FICS_Market_Survey_RFI_Matrix_05242019.pdf

Question # Document Page # Para # Category Question Response

1 FICS Req 2‐59 8, 8.3 Training Paragraph 8.0 states "All courses shall be developed in Chinese and conducted in Mandarin Chinese Paragraph 8.3 states "All New Equipment training (NET) shall be delivered on English and Mandarin. If 8.0 is followed there will be no english training materials available to condcut para 8.3, Please clarify

2 FICS Req 2‐59 8.3 Training

Para 8.3 states "NEW Equipement Training shall be condcuted using a "Train the Trainer " philosophy" Contractors understanding is that Taiwan curriculum developers will conduct IKP training (Train the Trainer) and that those IKP's will conduct NET training. Contractors role is only is to supply translated training materials and advisory support. Please advise.

Correct.

3 FICS Req 2‐65 15.0 Tech Support What is the Period of perfromance for technical support? 2 years. Tech support starts after the fielding of the last system

4 FICS Req 2‐65 14, 2.1.2.1.1 Shipping/RWS

Para 14 states "The Taiwan military will be responsible for dismounting and remounting shelters to vehicles, Para 2.1.2.1.1 states Contractor shall be responsible for proving the Rigid wallshelter and mating the Shelter with the GFE Prime Mover

Contractor is responsible for the initial mating for the shelter to the vehicle. After the fielding of the FICS system, Taiwan military is responsible dismounting/mounting of the shelters to vehciles during the maintenance and repair purposes.

5 FICS Req 2‐65 13 F) Fielding What type of warranty program is requried? 2 years.

6 FICS Req 2‐62, 11.2 Tech Pubs Is contractor format acceptable for TM's and traingin materials? TM ‐ Standard US format.

Training materials‐contractor format

7 FICS Req 2‐16 2.1 FICS Sys FICS requires 178 CN's distributed to each Signal Group, are additonal assets required the Signal School?

No additional assets are presently required at the Signal School.

8 FICS Req 2‐17 2.1.1 Prime Movers

"FICS communicaiton Nodes shall provide it own prime mover for tranposrting all componets of the solution…." The GFE M1097A2 provided as the CN shlter carrier cannot support a crew of 4. Is the contractor able to propose additional support vehicles as aprt of the CN Node?

Existing GFE vehicles should be evaluated for use/modification as the CN support vehicles. Contractor proposed support vehicles shall be considered only if it is demonstrated within the proposal to be: 1) technically required and/or 2) economically viable (versus modification of existing vehicles).

9 FICS Req 2‐22 2.1.4.3.2.6 TSS

"The TVAM solution shall feature the capability to stabilize and correct tilt, pitch and yaw of the vehicle on un‐even terrain up to 15 degrees (threshold)". IS a separate tit/raotate appliance acceptable for this requirment

Yes. A separate tilt/rotator for the antenna/mast can be used to ensure the correct alignment of the antenna.

NET shall be delivered in Mandarian. Para 8.3 will be revised.

Field Information Communications System (FICS) Request For Information

10 FICS Req 2‐30 2.1.6.2.10 ROIP

The FICS Communications Node shall provide additional space, weight and power (SWaP) accommodations for the Taiwan indigenous portable satellite terminal. Necessary radio cable pinouts and specifications shall be provided by the Taiwan military as GFE. Please provide weight, dimensions and power requirements for the SATCOM.

TBD. Technical information on the "indigenous portable satellite terminal" will be scoped aafter the Interoperability Working Group meeting(s).

11 FICS Req 2‐33 2.1.7…… NMS

Many requirements in this section state the functionlaity will availble either in English or Chinese. Is the requirement for both English and Chinese?

All software indicated as “either Traditional Chinese (Taiwan) or English (user selectable)” should be available in BOTH Traditional Chinese and English, and toggled, based on user selection.

12 FICS Req 2‐36 NMS

Is the contractor reponsible for the softwalled shleter for up to 6 operators?

Does the NMS RWS ECU system need to environmentally controll the sofr wall shelter?

The contractor is responsible for providing a soft‐walled shelter to accompany the NMS. It is NOT the intent of the NMS RWS ECU to provide environmental control to the connected soft‐walled shelter. Environmental control to the soft‐walled shelter will be provided GFE.

13 FICS Req Who is reponsible for shipping FICS equipmwnr form US to Tawian? Contractor

14 FICS Req 2.2.8.3 NMS

Question ‐ Are the two >42” displays assumed to be operational in the mounted configuration?

