Introduction:The Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate (FEMA) operates a Telecommunications Services Center (TSC) that is the main administrator for wireless communication services within FEMA. The purpose of this office is to maintain current inventory and billing detail on each wireless device within FEMA. DHS/FEMA is seeking comments and information on the availability of pertinent billing management software. Purpose: The purpose of this document is to obtain information on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) telecommunications billing management software solutions. Information is requested on products that would enable DHS/FEMA to access accurate cost and billing data available on wireless communication devices (i.e. cellular phones, pagers and Blackberries). The following sections outline the problem and specific information that respondents are requested to address. Information obtained in this RFI will be utilized in analyzing the applicability and cost effectiveness of a telecommunications billing software solution. This RFI is for planning purposes only, and shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of submission of responses to this RFI and the Government use of such information. Respondents of this RFI may be requested to provide additional information/details based on their initial submittals. Statement of Problem & Guidance:DHS/FEMA’s TSC currently maintains all pertinent billing information concerning wireless telecommunication devices using a proprietary software system. This office is looking to automate many processes that currently are labor intensive. Specifically, this RFI seeks the following information: Technical feasibility assessments on integrating the solution with our current processes; Approximate cost information (i.e. recurring and non-recurring costs, ballpark estimates, maintenance, upgrades, etc.); Hardware and Software requirements needed for the proposed solution; Availability of a trouble desk to report issues or ask questions concerning the solution; Information concerning the security of the proposed solution; Ability to provide customer specific modifications to the software; Is there adequate documentation or training on the product or service included with the software solution; Ideas and suggestions that provide alternative approaches to designing, developing, acquiring, operating and managing a telecommunications billing solution. The government is open to alternative concepts for solutions that meet these requirements. The Government encourages creativity and outside the box thinking in responses to this RFI. Functionality Requirements to Respondents: This section enumerates the functionality that is desired with a Telecommunications billing management solution: Ease of use data entry interface; Extensive reporting capabilities to include, but not limited to: Call-detail, Cost figures, Inventory control, High hanging fruit/Low hanging fruit, Specific equipment tracking, Batch location reporting, Ability to e-mail data (i.e. call detail, cost figures, etc.), Availability of data instantly, Access to a Helpdesk to assist in questions or issues concerning the software, Reliability, Flexibility and Scalability of the solution, Identify wireless abuse (i.e. cell, pager, Blackberry), Management Reporting Capability. Sample Response Outline: Following is a suggested outline for a response to this RFI. This outline is intended to minimize the effort of the respondent and structure the responses for ease of analysis by the government. Nevertheless, respondents are free to develop their response as they see fit. Section 1 – Concepts and Alternatives: Briefly describe the functionality of your Billing Management Solution and any alternative solutions, including reliability and availability characteristics. Discuss the capability for the solution to expand to meet future requirements; Section 2 – Cost and Schedule Estimates: Provide cost estimates, both recurring and non-recurring, for each solution. Also, discuss cost drivers, cost tradeoffs, and schedule considerations. Section 3 – Corporate Expertise: Briefly describe your company, your products and services, history, ownership, financial information, and other information you deem relevant. In particular, please describe any projects you have been involved in that are similar in concept to what is described in this RFI, including management and operations approach, security requirements, security assurance processes and any relevant lessons learned. Section 4 – Additional Materials: Please provide any other materials, suggestions, and discussion you deem appropriate. Contact Information: Following is the Point of Contact (POC) for this RFI: Mr. Chip Beard, IT-EO-NN, P.O. Box 129, Berryville, WV 226111, 540-542-3442,
[email protected]. Please submit responses via e-mail in Microsoft Office format by 4:00 PM on December 13th, 2004, to the POC listed above. You may also submit supplemental hardcopy materials such as brochures, etc. to the POC.