Video Relay Service

Request for Information- Market Research The Social Security Administration (SSA) is conducting market research to identify contractor sources capable of providing a Video Relay Service (VRS) solutions to facilitate communication for deaf and/or hard of hearing SSA personnel. Firms capable of providing VRS solutions that meet the following technical specifications and performance objectives are invited to submit responses to this notice: Functional Requirements: 1) Initiate outgoing calls through a VRS to points within and outside of SSA via point-to-point circuit and VPN Internet connectivity; 2) Receive incoming calls through a VRS from points within and outside of SSA via point-to-point circuit and VPN Internet connectivity; 3) VRS configuration must support use of dual monitors (separate monitor for video) or split screen; 4) VRS solution must allow/support video-email messaging delivered from the VRS service provider (Non-mandatory Requirement); 5) VRS configuration must support visual cueing of incoming calls (support use of a strobe signal/flasher); 6) A clear video image must be consistently maintained through the entire call period/connection; 7) Camera/videophone must have the capability to manually or auto adjust focus, light and positioning of the camera to eliminate any adverse affect on the video image quality of the VRS solution; 8) VRS workstation design should allow the user the ability to communicate with the VRS interpreter (VI) and access to their workstation simultaneously Training and Support Requirements: 1) Provide remote trouble shooting, diagnosis and resolution of technical problems; 2) Provide technical help desk support via VRS, email or telephone; 3) Provide written documentation for software and hardware used for POC; 4) Provide written training material, setup and user guides; and 5) Provide documentation and training material in accessible formats; i.e., electronic version and/or large print. Management Information Requirements: 1) Automate collection of VRS MI data; 2) Capture daily, Weekly, Monthly call volume data (quantity), length and point of origin (internal or external) of incoming/outgoing calls; 3) Automate (Web-based) collection of user, management, support personnel comments, suggestions and feedback or quality of service. Network Requirements: 1) All network devices must operate without effect to SSA's production systems. 2) All network devices will be secured with strong username and password authentication to help prevent unauthorized access. 3) All network devices will have all unused services disabled to minimize risk of exploitation. 4) All video calls will use industry recognized methods for call setup/monitoring /teardown utilizing SIP or H.323 protocol suites (RFC 3550). All RTP and RTCP will utilize a specified port range and the port range will be minimized to limit exposure of open ports. Interested parties capable of providing a VRS solution that meets the above referenced performance specifications are invited to reply to this notice. All replies must include information detailing the solution's capabilities, as well as information on the supplying firm's prior history of performing products and services of a similar nature, size, scope, and complexity to those described. Information supplied in reply to this notice will be used solely for market research purposes to assist SSA in creation of a possible future procurement strategy. Interested parties should also provide information on the scalability of their solutions, and information on how their products are marketed and sold to the public and/or Government (e.g., software licensure, product quantities and prices, hourly rates, per user based pricing, etc..) Again, this notice does not constitute a solicitation for proposals. It is for market research purposes only. Information supplied in response to this notice will not constitute a proposal or an offer for services. No information submitted in response to this notice will be returned to the supplier. Information submitted in reply to this notice shall be provided at no cost to the Government. Information submitted in response to this notice shall be provided in electronic format to the following e-mail address: Gregory.Wizar@ssa.gov no later than January 30, 2009 at 5pm.