Streaming_RFI.doc

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

The FEC is considering upgrading its existing web streaming technology to modernize its features, expand its capabilities and streamline its function while making it accessible to more people in more ways and on more devices.

The Information and Information Technology Divisions of the Federal Election Commission are seeking information on how an interested contractor could assist the FEC in generating a live video stream of meetings, hearings, conferences and other events for both public and non-public viewing that provides the most versatility, reliability, accessibility and responsiveness.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the FEC is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondees are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website and the FEC’s webpage http://www.fec.gov/pages/procure/procure.shtml. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

Background– Since the late 2000’s, the FEC has generated two simultaneous live streams of its open meetings: an audio feed made available to the public and a video feed made available to staff via multicast. Both streams are generated with a Viewcast Niagara 8224 Encoder. The audio stream is pushed to a vendor for public distribution via the internet while the video stream is pushed to an in-house Windows Media Server, where it is distributed via multicast on our internal network. Because of the limited codec options of the Niagara encoder, in 2014 the FEC leveraged its existing Adobe Connect service as a way to provide live video of commission meetings to the public. The host PC is a Dell desktop with a Viewcast Ospry PCI capture card. As a result, the FEC currently uses two separate encoding solutions: one for public audio stream and in-house video multicast, and another for public video stream.

The audio and video signals to be streamed originate from the FEC Main Hearing Room (MHR) which is equipped with fixed microphones, mixers, recorders and supporting reinforcement system as well as three wall-mounted, remote controlled video cameras. All MHR AV equipment is connected to an AMX touch panel control system. This equipment is used to generate the balanced audio and composite NTSC SD video signals which are fed into the two encoding solutions listed above.

Planned Production– FEC is considering the following live streams:

1. Live audio/video to the public via internet compatible with most commonly used devices (PC/Mac, smart phone, tablet, etc.);

2. Live audio/video to in-house staff with negligible detrimental effect to local network traffic;

3. Live audio/video compatible with commercial webinar services (Adobe Connect, GoToMeeting, etc.);

4. Embedding of video stream on FEC web site;

5. Capture of live audio/video signal for archival and distribution purposes.

Limitations– Any solution must have FEC in full compliance with all accessibility laws, including Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Requested Information– FEC seeks information on the following questions:

1. What are the advantages/disadvantages of an on-premise solution as opposed to a cloud solution? Is one recommended for our purposes than the other, and why?

2. Is a hardware encoder or software encoder recommended for our intent? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

3. Is there a recommended codec for our solution and, if so, which one? A recommended wrapper (Flash, etc.)? Are there codecs and/or wrappers to avoid?

4. Should we require that our streams be compatible with HTML5 player?

5. Would embedding the stream in our website create any bandwidth complications for, or because of in-house staff who choose to watch?

6. Will FEC need to upgrade its video cameras and, if so, what type of camera would be recommended? What features should these cameras include?

7. Would an HD stream with current codec require more bandwidth than an SD stream with outdated codec?

8. Would making the solution portable introduce any complications or limitations? What would be its technical advantages, if any?

9. Is there a “turn-key” solution, i.e. one that would allow FEC to accomplish its goals with minimal onsite configuration? Would such a solution be recommended, and why?

Responses– Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. White papers in Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF) are due no later than 15 APRIL 2015, 12:00 PM EST. Responses shall be submitted via e-mail only to LBAPISTE-JONES@FEC.GOV. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Section 1 of the white paper shall provide administrative information, and shall include the following as a minimum:

Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact.

Recommended contracting strategy.

Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business). “Small business concern” means a concern, including its affiliates that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria and size standards in 13 CFR part 121. A small business concern for the purposes of this procurement is generally defined as a business, including its affiliates, averaging no more than one million dollars in annual receipts. Annual receipts of a concern that has been in business for 3 or more complete fiscal years means the annual average gross revenue of the concern taken for the last 3 fiscal years. Annual receipts of a concern that has been in business for less than 3 complete fiscal years means its total receipts for the period it has been in business, divided by the number of weeks including fractions of a week that it has been in business, and multiplied by 52. Respondees are cautioned, however, that this is a general description only. Additional standards and conditions apply. Please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 19 for additional detailed information on Small Business Size Standards. The FAR is available at http://www.arnet.gov.

Section 2 of the white paper shall answer the issues addressed in the Requested Information section of this RFI and shall be limited to 10 pages. The number of pages in Section 1 of the white paper shall not be included in the 10-page limitation, i.e., the 10-page limitation applies only to Section 2 of the white paper.

Questions– Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contracting Officer, email address listed above. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered by posting answers to FedBizOpps. The deadline for submitting questions is March 27, 2015 at 12:00 pm.

Summary– THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide live video streaming services and associated support. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The FEC has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought.