HQ0516-FY-25-0008 Sources Sought AFN BC Operations.pdf

Sources Sought Notice

AFN TV Infrastructure

Sources Sought Tracking Number: HQ0516-FY-25-0008

Contracting Office Address:

Defense Media Activity 6700 Taylor Avenue

Fort George St. Meade, MD 20755

The Defense Media Activity (DMA) is seeking information from industry to assist with the development and planning of a potential new requirement. The intent of this Sources Sought (MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY) is to gain information on the agency’s requirement for an all-inclusive, Broadcast Facility Infrastructure to support the American Forces Network (AFN) television broadcast mission. The responses provided may be used by DMA to assist in budgetary planning and developing an acquisition strategy, Statement of Objectives, salient characteristics, and performance specifications. Interested vendors are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response.

Specific support is required to ascertain industry’s ability to furnish a turnkey solution to provide an all-inclusive infrastructure/architecture capable of performing specific roles in support of the AFN television broadcast mission presently performed at the AFN Broadcast Center. Vendors are encouraged to provide as much information as possible regarding their proven experience in developing these capabilities.

The system shall comprise components that meet the required capabilities detailed later in this document. This system is also intended to be capable of performing 100% of the tasks, media workflows, and activities required to create the AFN Broadcast Network Services currently performed at the AFN Broadcast Center. Consideration shall be made to potentially further AFN’s ability to operate remotely to support both emergency and daily activities.

The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. The information provided will be used to development a Request for Quote solicitation. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Interested Parties are encouraged to provide the following:

1. A summary of the capabilities statements relating to DMA’s requirements.

2. Questions related to the SOURCES SOUGHT’s Required Capabilities. Any questions received and subsequent answers will be posted to https://sam.gov/ for the benefit of all interested parties.

3. An estimated itemized budgetary product list or capablities for a system capable of satisfying the SOURCES SOUGHT. Itemized estimates are preferred if possible for system specifications for market research purposes.

1. Background

The American Forces Network (AFN) is a U.S. military-operated television and radio broadcast service that provides news, command information, and entertainment to service members and their families stationed overseas. AFN’s broadcast operations (radio, television, and streaming media) are currently centralized at the AFN Broadcast Center (AFN BC) at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, California. The AFN BC serves as the hub for delivering multiple continuous channels of programming worldwide, supporting the AFN mission by ensuring troops abroad receive timely news, information, and entertainment programming from home. As a non-commercial service, AFN replaces traditional commercial breaks with command information (CI) messages and public service announcements, generally produced internally, that convey important military news, guidance, and morale-boosting content. The AFN-BC is responsible for acquiring, processing, scheduling, and distributing broadcast content across AFN’s television, radio, and streaming platforms, including the insertion of CI spots and other interstitial materials into programming.

AFN operates through a mix of terrestrial, satellite, and digital platforms, ensuring access in remote and contested environments. The following are the platforms currently available:

• AFN Radio – AFN-BC generates a series of radio services including its flagship service, the Eagle. The Eagle is a HOT AC format music station which features live news from a commercial source at the top of each hour, and three CI spot breakaways an hour. The Eagle is delivered to 24 AFN stations at overseas bases around the world, where localized CI spots cover the breakaways. For eight hours on weekdays, each AFN station delivers a live-hosted local show with command information, news, and popular music. AFN stations tailor content to their local and regional audiences while maintaining alignment with AFN’s global mission. AFN stations use the Eagle service when they are not live, with an automation system inserting local CI spots into the breakaways. Each station’s signal is backhauled to the AFN Broadcast Center via internet protocol, where it is delivered to a contracted stream host and made available for use in AFN Go.

• AFN Go is AFN’s streaming radio service, available via web browser and mobile app. It gives users access to live, local and regional AFN radio content from around the world.

• AFN Television – AFN-BC creates multiple themed news, sports, and entertainment channels which are delivered around the world via satellite. These channels are curated with top-rated U.S. programming, time-shifted to match local primetime hours, and feature military CI spots in place of commercials. These channels are also fed to a contractor, who ports them into the AFN Now app to provide users with a linear programming experience.

