D -- Life Cycle Management of Iraqi Security Forces Communications Project

REQUEST FOR INFORMATIONJoint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan (JCC-I/A) Plan for a Life Cycle Management of Iraqi Security Forces Communications Project Request for Information (RFI) for Planning Purposes (a) No contract will be awarded on the basis of this Request For Information and no payment will be made for the information solicited. (b) Although “proposal” and “offeror” may be used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. (c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of analyzing Iraq’s telecommunications infrastructure with a primary focus on how to improve command and control of Iraqi Security Forces. The Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan (JCC-I/A) is seeking information on the best approach for analyzing Iraq’s telecommunications infrastructure with a primary focus on how to improve command and control (C2) of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). This will include prioritizing future development and reconstruction efforts to maximize availability of the current telecommunications infrastructure capability. The scope is defined in Part I and II. JCC-I/A is also soliciting information on the best approach for making milestone payments if a contract is awarded. This is a Request for Information (“RFI”) only. It is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. JCC-I/A reserves the right to accept, reject, or use without obligation or compensation any information submitted in response to this RFI. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this RFI. Part I. DRAFT STATEMENT OF WORK Statement of Work Life-Cycle Management of Iraqi Security Forces Communications Project DRAFT 1. GENERAL: 1.1. Introduction: A robust, reliable, interconnected telecommunications infrastructure is essential to Iraq’s ongoing national economic recovery and development. The U.S. Government (USG), in association with Coalition Force (CF) partners, the Government of Iraq (GOI), and other non-government organizations, has committed funds for several projects to improve telecommunications infrastructure within specific geographic regions (e.g., Baghdad) and within certain functional areas (e.g., Iraqi security forces). With immediacy often being the most pressing criteria for these varied projects, particularly as it applies to enabling a stronger security posture in Iraq, interconnectivity was often overlooked, resulting in a series of stovepipes that, if linked by a common architecture, could likely offer more capacity than the sum of their parts. In order to prioritize future efforts and maximize availability of current capability, a study of the telecommunications infrastructure within Iraq is necessary, with particular focus on its ability to support command and control (C2) of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). The project has three distinct components: 1) Determine the status of the telecommunications infrastructure within Iraq (referred to as the “As-Is Systems View” [ASV]); 2) document/depict the means by which the GOI leverages the present and planned telecommunications infrastructure to provide C2 of ISF within an Iraqi concept of operations (CONOPS), and; 3) Analyze ISF C2 telecommunications networks, specifically addressing how these networks can take advantage of the infrastructure in its current state and proposing measures that can enhance overall telecommunications services that accommodate ISF C2. As stated, the primary focus of all three components is to identify the means to improve C2 of ISF, with recognition that in order to do so, situational awareness of all available infrastructure will be necessary. 1.2. Problem Statement: To achieve congruence in ongoing efforts to establish robust, reliable, interconnected telecommunications services for government, industry, and citizenry, with an immediate eye toward establishing a documented ISF C2 network, all stakeholders need to be aware of the present state of Iraq’s telecommunications infrastructure. This project will yield: current status of the Iraqi telecommunications infrastructure, to include fiber optic cable and all interconnecting media; documentation of the present and planned telecommunications means by which the GOI executes C2 of ISF; and analysis with recommendations to enhance existing telecommunication infrastructure and the ISF C2 networks and services that rely upon it. 1.3. Definition: Iraqi Security Forces include all police personnel under the command and control of the Ministry of Interior (MOI) and all military personnel under the command and control of the Ministry of Defense (MOD), to include Iraqi military forces which presently remain under operational and/or tactical control of Coalition Forces prior to battlespace transition. It is important for the contractor to be aware that effective C2 of ISF will require connectivity to entities outside both MOI and MOD, to include but not limited to the Prime Minister’s Situation Room, National Joint Operations Center, Provincial Joint Coordination Centers, and emergency service providers, e.g., fire departments and ambulance services. 2. SCOPE: This SOW will encompass the entire country of Iraq. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: It is anticipated that all work on any resultant contract to be completed by October 15, 2006. 