Yes. At least one (1) of the Interactive Digital Displays (IDDs) shall be able to display NMS operator’s workstation(s) for situational awareness (SA) demonstrations/briefings, when the system is deployed in a “Lite” configuration (i.e., no Soft‐ walled shelter deployed).

15 FICS Req 2.2.7.1.1 NMS

Can the Government please confirm updated Taiwan digital map data is government furnished?

The Taiwan military may be able to provide digital map data.

Please indicate required map data (format, resolution, zoom levels, etc…) for your solution, to determine if the Taiwan military can support.

16 FICS Req 2.2.7.1.1 NMS

Can the Government please confirm updated Taiwan satellite map data is government furnished and provide the file format of the data?

The Taiwan military may be able to provide satellite imagery data. Please indicate requirement (format, area, resolution, etc…) for your solution, to determine if the Taiwan military can support.

17 FICS Req 2.3.4 Interoperability Can the Government please confirm the transport protocol emerging MND telecommunications switching system plans to use, i.e. Ethernet IP4?

Will confirm with Taiwan military. Assume IPv4.

18 FICS Req 1.3.3 Power Generation

Can the Government please confirm that NMS’s stored power from it’s provided power supply can be used as part of communications ready 30 minute requirement?

Stored power from the NMS power supply can be used to accomplish the 30 minute “communications ready” requirement, so long as the changeover to a more long‐term power solution does not stop ongoing communications started on the stored power.

19 FICS Req 2 NMS

Can the Government please confirm that use of NMS acronym is required even though the term is trademarked (https://trademarks.justia.com/735/70/nms‐73570812.html)?

Contractors can use their own acronym to identify their Network Management System solution, or other components identified in the requirements. Indicate in the proposal, how the vendor solution name (and acronym) tie to the requirements.

20 FICS Req 2.1 MCS Can the Government please confirm that having one VOIP licensing scheme for all Division, Brigade, and Battalion would advantageous for TCN interoperability between units?

Vendors should recommend an approach.

21 FICS Req 2.1.7.1.4 CN

Can the Government please clarify “Universal” configuration upload tool is to be used to change host computer after Node Operations Workstation is up and running so not to be included in TCN setup time requirement?

The CN setup time is based on initialization of the CN using existing (pre‐loaded) configurations. A change of configuration delivered to the node operator, and uploaded using the Universal Upload tool, shall not be included in the setup time requirement.

22 FICS Req 2.2 NMS Can the Government please confirm that no GPS device is required at a NMS node even though the NMS’ C2 Messaging – Position Location Information (PLI) Message is required?

The contractor shall include GPS locations services at the NMS. Para. 2.2. will be updated.

Can the Government please clarify that commercial software licenses are not to be transferred to Taiwan allowing FCIS contractor to be responsible for software maintenance over entire 15 year time period of the contract?

The contractor shall be responsible for the maintenance of the commercial software for a period of at least 5 years following the completed fielding of the system, during which time licenses will NOT be transferred to the Taiwan military customer. Subsequent Post Deployment Software Support (PDSS) cases will evaluate the need to renew software licenses and/or transfer licenses to the USG and/or the Taiwan military.

24 FICS Req 8.3 Training How Many NETS will the contrator support? Taiwan military plans to have 3 NETs

25 FICS Req 11.2 Tech Pubs TM requirement types. 6Diferent types are requested. These are redundant as a ‐13 covers ‐10, ‐20 and ‐30. Please clarify requirement

TM requirement are ‐10. ‐20. and ‐30. Para. 11.2 will be revised.

26 FICS Req 11.2.4 Tech Pubs Please confirm the TM Verification will be conducted at the contrators facility. Contractor recommends that Verification take place in Taiwan with the shelter mated with the HMMWV

The final TM Verification will take place in Taiwan. Para.

11.2.4 2 will be revised.

28 FICS Req 2‐18 2.1.3.1 Power Generation Does the additional 40% include the NMS shelter when connected as stated in 2.2.3.1.5

No. The additional 40% is only calculated for additional power when operating the node under normal conditions.

29 FICS Req 2‐20 2.1.4.1.9 2.1.4.1.10

TSS

States Demonstrate MIL‐STD‐810 and 461, section 6.0 states "The contractor is encouraged to submit past test or inspection data, vendor certification data or other acceptance data to verify compliance to the requirements of the system/equipment/assemblage specifications. Acceptance of any such past data or analysis to satisfy specification requirements in lieu of testing shall be reviewed and approved by the Government."

