RFI --- GIS Escape Route Mapping and Modeling Tools

Request for Information - 030804 GIS ESCAPE ROUTE MAPPING AND MODELING TOOLS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE DATA FOR FIRST RESPONDERS-The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWARSYSCEN) Charleston is seeking information on all available commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) software, applications, and tools for Geographic Information System (GIS) escape route mapping and modeling in the management of critical infrastructure data and information. SPAWARSYSCEN Charleston is only interested in applications and tools that are currently available to civilian authorities, or easily adaptable by May 2004. Tools for the visualization, manipulation, and modeling of geospatial data used in managing large scale evacuation and emergency response scenarios with deployable web-based information and field updating capability is of specific interest. Determine sources of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Geospatial Information Systems and Information Sharing tools that can support Crisis Response Planning and Modeling and Simulation and their design, development and integration into an Emergency Evacuation Route Modeling and Simulation (EERMS) tool suite. This tool suite should be able to integrate GIS and Geospatial Information Systems, Information Sharing applications, and Modeling and Simulation Tools to provide the Crisis Planning and Response teams with a near real-time crisis response capability. Various local, state and federal government and law enforcement agencies, civil disaster administrators, military disaster control personnel and area disaster/emergency response personnel will potentially use these applications and tools. Determination as to its suitability will be made by SPAWARSYSCEN Charleston based on the objectives of this request. Review of this information is being performed for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Officer for Domestic Preparedness (ODP). ODP is responsible for enhancing the capacity of state and local jurisdictions to respond to, and mitigate the consequences of, incidents of domestic terrorism, particularly those involving weapons of mass destruction, through coordinated training, equipment acquisition, technical assistance, and support for federal, state, and local exercises.Information received will be reviewed and utilized for the development of a user ready reference with sufficient insight into the capabilities and limitations of the various applications, tools, technologies, and network security features to enable users to select those geospatial software, applications and tools which best meet their needs. This user ready reference will be an unclassified document disseminated to federal, state and local agencies. All information received will be treated as public knowledge; therefore, vendors should not submit proprietary information in response to this Request for Information (RFI.) Specific information sought includes: (1) a description of the system software, application, model or tool ? capabilities, operating principals and parameters to include limitations and number of personnel required to operate the system -- and its designated and potential applicability to critical infrastructure data management, emergency response and disaster operations; (2) cost, to include purchase price and expected life cycle operation, training, and maintenance costs; (3) the system?s or application?s network security features and it?s compatibility with other intrusion warning technologies; (4) a listing of current users, or in the case of technologies that have not yet been introduced into the market, organizations that have placed orders for the system or technology; (5) installation and support specifications and requirements; (6) a listing of data formats and standards which is supported or compliant with the application or tool that, at a minimum, meets the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) standards; and (7) the name and phone number/e-mail address of the individual that the users should contact for more information on the software or application. D iagrams , drawings and graphics that would assist the user in understanding the system, application, or tool are requested. This announcement is for information gathering purposes. Submittals: Respondents are welcome to provide information in the form of product brochures, press releases, technical specification sheets, independent assessment results, reprints of trade journal articles, etc, although electronic media are preferred (CD, diskette, or internet link). Submissions should include pertinent company information, including contact person, phone number, and fax number and e-mail address. Responses to this RFI should be mailed to: SPAWARSYSCEN Charleston, Attn: Code 741BB, P.O. Box 190022, N. Charleston, SC, 29419-9022. Please provide 3 copies of any printed material. POC Contact: Bill Bolick, phone: +1 (555) 000-0000, e-mail: contact@example.gov. This RFI is for planning purposes only, and should not be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or solicitation of an offer. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited.