SYNOPSIS: THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY This it is not a Solicitation (i.e. Request for Proposal, Request for Quotation, or Invitation for Bids) or an indication that the Army Contracting Command (ACC) will contract for the services contained in the RFI. This RFI is part of a Government market research effort to determine the scope of industry experience, capabilities and interest and will be treated as information only. This market survey is for planning purposes only. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responses to this RFI are strictly voluntary and no reimbursement will be made by the Government to respondents for information provided in response to this RFI. Responses to this RFI will not be returned and respondents will not be notified of the result of the review. If a Solicitation is issued, it will be announced on the Federal Business Opportunities website http://www.fbo.gov at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that Solicitation announcement separately from any response to this announcement. This RFI does not restrict the Government's acquisition approach on a future Solicitation. Questions for industry are attached to this announcement. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENTS/BACKGROUND: The Mobile Asset Tracker (MAT) Working Group, on behalf of the Army Airborne Board, is conducting a market survey and hosting an industry event on 30 & 31 July 2019. This market survey is to gather technical information on available commercial mobile devices for Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) via intrinsic or applied machine-readable data carriers or other Automatic Identification Technology (AIT) to enhance the current processes and capabilities for tracking the Army's fleet of cargo and personnel parachute inventory, small arms, tools and other military equipment (textiles and hardware). The Working Group is seeking participation from manufacturers/sources with experience in manufacturing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and scanning/reading technology, as well as other AIT. The Working Group is also seeking participation from manufacturers from the aerial delivery industry, small arms industry and tools/special tools industry to speak to their capabilities and/or experience in manufacturing equipment with identification technology integrated into the design. The intent of this two day event is to provide a forum for dialogue between industry experts and Department of Defense (DoD) subject matter experts (SMEs). Focus will be on discussing new and emerging technologies and products that assist the DoD in improving asset visibility worldwide (e.g., RFID readers/scanners and tags); manufacturer experience with implementing AIT (e.g., RFID tags) in a production capacity; manufacturer concerns with implementing AIT in production according to a technical data package or specification; and DoD's requirement for using AIT that is Windows 10 and Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliant. All interested firms, regardless of size, are encouraged to respond to this Request for Information (RFI) and participate in the open forum event. PARTICIPATING AGENCIES DoD Agency representation is expected to include SMEs from the following offices: TACOM Integrated Logistics Support Center (ILSC), Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PdM SCIE), Product Manager Force Sustainment System (PdM FSS), Product Manager Individual Weapons, Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems (PEO EIS), U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM), U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE), Unit representatives, etc. INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS: RESPONSES: Respondents to this market survey, who meet the requirements detailed in this RFI, are requested to describe their interest and experience with the requirements summarized within this notice. 1. AIT Industry Leaders - Responses are to contain, at a minimum, (1) White paper - maximum of twelve (12) pages including cover detailing industry experience; current, new and emerging technologies; TAA compliant products, (2) product specification sheets (not included in page count), and (3) any certification and accreditation (C&A) supporting documentation (if claiming your solution meets DoD security standards for use on a Government network - not included in page count). 2. DoD Design & Manufacturing Partners - Responses are to contain, at a minimum, (1) White paper - maximum of twelve (12) pages including cover detailing experience in manufacturing equipment that includes tracking technology (e.g., commercial airline floatation devices); current processes utilized to validate technology/tag is working; challenges experienced when adding this requirement to a production line; concerns with adding this requirement to a production line, and (2) product specification sheets showing sample equipment that your company has applied this technology/similar technology, as applicable and not included in page count. Additional documentation accepted as part of this RFI (and not included in the page count for the White Paper) includes, but is not limited to, the following: PowerPoint presentations, Training documentation, product specification sheets, user handbook/guides, pictures, link to demonstrations, etc. See DELIVERABLES section for additional details for submitting responses to this RFI. Information received will be For Official Use Only (FOUO) and shared with Army Airborne Board membership and DoD Agencies listed on page 2. Proprietary/Competition Sensitive information (appropriately marked) will be protected from disclosure to the greatest extent practical, however it is preferred that respondents do not provide proprietary or otherwise restricted responses. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: All respondents to this market survey that respond with a White Paper, and supporting documentation, will be provided the opportunity to present their experience/capabilities and products that meet the requirement of this RFI. The Industry Event will take place in Natick, MA on 30 & 31 July 2019. Once vendor submits RFI response, immediate contact will be made to discuss interest in a presentation timeslot. Further coordination will be made after the close of the RFI. If your company elects not to present, but wants to participate in the open forum discussion, an official response is required. RESPONSE DATE: All responses to this announcement must be received no later than 11:00 PM EST, Sunday, July 14, 2019. No faxes, courier delivered, or telephone inquiries/submissions will be accepted as a response to this RFI. Responses should be submitted to the Project Director, Anne-Marie Galiastro, at:
[email protected] with a CC to
