FY10 USCG ELECTRONIC CHART RQST -- CX

STATEMENT OF WORK

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD NAVIGATION CENTER

ENC and RNC Distribution of Updated Electronic Charts to USCG Cutters

USCG NAVCIGATION CENTER

7323 TELEGRAPH RD

ALEXANDRIA, VA 22315

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Coast Guard (USCG), Navigation Center (NAVCEN) is issuing a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 12.6. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation, offer(s) being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ and incorporates all provisions and clauses through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-12. The applicable North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code is 334511 with size 100 employees.

Background United States Coast Guard (USCG) vessels require updated electronic charts in ELECTRONIC NAUTICAL CHARTS (ENC) and RASTER NAUTICAL CHARTS (RNC) format for their areas of operation, which includes U.S., Canadian, Latin American, and Caribbean waters. Most electronic navigational charts for the U.S. waters are available from the National Oceanographic Atmospheric Association, National Geo-Spatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) or the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Charts for non-U.S. waters will need to be acquired from and produced on the authority of various International Hydrographic Offices. To support this requirement, the Coast Guard is seeking a contract for the continued monthly distribution updates for charts for these geographic areas, delivered on CD-ROM at set intervals and times, to USCG vessels for use with their navigation systems. The Coast Guard’s goal is to ensure that USCG vessels are provided with the most current and up-to-date electronic navigational charts available. By utilizing the services of a commercial contractor who is familiar with both International and United States electronic charting standards, the Coast Guard believes it can more effectively and efficiently provide updated navigational charts to USCG vessels and overcome inconsistencies that can occur from the constant changing of personnel and the broad range of computer skills.

Scope Coast Guard cutters require the use of ENCs and RNCs for navigation. This statement of work specifies the requirements necessary for the content, frequency, and distribution of electronic charts (ECharts) on CD-ROMs.

Charts for U.S. Waters:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) Raster Navigational Charts (RNC’s) in BSB 3 format and Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) in S-57 format must be acquired from NOAA. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Charts Inland ENCs (IENCs) must be acquired from USACE. In addition USACE Inland Chart Books must be produced in BSB format. These charts must be tested for operability and accuracy and packaged into specific geographical CD regions as per Table 1.

Charts for International Waters:

Charts for international waters must be acquired through agreements with International Hydrographic Offices and produced under agreements with those agencies. Charts for international waters include those produced by the National Geospatial Agency (NGA), Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS), United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO), and other international hydrographic offices. RNCs must be in BSB 3 format. These charts must be tested for operability and accuracy and packaged into specific geographical CD regions as per Table 1.

Updates:

The US Coast Guard EChart products are to include 12 monthly distributions for each region (per US Coast Guard EChart Distribution Spreadsheet) of Notice to Mariners (NTM) -updated charts on CD-ROMs. These charts are to be delivered in a manner consistent with the timeliness of the information.

Period of Performance The period of performance will begin 1 October 2010 thru 30 September 2011 for this contract.. First shipment may not be sent until Acceptance Testing is determined as satisfactory by the POINT OF CONTACT.

References:

· IHO S-61: International Hydrographic Organization Special Publication No. 61: Product Specification for Raster Navigational Charts (RNCs)

· IHO S-57 Appendix B.1: International Hydrographic Organization Special Publication No. 57: IHO Transfer Standard for Digital Hydrographic Data Appendix B.1: ENC Product Specification

· Federal Register

· Maptech BSB Format specification

Government Representative (POINT OF CONTACT) Eugene Diotalevi (or successor) of the US Coast Guard USCG Navigation Center (NAVCEN)

Definitions, Acronyms and Terms :

Electronic Charts (ECharts) - Charts that have been developed for display on an electronic medium. They come in a variety of formats including S-57 vector format, other vector formats that include NGA produced Digital Nautical Charts® (DNCs), and raster formats, like BSB, which are digitized versions of paper charts.

Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC): is a database, standardized as to content, structure and format, issued for use with Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) on the authority of a government hydrographic office. An ENC contains all the chart information necessary for safe navigation, and may contain supplementary information in addition to that contained on a paper chart, which may be considered necessary for safe navigation (e.g., sailing directions). ENCs of U.S. Waterways are developed and maintained by NOAA. IENCs (Inland ENCs) of US Inland Waterways are developed and maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers. ENCs of Canadian Waterways are developed and maintained by CHS.

Raster Navigational Chart (RNC): is a geo-referenced digital facsimile of a paper nautical chart, produced by or on the authority of a government authorized hydrographic office. RNC is used in these specifications to mean either a single chart or a collection of charts. They are produced in accordance with the IHO S-61 standard. Official RNCs for U.S. waterways are developed and maintained by NOAA in the BSB format. Official RNCs for Canadian waterways are developed and maintained by the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS). RNCs for other geographic areas may be produced by or on the authority of a government authorized hydrographic office.

Up-to-Date Chart - A chart that has been corrected through the latest available Notice to Mariners (NTM) update issued by a cognizant hydrographic office and Coast Guard Notice to Mariners.

BSB File Format: The BSB File Format is a proprietary format developed by Maptech and NOAA, which describes and stores raster image data and associated textual documentation, primarily representing nautical charts. The BSB format consists of three primary types of files; a Documentation File, Image File, and Update Patch Files.

Directory: The use of the term “Directory” has the same definition as the term “Folder” with regard to the organization of computer files and the location of these files.

CG: Coast Guard

USACE: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) MACR: Meso-American Caribbean Region Security Requirements: None Data Deliverables:

· Provide Monthly CDs containing updated NOAA ENCs (ENCs must be formatted for Rockridge extensions ) and RNCs to Coast Guard Cutters and other Coast Guard organizations on a monthly basis as specified in the US Coast Guard EChart Distribution Spreadsheet (See Attachment ONE (1). Charts will be grouped onto multiple CD Regions per US Coast Guard Region Chart List Spreadsheet (See Attachment_TWO (2)

· Provide Monthly CDs containing US Army Corp of Engineer’s (USACE) Inland ENCs (IENC) and USACE River Charts in BSB format to Coast Guard Cutters and other Coast Guard organization as specified in the US Coast Guard EChart Distribution Spreadsheet (See Attachment ONE (1).

· Provide Monthly CDs containing updated Canadian ENCs and RNCs to Coast Guard Cutters and other Coast Guard organizations on a monthly basis as specified in the US Coast Guard EChart Distribution Spreadsheet (See Attachment ONE (1). Charts will be grouped onto multiple CD Regions per US Coast Guard Region Chart List Spreadsheet (See Attachment TWO (2). Raster Charts will be in BSB 3 format, 4 bit color, and tested to ensure compatibility with various Coast Guard navigation systems.

· Provide Monthly CDs containing updated Latin American and Caribbean RNCs to Coast Guard Cutters and other Coast Guard organizations on a monthly basis as specified in the US Coast Guard EChart Distribution Spreadsheet (See Attachment ONE (1). Charts will be grouped onto multiple CD Regions per US Coast Guard Region Chart List Spreadsheet (See Attachment TWO (2). Raster Charts will be in BSB 3 format, 4 bit color, and tested to ensure compatibility with various Coast Guard navigation systems.

· As described below, Contingency CD’s usage is tracked by the contractor and POINT OF CONTACT and the POINT OF CONTACT’s representative. Once a quarter and after any changes the Contingency Tracking Spreadsheet (specified below) must be emailed to the POINT OF CONTACT and the POINT OF CONTACT’s representative.

· All changes to the region list of charts caused by a hydrographic office adding and deleting charts from their portfolio must be reported to the POINT OF CONTACT and the POINT OF CONTACT’s representative.

