Air Force bases varies widely from location to location; some bases have adequate coverage throughout the base while others have partial or virtually no access to a cellular signal. In order to address these gaps in coverage, the Air Force is streamlining the process to grant leases for commercial broadband deployment to ensure the Air Force may obtain comprehensive coverage across its enterprise. It is anticipated that this streamlined process will encourage greater partnership between the Air Force and commercial providers. The goal is to team with commercial industry for the installation of additional cellular infrastructure delivering expanded coverage on Air Force bases. Overview/Purpose/Description of Solicitation The purpose of this RFI is to solicit input from cellular providers and tower management experts to inform the strategy for commercial cellular deployment on AF bases. The Air Force requires coverage on all bases regardless of location or population. Further, the Air Force team realizes each base represents a differing business opportunity for cellular providers. Various strategies are being sought to insure all bases receive sufficient cellular coverage. Responses to this RFI should describe approaches which would be most efficient, effective, and address the need to have cellular coverage across all bases. Furthermore, the respondents should consider what lease terms are critical to the project's viability and what terms present significant challenges. Respondents should consider what lease term length is sufficient and desired to realize a return on infrastructure investment. Respondents should consider how they would address the ownership and maintenance of the installed infrastructure; e.g., would they convey the infrastructure to the Air Force and expect the Air Force to maintain or would they retain ownership and maintenance? Additionally, respondents should consider the current requirements and limitations on subleasing on government property. When subleasing is authorized, the Air Force requires a percentage of profit sharing. How would the respondent expect to address this use of installed infrastructure by other service providers? Would the respondent install infrastructure with the capacity to accommodate other service providers' signals? How would subleasing rights be best allocated? Any information submitted by respondents to this request is strictly voluntary. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quotation (RFQ), or Invitation for Bid (IFB), nor does its issuance obligate or restrict the Government to a specific acquisition approach. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses from this RFI. Additionally, the Government does not intend to pay for the preparation of any information submitted or for the use of such information. All information received from this RFI will be used for planning and market research purposes only. To the maximum extent possible, please submit non-proprietary information. Should there be a need to submit proprietary information, that information shall be clearly identified. The respondents shall clearly identify the section(s) of the submission that are proprietary at the page level. The Government shall not be liable for damages related to proprietary information that is not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Scope of Effort This is a Request for Information (RFI), as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(e). This RFI is issued in an effort to understand how commercial industry would approach equipping Air Force bases to ensure cellular coverage is provided where required. The technology included in the comprehensive coverage may include one or more of the following types: fiber or other hard wiring, macro towers (commonly referred to as - cell towers'), small nodes, distributed antenna systems (DASs), in building networks, or repeaters. Carrier-installed infrastructure should be capable of supporting additional carriers' networks, where feasible, on a first-come, first served basis. Discussion of a specific technology is not required unless it drives a variation in the implementation strategy. Respondents to this RFI should assume that no single vendor or tower management company will satisfy the entire Air Force requirement given the geographic diversity of Air Force bases and vendor presence in various regions. Responses to this RFI should describe an optimal methodology to allow commercial cellular provider(s) to rapidly engage all Air Force bases. Additionally, respondents may elect to submit a partial solution which may focus on a specific region or subset of bases with the understanding that all bases in that region will require coverage. Installations may be partnered under leases in order to seek comprehensive coverages to ensure that mission-compatible service may be obtained at a future time as required by operational needs and demands as well as provide suitable quality of life demands on the main base, across the ranges, and in the housing areas. The focus of this RFI is inclusive of Air Force bases both within the United States as well as bases located in foreign countries. The Air Force team recognizes there are differing challenges when employing technology outside of the United States. Respondents may elect to address bases in foreign countries with a strategy that differs from the approach used for bases located within the United States. The Air Force provides no base-specific coverage information in support of this RFI. Respondents may assume that all Air Force bases require some level of cellular coverage. During this phase of discussion, the RFI seeks information on a general approach and strategy without respect to individual base requirements for coverage. Submission Instructions The Government will sponsor a Technical Exchange Meeting to facilitate the exchange of information. Please RSVP to Mr. William (Randy) Winstead, william.r.winstead2.ctr@mail.mil by 1 June 2018 with your company's information, attendees with their job titles, and respective email addresses. Event Details: To be provided to those who RSVP for the Technical Exchange Meeting Date & Time: June 2018, exact date and time to be provided to those who RSVP Location: TBD, within the National Capital Region, based on number of parties who RSVP Submit responses to this RFI via e-mail to debra.edwards.3@us.af.mil and kenneth.b.morgan2.civ@mail.mil no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time on 30 May 2018. Responses should be double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font, with one inch margins all around, compatible with MS Office Word 2010, with a total page count not to exceed twenty (20) pages. These responses, including attachments, shall not exceed 25MB. Email responses are acceptable and preferred. Please note that some email systems may block file types such a .zip, or other macro-enabled extensions. Respondents should verify receipt by email. Any response submitted by respondents to this request constitutes consent for that submission to be reviewed by military personnel, Government civilians, and DoD contractors, including Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to provide feedback with respect to any information submitted. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All Government, DoD contractor and personnel reviewing RFI responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of properly marked proprietary information. Primary Point of Contact: Debra Edwards, Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Real Property Management Division, debra.edwards.3@us.af.mil Alternate Point of Contact: Kenneth Morgan, Headquarters Air Force Pentagon, Enterprise IT Integration Division (SAF A6SE), kenneth.b.morgan2.civ@mail.mil Technical Exchange Point of Contact: William (Randy) Winstead, Headquarters Air Force Pentagon, Enterprise IT Integration Division (SAF A6SE), william.r.winstead2.ctr@mail.mil