70 -- VOICE IMPROVEMENT PROCESSOR

Notice Date

January 19, 2001

Contracting Office

U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/OFA/AGFS/AMD -- OFA51, 1305 East West Highway -- Station 7604, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

ZIP Code

20910

Solicitation Number

52-DDNW-1-90018

Point of Contact

William L. Voitk (301) 713-0839, ext 185

E-Mail Address

click here to contact the Contracting Officer via (William.Voitk@noaa.gov)

Description

The Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS) has a requirement to improve the existing Text-to-Speech (TTS) voice used on the Console Replacement System (CRS) of the NOAA Weather Radio. The NWS currently operates a network of VHF radio transmitters supplying local weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and advisories directly to the public in the United States and some areas of the western Pacific and the Caribbean, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The information broadcast by these transmitters is developed and compiled by NWS personnel at Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs). These products are formatted, scheduled, and communicated to the transmitters by NWS personnel using the computer-based CRS which currently utilizes a synthesized TTS capability in addition to a manual recording capability. The NWS recognizes enhancements and new capabilities in TTS technology have emerged since the CRS contract was awarded in December 1994. Accordingly, NWS has initiated a Voice Improvement Processor (VIP) project to improve the automated voice quality of the NWR broadcasts. The VIP project will develop an add-on system to the exisitng CRS to accept weather message text from CRS and return converted text to CRS in the form of audio files. The Government requires delivery of five (5) initial TTS applications licenses for field evaluation and VIP development. Also included in this requirement is an option to acquire up to 123 additional software licenses for VIP deployment to the WFOs as well as an option to acquire technical support services during VIP development/integration for the Government's agents and users. A Spanish voice shall also be provided as an option. Offerors shall provide a male and female voice in both English and Spanish languages. All deliveries and support services will be performed within CONUS. Interested parties will be required to propose a TTS system/software for the voicing engine of the VIP. Offerors will be required to provide with their proposal specific information on potential TTS voice systems, including but not limited to: operating system requirements, hardware platform requirements, identification of any equipment required other than commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment, licensing cost, and functionality of the TTS. Offerors will be required to submit samples of converted NWS weather messages with their initial proposal. Offerors may be required to demonstrate their method of adding, modifying, or deleting words to the user TTS library and prepare additional NWS weather messages during the acquisition process. Proposals will be due approximately 45 days after release of the Request for Proposal (RFP). The RFP will be available via the Internet at the following site: http://www.rdc.noaa.gov/~amd/SOLINDEX.HTML. Please monitor this website for release of the RFP (currently scheduled for February 12, 2001). Printed copies of the RFP will not be provided unless specifically requested in writing to the Contracting Officer. Companies that responded to a previous synopsis for Request for Information (RFI) appearing in the September 21, 200 issue of the CBD will be notified by e-mail message of the RFPs release. The Government anticipates awarding a firm-fixed price contract for this requirement. See Notes 12 and 26.

Web Link

Click here to obtain a copy of the RFP (http://www.rdc.noaa.gov/~amd/SOLINDEX.HTML)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010123/70SOL009.HTM (W-019 SN50B2P8)