Multimedia recording, storage, and event reconstruction

This is a Sources Sought/Request for Information (RFI) only. This Sources Sought synopsis does not constitute a formal solicitation, Request for Proposal (RFP), or a promise to issue a formal solicitation or RFP. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the government to ultimately award a contract. This is for planning and market research purposes only and shall not be considered as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. Responses will not be considered as proposals, nor will any award be made as a result of this synopsis. No proprietary data should be submitted in response to the synopsis. Any costs associated with responding to this synopsis will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this synopsis does not preclude participation in any future potential solicitation or RFP. Any submissions will be considered to be public information. Responses will not be returned. The information provided in this synopsis is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. 1) Introduction The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) is seeking to identify qualified sources capable of satisfying some or all of the requirements for a Multimedia recording, storage, and event reconstruction capability. 2) Capability Goals The chief goals of the multimedia recording, storage, and event reconstruction capability are: - Provide a means to record multiple classification level multimedia inputs of ongoing operations at various operational nodes throughout the United States and Canada - Provide expedient and effective capture, storage, search, retrieval and analysis of multimedia inputs - Support and enhance event reconstruction processes - As requested, support DoD Forensic Enterprise (DFE) initiatives 3) Key Functions The key functions within the multimedia recording, storage, and event reconstruction capability include data conversion (as necessary), authoritative timing system, data management and analysis, and data storage. This capability is needed to ensure the multimedia data surrounding an operational, training, test, or exercise event is captured. This data can be used to re-create, examine, and analyze the event to determine event sequences and actions that took place. The multimedia event reconstruction capabilities can provide valuable analysis tools, leading to significant improvements in operational performance. Multimedia recording, storage, and event reconstruction analysis provides the capability to conduct end-to-end reconstruction and visualization of operational, training, exercise, and test events. Potential multimedia inputs include: Data Audio Video Multiple command and control Common Operational Picture (COP) sources; Chat logs (e.g., Jabber, mIRC), Email activity, SharePoint, Event Logs, Audio/Video Controller logs. Multiple voice sources: Defense Red Switch Network (DRSN), Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), secure telephone, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phones, approved cellular phones (e.g. blackberry), Integrated Intercom. Multiple information system sources: Common Operational Picture (COP) displays, Decision Support Systems, and event tracking applications available at operator consoles and knowledge wall screens. Video Teleconference (including desktop systems) The capability should ideally provide audio, video, and data collection and distribution capabilities. This includes accepting inputs from a variety of audio, video and data devices, performing the necessary media and format conversions, and providing the distribution and delivery means. Data distribution can be via a dedicated or private IP based network or via dedicated switching technologies. In order to analyze and manipulate stored data, all inputs must be referenced to a common timing source. In addition, the file structure and storage mechanisms must support metadata tagging, advanced queries and search functions. Finally, analytic tools to allow integrated reconstruction and visualization of events must be provided. 4) Design Requirements a) Standardized Approach - Since there are many distributed nodes, a standard approach to implementing multimedia recording, storage, and event reconstruction is needed. For example, deciding to store inputs in digital formats instead of analog provides a much richer set of commercial products to develop and deliver the desired capabilities. Avoid implementing a site specific solution at each node without having established common standards and formats. b) Interoperable - The degree to which data needs to be exchanged and readable between nodes is an important question. Use of proprietary data formats may be acceptable if there is sufficient support for industry standard formats as well. Each may play an important and separate role within the system or at a particular node. For example, proprietary formats allow efficient storage of large numbers of video streams. However, it is highly desirable to export and share data using any web-browser or multi-media player. c) Information Assurance - The operational requirement has been established to operate the multimedia recording, storage, and event reconstruction capability as a dedicated network at the TS/SCI classification level. This means that adherence to the DOD DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE DIRECTIVE 6/3 - PROTECTING SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION WITHIN INFORMATION SYSTEMS (also known as DCIDS 6.3) is required. d) Scalability - Since the delivery of multimedia recording, storage, and event reconstruction capabilities will be phased in over a period of time, the system must be scalable in terms of the number of operational nodes, input feeds, multimedia types and formats, data storage capacity, and processing. e) Time-synchronized - A key capability is that all data feeds must be time stamped to a single time source. The granularity of how often data is stamped and the size of the data to be stamped is a design detail, but time stamping is essential to allow automated reconstruction and facilitate search and query capabilities. 5) Requested Information: Prospective sources, possessing the qualifications, capability, and experience to respond to this RFI, in part or in whole, are invited to submit documentation in response to items listed under section 1 thru 4 above and outlining the following items: a) Company information, which includes point of contact, address, type of company, size and level of facility clearance; b) Description of experience in the field of multimedia recording, storage, and event reconstruction; c) Description of potential technical approaches, and solutions that will satisfy the goals, objectives, and design requirements of a multimedia recording, storage, and event reconstruction capability; d) Description of any teaming considerations/arrangements/strategies to address support of RFI requirements; 6) Submission Instructions: a) Interested parties are requested to respond to this synopsis inclusive of answers to the requested information listed above. c) Responses shall be in Microsoft Word compatible format and are due on or before 3:00 PM (local Eastern Time), Tuesday February 22, 2011. d) Responses to this RFI may be evaluated by Non-Government technical experts. All non-government support personnel have signed and bound by the appropriate non-disclosure agreements and organizational conflict of interest statements. The Government may also use these selected support contractor personnel as technical advisors in the evaluation of responses. e) No proprietary information should be provided in the response. Be advised that no submissions will be returned. All submissions will be disposed of in accordance with NORAD and USNORTHCOM organizational discretion.