The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) in support of the Department of Defense (DoD) is seeking commercial vendors whose products are designed, configured and fully ready to support a privatized (fully-Government owned, operated, and supported), secure (at least Triple-DES [Data Encryption Standard]), portable (able to be operated in both fixed and deployed locations world-wide) messaging system upgrade/replacement. DISA desires to interact with vendors, obtain loaned products for evaluation, and conduct independent tests to determine if the products should be incorporated into a future portable messaging system architecture. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) OR REIMBURSE ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS RFI. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Information provided in response to this RFI will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for determining how to proceed in the acquisition process for a privatized, secure, portable messaging system upgrade/replacement and may lead to the development of a specification for the messaging system, to include the potential for multiple contracts to cover the messaging needs in various regions of the CONUS and OCONUS. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government invites comments and interested parties to provide written responses to describe their resources and capabilities to fulfill the requirements for a privatized, secure, portable messaging system and provide a rough-order-of-magnitude (ROM) cost to the government. Additional information in the written response should include but is not limited to: documentation addressing the technical specifications of the product; a point of contact for technical questions about the product; any proprietary/non-disclosure data requirements and availability for testing in a proof of concept demonstration. The products submitted will be evaluated to determine if the messaging system incorporates design attributes to allow privatized use, Triple-DES encryption, and worldwide deployablity/use. Other design attributes are also desirable and will be considered, including ease of set-up and use, small footprint, light weight, ability to prioritize and tailor message distribution, non-proprietary based, scalability and interoperability with IP or cellular-based systems. DISA may invite selected vendors to demonstrate the capabilities of their products, or to demonstrate the ability of their portable messaging system within a selected DoD application environment. There is no implied promise that all products submitted in response to this RFI will be invited to demonstrate capabilities. DISA will determine which products are selected according to the needs of the DoD. The results of the testing will be made available to all vendors chosen to demonstrate their products. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be safeguarded in accordance with applicable Government regulations. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified. If there is a GSA or other contract vehicle already available for potential procurement of the technology being proposed, please include this information in the response. Firms who wish to respond to this should contact Major Bob Thoens at Defense Information Systems Agency, J5, 2743 Defense Blvd. SW, Anacostia Annex, DC 20373-5815, Telephone (202) 757-5211, email
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