Management / Project Management This project is under the management of USCG Navigation Center (NAVCEN). NAVCEN will ensure the performance of the contract is properly executed. All concerns, problems and question relating to this contract should be addressed to the POINT OF CONTACT and the POINT OF CONTACT’s representative. If any special or unique conditions or issues arise during the performance of this contract, they must be reported to the POINT OF CONTACT and the POINT OF CONTACT’s representative.

Government Furnished Material (Attachments)

· US Coast Guard Region Chart List

· Paper and digital copy (in Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet format)

· US Coast Guard EChart Distribution Spreadsheet

· Vega ECS Software

· COMDAC-INS Software installed on a Unix Workstation Contractor Furnished Property/Material

· Chart Data

· CD-R’s

· CD labeling

· Postage Packaging

· Postage Intellectual Property All CDs produced under this contract are the property of the US Coast Guard. The CDs shipped to cutters are to be licensed to any and all onboard systems that can render RNC and ENCs. The license prohibits the sharing of these CDs with any other party. The data on the CDs is copyrighted and subject to the terms and conditions of the manufacturer and relevant Hydrographic Offices.

Acceptance Criteria/Plan

Two weeks after award, the contractor must produce two CDs of Regions 001, 002, and 200. The CDs must be labeled in accordance with the CD Labeling Requirements section below. These CDs must be mailed, to arrive at NAVCEN by the next business day. NAVCEN will test these CDs on Coast Guard electronic navigation systems for compliance. The following action will be taken:

· If any discrepancies are identified, they will be reported back to the contractor immediately at the end of testing with recommendations needed to resolve the discrepancy.

· Once the contractor has made the necessary changes, new CDs will be mailed to arrive on the next business day for re-testing.

· This will be repeated until the CDs meet NAVCEN’s satisfaction.

· If no discrepancies are identified, NAVCEN will notify the contractor immediately at the end of testing that the CDs have been accepted

Support

During the period of performance, it is likely that the Coast Guard recipient of these CDs will call the contractor to request support or help. The contractor may offer what ever help necessary if it pertains to the content of the CD. Any questions or support request pertaining to a navigation system may not be supported by contractor. In such case the contractor will defer the requestor to USCG Command and Control Engineering Center (C2CEN) System Management Engineering Facility (SMEF) Desk at (757) 686-2156 or D05-SMB-C2CENSMEF@uscg.mil. They can also be directed to C2CEN’s Intranet site: http://cgweb.lant.uscg.mil/c2cen. The POINT OF CONTACT and the POINT OF CONTACT’s representative must be notified, via email of a support request.

During the period of performance, the contractor shall test each monthly Chart Region on multiple Coast Guard systems to identify potential chart issues (especially with BSB charts) and help ensure compatibility with Coast Guard systems. Contractor shall either repair non-compliant chart(s) or notify POINT OF CONTACT and the POINT OF CONTACT’s representative of charts with issues. In addition, contractor shall provide technical support to C2CEN for issues relating to BSB formatted charts and the BSB Format Specification.

Chart Region specifications for U.S. and MACR Regions:

US Coast Guard Region Chart List Spreadsheet (See Attachment_ TWO (2)____ ) contains the actual list of charts per region. For U.S. and MACR regions, this region scheme requires that a single chart number will only appear once on a CD – it prohibits overlapping or duplicate coverage.

This list only contains the charts that respective hydrographic offices/chart agencies are maintaining at this time. From time to time, charts are added and removed charts from portfolios. For example, NOAA has not completed their ENC folio. It is possible that each month, new ENCs will be available.

· The contractor must monitor NOAA’s ENC availability monthly and add all new charts to the appropriate region based on the chart number. The contractor must update the US Coast Guard Region Chart List Spreadsheet (See Attachment TWO (2) as new charts are added.

· The contractor must notify the POINT OF CONTACT and the POINT OF CONTACT’s representative by email when additions are made to a CD.