• AFN Now is AFN’s on-demand and live-streaming platform, available via mobile apps and connected devices. It gives authorized users access to AFN television content and command messaging anytime, anywhere outside the U.S., enabling greater flexibility and reach, particularly as Direct-to-Home (DTH), AFN’s primary consumer satellite service, sunsets in early 2026.

Together, these platforms deliver mission-critical information and morale-boosting content to the overseas U.S. military community.

This document outlines the objectives and requirements for a broadcast television creation and distribution system for the American Forces Network (AFN) to be operated from the Defense Media Activity Headquarters and Production Facility, 6700 Taylor Avenue, Fort Meade, MD

20755 (DMA HQ).

This new system will replace all media and broadcast functions of the AFN Broadcast Center located in Riverside, California.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Sources Sought is to gather information from industry partners to identify integrators capable of providing AFN with a 24/7/365 television and radio program services creation solution to fulfill the operational requirements of the AFN Broadcast Center. This solution shall provide AFN the ability to continue delivering critical command information from a remotely accessible infrastructure.

Offerors are encouraged to provide alternative and unique solutions that may go outside of the construct of a typical media broadcast organization, as well as identify risks and pitfalls that may not be recognized or identified by AFN. The system solution may include any combination of on-premises components (software defined or physical) and cloud architecture. Cost comparisons between physical and cloud capabilities will aid the government in determining the overall best value.

SCOPE

1. Multi-Channel System Capability: Up to eight (8) linear television services (channels), comprised of “live” events and recorded media.

Master Control: Minimum of four Television Master Control Switchers, capable of remote operations. It shall support live operations as well as 24/7/365 playout of content on all four channels.

Traffic and Scheduling: AFN requires an Enterprise Command Information Trafficking, Automation, and Reporting System to unify television and radio program scheduling, as well as manage the end-to-end lifecycle of CI assets—spanning ingest, trafficking, scheduling, insertion, and reporting—for both television and radio platforms Radio CI metrics (produced spots, live reads) at the station level are not visible outside of the station.

Television:

• Allow authorized user access from an internet-connected workstation anywhere in the world.

• Enable 24/7 ingest of CI assets in a variety of formats (video, audio, text, graphics).

• Support automated and manual workflows for asset verification, categorization, prioritization, and distribution.

• Allow operators with appropriate permissions to schedule CI assets dynamically and insert them in real time or near real time into live or pre-recorded programming.

• Maintain robust access controls (tiered, CAC-enabled) to govern who can act at each stage of the workflow.

• Provide comprehensive logging, tracking, and reporting for every CI insertion across all platforms, with metadata (e.g., time, operator, asset ID, affected channel/station).

• Include a dashboard or reporting tool for performance monitoring, after-action reviews, compliance audits, and data-driven optimization of CI campaigns.

Radio:

• Allow authorized user access from an internet-connected workstation anywhere in the world.

• Enable 24/7 ingest of CI assets

• Support automated and manual workflows for asset verification, categorization, prioritization, and distribution.

• Allow operators with appropriate permissions to schedule CI assets dynamically and insert them in real time or near real time into live or pre-recorded programming.

• Maintain robust access controls (tiered, CAC-enabled) to govern who can act at each stage of the workflow.

• Provide comprehensive logging, tracking, and reporting for every CI insertion across all platforms, with metadata (e.g., time, operator, asset ID, affected channel/station).

• Include a dashboard or reporting tool for performance monitoring, after-action reviews, compliance audits, and data-driven optimization of CI campaigns,

• Integration with AudioVault Radio Automation

• Embedded message or logic trigger insertion for downrange automation

2. Content Acquisition, Processing, Scheduling, Playout, and Distribution: DMA-AFN shall be responsible for establishing all licensing and content distribution rights for any materials, media or programming.

