Market Research - Production and Support of PM WIN-T Inc 2 Tactical Relay-Tower (TRT)

This Sources Sought is not a request for competitive proposals and no formal solicitation package is available. Solicitation Number W15P7T-17-R-0020 has been assigned to this Market Research for reference purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bids/proposals. The Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this announcement. Interested parties may identify their capability to meet all or portions of the requirements by submitting: a white paper, technical data, qualification and certification test data, logistics documentation and past performance data. This data must be provided to this office not later than 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time on 01 March 2017. Only responses received by this date will be considered. Full Description of the requirements is as follows: (Due to technical issues, the attachments to this notice may not display correctly, this description duplicates the entire content of the attachments.) The Army Contracting Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland and Project Manager Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (PM WIN-T) are conducting market research. The purpose of this market survey is to identify parties qualified and interested in becoming the prime contractor for this effort. PM WIN-T Increment 2 (Inc 2) anticipates a requirement for production, assembly, configuration, testing and delivery of WIN-T Inc 2 TR-T equipment and support services. WIN-T is the implementation of the Army's strategy to achieve a world-class joint expeditionary network enabled by information technologies that support the goals of the Army Campaign Plan and other Army/Joint mandates. WIN-T is an Acquisition Category 1C Major Defense Acquisition Program that establishes a single integrating framework creating a network of networks for the Army, subject to unit commanders' intent and security policy. The focus of this program is to design, develop, produce and field the future Army transport network. The network leverages mature technologies to enhance the current Modular Force and to allow for operations in an emerging non-contiguous environment. WIN-T Inc 2 provides an integrated communications network, optimized for offensive and joint operations. It forms the Army's tactical portion of the Department of Defense Information Network (DoDIN), providing a high-speed, high-capacity backbone communications network reaching from the Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) and Divisions to the strategic portion of the DoDIN. It is the replacement communications architecture for current force maneuver BCTs and Division Head Quarters (HQ) and will be owned, operated and maintained by both signal and non-signal units. WIN-T Inc 2 builds systems which employ a combination of terrestrial and space-based (military and commercial) networks to provide timely, comprehensive Multiple Security Level (MSL) voice, data and video coverage to tactical soldiers from the Division to Company echelons. WIN-T Inc 2 provides a robust radio backbone, leveraging as much terrestrial bandwidth as possible. The WIN-T Inc 2 system uses the following functional elements to achieve these capabilities: 1. Network Design (ND): Provides integrated security, switching, routing, and quality of service and range extension for the tactical network and includes security, switching, routing, Domain Name Services (DNS)/Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Active Directory, radio gateways, voice, and transmission equipment. The ability of the prime contractor to utilize and apply advanced cyber techniques to reduce risks associated with Cyber-attacks is a key area of concern for the program. 2. Network Management (NM): WIN-T INC 2 enhances and augments the deployed WIN-T Inc 1 NetOps solution to include an Operating Environment (OE), planning, monitoring and administration tools for the network to include the two waveforms introduced by WIN-T Inc 2; the Network Centric Waveform (NCW) and Highband Networking Waveform (HNW). Detailed network planning to include spectrum management and topology and capacity analysis generators are provided. 3. Information Assurance (IA): Provides end-to-end security consistent with the classification of information passed over the WIN-T network, by utilizing an integrated Defense in Depth approach that starts at the Defense Information System Network (DISN) and extends down to the Local Area Network (LAN) or the individual user devices. This approach includes the use of High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptors (HAIPEs)/encryptors, authentication servers, the Perimeter Protection Suite (PPS), Enclave Protection Suite, IA management tools, user authentication and Host Based System Security (HBSS). IA capabilities are embedded into system equipment to protect the WIN-T network. The IA capabilities provided by WIN-T will detect network attacks; provide immediate protection, and alert users and IA managers. 4. Transmission Services Subsystem (TSS): Provides the transmission elements (radios, waveforms and antennas). This subsystem, along with ND and NM, provides the self-organizing backbone critical to enabling communications on the move. Transmission systems also includes the Secure Wireless LAN (SWLAN) for end user wifi-client access and the Local Access Waveform (LAW) for vehicle-to-vehicle On-the-Move wireless connectivity in convoy operations. 