RFI_DS_GWS-T_2025JUL29.pdf

Geospatial-Intelligence Workstation-Tactical (GWS-T) RFI

SPECIAL NOTICE

Program Executive Office

Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors Geospatial-Intelligence Workstation-Tactical

1. INTRODUCTION

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. The purpose of this posting is to inform industry of a Request for Information (RFI) and for the Government to select vendors to participate in an in-person Market Research event (or events). Product Manager for Intelligence Systems & Analytics (PM IS&A) within the Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S) – Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) is issuing this RFI as a means of conducting market research to review, discuss, and shape the technical options for the development of the physical form factor for a Geospatial-Intelligence Workstation-Tactical

(GWS-T).

In accordance with Army Regulation 25-1 Army Information Technology, the Army’s Common Hardware Systems (CHS) contract is the mandatory source for the procurement of commercial IT hardware for tactical/operational requirements. With this Request For Information (RFI), the Government intends to conduct market research to identify computing system hardware base suitable for operational use cases and satisfy the requirements described herein. The Government’s ultimate intent is to select one or more hardware solutions to add to the CHS contract. Note: the Government reserves the right to select more than one solution for the CHS contract if it is determined to be in the best interest of the Government.

Responders should be prepared to provide demonstration models of their submitted computer hardware solutions for testing and review by PM IS&A at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD for a period of up to one year. Prior notice must be given whether or not the Government is required to return demo units, and submission of demo equipment does not obligate the Government for procurement or for CHS selection.

2. DISCLAIMER

THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL ISSUANCE (RFP). Responses to this request are voluntary and will not affect any contractor's ability to submit a proposal if, or when, a solicitation is released for a future effort. This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes and to identify a hardware solution or solutions for addition to CHS, itit does NOT constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. Solicitations are not available at this time. Requests for solicitation will not receive a response.

No entitlement to payment by the Government of direct or indirect costs or charges will arise as a result of the submission of information in response to this request.

Information received will not be considered confidential/proprietary unless marked accordingly. Company proprietary data will be reviewed by Government employees and authorized representatives only. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified proprietary information. No award will be made as a result of this request. This request is to promote exchanges of information with industry in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation part 16.505 and to identify a hardware solution to add to the Army’s CHS contract. The Government will not pay for any information and/or materials received in response to this request for information and is in no way obligated by the information received.

3. RESPONSES AND SCHEDULING

Questions and responses to this RFI are to be marked Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and received no later than 1 August 2025. The Government may decide to plan in person meetings or request additional information in the future.

The RFI questions focus on the following themes:

• Minimum requirements

• Proposed Hardware Capabilities Details

• GWS-T Hardware and System Architecture

• Connectivity Capabilities

All interested parties shall respond in as clear a manner as possible and should address each of the questions listed in the RFI. Information is preferred in soft copy form in Microsoft Word/PDF and shall not exceed 5 pages including cover sheet or cover letter. All information must be in writing via mail or email; telephone requests for additional information will not be honored.

You may submit your responses via email address to: Michael J. Ross (michael.j.ross4.civ@army.mil), Carlos H. Garza (carlos.h.garza.ctr@army.mil), and Norman C. Wright (norman.c.wright.civ@army.mil)

Subject Line: Geospatial-Intelligence Workstation-Tactical (GWS-T) RFI

Questions regarding the requested material may also be sent via email prior to the due date.

Upon receipt of the RFI responses, the Government’s plan is to review submissions to identify the hardware solution(s) which are determined to meet the Government’s anticipated hardware solution needs. The Government anticipates inviting the vendors which submitted the selected hardware solutions to an in-person Market Research event.

The purpose of the in-person Market Research event is to exchange information on Government requirements, hardware solution capabilities, etc. in a real-world environment.

If required, subsequent Market Research events may be scheduled with selected vendors.

Note: in the case where multiple vendors submit the same hardware solution, the Government reserves the right to select one vendor to attend the Market Research event at its discretion.

4. BACKGROUND

As the modern battlefield evolves, the need for rapid, data-driven decision-making at the tactical edge has never been more critical. The existing Geospatial-Intelligence Workstation (GWS) has provided essential capabilities for geospatial analysis and situational awareness, but its size and footprint limit its mobility and deployment efficiency at the Brigade Combat Team (BCT) and Maneuver Brigade levels.

This initiative aligns with the Secretary of Defense's priorities of maintaining a resilient and ready force, enhancing warfighting advantage, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to improve battlefield agility. It directly supports Army modernization goals outlined in the Army 2030 Strategy, which emphasizes data dominance, expeditionary maneuverability, and mission command at all echelons.

