Source Sought Notice HQ0516-FY-26-0003.pdf

Sources Sought Notice

MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY

AFN Go Multi-Platform AoIP App

Sources Sought Tracking Number: HQ0516-FY-26-0003

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS:

Department of War Information Activity

6700 Taylor Avenue Fort George G. Meade, MD 20755

The Department of War Information Activity (DWIA) is seeking information from industry to assist with market research identifying small businesses capable of providing support. The intent of this Sources Sought is for development of a Multi-Platform Audio Over Internet Protocol (AoIP) App for the American Forces Network (AFN), AFN Go service. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response.

DWIA 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 DWIA’s requirements.

2. An accurate cost estimate for each solution presented.

3. 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.

https://sam.gov/

Purpose

This SOURCES SOUGHT outlines the government’s requirement for the development, delivery, and sustainment of a commercially competitive, multi-platform application that delivers streaming audio from not less than 25 radio stations alongside essential, value-added information services. This solution will provide users with a robust platform for consuming broadcast audio and real-time data, all managed through a unified content management system. This document establishes the high-level performance objectives for this requirement.

Background

Access to timely information and media is critical. This project aims to create a centralized, modern application that provides personnel with access to approved radio broadcast streams and relevant real-time data on any device, anywhere in the world. By combining radio streaming with weather, traffic, financial data, and other managed content, the application becomes an essential daily resource for situational awareness and information consumption. The inclusion of a robust Content Management System (CMS) and advertising capabilities provides a framework for sustained public-facing information campaigns, operational security, and force protection strategies.

Scope:

The scope includes the end-to-end design, development, testing, deployment, and sustainment of a complete solution. This encompasses:

• Native Mobile Applications: For iOS and Android devices.

• Web-Based Portal: For user access and system administration.

• Headless Integrations: For smart speakers (e.g., Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant) and vehicle audio systems (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto).

The solution must provide core radio streaming functionality, integrate third-party APIs for real-time weather, traffic, and currency exchange rates, support a flexible banner advertising system, enable targeted push notifications, and be managed via a comprehensive Content Management System (CMS). The entire service must be designed for high-availability and low-latency global delivery through a Content Delivery Network (CDN), with access to audio streams limited to users outside the continental United States and authorized user/ user-groups operating within the U.S.A. The final product must be designed to meet the stringent security and information assurance requirements of the Department of War for vetting and inclusion in enterprise application stores.

Responses should detail how the proposed solution aligns with DWIA's requirements and addresses the functionalities listed under "Performance Objectives."

If multiple solutions are proposed, each should be presented separately within the response documents.

Performance Objectives

The contractor shall propose a solution that meets the following performance objectives:

Objective 1: Multi-Platform Accessibility

The solution shall provide a consistent, secure, and intuitive user experience across multiple platforms.

Platform Required Capabilities

Mobile (iOS & Android)

Fully featured native applications available for distribution through commercial and government app stores (e.g., Apple App Store, Google Play, DISA PUMA).

Web Browser A secure web portal for users to listen to streams and for administrators to manage the system. Shall be deployable on a .mil domain.

Smart Speakers Integration with common smart speaker platforms to allow for hands-free listening of radio streams.

Vehicle Audio Systems

Compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for a simplified and safe user interface while operating a vehicle.

Objective 2: Core Application Functionality

The application shall provide a rich and reliable feature set combining broadcast media and information services.

Feature Objective

Multi-Station Radio Streaming

Users must be able to set a default radio station and have the capability to select from and listen to any of the 25 AFN radio station streams.

Mobile, Web, and Vehicle Player Specification

Player shall provide standard play, pause, stop, volume, and mute functions.

Player shall display common audio metadata to include song title, artist, and album. It is preferred that album artwork is also displayed.

Player accessed via web browser shall convert to a small player window when minimized.

Alarm Clock The application shall provide an “alarm clock” capability for the user to set a start time for the app to start playing a selected station.

Listener feedback The application, or associated player, shall provide a mechanism for listeners to “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” a song while it is playing.

This shall also include a solution to generate reports based on collected data.

Auto-start option The application shall provide users the option to automatically start playing the last station listened to upon application startup.

Weather Service Display current weather conditions and multi-day forecasts based on the user's selected location, sourced from a reliable commercial API.

Traffic Display current traffic conditions based on the user's selected location, sourced from a reliable commercial API.

Currency Exchange Rates

Provide up-to-date foreign currency exchange rates sourced from DoD Community Bank.

Push Notifications A system for sending targeted push notifications to users, with administrative controls for audience segmentation (by group, location, etc.) and scheduling.

Banner Ads Support the display of banner advertisements in designated, non-intrusive locations.

