iDirect SATCOM Equipment

Added: Dec 08, 2011 10:43 am Modified: Dec 15, 2011 7:09 amTrack Changes This synopsis is to advise industry that SPAWARSYSCEN Atlantic intends toissue Request for Proposal N65236-11-R-0036 for the purchase of iDirect Hub

Router Systems, hub cards, satellite modems, satellite routers, extended

warranties, and training for this equipment and ancillary items used to enhance

system performance. The primary users of the equipment are the DoD and

Federal Civilian Agencies throughout the Government.



The applicable NAICS code for this effort is 334290 with a size standard of 750

employees. The Government estimate for this effort is approximately $85

million. A firm-fixed-price, performance based, indefinite delivery, indefinite

quantity, commercial item contract is anticipated. The ordering period will

include a base year with four one-year options. Multiple awards may be made

to authorized distributors/resellers of the iDirect brand name equipment and

ancillary items. As requirements are identified, delivery order awards will be

competed among the distributor/reseller contract holders. Questions pertaining

to this notice may be directed, in writing, to Matthew G. Hudson, Contract

Specialist, at matthew.g.hudson@navy.mil.



The subject procurement will be solicited on a sole-source basis with brand

name restrictions as authorized by FAR 6.302-1(c) and justified in accordance

with FAR 6.303 and 6.304. The resulting justification and approval document

will be posted with the RFP in accordance with FAR 5.102(a)(6).



Several unique qualities of the iDirect system necessitate brand name

restrictions.



The iDirect systems use the Deterministic-Time Division Multiple Access (D-

TDMA) scheme upstream. The Hub router constantly analyzes the network

demand and allocates bandwidth to each remote location based on traffic

demand at each remote location, and network operator imposed Quality of

Service (QoS) profiles. The deterministic nature of the bandwidth allocation

algorithm allows for a very rapid distribution of burst time plans to the

remotes

in a network 8 times per second by default. This type of deterministic

architecture allows the system to take advantage of the statistical nature of

dynamic TCP/IP traffic demands, creating efficient transport of data traffic.



For downstream, the iDirect systems uses Digital Video Broadcasting- Satellite

Second Generation/Adaptive Code Modulation (DVB-S2/ACM) which provides a

much higher IP data rate (149 Mbps maximum).



The D-TDMA protocol's rapid allocation of bandwidth provides for superior

performance of real-time applications and the ability to deploy application

specific QoS. Application specific QoS provides prioritization and bandwidth

guarantees to different types of traffic per remote. For example, one can

prioritize VoIP traffic over HTTP traffic or prioritize video traffic over file

transfers. Bandwidth allocation and prioritization can be triggered by

Source/Destination IP, Source/Destination subnet, Source/Destination Port,

DiffeServ/TOS bits, VLAN ID and/or by protocol type. The Hub router polls the

remote terminals 8 times per second to determine transmission requirements

and dynamically assigns transmission time slots based on transmission

requirements.



The Hub router is capable of handling multiple (20 or more) two-way

communications channels from up to five different satellites simultaneously.

The Hub Router System has been optimized to handle Transmission Control

Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) traffic over satellite links and is needed

for

the burst communications traffic patterns normally found in hub-spoke

communications networks. The Hub router also has automatic in-route power

control that ensures that the Quality of Service (QoS) over the satellite links

remains constant even through severe weather conditions. This technology

provides more efficient use of satellite bandwidth by allowing multiple units

to

use a single channel. The data packets are also much longer (1500 bytes)

than that used by other protocols which allows a much higher throughput and

greater bandwidth efficiency (98%). This allows the Government to provide

better SATCOM services within its bandwidth resources.



In addition, the specified satellite communications components must also

interface and be configurable with existing iDirect hub systems. No systems

other than those manufactured by iDirect are fully compatible and configurable

with the Hub Routers and iDirect modems. The current solicitation is intended

to support at least four separate existing satellite networks currently using

iDirect technology (three DoD networks and one non-DoD network). In addition

to the twelve hub systems involved, there are well over 2,000 remote terminals

connected to these networks with embedded iDirect modems. All of these

systems are TRANSEC and FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certified. To replace these

systems with another modem would require replacement of all of the Hub

systems, replacement of the modems in existing terminals, and all systems

would then have to be recertified and receive Approval to Operate (ATO) on the

Global Information Grid (GIG). Further, all previously developed training

courses for field operation/maintenance would have to be modified,

configuration control established for the new systems, previously developed

documentation would have to be modified, and new spares ordered. The latest

versions of the iDirect modems meet all TRANSEC and FIPS 140-2

requirements and use DVB-S2/ACM and TDMA modes. While some older line

cards have been replaced, the basic iDirect hubs are still functional and can

be

upgraded as required, instead of replaced, to meet DoD communications

requirements. The cost to replace these items plus the "downtime" required to

carry out this transformation would be significant.



The Government is soliciting this requirement with brand name descriptions due

to the unique capabilities of the iDirect products and to ensure compatibility

with the existing systems.



This is not a solicitation announcement. The projected timeframe for issuance

of the Request for Proposal is 2Q FY 2012. This synopsis is for informational

and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bid or

proposals, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government.

The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the

Government to solicit for or award a competitive contract. Unless otherwise

stated herein, no additional written information is available, and no formal

Request for Proposal (RFP) or other solicitation regarding this announcement is

currently available. Requests for the same will be disregarded. If a

solicitation

is released it will be found on the FEDBIZOPS and the SPAWAR E- COMMERCE

webpage: https://e-commerce.sscno.nmci.navy.mil. It is the potential offeror's

responsibility to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation.



It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor SPAWARSYSCEN Atlantic's

ecommerce website for the release of the RFP and amendments (if any). Firms

are encouraged to review the web site regularly for updated information.