Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) EP-3 Model Aircraft Ku-band Spread Spectrum Services

SBS0007

Synopsis:

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)/Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO) intends to issue a sole source contract to ViaSat, Inc, 6155 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009 . This acquistion is for Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) EP-3 Model Aircraft Ku-band Spread Spectrum Services.

The proposed contract action is to provide respective aircraft with connectivity to support four simultaneous data users and three simultaneous voice users. This service is used to provide world-wide access to aircraft, known as communication on the move (COTM). It provides passengers with in-flight mobile broadband access, allowing them to perform mission-critical communications.

ViaSat is the only source capable of providing satellite service to EP-3 aircraft fitted with specific hardware, particularly the ViaSat ArcLight modem. ViaSat utilizes proprietary hardware equipment and communications waveforms that operate only with ViaSat subscription services that include space segment satellite resources, commercial teleport services, and access to the public internet. Additionally, ViaSat is currently the only provider capable of meeting NAVAIR's data rate requirements of a minimum of 1 megabit per second (Mbps) forward link (FL) and 512 kilobits per second (Kbps) return link (RL) per aircraft with worldwide coverage through a present 12 inch antenna with a current EP-3 NAVAIR Airworthiness Flight Certification.

A request for a written proposal is expected to be issued March 27, 2015. Anticipated award date is July 31, 2015. The resultant firm-fixed price contract will be for a 1-year base period and four 12-month option periods. The government requires Ku-band service subscriptions, referred to as simultaneous operations (SIMOPs). SIMOPs include space segment, terrestrial segment, and customer service support for global operations. Only one aircraft will operate on a single SIMOP at any time. The required quantity of SIMOPs is nine in support of 15 EP-3 aircrafts. Aircraft data traffic shall reside on private terrestrial networks that are exclusive to NAVAIR. A multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) connection is required for KuSS data forwarding from the KuSS service hub terminal or network operations center to Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station, Pacific (NCTAMS-PAC), and there will be a future requirement to connect to NCTAMS, Atlantic (NCTAMS-LANT) during the life of this contract.

The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is 10 USC 2304 (c) (1), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Companies that can provide this service must indicate their interest in writing within 7 business days of this advertisement. All responsible sources will be considered in evaluating the determination to issue a sole-source contract. Quotations or proposals received in response to this notice cannot be accepted since this synopsis cannot be considered a request for quote or a request for proposal.