DESCRIPTION: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to develop market research in order to determine sources and information from potential offerors interested in providing communications support for an international High Frequency (HF) Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) communication network. This potentially may result in a single or multiple awards at a future time. Responses to this request may include any number of separate solutions. NOTICE: This announcement will be open for Ten (10) business days. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. CBP may seek proposals in the near future and will not accept unsolicited proposals at this time. This notice does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Participation does not imply any obligation on the part of the Government. Responders are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice; all costs associated with responding to this notice will be solely at responder expense. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future RFP if issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) Web site. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information. Proprietary information will be protected to the greatest extent provided by law. The interested vendor should indicate if they are a large business, small business, 8(a) vendor, Small Disabled Veteran Owned, and/or if they are located in a Hubzone. Use NAICS code 811213 and FSC code J058 for size determination. Offerors should also provide their DUNS number and TAX ID number. INFORMATION: CBP is interested in obtaining communication support for the COTHEN (Cellular Over The Horizon Enforcement Network). COTHEN is an international HF ALE network comprised of land-based, fixed and transportable transceiver systems, remote command and control systems, airborne and marine mobile systems, and special purpose ancillary systems controlled by cellular switching technology. COTHEN provides communications for aircraft, vessels, command offices and numerous Federal Agencies. Interested vendors are urged to comment. Responses should address all of the following questions: 1. Provide your companies past experience and capability in the development and sustainment of HF ALE communications networks. 2. Describe your company's logistical infrastructure to support the repair of HF ALE equipment to include fixed transmitters/transceivers, mobile airborne and marine radios, as well as HF ALE portable radios. 3. Describe your company's experience with supply chain management supporting HF ALE systems. 4. Describe your company's experience and capability with research and development of HF ALE systems to meet the customer's requirements for new and emerging technologies. 5. Describe your company's ability to perform depot level repair of HF ALE communications equipment. 6. Detail your company's capability to support HF ALE networks located through various geographic regions world wide. 7. Detail your organization's ability to manage in whole or in part COTHEN and its encompassing facilities. Interested Contractors should respond to the RFI by email to:
[email protected]. Limit responses to a maximum of twenty (20) pages. Contact information for the Point of Contact (POC) for this RFI is Rex F. Rodwell, Contract Specialist, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 6650 Telecom Dr., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN. 46278-2010. Phone (317) 614-4566. Please submit electronic responses (via email) to the POC above, no later than June 8, 2012.