Enterprise Image Processing

USDA Forest Service Request for Information (RFI) for the Remote Sensing Applications Center (RSAC) August 28, 2014 This RFI is for information purposes only and shall not be construed as a commitment or a promise of a contract by the Government. This notice does not constitute a Request for Quotations (RFQ), Request for Bid (RFB), or Request for Proposal (RFP). 1. PURPOSE The US Forest Service, Washington Office (WO) Acquisition Management (AQM), Information Technology (IT) Support Branch is conducting a market analysis with this RFI to refine the requirement and determine the most suitable approach for acquiring and fulfilling the needs for hardware and software products that address the following requirements: 1.) Core Image Processing, 2.) Soft Copy Photogrammetry, 3.) 3-D Stereo Viewing and Analysis and 4.) Image Segmentation. The information collected in this RFI will be used to define the government's requirements and create the appropriate acquisition strategy. Responding to this RFI does not automatically include the responder on any bidders list, if such a list is developed. Depending on the quantity and quality of the responses received. The criteria may serve to generate the initial pool of potential contractors to be invited to respond to a resulting solicitation. WO AQM-IT Support Branch is interested in collecting information on industry capabilities concerning hardware and software operating environment on which the proposed solution will run. 2. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND The Forest Service Office of Information Technology Services requires an enterprise solution for Image Processing. The needs on an enterprise solution vary in accuracy requirements and as such required different components and systems to meet objectives. This RFI is being used to receive feedback/comments and to develop an acquisition strategy that will ensure that the Forest Service is able to make informed business recommendations as well as receive best value offers once a solicitation for this requirement is developed. Attached is a copy of significant information regarding the Enterprise Image Processing. Please review all the information provided which is very concise in the type of requirements needed. 3. QUESTIONS Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by email to the Contracting Officer; bgallegos@fs.fed.us. Verbal questions fwill NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered by posting answers to the fedbizopps site; questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. The Government does not quarantee that questions received after 15 September 2014 will be answered. To access the fedbizopps.gove website, go to https://www.fbo.gov to view other important information related to this RFI. Questions should be on a separate page with vendors indentification/contact information. Input/recommendations are requested by 15 September 2014. 4. SUMMARY OF REQUESTED INFORMATION: Forest Service (FS) is not seeking elaborate replies, but rather concise, meaningful responses from vendors with Image Processing hardware and software operating environment expertise. In 15 single-sided 8.5" x 11" pages or less (title page or table of contents do not count against the page count), vendors are requested to provide the following information: 1. Company Information a. Name, address and DUNS b. Current contract vehicles (such as GSA Schedules, GWACs, etc) with Image Processing hardware and software supplies within scope. c. Number of contracts for 1) government and 2) commercial in the last three years d. Indicate whether your company is/is not a small business, a small disadvantaged business, 8(a), hub-zone certified, woman-owned, or Historicall Black College or University Minority Institution. 2. Describe the capabilities, features and benefits of your solution, paying special attention to new capabilities/features that would be advantageous of a Image Processing solution. 3. Describe your capabilities of providing a certified Image Processing solution that would ensure highly successful products and technical support plus other features. 4. What pricing approaches have been used in your contracts? Please also comment on the advantages/disadvantages of those approaches. NOTE: It is the FS's intent to benefit from total contract volume purchases, invoiced by Task Order. 5. Technology Refreshments regarding updated product offerings, new product offerings and new products or services that it believes would increase effectiveness and/or improve productivity are used in current contracts held by your company? 6. Provide three references for contracts within the past three years. References should include: a. Customer b. Name, phone number and email address for the customer's program manager c. Contract Named. Contract Number d. Contract Value e. Contract type 7. Any additional information that may be helpful to the Forest Service for a Image Processing Performance Work Statement. 5. SUBMISSION INFORMATION: All responses shall be organized according to and address each item of paragraph 4 above, and shall be provided electronically in Word or PDF to Mr. Brendell Gallegos at bgallegos@fs.fed.us. All responses must be submitted via email by 5:00pm ET on September 15, 2014. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The USFS has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.