USAGM REMOTE MONITORING SERVICES IN CLOUD-BASED SYSTEMS AND RMS LOCATIONS AROUND THE WORLD.

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

This notice is issued in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) section 5.201 to notify the public of a proposed contract action.

The North American Identification Classification System (NAICS) code is 517410, and the size standard is $32.5 M. The proposed contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of 41 U.S.C. §3304(a)(1). 

The U.S Agency of Global Marketing (USAGM) intends to contract by means of other that full and open competition and enter into a sole source contract in accordance with

DBA: Negatu Abera Asefa
King George VI Street, 5 Kilo
ADDIS ABABA 00000

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302-1 entitled  “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.”

Description of the Services:

Background

Most of USAGM's Remote Monitoring System is running in "emergency maintenance" mode.  As a result, we currently have a lot of processes sharing an old, slightly underpowered server. While everything mostly works for now (just barely), it is crtical that this situaion is resolved to mitigate risk of imminent system failure as the current method of monitoring is not  sustainable . Currently all RMS operations depend fully on one resource , with no backup plan or contingency to handle a void in required monitoring functions.

Purpose

USAGM’s solution is to move these services into the cloud and have shared system operations and administration support so that the platform and support are no longer single thread. 

Shortwave/Medium Wave Remote Monitoring System Support SOW

ARTICLE 1- OBJECTIVE

The contractor shall l assist in software development, conduct server maintenance, system administration and other administrative duties, provide technical support services, documentation, and obtain cloud services on a reimbursable basis to support USAGM Remote Monitoring Services in cloud-based systems and RMS locations around the world. The Contractor shall coordinate with the USAGM POC for delivery and return of USAGM provided equipment.

ARTICLE 2-TECHNICAL SET UP, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

The contractor shall  provide the following support to the USAGM Remote Monitoring Systems program.

A: Manage updates required to keep RMS operational on existing USAGM provided hardware (Mac Computers, SDR-IQ and Cloud-IQ receivers). The contractor is also required to monitor RMS usage and perform remote diagnostics to detect potential problems.

B: Administer the proprietary RMS data server (currently ibbmonitor.appspot.com) hosted on Google Cloud platform (GCP). Vendor will be required to sustain platform on Google Cloud and update server code as required to ensure future compatibility with GCP.

C: Provide technical support by email to all USAGM Technical Monitoring Offices (TMO) worldwide. This support may include writing small programs and/or setting up an auxiliary server to resolve issues with a specific Remote Monitoring System.

D: Provide technical support and maintenance for RMS scheduling and reporting database and websites (FMDS, Schedule Manager, Web Scheduler) currently hosted on ibbmonitor.his.com. The contractor will also assist TMOs with initializing the database for a new broadcasting season, which happens twice a year.

E: OPTIONAL CLINS:

Issued via modification - Perform evaluation, testing and assist with research and development to upgrade technologies and software associated with the RMS program when requested and approved by USAGM. The contractor shall  provide a detailed invoice for each USAGM approved evaluation testing and research and development request.

Issued via modification – procure IT services, for example Google Cloud, Internet, and basic level hardware needed to operate and maintain the USAMG Remote Monitoring Network. 

ARTICLE 3 - GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT

USAGM will provide the IT, radio and antenna equipment needed to the contractor.  Annually, the contractor shall conduct an inventory and provides digital photos in a .jpg format of government furnished equipment used for monitoring and send them by email to the USAGM POC for accountability as well as historical documentation.

ARTICLE 4 - SERVICE INTERRUPTION

In the event of service interruption or GFE equipment failure, the contractor  will inform USAGM Technical Florian Buchner fb@speed.at within three business days of service interruption

The total estimated cost of the service is as follows:

Base Period :        $36,000.00

Option Period 1:   $36,000.00

Option Period 2:   $36,000.00

Option Period 3:   $36,000.00

Option Period 4:   $36,000.00

Total                     $180,000.00

The only acceptable vendor for this service is:

DBA: Negatu Abera Asefa
King George VI Street, 5 Kilo
ADDIS ABABA 00000

This notice of intent is not a request for capability statements or competitive proposals; however all capability statements received within five (5) days of the issuance of this notice will be considered by the agency.  A determination by the Government not to compete this procurement based on responses to this notice is solely at the discretion of the Government.  For questions concerning this notice, please contact Natalie Y. Ellis; email: nellis@usagm.gov or David Wallace; email:  DWallace@usagm.gov