National ITS Architecture Evolution and Support

A solicitation is being released under RFP # DTFH61-11-R-00023S. This synopsis is going to be archived on 7/31/2011. Please look for the resulting solicitation under RFP # DTFH61-11-R-00023S. Synopsis The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has a requirement (National ITS Architecture Evolution and Support), to support the National Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Architecture evolution and a portion of the ITS research program administered by the ITS Joint Program Office (JPO). The contractor will provide support to the U.S. DOT by ensuring that the National ITS Architecture is maintained and updated to reflect all changes, additions, modifications, and corrections required for sustaining the National ITS Architecture. The contractor will ensure the National ITS Architecture remains current and inclusive throughout the development of new research programs and will ensure appropriate elements are integrated into the National ITS Architecture. The contractor will ensure appropriate changes from the ITS Standards Program are integrated into the National ITS Architecture. In addition, the contractor will support to the FHWA deployment support program by conducting workshops and training for local/regional/state implementers as they modify and update their respective regional ITS architectures, and will conduct outreach to stakeholders throughout the country. The contractor will support the Border Architecture program that is being successfully implemented on the United States-Canada border and may also be implemented on the United States-Mexico border, and the V2x cooperative systems architecture when completed, elements of which will be integrated into the National ITS Architecture. The services under this proposed requirement may include the following: Task Area A - National ITS Architecture Evolution (Maintenance and Support) The contractor shall provide advice, recommendations, and administrative and technical support to the U.S. DOT regarding issues that may specifically impact the National ITS Architecture, its maintenance and evolution. Specific activities may include: A.1. Analyzing aspects of the National ITS Architecture program, attend specific ITS Joint Program Office (JPO) meetings, and deliver required program status briefings and reports to the U.S. DOT. A.2. Ensuring that necessary facilities, staff, and equipment required to effectively carry out the National ITS Architecture program objectives are available. A.3. Providing the ITS JPO Architecture Program Manager strategic advice and recommendations concerning the direction and near-term future of the Architecture program. A.4. Developing white papers and other documents and/or conducting briefings to address the National ITS Architecture and deployment issues at forums that may include the ITS America Annual Meeting, the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, and others as directed by the ITS JPO Architecture Program Manager. A.5. Providing the ITS JPO Architecture Program Manager technical advice and reviews of ITS standards development, testing, and deployment efforts, especially as directly related to the National ITS Architecture. A.6. Maintaining configuration control while addressing all updates to National ITS Architecture documentation. A.7. Remaining informed of relevant ITS developments and deployments that may require changes to the National ITS Architecture, propose such changes when they are identified, and implement them upon approval. As appropriate, soliciting recommendations for alterations to the National ITS Architecture from relevant stakeholder groups including U.S. DOT modal administrations; state, regional and local governmental entities; and/or appropriate ITS, automotive, and surface transportation industry representatives. A.8. Evaluating proposed changes to the National ITS Architecture to determine their impact on the National ITS Architecture itself and to other on-going U.S. DOT activities, and integrating them into the National ITS Architecture upon U.S. DOT approval. A.9. Maintaining the integrity of the National ITS Architecture documentation set, especially the architecture definition. Providing CD ROM versions of the National ITS Architecture to users upon request following all major updates. Providing web-based changes to reflect all formal updates to the National ITS Architecture. A.10. Maintaining and enhancing the Turbo Architecture software tool as required to fully address upgrades to the National ITS Architecture definition and to respond to the FHWA Rule and FTA Policy on Architecture and Standards and other regulations/policies that may come into effect. A.11. Ensuring that the Turbo Architecture software tool is consistent with the latest version of the National ITS Architecture and provide technical support as needed to users of the Turbo Architecture software tool. A.12. Participating in National ITS Architecture-related activities within major U.S. DOT initiatives and research projects and integrate relevant elements into the National ITS Architecture. A.13. Maintaining the National ITS Architecture website and all appropriate documentation, to include the latest versions of both the National ITS Architecture and Turbo Architecture. Task Area B - Deployment Support The contractor shall provide overall support to the U.S. DOT in ensuring that the National ITS Architecture is considered in all local and national ITS deployments. The contractor shall provide limited training support to public sector (Federal) personnel and other users as may be directed by the Government. The contractor shall support architecture outreach efforts to U.S. DOT Resource Centers and division offices, state and local implementers, other administrations within the U.S. DOT, and other stakeholders as required. Specific activities may include: B.1. Providing technical assistance to the National ITS Architecture Field Support Team (AFST), FHWA division offices, other Federal employees, and FHWA contractors as needed to educate them on the National ITS Architecture and regional ITS architecture development, deployment, use, and maintenance. This may include ensuring they are consistent with requirements of applicable surface transportation legislation (currently "SAFETEA-LU") and applicable regulations including but not limited to 23CFR part 940 ("The Architecture Rule"), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Policy on Architecture and Standards, and other