RFI - HQ0516-FY-24-0005- Digital Video Broadcast - S2 Refresh.pdf

Sources Sought Notice Digital Video Broadcast - Satellite, Generation 2x (DVB-S2x)

Satellite Encoding and Encryption System and Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) Distribution

Sources Sought Tracking Number: HQ0516-FY-24-0005

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS:

Defense Media Activity 6700 Taylor Avenue

Fort George G. 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 is to gain information on the agency’s requirement to refresh the existing DVB-S2 Encoding System with equipment, originally purchased from TBC Integration Inc., DBA Digital Glue, as the DVB- S2 COOP System at DMA, Ft. Meade. Responses provided may be used by DMA to assist in budgetary planning, the development of an acquisition strategy, Performance Work Statement, salient characteristics, and performance specifications. Interested parties 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. The system shall comprise of components that meet the required capabilities detailed later in this document.

Vendors are encouraged to provide as much information as possible regarding their proven experience in developing these capabilities.

DMA representatives may choose to meet with respondents and others who express interest and hold one-on-one discussions. Such discussions would only be intended to obtain further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements, including any development and implementation risks.

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. Information provided will be used to assess availability of the anticipated requirement and may lead to the development of a solicitation. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Respondents are encouraged to provide the following:

1. A summary of the respondent’s capabilities 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. .

https://sam.gov/

Purpose This SOURCES SOUGHT outlines the government’s requirement for requirement to refresh the existing DVB-S2 Encoding System with equipment, originally purchased from TBC Integration Inc., DBA Digital Glue, as the DVB-S2 COOP System at DMA, Ft. Meade. The equipment has been relocated to the AFN-BC. The original system was engineered, installed, configured and commissioned as a customized, turn-key system by TBC Integration Inc., DigitalGlue.

Scope:

The multichannel Transmission Systems shall securely transmit and encrypt High Definition (HD) video, Standard Definition (SD) video, multiple channels of AES-EBU digital audio and provide for IP Multi-Protocol Data Encapsulated program streams delivered to a world-wide decoder population, consisting of Professional and consumer DVB-S2/MPEG-4 compliant integrated receiver/decoders from multiple manufacturers.

The overall system shall provide four (4) DVB Program Stream Satellite Networks, utilizing Simultaneously Encrypted “Simulcrypt” Conditional Access standard, consisting of Verimatrix Video Content Authority System (VCAS) and Synamedia PowerVU Conditional Access, an Electronic Program Guide (EPG), the capability to provide graphics on the EPG and non-video services, and the c. The Contractor shall install and configure the system as originally designed and installed at DMA, Ft. Meade (a replication of the original system in service at the AFN-BC), with the addition of equipment and licenses necessary to meet AFN-BC television and audio program service requirements. The Government shall provided system core components listed on the bill of material, rack space, protected power, and HVAC. The Contractor shall furnish materials and licensing necessary to update the system to AFN-BC operational requirements, personnel required for engineering, installation, and configuration of the system. The overall core encoding system shall encode and encrypt 18 channels of video, selectable between HD and SD, and 36 stereo radio services.

By Satellite Network;

the AFN Atlantic/Pacific Direct to Home Satellite Networks each transmit ten (eight discrete, two shared) channels of Video, selectable between HD or SD. Additionally, each system must carry thirty six (36) stereo radio channels and pass six (6) discrete IP Multi-Protocol Data Encapsulated streams per each encoding system that air live or time delayed program sources from satellite, fiber, cable and in house Broadcast Automation System.

The satellite transmission bandwidth allocated for this delivery is currently 36 MHz. Systems delivered shall operate within this bandwidth. Specifically, the Contractor shall plan to support the following inputs to each system:

• 12 input channels, consisting as a combination of SD-SDI, HD-SDI, AVC, 1080i and/or 720p format video with embedded audio @44.1 or 48 KHz AES/EBU Audio

• 36 each stereo radio services 44.1/48 KHz (selectable) AES/EBU selectable Audio

• 6 discrete IP Multi-Protocol Data Encapsulated streams.

The DTS Atlantic/Pacific systems are individually required to securely encrypt and transmit four

(4) channels of Video, switchable between HD or SD, eight (8) stereo radio channels and pass one (1) IP Multi-Protocol Data Encapsulated stream per each encoding system that air live or time delayed program sources from satellite, fiber, cable and in house Broadcast Automation System.

The bandwidth allocated for this transmission delivery is currently 6 MHz. Systems offered under this SON shall operate within this bandwidth;

• 4 input channels, consisting as a combination of SD-SDI, HD-SDI AVC, 1080i and/or 720p format video with embedded audio @44.1 or 48 KHz AES/EBU Audio

• 8 each stereo radio services 44.1/48 KHz (selectable) AES/EBU selectable Audio

• 1 discrete IP Multi-Protocol Data Encapsulated streams

A DVB Simulcrypt solution is required to provide authorized users access to a variety of consumer STBs that are powerful, feature rich and simple to use. This approach will allow AFN customers to purchase STB technology as it becomes available and allow the government to more quickly take advantage of developing technology. Proposed CA systems should be in use within the North American Broadcast satellite and/or cable industry.

The Contractor shall produce, subject to government acceptance, a transition and commissioning test plan that is minimally invasive to the broadcast transmission, with no impact to fielded STB and Decoders or loss of subscriber management data.

The Contractor shall provide on-site training on all portions of the provisioned DVB-S2 AFN Network Broadcast Transmission Systems to the AFN Broadcast operations and engineering personnel. The Contractor shall be responsible for the engineering, project management, installation, configuration, testing, commissioning of all hardware, software, and ancillary equipment initially acquired by DMA for the purpose of a Continuity Of Operations Plan (COOP) at Ft. Meade, and installing it at the AFN Broadcast Center as the primary DVB-S2 head-end distribution system. The resulting installation must be configured to operate identically to the existing DVB-S2 system at the AFN-BC, as well as all functions described in this PWS.

The Contractor shall provide updated documentation, to include a system topology drawing and a complete hardware and software list.

REQUESTED INFORMATION:

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

b. Business Type: Based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334220 Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing. 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,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:

Vendors who wish to respond to this should send responses via email NLT 24 September 2024 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) to Contracting Specialist nicole.r.dorsey.civ@mail.mil .

Contracting Officer colette.b.jones.civ@mail.mil and Interested parties are requested to respond to this SOURCES SOUGHT with a white paper. 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.

QUESTIONS:

Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted by e-mail to nicole.r.dorsey.civ@mail.mil and colette.b.jones.civ@mail.mil Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 23 September 2024 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), will be answered. The Government will not reimburse companies for any costs associated with the submissions of their responses.

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:nicole.r.dorsey.civ@mail.mil mailto:colette.b.jones.civ@mail.mil mailto:nicole.r.dorsey.civ@mail.mil mailto:colette.b.jones.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 Solicitation 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.