Next Generation WAN Optimization
Assessment Event
18-22 May 2020
CLOSED on 08 April 2020 11:59 PM EST
On 18-22 May, SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM PEO-C4/PMO-SCAMPI, will host an Assessment Event to evaluate next generation WAN optimization technologies for the SOF Information Enterprise (SIE) network.
Problem Statement & Desirements
The Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is seeking next generation enterprise optimization and acceleration technologies for the SOF Information Enterprise (SIE) network.
- The solution(s) should enable faster transfer of information worldwide over existing networks, as well as an ability to work in real-time on remote-sourced content from centralized data center resources based either on premise or in the cloud.
- Solutions needed on Strategic networks require speeds of 1-10 Gbps while Tactical network speeds range between 768 Kbps and 25 Mbps and are characterized by high latency/low throughput limitations. A heterogeneous environment with multiple vendor solutions could be accepted.
- Data replication and application (i.e. email, portal access, file retrieval, etc.) performance improvements must be delivered to end users to improve the user experience and optimize network functions and resources.
- Software as a Service (SaaS), Host Based Security System (HBSS), System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) and Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) optimization should be supported.
- Solution must be easily inserted into the existing network architecture.
Focus Areas
The purpose of the event is to identify capabilities such as:
- Software defined network capabilities
- Live voice and video optimization
- Centralized management
- Ease of deployment
- Improvement of application response times
- Reduction of bandwidth utilization (deduplication, compression, caching, etc.)
- Traffic prioritization
Why You Should Participate
USSOCOM seeks to enter into non-FAR based agreements with industry partners whose solutions are favorably evaluated by USSOCOM Enterprise Network subject matter experts. As such, this event is considered competitive in the same manner as a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) or Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), and solutions will be evaluated independently of one another primarily for technical merit. This serves dually as notification of the intent to research the feasibility of an agreement under 10 U. S. Code, Section 2371b and/or Section 2371b(f), and as notice of pre-solicitation activities IAW FAR 5.204.
Event Timeline
Phase I – 24 February to 08 April Submissions Open: As the first step of this effort, potential offerors must submit a whitepaper (up to 3 pages) no later than 11:59 PM EST, 08 April 2020. Submissions should include any proposed use of IR&D funding for this effort and/or proposed cost-sharing arrangements. Cost-sharing arrangements are highly desired by the Government and will be given extensive consideration in both Phase I and Phase II evaluations. Offerors should also include any and all teaming arrangements and key partners proposed for this effort. Significant use of Non-Traditional Defense Contractors, Small Businesses, and/or Non-Profit Research Institutions is highly desired and will be weighted considerably during evaluation. Government Stakeholders will review the submissions and invite selected offerors to attend the Phase II event. Selected participants will be notified on/about 24 April 2020.
Phase II – 25 March Q&A Telecon: Interested offerors may participate in a virtual Q&A session to better understand the intent of the event by USSOCOM. The telecon will take place on 25 March at 1400 EST. Click Here to RSVP and Submit Questions (NLT 23 March)
Phase III – 18 May to 22 May Assessment Event: During the event, invited participants will be allotted a one-on-one session with SCAMPI evaluation panel. Offerors should be prepared to perform a hardware-in-the-loop demonstration systems integration lab (SIL) demonstrations. The session will include a Q&A portion, and discussions may continue outside of the event. Phase III evaluation criteria will be outlined in the initial event invitation to the selected offerors. Selected companies will be allotted one eight hour day to setup/configure and demonstrate pre-defined use cases and conduct a one hour out-brief/summary of findings and way ahead.
Phase IV – Path Forward: The Government may select none, one, or some promising technologies for further assessments after the event through SOFWERX or other Government channels based on the maturity level and potential interoperability with current platforms and systems.
Successfully negotiated awards may fall under any combination of these categories:
– Other Transaction Agreements under 10 U.S. Code, Section 2371 or 2371b* (prototyping/production follow-on)
– Procurement contract for experimental purposes 10 U. S. Code, Section 2373
– Business to business research and development agreement as a sub-award (15 U.S. Code, Section 3715)
– Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (15 U.S. Code, Section 3710a)
*An award under 10 U. S. Code, Section 2371b may result in the further award of a follow-on production agreement without additional competition based on successful prototype completion. The Government may make this follow-on production award even if all successful prototype criteria are not fully met during the prototype project.
Questions?
For event related questions, please contact Tania Steele, tania.steele@sofwerx.org