regulations/policies that may come into effect. B.2. Supporting further development and maintenance of the existing Regional ITS Architecture Guidance Document. Coordinating with the FHWA and other FHWA contractors on any future architecture guidance documentation development. B.3. Providing regional and project architecture technical reviews, including those that may be conducted on-site. B.4. Continuing to evolve the architecture and systems engineering workshops, as well as the systems engineering process improvement reviews, to remain focused on current needs in the field using experience and lessons learned from the use and maintenance of regional ITS architectures and mainstreaming of systems engineering at the state, regional, MPO, and/or local levels. Using appropriate training methods including webinars and/or other innovative delivery techniques to appropriately balance training delivery costs and participant travel costs against the unique benefits of on-site training tailored to a specific region/site's needs. B.5. Presenting architecture and systems engineering workshops and systems engineering process improvement reviews at sites around the country and providing briefings on the process review findings and recommendations. B.6. Developing white papers and other documents and/or conduct briefings encompassing a wide range of architecture topics including the relationship with the transportation planning process, regional and project architectures, V2x cooperative systems, and other current topics involving the National ITS Architecture. B.7. Providing systems engineering process technical assistance. B.8. Developing white papers and other documents and/or conduct briefings to address systems engineering and its relationship to the transportation planning process. B.9. Facilitating workshops, charettes, meetings, and other forums that advance architecture use and maintenance and systems engineering mainstreaming. Task Area C - Border Architecture Activities (Canada, Mexico, and other points of entry) The contractor shall provide advice, recommendations, and technical support to the U.S. DOT on issues associated with border architecture activities with Canada and with Mexico. Specific activities may include: C.1. Engaging in activities that ensure consistency and integration of the U.S. National ITS Architecture with the ITS Architecture for Canada and the Mexico national ITS architecture. C.2. Supporting the update and maintenance of the Border Information Flow Architecture with Canada. C.3. Developing concepts of operation (CONOPS) and project architectures for ITS technology deployments for regions on both the United States-Canada border and United States- Mexico border. C.4. Supporting international workshops and forums by providing technical assistance on border architecture elements specific to the respective regions. C.5. Providing technical reviews and analyses of major ITS technology projects led or supported by FHWA in regions along the United States borders with Canada and Mexico. C.6. Providing other technical support to emerging efforts on the United States borders with Canada and Mexico. C.7. Providing support to any initiatives to develop border architecture(s) covering other surface transportation and air entry points, e.g. ports, into the U.S. as directed. Task Area D - V2x Cooperative Systems Engineering and Architecture Maintenance and Evolution The contractor shall coordinate with the developers of the V2x cooperative systems architecture as necessary to assure a smooth transition from the architecture developer into maintenance and support to the extent that this effort has not been completed by the time of award of the contract. Specific activities may include: D.1. Participating in and support international architecture and standards harmonization activities in support of the maintenance and evolution of the V2x cooperative systems architecture as appropriate. D.2. Developing white papers and other documents and/or conducting briefings covering the V2x cooperative systems architecture and deployment issues at forums that may include the ITS America Annual Meeting, the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, and others.. D.3. Maintaining the V2x cooperative systems architecture configuration control. D.4. Remaining informed of relevant V2x cooperative systems developments and deployments that may require changes to the V2x cooperative systems architecture. Fully developing descriptions of those changes, proposing such changes to U.S. DOT for approval, and implementation. D.5. Soliciting recommendations for alterations to the National ITS Architecture from relevant stakeholder groups including U.S. DOT modal administrations; state, regional and local governmental entities; and/or appropriate ITS, automotive, and surface transportation industry representatives. D.6. Evaluating other proposed changes to the V2x cooperative systems architecture to determine their impact on other on-going U.S. DOT activities, and integrate them into the V2x cooperative systems architecture. D.7. Maintaining the integrity of the V2x cooperative systems architecture including the architecture definition. Providing web-based changes to reflect all formal updates. D.8. Maintaining the V2x cooperative systems architecture website. D.9. Evolving and maintaining current the existing Turbo Architecture software tool to accommodate the V2x cooperative systems architecture or developing and maintaining current a similar V2x cooperative systems architecture software tool. The solicitation will be available electronically via the Government Point of Entry (GPE) at www.fbo.gov. No written, telephonic, facsimile, e-mail or other type of request for the solicitation will be accepted. Potential offerors/vendors are encouraged to register on www.fbo.gov and to monitor the website to receive the solicitation and any further information in reference to the subject action inclusive of any announcements, and amendments after its release. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A request for proposals is anticipated to be published, through the Federal Business Opportunities website, on or before July 5, 2011. Once the solicitation is posted, all interested responsible sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by the FHWA. Any questions regarding this synopsis should be directed to Joseph Fusari, Contract Specialist, via email at: [email protected] or to Adams JeanPierre (Contracting Officer) at e-mail [email protected]