Dial-in service for video conferencing applications

SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE US COURTS IS SEEKING SOURCES FOR: The capability to provide toll-free conference dial-in service for video conferencing applications so that the caller can hear all other meeting participants and be heard by all other participants. The US Courts uses MS Teams primarily as its enterprise video conferencing application. INTRODUCTION: This is a Sources Sought Technical Description to determine the availability and technical capability of industry to add toll-free dial-in numbers to Microsoft Teams meetings. The CARES Act of 2020 provided the flexibility for Federal Courts to conduct courtroom operations virtually. While the judiciary has become efficient in utilizing Microsoft Teams for audio and video conferencing internally, in order to effectively utilize Microsoft Teams for courtroom operations we need to provide all constituents the ability to participate, and some may only be able to participate using a toll-free option. We cannot assume that everyone has access to the internet or cellular phone service to participate in virtual court operations. Using the Microsoft Teams application is being pursued over other platforms because, unlike other applications, it comes packaged to the US Courts at no additional cost with Microsoft 365. Adding the toll-free capability to Microsoft Teams is an add-on service that does have a cost. We're seeking sources to determine if there are alternatives to fully meet our needs other than the Microsoft brand add-on solution. As a requirement, we need the capability for an active participant in a virtual court procedure to dial-in to the Microsoft Teams meeting, hear all other meeting participants, and be heard by all other participants. If the Microsoft Teams meeting is recorded using the native functionality in Microsoft Teams, comments made by toll-free participants need to be part of the recording. The meeting organizer needs the ability to manage the toll-free participants the same as they manage virtual participants, i.e.- have them wait in the lobby, add them to breakout rooms, and mute the participant if necessary. Additional requirements are listed in the required capabilities section. DISCLAIMER: THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. REQUIRED CAPABILITIES: The toll-free number must be included in the meeting invitation when it is created in MS Outlook or from Microsoft teams. All participants in the virtual or hybrid event need to be able to clearly hear comments made by participants on the toll-free line. Toll-free participants need to be able to clearly hear other Teams meeting participants. If the Teams meeting is recorded using the native Teams recording functionality comments made by toll-free participants need to be include in the recording. US Courts needs the ability assign toll-free scheduling capability to selective Office 365 users. SOURCES SOUGHT: The anticipated North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) for this requirement is 511210, with the corresponding size standard of $38.5M. This Sources Sought Synopsis is requesting responses to the following that can provide the required services under the NAICS Code. SUBMISSION DETAILS: Responses should include: Business name and address; Name of company representative and their business title; Business Size; Cage Code; Contract vehicles that would be available to the Government for the procurement of the product and service, to include General Service Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedules, GWACs, or any other Government Agency contract vehicle. (This information is for market research only and does not preclude your company from responding to this notice.) Vendors who wish to respond to this should send responses via email to the POCs detailed in this post NLT the due date and time detailed in this post. Interested businesses should submit a brief capabilities statement package (no more than five pages) demonstrating ability to perform the services listed in this Technical Description. Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All government and contractor personal reviewing RFI responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described 41 USC 423. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.