The GWS-T aims to enhance geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) capabilities by providing a more mobile version that's readily available in dynamic combat environments. It enables BCTs and Maneuver Brigades to conduct real-time terrain analysis, route planning, and Intelligence Preparation of the Battlespace (IPB), reducing reliance on higher echelon processing centers and enabling faster, more precise decision-making in contested environments.

By integrating ruggedized high-performance computing solutions, this effort ensures that forces maintain an uninterrupted geospatial intelligence capability even in austere and disconnected environments. This enhanced capability will provide commanders with the situational awareness needed to outmaneuver adversaries, execute precision fires, and sustain high-tempo mobile operations in multi-domain environments. Ultimately, this effort bolsters the Army's ability to fight and win in large-scale combat operations (LSCO) while maintaining overmatch against near-peer threats.

5. REQUIREMENTS

The requirements for the Geospatial-Intelligence Workstation-Tactical (GWS-T) Workstation and Edge Node systems are outlined by function category in the listing below.

Each requirement applies to either the GWS-T Workstation, the GWS-T Edge Node, or both.

Proposed solutions should address all applicable requirements and responses should describe how each requirement is met or exceeded.

General

• Both components:

o Must be Trade Agreement Act (TAA) of 1979 compliant o Must be able to receive an Authority to Operate (ATO) that supports unit mission requirements o Must provide all hardware licensing included for all components required for functionality as proposed throughout the testing and evaluation period o RMA/field support capability must be available for both CONUS and OCONUS deployments

Ruggedization

• Both components:

o Must meet appropriate MIL-SPEC standards for ruggedization o Must operate within temperature range: 20 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit o Must be suitable for deployment in austere field environments o Must be capable of operating in environments with varying humidity levels and potential exposure to dust/sand

Physical

• Ruggedized GWS-T Workstation:

o Objective weight of 10 to 15 pounds or less o Compact, ruggedized, and highly portable to enhance mobility o Laptop configuration preferred

• Ruggedized GWS-T Edge Node:

o Objective weight of less than 25 pounds (including integrated high-capacity battery) o Compact, ruggedized form factor o Laptop configuration preferred

Display

• Both components:

o Screen Size: Minimum 15 inches, Maximum 17 inches o Must support external display via HDMI or DVI port o Should include an integrated display suitable for mobility o Should feature a slide-out or foldable screen extender to enhance visual workspace in field environments

• GWS-T Workstation:

o Resolution and color capabilities must support advanced visualization of geospatial data

Power

• Both components:

o Include spare hot-swappable batteries or second battery bay to ensure continuous operation in austere environments for 8 to 12 hours o Have a MILSPEC 12 to 24 Volt DC power connector or adapter to enable operations on the move in military wheeled vehicles or aircraft o Support automatic power switching between 100~240 Volts AC o Be fully operational when drawing power from either 50Hz or 60Hz sources to allow seamless integration with U.S., European, African, and Asian power standards

CPU

• GWS-T Workstation:

o Intel Xeon CPU with minimum 8 cores o Must support virtualization capabilities o Must be capable of running Windows 11 Pro

• GWS-T Edge Node:

o Intel Xeon CPU with minimum 8 cores o Must support virtualization capabilities o Must be capable of running Windows Server 2022/2025

Memory

• GWS-T Workstation:

o Minimum 64 GB

• GWS-T Edge Node:

o Minimum 128 GB

Storage

• Both components:

o Swappable operating system SSD(s) as well as swappable SSD data drives o SD Card Reader (1 ea.)

o Support for multiple storage configurations to facilitate secure operations across different security domains (SBU-E, MPN, SIPRNet)

• GWS-T Workstation:

o Minimum 4 TB storage (Objective: 6 TB)

• GWS-T Edge Node:

o Minimum 6 TB storage (Objective: 8 TB)

Graphics

• GWS-T Workstation:

o Must include dedicated GPU o Must support advanced 3D visualization and geospatial processing applications

Networking o Dual network ports (single NIC with minimum of 1Gbps line speed or multiple NIC with higher line speeds preferred.)

o Support for connectivity to existing Army tactical communications networks o Support for network isolation and security features appropriate for multi-domain operations

• GWS-T Edge Node:

o Must be capable of supporting a minimum of 10 simultaneous consumers of services (e.g., web services, Map and Imagery services, mission command clients, or Geospatial Processing Clients)

Security

• Both components:

o Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM 2.0) o Smart Card Reader o Support for information assurance requirements (availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, non-repudiation) o Support for secure operations across different security domains

Input Devices

• Both components:

o Must include appropriate tactical-use keyboard and pointing devices, backlit keyboard with lighting control preferred o Should support operation while wearing tactical gloves

System Health Management

• Both components:

o Must include built-in suite of tools for system health and maintenance o Should minimize or eliminate the need for admin-level system maintainers