2.1. Qualifications: The contractor shall provide resumes highlighting the skill levels of contractor team members, to include subcontractors and vendors. Resumes will outline experience in telecommunications and regulatory environments. The contractor will also provide references and examples of demonstrated performance in telecommunications survey and enterprise network architecture analysis and optimization, specifically highlighting any experience in national telecommunication development and reconstruction efforts. Upon award of contract, the USG will retain the authority to approve/refuse any changes to the contractor team, to include subcontractors and vendors. 2.2. Methodology: The contractor will propose a strategy (or strategies) for providing interim deliverables, to be approved by the USG, tied to the proposed project phasing of work.. Examples are (1) geographically by province (i.e., infrastructure within Babil, Diyala, etc.); (2) operationally by function (portions that support core services, etc.); (3) geographically by key locations (from major cities out to less populated areas, from Forward Operating Bases out, etc.). Since the likely final disposition of all deliverables will be with the GOI (as released by the USG), all final products will be produced in both English and Arabic and usable on automated data processing equipment and software available or compatible to both nations. All products will be delivered directly to the USG without exception. 2.2.1. Telecommunications Infrastructure As-Is Systems View (ASV): The contractor must obtain and present detailed records for portions of the ASV that may become a source for portions of the final product at the discretion of the USG. The contractor will perform on-site surveys, to include path walks, for undocumented infrastructure paths/sites, and for paths/sites for which obtained records are deemed unsatisfactory by the USG. The contractor will re-visit sites/paths as required if status is suspected of changing during the course of the study. In all cases above, the contractor will document the nature of any capability gaps or service outages.. 2.2.2. ISF C2 Communications CONOPs: The contractor will propose a means to develop a depiction/description of the means by which the GOI leverages the present and planned telecommunications infrastructure to provide C2 of ISF, with understanding that the intent is to include input from GOI and Coalition Force staff. The contractor will also propose the format by which this CONOPS will be produced. 2.2.3. Analysis of/Recommendations for Life-cycle Management Processes for ISF C2 Networks: The contractor will propose a means by which prioritized recommendations for enhancement of the national telecommunications infrastructure will be developed, with particular emphasis on ISF C2 networks. The contractor will also propose the format by which this analysis will be produced. 3. DELIVERABLES: The contractor shall provide the following, none of which will be copy protected, all of which will be produced in English and Arabic, and all of which will become property of the USG: 3.1. Telecommunications Infrastructure ASV: a comprehensive survey to include map(s) and underlying data describing existing and planned telecommunications infrastructure within Iraq in a data format compatible with common industry standards. Map(s) will incorporate: all fiber and interconnecting media with color coding to indicate manufacturer, specifications (to include strand count), capacity, operational status (lit, dark, level of activity), description of type and status of conduit where deployed, identification of areas where conduit is not deployed, distances between key landmarks, and ownership; identification of manhole/hand-hole locations and other key transport landmarks and capacity (i.e., exchanges, microwave or satellite dishes); and, for purposes of reference, major roadways, cities; national landmarks; and other national infrastructure reliant upon the telecommunications infrastructure, to include but not limited to the electrical grid. Key locations (manholes/handholes, cable plant, power plant, equipment rooms, junctions of connecting media other than fiber, major faults) will be photographed and identified by GPS coordinates. The adequacy of data will be determined by the USG. 3.2. ISF C2 Communications CONOPs: documents to assist GOI with employment of planned and delivered communications capabilities for C2 of ISF, to include an information management capability for use by GOI for storing, coordinating, and updating the documents. 3.3. Analysis/Recommendations: analysis and recommendations for enhancing existing telecommunications infrastructure and national telecommunications networks, particularly ISF C2 networks,, specifically addressing how these networks can take advantage of the infrastructure in its current state and proposed measures that will provide for enhanced services. The contractor will specifically examine public telephone switching networks, internet service provider networks, wireless broadband networks, government private networks, “last-mile” access networks, and global system for mobile communications (GSM) networks. Proposal will identify capability shortfalls and gaps and propose a way-ahead in order of priority. 