CISCO Satellite Decoder and HD Encryption Systems 2012-2013

The Defense Media Activity established a Master IDIQ on August 28, 2012, to procure CISCO satellite decoder and HD encryption systems in support of broadcast operations for the American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS), with ordering closing on August 31, 2013—this vehicle is no longer active.

All seven task orders were awarded between September 6 and September 28, 2012, exhausting the combined potential value of $6 million within the first month of the vehicle's operation. The vehicle's $45 million shared ceiling remained substantially underutilized. Work scope centered on satellite decoder equipment, HD encryption systems, accessories, and spare parts, with on-site installation and implementation by certified Cisco personnel at four locations: DMA-BC in Riverside, California; DMA headquarters at Fort Meade, Maryland; DMA-AFN Europe in Manheim, Germany; and DMA-AFN South in Vicenza, Italy. Factory training in Digital Content Management and PowerVu System Operation and Maintenance was conducted in Atlanta, Georgia.

Bluewater Communications Group LLC captured 95% of awarded task-order value across four orders totaling $5.7 million, with TVC Communications, L.L.C. holding the remaining significant share at $345 thousand across two orders. Globecomm Systems Inc. received a single $5 thousand order. All seven task orders were firm fixed price, unrestricted (no set-aside), and awarded to a single customer: the Defense Media Activity itself. Task-order values ranged from $5.1 thousand to $2.975 million, with completion dates concentrated in October and November 2012, except for one order completing in February 2013.

This vehicle presents no opportunity for new pursuit; ordering authority closed in August 2013 and all potential value has been obligated.

Master IDIQ for providing CISCO brand equipment in support of broadcast operations provided by the Defense Media Activity (DMA) American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS). The objective of this vehicle is to upgrade the satellite receiver/decoders currently in use world-wide, from the existing decoders, to the more advanced built-in decoders which are capable of decoding an MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 AVC High Definition (HD) program for analog monitoring, or Standard Definition (SD) down-conversion for composite. The upgraded equipment is not only needed to improve the quality of broadcasting programs, but also to ensure compatibility with the latest television hardware technology. Requirements under this vehicle includes the purchase of HD encryption systems and accessories, as well as, spare equipment parts. On-site installation and implementation services is also required by certified expert-level Cisco personnel in the following locations: DMA-BC, Riverside, California; DMA-HQ, Ft. Meade, Maryland; DMA-AFN Europe, Manheim, Germany; and DMA-AFN South, Vicenza, Italy. Additionally, this vehicle has requirements for Factory Training to include the Digital Content Management (DCM) Operator & Maintenance course and PowerVu System Operation and Maintenance course which is conducted in Atlanta, GA.