D -- E-6B-RFI-IP Upgrade

The Naval Air Systems Command is seeking information regarding the current level of technology and capability of Defense Contractors and the Commercial sector to provide broadband communications capabilities aboard the Navy E-6B aircraft. The required capabilities will include Line-of-Sight (LOS) and/or satellite based communications systems capable of a variety of digital protocols, to include IP, VoIP, and secure video teleconferencing, with the ability to utilize the Navy Teleport sites to connect to DoD ground based networks. Worldwide coverage is required and can be achieved using multiple, complementary systems. Specific communications systems of interest include, but are not limited to: Ku band transmit/receive capability of 1-5 Mbps; INMARSAT; a high data rate (T3) receive/transmit capability; and First Responder communications capabilities to support local, state, and national level connectivity. In addition, a wireless secure and non-secure Local Area Network (LAN) systems to support network access from a variety of locations onboard the aircraft is of interest. The response should include, but not be limited to, the following: a) A one page company history description to include: Small Business Administration (SBA) business size classification, major products, primary customer base, and points of contacts and their telephone numbers, that are able to discuss the material submitted. b) A description of the company's qualifications for this effort and past experience similar to that outlined above; c) A description of existing capabilities, as well as a description of the modifications that would need to be made to existing products/capabilities and/or to the aircraft in order to satisfy the objectives identified above; d) A Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) would be beneficial for budgetary purposes; and e) Any other technical information the company deems necessary to aid the Government in making an informed assessment. AT THIS TIME, NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS EXIST. This presolicitation announcement is not a contract, or a request for proposal, or a promise to contract, or a commitment of any kind. The Navy will NOT assume liability for costs incurred by any offeror for travel expenses, presentations, marketing efforts, or any data offered for examination; therefore, the cost of preparing information in response to this notice is not considered an allowable direct charge to the Government. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities website located at http://www.fedbizops.gov. It is the responsibility of the potential offeror to monitor Federal Business Opportunities for the release of any follow-on information. The Government reserves the right to review and use data at its own discretion. Upon request, NAVAIR will protect proprietary information from unwanted disclosure. If the material provided contains proprietary information, please mark and identify disposition instructions (submitted data will not be returned). Submission Information: It is the Government's intention to review the data and possibly schedule a briefing with some of the submitters to gain further market insight to industry capabilities. Those companies will be contacted individually. Two copies of the responses to this sources sought announcement shall be submitted no later than 23 February 2006 by mail or E-mail to: Department of the Navy, Naval Air Systems Command (Attn: Clifford Stevens, AIR-2.3.1.4.1), 47123 Buse Road, Unit #IPT, Building 2272 (Suite 155), Patuxent River, MD 20670-1547. E-mail Address is Clifford.stevens@navy.mil.