30 FICS Req 2‐22 2.1.4.3.2.6 Vehicle Mast

15 deg threshold, Is this for the mast or antennas? Does the mast have to be capable of fully erect to 10m at 15 deg?

The vehicle shall be able to traverse 15 degrees. The antenna should be able to compensate for the vehicle being on uneven ground and erected to 10m in the vertical position. This may be adjusting the vehicle or the antenna mast to ensure vertical orientation of the mast.

33 FICS Req Interoperability No mention of Analog GWs for analog phones as currently in the TCSS Case.

Are they required?

Assume that Analog gateway is required.

34 FICS Req 2‐63 11.2.4 Tech Pubs Will this be conducted at the contractor's facility by the IKP instructors or in Taiwan?

At contractor's facility by both USG and Taiwan IKP.

35 FICS Req

The Market Survey documents indicates that the response should include a “description of satisfaction of minimal requirements.” These minimal requirements aren’t explicitly defined anywhere in the requirements document, can they be provided?

Vendor solutions must satisfy at least the threshold requirements identified in Section 1.3 "Key Stakeholder Requirements".

36 FICS Req 1‐10 1.3.1 Re‐use

Section 1.3.1 indicates that the FICS should “consider refurbish and reuse of existing IMSE Phase II equipment.” Is a list of this equipment available for review?

After ongoing discussion with the Taiwan customer, equipment reutilization to consider, shall include the existing prime movers (M1092A2s), 25‐meter antenna masts, and surface wire grounding systems (MK‐2551A/U).

37 FICS Req 1‐11 1.3.4 Interoperability

Section 1.3.4 states that the FICS “shall provide interconnectivity and interoperability with the Taiwan Military Communications Systems… and commercial telecommunications networks.” Can a list of all systems and interface types be provided for all systems to be interconnected with?

Interoperability and interconnectivity with the “…Taiwan Military Communications Systems…and commercial telecommunications networks” has not been fully defined.

Assume that the “Taiwan Military Communications System” is a future, SIP‐based VOIP network, with an IEEE 802.3‐based connection. Further discussions to define the interconnectivity with external networks, and scope the degree of interoperability will be discussed at future working group meetings.

38 FICS Req 1‐11 1.3.4 Interoperability

Section 1.3.4 indicates that Interoperability Working Group meetings will be conducted with the Taiwan military to discuss interoperability requirements.

When and where will these meetings be held?

At least one Interoperability Working Group meeting will occur following program kickoff, and before the Design Reviews in Taiwan. Subsequent Working Groups will occur, as required by the USG, Taiwan military, or the vendor to further define existing interconnectivity and interoperability requirements, or evolving Taiwan military needs. Vendors should price attendance for at least three (3) Working Group meetings dedicated to interconnectivity and interoperability with external networks/systems.

39 FICS Req 2‐26 2.1.6 Interoperability

Section 2.1.6 specifies that H.323 is required, but no details are provided.

Can details be provided for interconnection methods and systems that will be interfaced to?

Assume the underlying protocol to be IEEE 802.3‐based.

Interoperability Working Group meetings will define interconnectivity and interoperability requirements with external H.323 and SIP networks.

40 FICS Req 2‐27 2.1.6.1.1.7 MCS

Section 2.1.6.1.1.7 indicates that a minimum of two (2) T1/E1 and two (2) ISDN/PRI interfaces be provided. To clarify, is the minimum requirement for four (4) T1/E1 interfaces with ISDN/PRI supported on at least two of them?

Minimum requirement of at least two (2) T1/E1 interfaces with ISDN/PRI support on both.

41 FICS Req 2‐30 2.1.6.2.8 Interoperability

Section 2.1.6.2.8 states that cables will need to be provided all specified radio sets. Is a list of radio models available? How many cables are required for each MCS deployment?

Specific radio models to be mounted to the two (2) ROIP Gateways will be identified at the Interoperability Working Group meetings. For initial planning purposes, assume one radio type (ex. SINCGARS radio), and provide 15 sets of cables for the entire fielding. (I.e., assume only 15 shelters at a time will employ the ROIP gateway). Additional radio types and quantities will be scoped and priced after the Interoperability Working Group meeting(s).