Concept of Operation

1. Create Region CD masters

a. Charts will be updated on a monthly basis to include corrections through the majority of the month.

b. Using US Coast Guard Region Chart List Spreadsheet (See Attachment TWO (2), create BSB and ENC (as appropriate) directories and populate them with NTM-updated charts and associated, required files (Region.txt, Reg.idx, and Catalog.031)

c. The CD-ROM should be prepared for either Rock Ridge extensions or Level 1 ISO 9660 support. Thus, folder and file names are limited 8+3 (name+extension) uppercase characters of the following types: A-Z, 0-9, ".", and "". The maximum directory depth is 8.

d. Label CD (Silk Screen) in accordance with CD Label Requirements below.

e. Repeat for all Regions

2. Duplicate all CDs in accordance with Cutter EChart Distribution Spreadsheet.

3. Package and ship the CD’s using 2 – 3 day service in accordance with Cutter EChart Distribution Spreadsheet.

CD Label Requirements The CD label shall contain the following items:

1. Text listing the type of content, e.g.“NOAA ENCs & RNCs” in larger easy to read font

2. Region Short Title as indicated in Table 1.

3. The text stating the month of distribution using this format: Month Name, Year

4. The text “The Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) are in S-57 3.1 format. The Raster Navigational Charts (RNCs) are in BSB 3.0.7 format.” A graphical representation of the region

5. The text “Corrections are cleared through mm/dd/yy”

6. Region full text description

a. This text description specifies the chart number series and the geographical extents of the first chart to the last chart.

b. list the Region description for each CD Region

7. The text “This data is licensed to the Coast Guard. Sales, sharing or coping this CD is strictly prohibited.”

Layout can be designed by contractor, but must be approved by POINT OF CONTACT and the POINT OF CONTACT’s representative.

The CDs must color coded as follows:

· U.S. CD Regions (NOAA and USACE charts): Blue Foreground (Text) and Silver Background (the CD itself).

· MACR CD Regions (UKHO, NGA, and other HO charts): Red Foreground (Text) and Silver Background (the CD itself).

· Region 170 Private Source CD (Bahamas, Leeward and Windward Islands): Blue (upper half & text) and White (lower half).

· Canada CD Regions (CHS charts): Black Foreground (Text) and Silver Background (the CD itself).

Contingency Portfolio Management

A number of CDs identified in the Cutter Distribution Spreadsheet are designated for contingency. Contingency CDs are used to accommodate changes in Cutter operations and new homeport assignments as well as possible errors in CD assignments to Cutters. Once a need for a contingency CD(s) is identified, the required issuance will be designated as either permanent or temporary by the POINT OF CONTACT or the POINT OF CONTACT’s representative. If temporary, dates of performance will be assigned. The contractor will be notified by email of any contingency requirements. The contractor must then acknowledge the tasking and report back once the contingency CDS(s) have been shipped.

Contingency CD(s) are to be shipped Priority mail or by an Overnight Carrier Postage option as designated on a case by case basis. If necessary, the CG will provide a third party billing account number for overnight postage handling.

The Contractor must track the usage of contingency CDs on the distribution spreadsheet. This spreadsheet must be emailed to the POINT OF CONTACT and the POINT OF CONTACT’s representative once a quarter and after any changes. Contractor shall notify POINT OF CONTACT or the POINT OF CONTACT’s representative if the number of CDs requested exceeds contingency amounts.

Offers will be accepted only via email to john.h.caicedo@uscg.mil or fax (703) 313-5867 attn: John Caicedo and must include nomenclature, price, and delivery date and also must include a completed FAR 212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items. The closing date for receipt of quote is 1000 August 12, 2009.

The following provisions and clauses are incorporated by reference: FAR 52.204-6 Data Universal Numbering System, FAR 52.212-1 Instruction to Offerors – Commercial Items, FAR 52.212.3 Offerors representations and Certifications – Commercial Items, FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions, FAR 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – Central Contractor Registration. Full text is available at http.arnet.gov. Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation (HSAR) 3052.209-70 Prohibition On Contracts with Corporate Expatriates. Full text is available at http//www.dhs.gov.

A formal notice of changes, if applicable will be issued via amendment(s) to FedBizOpps

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