The system shall provide end-to-end capabilities for content acquisition, signal routing, processing, scheduling, playout, and distribution of AFN programming. This encompasses the entire broadcast workflow, ensuring a seamless pipeline from content ingest to delivery on-air.

The objectives for each stage include:

• Content Acquisition: Ability to ingest or import a wide range of content sources, including live satellite feeds, file-based media (video files, graphics, etc.), and possibly network stream inputs. The system shall be capable of receiving and conditioning (setting and adjusting levels, processing) between 75 and 100 contribution feeds, with the ability to schedule and perform up to 24 simultaneous recordings.

For cloud offerings, consideration must be made to transport contribution feeds from the on-premises location at DMA, 6700 Taylor Avenue, FGGM to the cloud environment.

• Content Processing: Tools to process and prepare content for broadcast. This includes transcoding, re-formatting, or editing video to the required broadcast format and resolution, extracting or removing commercial segments from acquired programs (de-commercialization), editing for time and content, and inserting metadata or markers as needed. The system should facilitate the replacement of commercial breaks with command information spots and public service announcements, per AFN policy. It should also support adding closed captioning data and ensuring compliance with loudness and other technical standards during content prep.

• Scheduling and Traffic Management: A robust scheduling (traffic) module to create daily and weekly program schedules for each of the four linear video channels.

• Playout Automation: A reliable playout system to execute the scheduled content for each channel.

• Storage: Adequate storage to house seven days of content per channel for immediate playback. Consideration for 1.5PB of storage for archived material.

• Distribution: AFN’s distribution network spans satellite, Over-the-Top (OTT) terrestrial delivery to Last-Mile-Distributors (LMD) via SRT, and delivery to the respective CDN’s for AFN’s OTT television and radio internet streaming. The new system must support all these delivery methods. The objective is a unified system that can feed each platform appropriately without needing separate, siloed processes for each.

o For satellite distribution, resulting channel services will need to be encrypted for DVB-S2/S2x.

o OTT terrestrial distribution via SRT to LMDs is expected to deliver MPTS channel packages of up to eight services, and scale to 2000 concurent connections.

For cloud offerings, consideration must be made to transport program streams from the cloud environment to the on-premises location to DMA, 6700 Taylor Avenue, FGGM.

• Monitoring: Ability to monitor source feeds, control room and playout content, AFN Satellite Services, OTT Services and various airchain points via a desktop browser-based dashboard, as well as multiviewer displays.

• Quality Assurance: “Alibi” logging of all broadcast content for QA and compliance validation. Accessed via desktop browser.

• Redundancy: Inherent redundancy throughout the system, as well as a method to “bypass” system operations and place inbound contribution feeds directly the distribution systems.

5. Cybersecurity

The new system must adhere to Department of Defense (DoD) cybersecurity policies and relevant U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations. From a cybersecurity perspective, the system will operate on DoD networks and therefore must comply with all applicable security requirements, including the DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF) process for obtaining Authority to Operate (ATO). All hardware and software components should be Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) compliant and free of known critical vulnerabilities. The contractor will ensure proper hardening of servers and workstations, implementation of access controls, network security measures (firewalls, encryption of data in transit as appropriate), and regular patching to maintain security compliance. The system should also incorporate role-based access for users, audit logging of user actions (especially for content insertions or schedule changes), and safeguards against unauthorized access or data manipulation. The vendor shall ensure the solution is designed, implemented, and maintained in accordance with DoD cybersecurity policy, to include integration into existing cybersecurity governance processes. Full Authority to Operate (ATO) support shall be provided as part of system delivery.

The system shall meet the following specific cybersecurity requirements:

• The system shall include an Access Control Plan defining all user roles and account types, including administrative, service, emergency, and standard user accounts.

• User authentication shall be implemented using DoD Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificates and token-based authentication mechanisms, in compliance with DoD Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) requirements.

• The system shall support audit and accountability functions, including centralized logging, retention, and the ability to export logs to an external Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution.