42 FICS Req 2‐30 2.1.6.2.10 Interoperability Section 2.1.6.2.10 indicates that an “indigenous portable satellite terminal” will be provided for interconnection. What is the interconnection method (e.g. SIP, T1, etc.)?

TBD. Technical information on the "indigenous portable satellite terminal" will be scoped aafter the Interoperability Working Group meeting(s).

43 FICS Req Language

Throughout the document references are made to Traditional Chinese, Traditional Chinese (Taiwan), Mandarin Chinese, Mandarin Chinese (Traditional), and Chinese. Is the offering intended to be provided in multiple dialects or is only a single dialect required? If only one dialect, which dialect is required?

The vendor solutions shall feature only one dialect of written Chinese (Traditional Chinese – Taiwan), and one dialect of spoken Chinese (Taiwan Mandarin Chinese).

44 FICS Req Interoperability

No requirements for an SBC are provided. The requirements indicate that the FICS must interface to commercial communications networks. Will this interface be via T1/E1 interfaces, or is an SBC needed for this interconnection?

Presently, no requirement for an SBc is provided by the Taiwan military customer. Assume commercial networks will interface via the T1/E1 connection.

45 FICS Req 2‐35 2.1.10 Rail Transportation

Standard

Are there any other applicable Taiwan Rail standards that need to be considered? A maximum height is specified, is there a maximum width and/or weight per rail car?

No maximum width and weight is specified.

46 FICS Req 2‐21 2.1.4.3.1 Antenna Mast

Systems

A 25M GFE mast is required to be transported with the Communications Node. Will you please provide weight, dimensions and any handling restrictions (i.e. heavy, 2‐man lift,etc.)? Is/how is it affixed to the EXFOR shelter or transport vehicle?

25m mast part number is EXL 167/25‐4.8 (Mastsystem).

Weight of the mast is 200 lbs. Weight of the accessory bag is 245 lbs. It requires 2 crews for deployment.

47 FICS Req 2‐21 2.1.4.3.2 Antenna Mast

Systems The specification calls for 10m extension. Is this measured from ground level (AGL) or above the vehicle roof?

The mast itself, at least, to 10 meters (threshold) when fully deployed.

48 FICS Req General Does Non‐Native mean that it's GFE? Similarly, does 'Native' mean we are providing it with the vehicle?

"Non‐native" = "not supplied by the vendor" as part of the system solution. "Native" = "supplied by the vendor" as part of the system solution.

49 FICS Req 2‐21 2.1.4.3.1 Antenna Mast

Systems

Who is responsible for mounting the 25M mast to the shelter, vehicle or a combination of both? Can the vehicle support a 25M mast as well as all the other equipment?

It is vendor's design/discretion on how to mount the 25 meters mast.

50 FICS Req 2‐30 2.1.6.2 Interoperability

What are the power requirements of the GFE Radios? Technical details of each GFE radio has not been fully identified by the Taiwan military customer. Further discussions on the interconnectivity and interoperability of GFE Radios will be discussed at the Interoperability Working Groups. For initial planning purposes, assume the SINCGARS radio set.

51 FICS Req 2‐30 2.1.6.2 Interoperability

What are the size specs of the GFE Radios? Technical details of each GFE radio has not been fully identified by the Taiwan military customer. Further discussions on the interconnectivity and interoperability of GFE Radios will be discussed at the Interoperability Working Groups. For initial planning purposes, assume the SINCGARS radio set.

52 FICS Req 1‐12 1.3.8 Integration/ Fabrication Restrictions

Will the Government please explain this provision? Is this acceptable under U.S. Boycott rules?

This is a mandate required by the Taiwan military customs.

Equipment shall not be manufactured or integrated in mainland China, their primary adversary.

53 FICS Req 1‐12 1.3.8 Integration/ Fabrication Restrictions

Will the Government please define each of the phrases "wholly made" and "or integrated in"?

Products selected for the vendors solutions shall not be sourced from mainland China companies that fully manufacture ("wholly made") complete products (laptops, routers, ROIP Gateways, antennas, radios, etc...). Similarly, products selected for the vendor solution shall not be sourced from mainland China companies that integrate/assemble sub‐ components into a fielded product ("integrated in"), bearing the "Made in China" seal. Sub‐components (circuit cards, cooling fans, cables, etc...) that are manufactured in China, are not data processing/storing and are integrated into fielded products outside of China may be permissible, subject to review by the Taiwan military customer.