EXTERNAL INTERFACES TOT HE COAST PILOT PRODUCTION SYSTEM

The Government intends to solicit and negotiate on a sole source basis with Future Integrated Systems (FIS) LLC, 4443 Brookfield Corporate Drive, Suite 105, Chantilly, Virginia 20150-1671 for the following requirement: STATEMENT OF WORK 1) Project Title: Adding External Interfaces to the Coast Pilot Production System 2) Executive Summary: The United States Coast Pilot is a series of nine nautical publications that cover a variety of information important to mariners and others interested in the coastal and intra-coastal waterways as well as the Great Lakes. The Coast Pilot is a companion document to the nautical chart and it is required carriage for regulated vessel. The Coast Pilot contains supplemental information that may be difficult to portray on a nautical chart, including channel descriptions, anchorages, pilotage, Federal regulations applicable to navigation and other navigationally significant information. The Coast Pilot is available to the public in a number of formats including the printed book, Print-on-Demand (POD) books and a variety of up-to-date digital files (PDF, HTML, XML) that are available for free download on the web (http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/nsd/cpdownload.htm) . Traditionally, in order to maintain an up-to-date copy of the Coast Pilot, users had to obtain the periodically announced corrections via the Notice to Mariners or the NOAA website. The corrections had to be cut from the paper copy and taped into the working book or the mariner had to make changes by pen and ink. NOAA's Office of Coast Survey (OCS) is continuing an effort aimed at modernizing the Coast Pilot through enhancements including on-line weekly updating of files, expanding sources of content, improving the quality of content, data sharing with other trusted sources and adding more display modalities. In order to realize these results, OCS has developed a new production system with improved functionality over any other commercially available product by linking to associated services, and allowing for third party interactions to freely develop value-added products. The Coast Pilot Production System (CPPS) needs increased data management capability in order to share its information with other sources and offer a customizable product that is useful across many platforms. Examples are an App developer might be interested in linking Coast Pilot content with NOAA charts, or other governmental agencies may wish to extract Federal regulations for a set of specific geographic coordinates. This degree of customization requires more control than a traditional word processor, Desktop Publisher (DTP) or database system can provide, but the Extensible Markup Language (XML) with associated tools have that capability. This project should result in the maintenance and enhancement of a Coast Pilot that is updated weekly in an ever increasing number of formats that is compliant with international standards and sharing data with other nautical products services and developers. Ultimately this will help promote safe navigation for the commercial mariner, the military and recreational boaters across the county. 3) Objectives: The objectives of this contract are to incorporate utilities that support the Coast Pilot Production System (CPPS) online and book publishing capabilities by providing a better way to enhance content used by the mariner. To accomplish this, OCS would like to use data that is available from other reliable external sources and embed it using existing XML tagging capabilities. The two candidate sources of data are the OCS's Critical Chart Correction database (CRIT) and the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). In addition, NOAA would like to have some additional functionality added to the CPPS including a browser update to Internet Explorer 10, an update of the text editor to improve tagging and the ability to view charts so the user can see tagged terms on the NOAA chart or other map image. 4) Responsibilities of the Contractor: A: SCOPE OF WORK - The contractor shall provide utilities, services and support relating to the current CPPS including: Analysis, design, testing, debugging, implementation, operational and technical support into the current CPPS. The contractor shall provide documentation and updating of the Online Help to reflect the new functionality. 1. Import data from CRIT and GNIS databases. The Contractor shall provide an automated process to periodically import raw data from both CRIT and GNIS into a temporary database within the CPPS database. Selections will be made based on NOAA chart boundaries using metadata from NOAA's CHAPP file. Note: All latitude and longitude data will be stored in the decimal format - not degrees, minutes, seconds. Also note that the application and changes to the CRIT and GNIS tags will not be tracked through the existing Change Detail workflow process in the CPPS. a. GNIS lookup/tagging. The system shall allow the user to select text from the Coast Pilot (for example a town or prominent geographic feature) and choose the option (GNIS Lookup) to look for matches for that selection in a bounding box for the NOAA chart or other map. The user shall have a list of potential matches in the temporary GNIS database. The user will need to evaluate potential matches and select from the list. Once the selection is confirmed, the system will automatically attach the geo-location (latitude and longitude) and any other important attributes into the GNIS-XML tag attached to the selected text. b. CRIT lookup/tagging. The system shall allow the user to select an area within a NOAA chart boundary and request all the updates within CRIT that are relevant to that selection. The user shall have several options to select from for each named object shown on the update list including; - Ignore - item will be ignored - Do Not Show Again - items with similar names or types will no longer be presented - Match - items will be presented to the user with a list of potential matches that need to be confirmed by the user in the book. The matched text