3.4. Reports/ Plans: The contractor will provide a proposal for periodicity and format for reports on status of deliverables. The contractor will provide written and oral status reports to the USG and stakeholders (to be determined by the USG) on a schedule of no less than once a week, or as deemed necessary by the USG. Out-briefs will conclude each proposed work phase of the project to ensure agreement that the intent of the phase is met to the USG’s satisfaction. At the conclusion of the project, the contractor will provide a comprehensive report which contains all deliverables. All reports, plans, and correspondence (meeting minutes, etc.), will be made available in both English and Arabic. The contractor will also provide an Arabic translator for all meetings and presentations at which non-English speaking GOI personnel are present. Part II. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES Statement of Objectives -- Life-Cycle Management of Iraqi Security Forces Communications Project Overarching Objective and Desired Outcomes 1.0 Several communications capabilities have been, and are being, delivered and fielded to the Iraqis to support Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). In keeping with continued focus on Iraqi self-sufficiency and the steady building of capacity, this effort will focus on those enduring elements central to Iraqi long-term operations, ownership and life-cycle planning for their delivered and operational communications capabilities. The three enduring, interconnected elements for this effort are: 1) an integrated picture of KEY communications capabilities; 2) documenting and evolving the concepts of operations (CONOPs) for employing these capabilities, and; 3) developing a priority-setting framework for life-cycle management of communications capabilities – to evolve the integrated communications picture in the context of documented/evolving CONOPs. 1.1 This effort will focus on the products (deliverables) and the processes necessary to shape and evolve communications ownership and planning for the ISF – from an operations perspective. As such, this effort will be executed in partnership with the ISF leadership (Ministries of Defense and Interior (MoD, MoI); Joint Headquarters (JHQ); Iraqi Ground Forces Command (IGFC)) from the very start. Key USG players are MNF-I CIS (overall MNF lead), MNC-I, MNSTC-I, and American Embassy (Baghdad). Specific Objectives & Deliverables (all deliverables and work products will be in Arabic & English) 2.0 Building an integrated picture of planned/delivered communications capabilities. The deliverable should document and describe the “as is” communications systems, networks and infrastructure. 2.1 The deliverable (referred to as the “as-is systems view” or ASV) should be in a computer-based format that can be delivered to, and easily managed by, the Iraqis. 2.2 While the ASV is focused on Security Forces communications capabilities, it must also document and portray all other communications capabilities related to, and/or relied upon by, ISF communications capabilities. 2.3 Using the ASV, identify gaps and potential improvement areas (training, support, upgrades, etc) and relate these recommendations to documented/established ISF CONOPs for employing communications capabilities. 3.0 Documenting CONOPs for ISF Use of Delivered Communications Capabilities. The deliverable(s) will be all the ISF CONOPs for employing planned and delivered communications capabilities 3.1 Facilitate the coordination and writing of CONOPs documents, by ISF staffs, for ISF communications capabilities. 3.2 Develop and deliver an info management capability, for use by the Iraqis, for storing, coordinating, and updating documented ISF CONOPs. 4.0 Life-cycle Management Processes for Delivered Communications Capabilities. This effort will focus on the process for setting priorities related to ISF communications capabilities. The deliverable will be the implementation of a priority setting framework (deliverables as well as meetings & coordination processes) based on the ASV (para 2.0 above) AND as influenced by changes stemming from the CONOPs documentation process (para 3.0 above). 4.1 Place initial emphasis on those capabilities priorities that DIRECTLY support ISF transition and operational success. Part III. Information Requested In responding to this RFI, JCC-I/A asks potentially interested parties to submit information on the following subjects. A response to this RFI should be a maximum of 15 pages. Please number your answers to match the question numbers below. 1. Describe your analytical approach to determine the status of the telecommunications infrastructure in Iraq, how you would document/depict the means by which the GOI could leverage, present and planned telecommunications infrastructure to provide C2 to ISF within a single concept of operations and your analytical approach in determining how to take advantage of the current infrastructure while proposing measures to enhance the overall telecommunications services to accommodate C2 for the ISF. 2. Describe what reports and plans you envision submitting for review and acceptance. 3. Describe your recommended payment plan. 4. Rough cost estimate. General Information Response Close Date: 6:30 PM, Baghdad, Iraq, 25 Feb 06 Contracting Office Address: Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan DOS-PCO-JC, F&T Sector APO AE 09316 Point of Contact: Kevin Waskow Please send all responses to this RFI by e-mail to: [email protected] Respondents to the RFI may be contacted for additional information or clarifications concerning their RFI response if JCC-I/A determines it to be necessary and will be added to the solicitation list. Non-respondents who wish to receive a solicitation please send an e-mail to the above POC identifying your company and providing all pertinent contact information.