MODIFICATION
59 -- Provide AES (256 Bit Length)-enabled handheld transceivers
- Notice Date
- 9/12/2007
- Notice Type
- Modification
- NAICS
- 334220
— Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard (USCG), Commandant (G-ACS), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second St., SW, Washington, DC, 20593-0001, UNITED STATES
- ZIP Code
- 20593-0001
- Solicitation Number
- HSCG23-07-R-TE4213
- Response Due
- 9/17/2007
- Point of Contact
- Ijeoma Ezeonwuka, Contract Specialist, Phone 202-475-3236, Fax 202-475-3905,
- E-Mail Address
-
ijeoma.ezeonwuka@uscg.mil
- Description
- This combined synopsis/solicitation HSCG23-07-R-TE4213 is hereby amended to respond to the following questions received by the deadline of 12:00 Noon EDT on Monday, September 10, 2007. QUESTION 1: Section A, Item 4. Shall be equipped with DES-CFB, DES-OFB and AES Encryption: DES-CFB and DES-OFB encryption is contradictory with FIPS publication 140. DES-CFB and DES-OFB encryption modes do not meet the requirements of FIPS-140 as of May, 2007. According to NIST Special Publication 800-57 Part 1 Transition Plan for the Use of Key Sizes and Security Strengths by Federal Agencies? After the transition period ending on May 19, 2007: a. The use of keys of less than 80-bits of security strength shall not be allowed for use in a FIPS Approved mode of operation for use by Federal agencies. b. A minimum of 80-bits of security strength shall be required through 2010. c. From 2011 through 2030, a minimum of 112 bits of security strength shall be required. d. Thereafter, at least 128 bits of security strength shall be required. It is our understanding that this policy is in place to prevent discussing sensitive information using less than secure communication channels. It is better for the user to understand the communication channel is unsecured than to have a false sense of security. The requirement for DES-CFB and DES-OFB (56-bit key) encryption should be removed because it is not allowed for use by Federal Agencies. Removing DES-CFB will also expand the number of commercially available products that are otherwise acceptable for this RFP. Will the government eliminate the requirement for DES-CFB and DES-OFB? ANSWER 1: No. The government requires the capability to maintain communications with legacy equipment using DES encryption. Coast Guard and other government agencies continue to operate DES-encrypted radio systems under waivers of the NIST publication cited above. QUESTION 2: Section A, Item 11. Shall be capable of upgrading to Project 25 Trunking: Will the government accept replacement of the radio at a reduced price as an alternative to upgrading? ANSWER 2: No. Replacement of radios will increase the Government?s cost to deploy and maintain these radios. QUESTION 3: Section A, item 14. Shall have a minimum of 500 channels: This requirement eliminates a number of commercially available products that may otherwise meet the technical aspects of the solicitation. Will the government consider a product that offers 400 channels to be acceptable? ANSWER 3: No. The minimum requirement is 500 channels. QUESTION 4: Section C, Item 2: Multiple?Radio charger capable of charging 6 radios simultaneously. This requirement appears tailored to a particular radio vendor. Multi-Radio chargers are offered by various radio vendors that charge 4, 5 or 6 radios simultaneously. Will the government consider 4, 5 or 6 unit Multi-Radio chargers acceptable? ANSWER 4: Yes. QUESTION 5: Can the government provide anticipated contract award date, expected initial delivery order date and expected quantity of units in initial delivery order? ANSWER 5: It is anticipated that an award and the initial delivery order will be made by the end of this Fiscal Year. It is estimated that a minimum of 1000 radios will be initially ordered. QUESTION 6: Section 1 Technical Capability: The proposal should outline an effective, efficient and achievable capability for accomplishing the work within the timeline specified by either performance periods or documented in a deliverable schedule. Can the government provide more details or examples of the information desired? ANSWER 6: Answer: The criterion remains as stated. QUESTION 7: Proposal Submission Section: ??first binder shall contain your Technical and Relevant Price Performance information? Did the government mean Relevant Past Performance information? ANSWER 7: Yes QUESTION 8: We consider that we have a realistic solution to the specification included in the RFP; however we recognize the need to gather specific internal commitments and we need more time. Can we be granted a one-week extension to responding to this request? ANSWER 8: No. The Coast Guard intends to make an award by the end of this fiscal year, hence the need to keep to the current proposal deadline as posted. QUESTION 9: Is there a minimum order quantity the Coast Guard will procure through the single award. There was some confusion regarding the $21.5M figure associated with 9500 units. ANSWER 9: As stated in the solicitation, this will be a Requirements Contract for a period of 24 months with at approximate total of $21.5M. It is estimated that a minimum of 1000 radios will be initially ordered. NOTE: THIS NOTICE WAS NOT POSTED TO FEDBIZOPPS ON THE DATE INDICATED IN THE NOTICE ITSELF (12-SEP-2007); HOWEVER, IT DID APPEAR IN THE FEDBIZOPPS FTP FEED ON THIS DATE. PLEASE CONTACT fbo.support@gsa.gov REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
- Web Link
-
Link to FedBizOpps document.
(http://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/USCG/GACS/HSCG23-07-R-TE4213/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: USCG TISCOM tsd-3b, 7323 Telegraph Road, Alexandria VA 22315 (Mid-south Building)
- Zip Code: 22315
- Country: UNITED STATES
- Zip Code: 22315
- Record
- SN01405044-F 20070914/070913083930 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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