shall only be limited to the selected chart. Note that the CRIT database does not use a consistent naming convention or maintain unique object identifiers so it will not be possible to provide matches for everything in the book. The system shall attempt to find content with matching text based on the named item of the CRIT data. The user shall be able to highlight the correct match in the book and apply the CRIT-XML tag. The system shall allow the user to select text from the Coast Pilot and choose the option (CRIT Lookup) to look any updates from CRIT. If an update is found, the user will be presented with a list of potential matches which will have to be evaluated and confirmed by the user. Once the selection is confirmed, the system will automatically attach the geo-location (latitude and longitude) and any other important attributes into the CRIT-XML tag attached to the selected text. This function is similar to the GNIS lookup function. c. Import History. The CPPS shall track the periodic updates to GNIS and CRIT to identify which releases were imported and how many terms still need to be processed, matched or ignored. 2. Internet Explorer Support. Update the CPPS to Internet Explorer 10 which includes a built-in "Spell Checker" function. Currently, CPPS does not have a spell checking function. 3. Update Editor. The contractor shall update the CPPS system editor to better manage the XML content in the Coast Pilot. The current CPPS uses an HTML editor. The new editor shall provide users with better content editing capabilities and enhanced XML tag management within the Coast Pilot. 4. Chart/Map Views. The contractor shall provide a "map view" of the selected NOAA chart to allow the user to view the CRIT, GNIS and other tagged Coast Pilot terms plotted on the chart. Each type of data point (CRIT/GNIS) will have its own "legend pin" and it can be adjusted to indicate whether it has been matched successfully within the Coast Pilot. The map view shall have a scrolling pane on one side indicating the potential paragraphs that could match the selected CRIT/GNIS pin. This would allow the user to select the desired term to match the CRIT/GNIS data point. B: WORKSITE - The Contractor will perform all work at the Contractor's work site. C: DELIVERABLES - The Contractor will be part of a team effort that is responsible for system design and should be an expert in desktop publishing using Adobe InDesign, XML, and database publishing. They should have experience with the United States Coast Pilot practices and procedures, including information type, updating procedure, workflow and data structure. Required Service/Task Performance Requirement Standard Performance Method for Monitoring Performance Measures Software Development and Integration - Government standards and process - Meets all functional requirements - Conforms to operational environment and does not negatively impact the system - Uses system resources as efficiently and effectively as possible - Independent verification of software functionality - Customer satisfaction is measured, in part, by the number of discrepancy reports logged during testing - Inspection and acceptance of the code of functionality, structure and documentation - Review of status reports provided by the Contractor Documentation, including design code, user instructions, test procedures, and software maintenance - Government standards are followed for format and readability - Documentation complete and accurate - Independent reviews - End user and customer satisfaction - Inspection and acceptance Technology Transfer - Accurate documentation of existing software - Software Development Plan is thorough and supports ability to meet required software delivery schedules - Ability to interact with customers and other developers - Independent reviews of documentation and oral briefings when needed - Independent verification of software functionality - End user and customer satisfaction - Inspection and acceptance Requirements Analysis and Management - Accurate and organized documentation of user requirements - Ability to interact with customers and other system managers to collect requirements - Ability to track status and of required functionality - Ability to manage changes in requirements - Independent reviews of documentation - End user and customer satisfaction - Inspection and acceptance System Integration - Provision of technical insight into systems integration issues - Ability to interact with other developers and system managers - Resolution of system integration issues - Independent evaluation of system design, requirements, or solution of issues - Inspection and acceptance The Contractor shall conduct periodic performance reviews with the Government Program Manager. The Contractor shall also submit a quarterly written report of tasks accomplished, deliverables submitted, and hours worked during the reporting period; planned tasks and deliverables for the next reporting period; and cumulative hours worked. Performance reviews will be held at either OCS headquarters (see address below) or by tele-conference. The Contractor shall provide documentation describing the product's technical and functional capabilities. The Contractor shall meet with OCS to provide the transfer of knowledge and provide technical and functional training if required. The Contractor shall provide OCS the opportunity to perform progress review and acceptance testing to minimize the risk of developing a product that does not meet with the requirements. The Contractor shall work with OCS IT to determine the effort and resources needed to integrate the product into the CPPS. The Office of Coast Survey 1315 East West highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 D: DESCREPANCY REPORTING - Should there be any issues, problems or discrepancies during development, the OCS Project Manager shall be contacted at once, and an e-mail report will follow. The nature of the problem shall be fully described. Such a report may include the proposed resolution, if it is known, but the report shall not be delayed while possible resolutions are determined. E: IT SECURITY