GL-16 RFI for Gateway Translation Software.docx

M67854-24-I-2023

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

FOR THE

MARINE CORPS GROUND LINK-16 TRANSLATION SOFTWARE

Closing date for RFI: 29 March 2023 at 11:59 pm, local time, Quantico, Virginia

1. GENERAL INFORMATION.

This Request for Information (RFI) initiates market research under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 and is not a Request for Proposal. The information herein only initiates communication with industry in order to assess market potential. No solicitation document exists at this time. This RFI constitutes no Government obligation to procure these items or issue a solicitation. The Government does not have an obligation to pay for information responding to this RFI and will not accept any responses as offers. Vendors should mark any proprietary information clearly and appropriately.

2. PURPOSE.

Program Manager Tactical Communications and Electromagnetic Warfare, Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM), is seeking industry input that identifies potential sources for Link-16 gateway translation software suitable for use by Marine Corps ground forces, herein called Ground Link-16 (GL-16). The goal of this RFI is to identify software capable of translating J-Series Link-16 messages into a variety of other message formats. This software will be installed on a gateway terminal in the GL-16 system of systems and will support command and control and fire support warfighting functions for Marine Corps ground-based organizations, exclusive of aviation-ground systems. The following is a list of characteristics for GL-16 gateway translation software:

· Operates on Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) approved versions of Windows, Linux, and Android operating systems

· Capable of bidirectional translation of Link-16 J-Series messages between the following formats:

1. Variable Message Format (VMF)

2. Common Message Format (CMF)

3. Cursor on Target (CoT)

4. US Message Text Format

· Capable of facilitating communications between the gateway terminal and fielded Marine Corps and Joint partner systems and standards, including but not limited to the KOR-24A, AN/PRC-161, SADL, TAK, OTH-GOLD, etc.

· Command and Control Certified Gateway (Joint Interoperability Test Command certified and have a current Authority to Operate)

3. SUBMISSION REQUEST.

This RFI does not have an associated page restriction, however, an executive summary, not to exceed five pages, should accompany each submission. Responses may include any advertising, marketing information and capability summaries directly related to the RFI. Vendors deciding to submit competition-sensitive or proprietary information bear sole responsibility for marking the information for appropriate safeguarding. Please include the following information in the response:

A. Company Name B. Commercial and Government Entity Code and Deliberate Urgent Needs Statement C. Designate whether the company is a large or small business. Should the company be designated as a small business, please also provide the appropriate category/categories, if applicable:

I. 8 (a) certified II. Service-disabled veteran-owned III. Veteran-owned IV. Woman-owned V. HUB Zone VI. Native American VII. Any other Small Business Administration approved designation

D. Estimated price information with quantity break, enterprise license model, Software sustainment support including IA E. Cost on Subject Matter Expert support (Contiguous United States as example), training and Help Desk F. Any Government-wide platforms that the software is currently sold on i.e., Department of Defense Enterprise Software Initiative, General Services Administration, etc.

G. Software update/patch distribution model/method H. As applicable, information about host computing system requirement for hosting software; including minimum CPU, RAM, Graphics Card, and Storage.

I. Please submit RFI questions to the Contract Specialist via email at robert.tucker@usmc.mil, with a courtesy copy to the Contracting Officer via email at kathryn.hurd@usmc.mil no later than 14 MAR 2024. MARCORSYSCOM will post all questions and answers to the Contract Opportunities website (https://beta.sam.gov/). Responders are advised that the answers to those questions being asked will be based on information that is available at that time. No proprietary information will be used.

4. SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT

All personnel directly performing on or directly supporting this program shall be U.S. Citizens.

5. PROPRIETARY DATA.

The Government may use information received from this RFI to establish future Marine Corps requirements. Vendors deciding to submit competition-sensitive or proprietary information bear sole responsibility for marking the information for appropriate safeguarding. Proprietary information will be protected from unauthorized disclosure as required by Subsection 27 of the Office of Procurement Policy Act as amended (41 U.S.C. 423) (hereinafter referred to as "the Act"), as implemented in the FAR.

Notice

The Government uses support contractor/non-government personnel from Alexandria Insights, Inc. and their subcontractors as consultants to help collect and review market information. MARCORSYSCOM contractually binds these companies with respect to proprietary information by organizational conflict of interest and non-disclosure clauses. Supporting contractor personnel are procurement officials within the meaning of the Office of Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 423) and as implemented in the FAR.