Objective 3: Backend Infrastructure & Management

A comprehensive backend shall be provided to manage all aspects of the application.

Component Objective

Content Management System (CMS)

A secure, web-based CMS for administrators to manage all dynamic content, including media, text, ad campaigns, user permissions, radio stream configurations, and API integrations.

Global Content Delivery Network

(CDN)

The solution must leverage a global CDN to ensure low-latency, high-availability delivery of all application content, including audio streams, images, and API data, to users worldwide.

Listener Metrics & Usage Data

A system to view real-time listener metrics, gather historic metrics, and generate reports on user engagement and radio station listenership. Data shall include station, user country and city, cumulative unique listeners, session start, total listening hours, and average time spent listening. Shall provide for comparative reporting between two or more station statistic data sets.

User & System Administration

The administrative portal must provide robust tools for user management, role-based access control (RBAC), and system monitoring with real-time dashboards, usage statistics, and audit logs.

Objective 4: Security and Compliance

The solution must be architected and built to meet stringent DoD security standards from inception.

• Application Vetting & Hardening: The contractor shall design and deliver the application to meet DoD mobile application security requirements and shall provide all necessary documentation and support for the government's application vetting and accreditation process.

• Compliance: The solution must comply with all relevant Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Department of War policies and instructions regarding the acquisition and operation of information systems.

Objective 5: Performance and Reliability

The application must be highly available and performant under load.

Metric Objective

Service Availability

The core service shall have a guaranteed uptime of 99.9% or greater, measured monthly.

Scalability The system must be built to support a large and elastic number of concurrent listeners, as will be defined in individual task orders.

Audio Quality The solution shall deliver clear, high-fidelity audio with minimal buffering on standard mobile and broadband connections.

Content Load Time

All non-streaming content delivered via the CDN must load in the application interface in under 2 seconds on a standard mobile broadband connection.

System Monitoring

The system shall include mechanisms for generating reports on server uptime, stream health, speed, and buffering rates.

Objective 6: Support

The Contractor shall provide post-launch technical support for user and AFN Administrators.

Metric Objective

User Support “Help Desk”

This solution shall provide for timely technical support for user connection and UI/UX issues, and provide a solution for tracking and generating reports on issues and user feedback.

AFN Admin Support

This solution shall provide for timely technical support to AFN Administrators.

This solution shall provide for automated email alerts to AFN for silence detection and stream failures.

Online FAQs and Knowledge Base

This solution shall provide for a managed, updateable, and searchable online user frequently asked questions (FAQs) and knowledge base.

Deliverables

The contractor shall deliver a complete and fully functional turn-key solution. Key deliverables include, but are not limited to:

• A fully configured and deployable multi-platform AoIP application that meets the stated objectives.

• The source code, compiled applications, and all related artifacts for all specified platforms.

• A fully configured and deployed Content Management System (CMS).

• System Architecture and Design Documents.

• A detailed network diagram illustrating the use of the Content Delivery Network (CDN).

• A comprehensive Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) and all resulting test reports.

• User guides and administrator training materials.

• All licensing agreements for third-party data sources (e.g., weather, currency APIs).

• Full support and documentation required for the government's Authority to Operate (ATO) process.

Additional Considerations

• The contractor must comply with all applicable FAR and Department of War clauses and provisions incorporated into the resulting contract.

PSC Code: 7A20 - IT AND TELECOM - APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE

(PERPETUAL LICENSE SOFTWARE), DG10 - IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK AS A

SERVICE

NAICS Code: 518210 - COMPUTING INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDERS, DATA

PROCESSING, WEB HOSTING, AND RELATED SERVICES.

Response Guidelines:

Vendors who wish to respond to this should send responses via email NLT 31 March 2026 01:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Contracting Specialist nastashia.d.willoughby.civ@mail.mil and Contracting Officer thomas.j.brown314.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 or comments regarding this notice may be submitted via email to:

thomas.j.brown314.civ@mail.mil and nastashia.d.willoughby.civ@mail.mil on the attached Q&A. 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 parties. All correspondence shall reference “Department of War (DoW) AFN Go Multi-Platform AoIP App” in the subject line of your email. The deadline to submit a question regarding this notice is 01:00 PM EST on 19 March 2026.

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.

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.

mailto:nastashia.d.willoughby.civ@mail.mil mailto:thomas.j.brown314.civ@mail.mil mailto:thomas.j.brown314.civ@mail.mil mailto:nastashia.d.willoughby.civ@mail.mil

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 SAM.GOV IN ACCORDANCE

WITH THE FAR PART 5. HOWEVER, RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE WILL NOT BE

CONSIDERED RESPONSES TO A SOLICITATION.