Description
The Boeing Company, in conjunction with our partner Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), together acting as Lead Systems Integrator (LSI) for the Army, is pleased to announce a new competitive bid opportunity for Conference Server in software development and software/hardware integration. FCS is a networked "system of systems." It utilizes advanced communications and technologies to link soldiers with manned and unmanned air platforms, ground platforms, and sensors. The FCS network is a mobile ad hoc network that will be primarily IP based, but will also support legacy technologies.
Boeing is conducting a market survey to identify potential Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) suppliers of Conference Server with expertise in software development and integration, development of software interfaces and "patches" for real-time and non-real-time systems. In particular, there will be a significant amount of interfacing of VoIP based call processing software running over System of Systems Common Operating Environment (SOSCOE) firmware that interacts with operations system software in FCS manned vehicle platforms systems and subsystems. The FCS manned vehicles are called Manned Ground Vehicles (MGVs) in general.
FCS will deploy the Session Initiation Protocol based VoIP technology for soldier-to-soldier telecommunications in FCS Brigade Combat Team (FBCT). FCS network is Mobile Ad-Hoc Network established with IP based waveforms as IP transport layer. The conference calls span above the company level and two types of conference call modes are envisioned for the FBCT users. These are Instant and Scheduled conference calls. In the instant one, the host will specify the participants and after the last entry, the participants will be invited to the conference. For the scheduled ones, the host or mission planner will specify the start date and time for the conference call. Scheduled conference calls will require a conference id and a password (usually by the host's or mission planner's choice) that enable the participants to join the conference session. Instant conference calls may not need a password since the participant will be invited to the conference session by SIP messages. Scheduled conference calls will require participants (including the host) to access a specific conference call number and sign up with the conference id and the password.
Firms possessing software application development expertise may assist the LSI in the following tasks:
- Software Design and production of VoIP based applications specific to conference calls.
- Assist in the Development of Detailed Test Procedures for their product
- Assist in the Development of Software/hardware Interfaces for integration with FCS vehicle unique equipment and software packages.
- Assist with integration with designated release of SOSCOE
- Assist with integration with other VoIP related software
- Test Planning & Documentation
- Participate in team meetings
- Networking/Interfaces
- On-site support for preliminary integration will be in Huntington Beach California and/or other locations
- Support at Planning Meetings
- Plan for and support for issues associated with Information Assurance
RFI Response Outline
The offerer is requested to submit a comprehensive data package in response to this RFI, which is to include the following information.
- Technology White Paper (no more than 5 single-sided pages) The white paper should respond to the request for information outlined in the RFI "Description" section above, including the offerer's existing and near-term technologies applicable the conference call server effort. The offerer must also provide hardware requirements (disk and memory space size, processing speed, operating environment, etc.) and scalability information for the existing (or proposed) product.
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Experience and Capabilities (no more than 3 single-sided pages) In addition to your white paper, please address the following items as they relate to this RFI, as appropriate:
- Applicable experience (past and current)
- Customer experience (past and current work with Army or other DoD)
- Program experience (i.e., other FCS involvement)
- Workforce experience and capabilities (e.g., in design, analysis, development, testing)
- Small or Disadvantaged Business Status, if applicable
This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with this RFI. The LSI reserves the right to issue no awards arising out of this RFI.
The Boeing Company anticipates the period of performance will be from date of award in 2008 through March 1, 2012, approximately 4 years. The contract will be partitioned into 4 one-year options, each option to be separately awarded by the LSI.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) will follow soon after receipt and evaluation of responses.
The deadline for RFI package submittal is COB January 24, 2008.
Please submit RFI responses to email address FCSMktgResearch@boeing.com.