[email protected] DELIVERABLES: All documentation submitted shall be submitted as MS Word, Adobe PDF, MS PowerPoint, Visio, or MS Excel files. 1. White Paper - RFID Industry Leaders: The White Paper should be written in contractor format, double spaced, and minimum font size of 10 pt. Paper should not exceed 12 pages, including cover. a. This paper should cover company information (company name, CAGE code, mailing address, and primary point of contact information (to include telephone number and email address). b. The paper should cover the 5 Ws, as applicable. (e.g., What, Where, When, Why and Who. Example focus areas: i. Please discuss any/all relevant current products and services that meet DoD security requirements (refer to page 6 of this document for references) and adhere to the requirements of the Unified Capabilities Approved Products List (UCAPL). ii. Vendors are encouraged to propose alternative products (not currently on the UCAPL) that meet or exceed the provisions of the listed standards. iii. Signal intelligence vulnerabilities of the hardware and marks should. iv. As applicable, please discuss how your product(s) was implemented within industry/Government. c. Please discuss, as applicable, proposed hardware used as part of the solution. 2. White Paper - DoD Design & Manufacturing Partners: The White Paper should be written in contractor format, double spaced, and minimum font size of 10 pt. Paper should not exceed 12 pages, including cover. a.This paper should cover company information (company name, CAGE code, mailing address, and primary point of contact information (to include telephone number and email address). b. The paper should cover the 5 Ws, as applicable. (e.g., What, Where, When, Why and Who. Example focus areas: i. Please discuss any/all relevant current products and services that meet DoD security requirements (refer to page 6 of this document for references) and adhere to the requirements of the Unified Capabilities Approved Products List. ii. Vendors are encouraged to propose alternative products (not currently on the UCAPL) that meet or exceed the provisions of the listed standards. iii. As applicable, please discuss how your product(s) was implemented within industry/Government. c. Please discuss, as applicable, proposed hardware used as part of the solution. 3. Certification and Accreditation (C&A) Documentation: Vendors are requested to provide any supporting documentation illustrating DoD certification and accreditation compliance status. Examples include but are not limited to: Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG), DoD 8500 Cybersecurity Series, Risk Management Framework (RMF) for DoD Information Technology (IT), NIST, Networthiness Status (where applicable), AR 25-1, AR 25-2. Vendors are encouraged to provide any information exemplifying a solutions adherence and compliance to DoD Information Technology Certification and Accreditation requirements. 4. Questions and Recommendations. Vendors are encouraged to ask questions and provide recommendations ahead of the event. Please email questions to:
[email protected] with a CC to
[email protected] INDUSTRY EVENT REGISTRATION Once respondents submit their official package to the points of contact identified below, they will be provided with an event registration link. Please ensure each participant from your company is registered separately so that pertinent contact information can be captured. Please annotate in remarks the Information Technology equipment that will be required to execute your presentation, if applicable. Your registration will serve as a catalyst for discussion during the scheduling process. SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS: 1. "Reader" hardware can be fully automated (e.g., portals, nodes, phased array, etc.); larger commercial mobile devices (e.g., notebook computer); palm-held, commercial mobile device (e.g., tablet, smartphone, wrist-born reader, hand-held scanner, etc.); and automated vehicles (e.g., robot, automated ground vehicle, unmanned aerial vehicle, etc.). 2. The mark (i.e., the machine-readable data carrier supporting AIDC) may be intrinsic or applied. The mark type must provide tamper indication that is easy to detect, difficult to defeat, and inordinately expensive to clone. The mark durability should be commensurate with the intended useful life of the marked item. 3. UHF Transponder tags (current requirements): a. Compliant with EPC Global Class 1 Gen2 (ISO 18000-6c) b. Operating Temperature: -4 to 120 degrees F c. Storage Temperature: -4 to 140 degrees F d. Operational Frequency: EU 865 - 869 MHz, US 902 - 928 MHz e. Read Range: up to 60m / 200ft f. Applicable to: textiles, metal, plastic, etc. g. UV-resistance h. IP rating - IP rating of 68 (waterproof) i. Expected lifetime: TBD - to meet life expectancy of equipment it is applied to j. Tag Dimensions: TBD - vary depending on application/usage 4. Covert transponder tags - immediate emerging requirement that would apply to all equipment and tool types SECURITY STANDARDS All hardware recommended shall conform to all applicable Army and DoD security requirements to include the requirement that all specified products shall adhere to the requirements of the Unified Capabilities Approved Products List located at: https://aplits.disa.mil/ (requires CAC for access). Vendors are encouraged to propose alternative products (not currently on the UCAPL) that meet or exceed the provisions of the listed standards. Vendors are encouraged to propose alternative products that could exceed the requirement, if they annotate in their white paper, the standards that are not currently met. 1. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-130 Revised, (Transmittal Memorandum No. 4) Management of Federal Information Resources Appendix III, Security of Federal Automated Information Resources, 28 November 2002. 2. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) Publication 140 2, Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules, 25 May 2001, w/ Change Notices 12-03-2002. 3. Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 8100.2, Use of Commercial Wireless Devices, Services, and Technologies in the Department of Defense (DoD) Global Information Grid (GIG), 14 April 2004. 4. Assistant Secretary of Defense Memorandum, Use of Commercial Wireless Local-Area Network (WLAN) Devices, Systems, and Technologies in the Department of Defense (DoD) Global Information Grid (GIG), 02 June 2006. 5. Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 8500.01E, Information Assurance (IA), 24 October 2002, current as of April 24, 2007. 6. Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 8500.2, Information Assurance (IA) Implementation, 06 February 2003. 7. Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 8510.01, DoD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process (DIACAP), November 28, 2007. 8. Army Regulation (AR) 25-2, Information Assurance, 23 March 2009. 9. Best Business Practice 03-EC-M-0003, Wireless Security Standards, Version 2.0, 15 June 2007. 10. DFARS Clause 252.239-7001. ARMY WIRELESS DEVICE SECURITY REQUIREMENTS Army pRFID implementations that utilize Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard 802.11 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) products or other wireless technologies to store, process, or transmit unclassified information shall comply with the applicable requirements specified in Army Regulation (AR) 25-2, Information Assurance and Army Best Business Practice 03- EC-M-003, Wireless Security Standards. CONTACT INFORMATION: Primary Point of Contact: Anne-Marie Galiastro
[email protected] PH: 508-233-5081 Secondary Point of Contact: Adam Charczenko
[email protected] PH: 508-233-6997