REQUIREMENTS - The contractor is required to meet the DOC IT Security Program Policy (http://home.commerce.gov/CIO/ITSITnew/IT_Security_Program_Documentation.html). The government will provide the necessary computer equipment and information to perform this contract. All work must be performed upon government furnished equipment and if additional hardware and/or software is/are needed, the contractor must request the additional requirements from the Contracting Officer Representative (COR). The contractor must use government furnished equipment (GFE), which is currently covered by an existing government Certification and Accreditation (C&A) or Assessment and Authentication (A&A) package. The Certification and Accreditation (C&A) or Assessment and Authentication (A&A) requirements of Clause 48 CFR 1352.239-72 do not apply, and a Security Accreditation Package is not required. The contractor must consider IT Security controls throughout the lifecycle of this contract as outlined in NIST Special Publication 800-64 (http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-64-Rev2/SP800-64-Revision2.pdf). The contractor shall guarantee strict confidentiality of the information/data that it is provided by the Government during the performance of the task order. The Government has determined that the information/data that the contractor will be provided during the performance of the task order is of a sensitive nature. Disclosure of the information/data, in whole or in part, by the contractor can only be made after the contractor receives prior written approval from the Contracting Officer. Whenever the contractor is uncertain with regard to the proper handling of information/data under the contract, the contractor shall obtain a written determination from the Contracting Officer. The resulting application will comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act as applicable. The contractor must ensure that the product being purchased complies with the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requirements from FAR 4.1302 stating: (a) In order to comply with FIPS PUB 201, agencies must purchase only approved personal identity verification products and services. (b) Agencies may acquire the approved products and services from the GSA, Federal Supply Schedule 70, Special Item Number (SIN) 132-62, HSPD-12 Product and Service Components, in accordance with ordering procedures outlined in FAR Subpart 8.4. Prior to code deliverable and acceptance, the government will conduct an independent code review. 5) Responsibilities of the Government: The Government, when the Contracting Officer's Representative determines that the delivery order requires onsite support, shall furnish office space in the Silver Spring Complex for the Contractor. When the Contractor is performing services onsite the Government will furnish all supplies and equipment. Access to Government computers will be provided within the scope of these efforts. All travel costs are the responsibility of the contractor, in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations. 6) Contracting Officer's Representative: 7) Length of Contract: This contract will run for, but not exceed 12 months from the day the contract is awarded. Delivery date is September 30, 2014. Delivery to be delivered to Navigation Services Division, 1315 East West Highway, SSMC-3, Room 6322, Silver Spring, MD 20910. In order to comply with the debt collection improvement act of 1966, all contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be considered for an award of a federal contract. For information regarding registration in SAM contact the SAM website at www.sam.gov. Authority: 41 USC 253(c)(1). The FSC for this is D313 and the NAICS Code is 541511, small business size standard is $25.5 million. The government intends to award a firm-fixed price purchase order for this requirement. The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302(c)(1). Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit a proposal. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received by 4:00 P.M. August 1, 2013, will be considered by the government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. Evidence must be provided of ability to perform the required updating. Responses to this notice, if any, must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the government. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to contact@example.gov. Sole Source: The United States Coast Pilot is a series of nine nautical publications that cover a variety of information important to mariners and others interested in the coastal and intracoastal waterways as well as the Great Lakes. The Coast Pilot is a companion document to the nautical chart and it is required carriage for regulated vessels. The Coast Pilot Production System (CPPS) was specifically designed and built by Future Integrated Systems (FIS) to maintain the Coast Pilot. For two years, NOAA has exclusively used the CPPS to produce new editions of the Coast Pilot annually as well as weekly updates of the publication in a variety of electronic formats for free distribution to the mariner. The continued maintenance and development of the CPPS is administered by FIS. FIS won the five-year maintenance and enhancement contract for the CPPS awarded in FY 2010. By contracting with FIS, NOAA can leverage the vast amount of experience and knowledge that FIS has gained during the development, deployment and support of the current system. NOAA requires enhancements to the CPPS in order to perform it mission to publish the Coast Pilot. The enhancements will allow NOAA to improve the quality and expand the sources of content to include reliable sources of information such as the U.S Geological Survey's Geographic Names Information System (GNIS database) and the Office of Coast Survey's Critical Chart Correction database (CRIT). Learning how to use the CPPS and evaluating data sources is a critical and costly part of this process. Because FIS is intimately familiar with the CPPS, they are able to provide the enhancements at a substantial discount over other software developers.