Solicitation Number:

M6785408I3026

Notice Type:

Sources Sought

Synopsis:

The Marine Corps System Command, (MARCORSYSCOM), is issuing this Sources Sought Notice to identify potential vendors and to acquire enhanced knowledge and understanding of industrys capabilities regarding Bandwidth Mitigation and Data Compression for possible use in support of Marine Corps Autonomic Logistics efforts. The mission of the Autonomic Logistics (AL) program is to report logistic information in near real-time from each platform/asset within its local area up through the area of operations (AO), to the theater and strategic levels beyond. AL is currently deploying an embedded platform logistics system (EPLS) that will monitor and process individual platform logistic status. This status consists of data elements including platform health, ammunition and fuel levels, and mobile load information. This data will then need to be compiled and rolled-up to the command platform to be monitored and transmitted to the theater and strategic levels. A secure data transmission method will allow the collection and reporting of logistic information between platforms assigned to a specific mission and to external information users involved in the support and sustainment of the mission. Bandwidth for any logistics data will be limited so bandwidth mitigation / data compression tools will be required to support the expected logistics data transfer requirements. This product will increase the visibility of the tactical level logistic requirements (such as identifying the support request for repair parts/consumables and tracking of mobile load distribution events. MARCORSYSCOM is interested in obtaining information on bandwidth mitigation/data compression systems, hardware, and software that is currently available, which meet the most desirable features outlined as follows: (1) Communications (potential data transmission paths) - Will take multiple paths and be bi-directional from a command vehicle to the garrison (Forward Deployed Master to Regional), from the command vehicle to the Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN) (Forward Deployed Master to Enterprise), from a Garrison through a network to a command deployed vehicle (Regional to Forward Deployed Master), from MCEN to the Command vehicle (Enterprise to Forward Deployed Master), from a local vehicle to the command vehicle (Local to Forward Deployed Master), from a local deployed vehicle to the MCEN (Local to Enterprise), and from a local vehicle to local vehicle (Local to Local; (2) Compression - Compression can be construed as the minimizing of data size to allow for more efficient transmission; (3) Bandwidth Mitigation - The goal is to improve the efficiency of transmission, processing, or speed of data between functional units; (4) Reconfigurable - the Data Compression / Bandwidth Mitigation products must be reconfigurable through an easy to use interface. Some things that should be configurable include: Type or ratio of compression, containers / folders that are being watched/compressed, and post-compression file checking; (5) Robustness - System needs to be able to perform in the anticipated con-ops to include: dynamically changing topologies resulting from mobile nodes, scalability with respect to the number of nodes and increasing traffic, dropped connections and resumed links, and meeting Navy/Marine Corps firewall security protocols and requirements. All vendors, having products they believe adequately address the Marine Corps data compression and bandwidth mitigation characteristics, are requested to submit three copies of related brochures, descriptions, or other documentation. Most importantly, vendors are required to submit any and all test data and test reports showing independent (preferably Government) evaluation of their systems that meet the requirements of the characteristics. Responses should include statements and independent test data that demonstrate how their products satisfy the Marine Corps most desirable features. Responses shall be submitted no later than 30 May 2008 to COMMANDER, MARCORSYSCOM, Contracts PG-16 (CT 023), Attn: Dwight B. Micheal, Sr., 2200 Lester Street, Quantico, Virginia, 22134-6050. No telephonic responses will be considered. Submitted information will not be returned. This is not a request for proposal or quotation. No solicitation document exists. This is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to procure these items, nor does the Marine Corps intend to award on the basis of the sources sought/market research or otherwise pay for the information requested. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect cost or charges by the Government will arise as a result of submission of responses to this RFI.

Contracting Office Address:

M67854 MARINE CORPS SYSTEMS COMMAND Quantico, VA

Point of Contact(s):

Mr. Dwight B. Micheal, Sr.Phone: 703.432.3267Email: dwight.micheal@usmc.mil Contracting Officer's email