• System components shall be configured and maintained in compliance with applicable DoD STIGs. The vendor shall document deviations and provide mitigation plans for any non-compliant configurations.

• The vendor shall support the development and maintenance of RMF artifacts required for system ATO, including but not limited to: System Security Plan (SSP), Security

Assessment Report (SAR), Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), and Continuous Monitoring Strategy.

6. Regulatory Compliance

The solution must comply with FCC regulations and broadcast standards to the extent they apply to AFN operations. While AFN is a government network broadcasting primarily overseas, it still adheres to U.S. broadcast rules and technical standards. The system should support compliance with regulations such as:

• Closed Captioning requirements for televised content to ensure accessibility (the system should be able to handle closed caption data pass-through or insertion for all programming, as mandated by FCC rules).

The contractor must be familiar with and design the system in accordance with all relevant DoD instructions and FCC rules. Any waivers or exceptions (if needed) should be identified early.

Ultimately, the delivered system must operate in compliance with broadcast regulations, ensuring both secure operation and legal operation of AFN channels.

8. Training, Maintenance, and Ongoing Support

The successful implementation of the new system will require comprehensive training, robust maintenance provisions, and continuous technical support. Key objectives in this area include:

• Training: The contractor shall provide thorough training for AFN Broadcast Center personnel on all aspects of the new system. This includes operator training (for schedulers, master control staff, and content managers).

• Maintenance: The system design should emphasize reliability and ease of maintenance.

All hardware components (servers, storage, etc.) should be commercial-grade and designed for 24/7 operation with appropriate redundancy. The contractor will provide a maintenance plan that includes regular preventive maintenance tasks, recommended spare parts (for critical components), and procedures for software updates/patches. If the system includes custom software or configurations, the contractor must supply all necessary source code escrow or configuration documentation to allow AFN or a third party to maintain the system in the future. Maintenance requirements also include compliance with cybersecurity updates – the system’s software (including operating systems and applications) must be patched to address security vulnerabilities in a timely manner throughout its life.

• Ongoing Technical Support: The procurement will include a period of contractor-provided support after system deployment. At minimum, one year of warranty and technical support should cover hardware repair/replacement and software support (bug fixes, patches). The contractor is expected to offer options for extended support (multi-year maintenance contracts) for the system’s life cycle. Support must be available in a manner consistent with the critical nature of AFN’s mission – ideally 24/7 phone and remote support for urgent issues that affect on-air operations. Response time requirements may be specified (for example, critical outages must receive immediate response and on-site support within 24 hours if not resolved remotely). The contractor will also assist with any system tuning or adjustments during the initial burn-in period to optimize performance.

Regular check-ins or maintenance visits (quarterly or annually) could be part of the support package to ensure the system remains in optimal condition.

9. Additional Security Considerations:

• Any equipment, systems, or subsystems required to meet this objective will reside in a controlled environment, and the contractor should advise on any specific needs (such as secure racks, lockable server cases, or tamper-evident measures) if applicable. If the system will process or store any sensitive but unclassified (SBU) information (for example, scheduling information or distribution details), it should be protected accordingly.

• Contractors must comply with DoD supply chain security requirements (Section 889 and Trade Agreement Act). The offeror should be prepared to disclose the country of origin for major hardware/software and ensure that no part of the system introduces unacceptable security risks.

10. Place of Performance

Place of Performance: The primary place of performance is the Defense Media Activity, 6700 Taylor Avenue, Fort Meade, MD 20755 (DMA HQ). All system installation, configuration, and on-site training will occur at this location. The contractor will coordinate with AFN personnel for access to studios, control rooms, and other relevant areas to deploy hardware and software.