(elevated privileges)

Expansion Ports

• Both components:

o HDMI port (1 ea.)

o RJ-45 Ethernet ports (2 ea.)

o USB-C ports (2 ea.)

o USB-3 port (1 ea.)

o Must provide sufficient expansion capabilities to support mission requirements

Cabling o Complete set of cables needed for operation o Two (2) RJ-45 connector network cables per device. Network cables must support up to and including the maximum network throughput for each device

6. QUESTIONS TO INDUSTRY

Instructions: Please respond to the RFI using the questionnaire below to the best of your ability. If you do not have a response for a particular question, please respond with “unknown.” If the specific question does not apply to your hardware, please respond with “N/A.”

1.0 General:

Vendor:

Model number:

Date:

Vendor POC:

2.0 Chassis:

Chassis size (L x W x H in inches):

Chassis weight (as configured for testing):

Power requirements (208V, 120V, DC):

Power draw at spin up:

Power draw at idle:

Power connector (208V, 120V, NEMA plug type):

BIOS access key:

BIOS tuning (fans):

BIOS tuning (voltage):

Motherboard chipsets:

PCI slots:

PCI compatibility (PCI 3, PCI 4, etc.):

Out of band management support (IDRAC, etc.):

Out of band management default login:

Rack mountable:

Environmental specifications (Mil Spec 810 G, etc):

On board graphics support/type:

GPU support:

Installed GPU:

Built in UPS:

3.0 Compute:

CPU vendor:

Model:

Cores:

Threads:

Frequency (base):

Frequency (boost):

Cache:

TDP:

Max memory:

Memory types supported (DDR4, DDR5, etc.):

Max memory speed:

ECC support:

Hyperthreading:

4.0 Memory:

Memory Vendor:

Memory type:

Max memory speed:

ECC:

Memory voltage:

Memory density:

Memory form factor:

Dual/Quad channel:

5.0 Storage:

M.2 storage:

M.2 Vendor:

M.2 model:

NVME support:

SATA chipset vendor:

RAID chipset vendor:

SCSI chipset vendor:

SSD storage:

SSD vendor:

SSD model:

Mechanical storage:

Mechanical vendor:

Mechanical model:

Number of 3.5” slots:

Number of 2.5” slots:

3.5” write speeds:

3.5” read speeds:

2.5” write speeds:

2.5” read speeds:

M.2 write speeds:

M.2 read speeds:

SSD read speeds:

SSD write speeds:

Mechanical read speeds:

Mechanical write speeds:

Max storage:

USB support:

USB types:

Number of USB ports:

MicroSD support:

6.0 Networking:

1G networking chipset vendor:

10G networking chipset vendor:

25G networking chipset vendor:

40G networking chipset vendor:

Number of 1G ports:

Number of 10G ports:

Number of 25G ports:

Number of 40G ports:

PXE support:

WOL support:

Total copper ports:

Total fiber ports:

Wireless chipset vendor:

Wireless type:

NFC support:

7.0 Fielding/Deployment:

User serviceable (upgrade memory, CPU, PCI cards, etc.):

Proprietary components:

RMA/field support available (CONUS):

RMA/field support available (OCONUS):

Highest accreditation level hardware supports (UNCLASSIFIED, SECRET, TOP SECRET, JWICS, etc.):

Form factor scalability (proprietary connectivity, network connectivity, etc.):

8.0 Administrative:

Is hardware available in CHESS:

Is hardware available on another approved purchasing listing:

HCI platforms supported:

Operating systems supported:

Hypervisors supported:

Containerized solutions supported (K8S, etc):

Base cost of model under test:

Cost of model under test as configured:

Additional considerations for your submission are below. Please keep the responses technical and brief.

1. Hardware and System Architecture

a. How would the proposed solution support applications installation and maintenance?

i. What are the middleware tools needed to support or are included with the proposed solution?

ii. What are the benefits and the limitations of the proposed approach to third-party software?

b. What tool packages and licensing considerations would affect the cost of the proposed solution?

c. How would the proposed solution leverage existing lower Tactical Internet (TI) communication platforms, using existing Army radios, on the battlefield?

d. Has the proposed hardware been given an ATO to operate on multiple enclaves (i.e. MPE, SIPR, JWICS)

e. Are the hard drives for the solutions being proposed solid-state hard drives?

2. Connectivity Capabilities:

a. What physical ports will the proposed solution have to connect to existing Army radios and external hard drives (maps, graphics, mission tailored data, etc.) to meet the needs of different units?

b. How is the proposed solution designed to support routing, network isolation/firewall switch, port forwarding /routing?

c. How will the proposed solution support switching from pre-configured networks?