5. Packaging Elements: Provides the mechanical and electrical infrastructure to support operation of the WIN-T components and equipment. The following Configuration Item (CI) and services are required to be delivered under the anticipated contract award: Tactical Relay - Tower (TR-T): The TR-T is a trailer mounted 30-m mast and a Highband Networking Radio (HNR) suite of equipment. The trailer is capable of being towed by a Unit providedHigh Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV.) It provides extended ground-to-ground communications range where needed. The TR-T also provides a point-to-point Range Throughput Extension Kit (RTEK) which will support longer ranges at maximum data rates. They are allocated to the Division and Brigade Combat Team (BCT) echelons and are deployed throughout the operational environment for range extension. The Tactical Relay-Tower (TR-T) is used when remote from the Tactical Communications Node (TCN) to provide an At-The-Halt high capacity C-band terrestrial relay capability by extending the useful range of operations between WIN-T signal elements. The TR-T also has the ability to be wired directly to the TCN to extend the Line of Sight (LOS) range of the TCN. WIN-T Inc 2 TR-T Logistics, Sustainment and Support Services: The prime contractor must provide logistics support including training material development, training support to fielding, provisioning and spare parts support, warranties for contract items, reliability and availability calculations and information, failure root cause analysis and corrective actions, Field Support Representatives (FSRs), technical manuals and reset support. Additionally, the prime contractor must be capable of developing and supporting End of Life support plans, Engineering Change Proposals and be able to support periodic technical refresh of previously field systems. WIN-T Inc 2 TR-T Training: The WIN-T Inc 2 uses a lifelong learning approach to develop institutional training and New Equipment Training (NET) that is task based. WIN-T Inc 2 training is reflective of Army transformation initiatives promoting readiness and training of skills for respective Signal Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) soldiers, General Purpose Users (GPU) and other Unit-selected personnel. The institutional training (when developed) and NET designed for career development of soldiers and leaders will provide the skills, knowledge and attributes through training from Initial Entry Training (IET) to Non-Commissioned Officer, Warrant Officer training and Officer Basic and Advanced courses. WIN-T Inc 2 training will not only ensure that soldiers are prepared to perform operator and maintainer tasks, it will also provide network planners, nodal managers, and information assurance managers with the skills and understanding to plan, manage, and monitor the WIN-T network. WIN-Inc 2 training development and conduct leverages all existing Current Force courseware and training resources to standardize training materials for all users. Training materials developed for each course include lesson plans, visual aids (slides), checks on learning, performance exercises, information sheets and performance measurements. Table Training Course Material Description provides a brief description of the training material for each course. WIN-T Inc 2 will furnish the Configuration Items necessary to conduct the training courses. Exception to this will be those items and materials provided as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) at the fielding location (Unit), such as classroom, furniture and fueling. WIN-T Inc 2 will use fielded production equipment for the NET, and/or furnish additional training suite equipment for the duration or the training. Training equipment anticipated for Institutional training is provided. Major Milestones include the following: - Anticipated RFP Release Date Date: 4QFY17 The security requirements for this effort will be as follows: Facility Clearance required shall be TOP SECRET with TOP SECRET safeguarding capability. The CIs are presently being manufactured by General Dynamics Mission Systems Taunton, Massachusetts, who currently retains all rights to CI designs. No drawings, subcontract specifications, test documentation, or production documentation are available from the Government. Interested parties may identify their capability to meet all or portions of the requirements by submitting: a white paper, technical data, qualification and certification test data, logistics documentation and past performance data. This data must be provided to this office not later than 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on 01 March 2017. Only responses received by this date will be considered. This notice is not a request for competitive proposals and no formal solicitation package is available. Solicitation Number W15P7T-17-R-0020 has been assigned to this market survey for reference purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bids/proposals. The Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this announcement. Interested sources may identify, in writing, their interest and capability to respond to this requirement to Denise Bergan, Contract Specialist, email: tungha.d.bergan.civ@mail.mil NO TELEPHONE REQUESTS WILL BE HONORED.