11. Deliverables and Key Performance Metrics

Deliverables: The contractor shall provide the following deliverables to ensure clarity of expectations and successful completion of the project:

• Project Management

• System Design Documentation

• Installation and

• Training Materials and Training Completion

• User Guides and Technical Manuals

• Test Plans and Test

• Operational System (Final Deliverable)

• Maintenance and Support Plan

• Periodic Status Reports

REQUESTED INFORMATION:

Respondents are encouraged to provide the following:

a. Company’s Name, mailing address, phone number, fax number, company’s website, and email of designated point(s) of contact.

b. Business Type: Based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 512110 Motion Picture and Video Production. Identify the type of entity (large business, small business, small disadvantaged, woman-owned, 8(a), HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, etc.).

c. CAGE Code

d. Contractor’s past performance in meeting stated objectives/requirements, statement of qualifications to include information that clearly demonstrates the respondent’s capabilities, expertise and experience to perform the specific requirements contained in this Sources Sought.

e. Contract vehicles that would be available to the Government for the procurement of the product and service, to include General Service Administration (GSA), GSA MOBIS, NIH, NASA SEWP, Federal Supply Schedules (FSS), or any other Government Agency contract vehicle. (This information is for market research only and does not preclude your company from responding to this notice.)

RESPONSE GUIDELINES:

1. Questions or comments regarding this notice must be submitted via email to Contracting Specialist Decima Chiasson decima.a.chiasson.civ@mail.mil and Contracting Officer Thomas Brown thomas.j.brown314.civ@mail.mil. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Any questions received and subsequent answers will be posted to https://sam.gov/ for the benefit of all interested vendors. The deadline to submit a question regard this notice is 18 April 2025 at 4:00 PM EST.

2. A summary of the Interested Party’s capabilities relating to DMA’s requirements along with an itemized budgetary estimate for a system capable of satisfying the Sources Sought. The summary of respondent’s capabilities must be submitted by 30 April 2025 at 4:00 PM EST via email to Contracting Specialist Decima Chiasson decima.a.chiasson.civ@mail.mil and Contracting Officer Thomas Brown thomas.j.brown314.civ@mail.mil.

Submissions cannot exceed 10 pages, single-spaced, 12-point type with at least one-inch margins on 8 1/2” X 11” page size, not including any manufacturer cut sheets or system block diagrams. Responses must specifically describe the contractor’s capability to meet the requirements outlined in this SOURCES SOUGHT.

DISCLAIMER:

This Sources Sought is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals, nor will any award be made as a result of this synopsis.

mailto:decima.a.chiasson.civ@mail.mil mailto:thomas.j.brown314.civ@mail.mil mailto:decima.a.chiasson.civ@mail.mil mailto:thomas.j.brown314.civ@mail.mil

All information contained in the Sources Sought is preliminary, as well as, subject to modification and is in no way binding on the Government. FAR clause 52.215-3, “Request for Information or Market research for Planning Purposes”, is incorporated by reference in this Sources Sought.

The Government does not intend to pay for information received in response to this Sources Sought. Responders to this invitation are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Sources Sought. This Sources Sought will be the basis for collecting information on capabilities available. This Sources Sought is issued solely for information and planning purposes. Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials.

All information received in this Sources Sought that is marked “Proprietary” will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned nor will receipt be confirmed. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this Sources Sought are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.

PARTICIPATION IN THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY AND

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A

COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCURE ANY ITEMS/SERVICES OR

FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR THE INFORMATION RECEIVED. THE

GOVERNMENT WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ASSOCIATED COSTS AS

A RESULT OF PROSPECTIVE OFFERORS INTEREST, RESPONSE OR

PARTICIPATION IN THIS SOURCES SOUGHT. ANY FORMAL SOLICITATION

WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE. THE GOVERNMENT RESERVES THE

RIGHT TO CANCEL THIS REQUIREMENT AT ANY TIME DURING THE

ACQUISITION PROCESS.

ANY SOLICITATION RESULTING FROM THE ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION

OBTAINED WILL BE POSTED TO THE PUBLIC IN FEDERAL BUSINESS

OPPORTUNITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FAR PART 5. HOWEVER,

RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED RESPONSES TO A

SOLICITATION.