August 11, 2014
I was cruising through the internet this morning, and chanced up this document filed on the U.S. government’s website (www.fbo.gov) announcing contracts bids and requests for information from defense contractors.
The document is fascinating because since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the little-known Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC), which runs the U.S. intelligence community’s global nuclear weapons test detection network (officially known as the Atomic Energy Detection System - AED), has been trying to hide all facets of its operations from public view. At the behest of AFTAC, U.S. Air Force security personnel removed thousands of pages of formerly declassified documents pertaining to the organization’s overseas operations from the public shelves of the National Archives until the operation’s cover was blown in 2006.
AFTAC stubbornly refuses to declassify almost everything about its history and current operations, especially the locations of the manned stations and unmanned equipment locations around the world where the organization has hidden its nuclear test detection sensors.
Well, take a look at this document, which AFTAC placed on the fbo.gov website back in May 2009, which lists the locations (including latitude and longitude data) of a fairly large number of the organization’s overt and covert nuclear test detection stations in the U.S. and overseas. Turns out that AFTAC has operational facilities in such glorious travel destinations as Mongolia, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Romania, and even Afghanistan.
I attach copy of the notice below because AFTAC has a really nasty habit of trying to reclassify everything substantive that it by mistake discloses about itself.
United States Atomic Energy Detection System (USAEDS) Network
Solicitation Number: HC101309R200X
Agency: Defense Information Systems Agency
Office: Procurement Directorate
Location: DITCO-Scott
Synopsis:
Added: May 26, 2009 12:08 pm
Request for Information (RFI) for
The Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC)
United States Atomic Energy Detection (USAEDS)
Network
Contracting Office Address:
Defense Information Systems Agency, DITCO-Scott PL8223, P.O. 2300 East Drive, Bldg 3600, Scott AFB, IL, 62225-5406
Description:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to conduct market research which will be used to formulate an acquisition strategy to procure Telecommunications and Network Services (maybe Bandwidth Management Services) in support of the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) United States Atomic Energy Detection System (USAEDS) Network.
AFTAC is the sole DoD agency responsible for monitoring nuclear treaty compliance, whose mission has grown and developed, spanning more than 50 years of long-range detection. AFTAC has evolved into one of our nation’s most unique resources by monitoring worldwide compliancy of nuclear treaties, supporting our nation’s space programs, and providing information that helps protect everyone during emergencies involving nuclear materials. AFTAC has a network of sensors known as the U.S. Atomic Energy Detection System (USAEDS) network. It consists of a worldwide network of seismic technologies deployed to detect, identify, and locate a nuclear explosion underground, underwater, in the atmosphere, and in space.
This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal or a promise to issue a Request for Proposal in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in responding to this RFI.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Only small businesses are requested to respond to this RFI to assist the AFTAC in formulating an acquisition strategy that fairly considers small business ability to participate in the acquisition, either as prime contractors or as subcontractors.
Sources Sought
This Sources Sought Synopsis is requesting responses to the following criteria from small businesses that can provide the required services under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 517919. In addition to Small Businesses, this Synopsis is encouraging responses from qualified and capable Service Disabled-Veteran Owned Small Businesses, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, Women-owned Small Businesses, HUBZone Small Businesses, Small Disadvantaged Small Businesses, Small Business Joint Ventures, Consortiums and Teaming Partners. This Sources Sought Synopsis is issued to assist the agency in performing market research to determine whether or not there are qualified and capable Small Businesses to provide the aforementioned service.
Two or more qualified and capable small businesses must submit responses that demonstrate their qualifications to make a determination for a small business set-aside. Responses must demonstrate the company’s ability to perform in accordance with the Limitations on Subcontracting clause (FAR 52.219-14). Interested small businesses meeting the small business standard of NAICS code 517919 are requested to submit a response to the Contracting Officer within 7 calendar days of issuance of this RFI. Late responses will not be considered. Responses should provide the business’s DUNS number and CAGE code and include a statement of self certification under the NAICS code. Additionally, responses should include recent (within the past three years or work that is on-going) and relevant experience (work similar in type and scope) to include contract numbers, project titles, dollar amounts, and points of contact with telephone numbers where the responder performed the relevant work. Marketing brochures and/or generic company literature will not be considered. Not addressing all the requested information may result in the Government determining the responder is not capable of performing the scope of work required.
Requested Information:
Interested vendors are requested to submit a maximum 8 page statement of their knowledge and capabilities to perform the following:
1. AFTAC requires a communications network that can transport analog/digital formatted seismic data, voice, and files to, from, and between AFTAC and its seismic monitoring locations. AFTAC has an alternate operating location for data transmittal at Goodfellow AFB, TX. The communications network must have the ability to transmit data from the service points to Goodfellow AFB when AFTAC’s primary location at Patrick AFB, FL is inoperable. The network will also be utilized on a case-by-case base to provide administrative services (.gov e-mail, file transfer) for AFTAC Detachment personnel located at the seismic monitoring locations. AFTAC network personnel will be responsible for establishing virtual private networks across the USAEDS network to provide these services.
2. Patrick AFB, Goodfellow AFB, and Seismic monitoring locations will be referred to as Service Points (SP) A, B, and so forth from this point forward. AFTAC (SP-A) at Patrick AFB, FL requires a global, full duplex, full period communications network connecting multiple SP’s (point to point and point to multi-point) together. The government desires a digital/IP-based network and shall use 100% of the service 100% of the time to transmit and receive mission data. At SP locations where the seismic data is in an analog format, the contractor must provide analog to digital converters to transform the data into a digital format prior to entering the USAEDS communications network. Once the data reaches its destination, it must be converted back to analog for final processing. (This conversion only takes place at a few locations. All data going to SP-A or SP-B at (Goodfellow AFB, TX) will not require a conversion.)
3. The contractor-provided network must be able to provide the government with 3-5 IP addresses per SP location. AFTAC network personnel will configure government furnished equipment (GFE) with these IP addresses and coordinate with the contractor’s network personnel to establish destination routing. The contractor is required to provide a network that is protected against malice, intrusion, and cyber threats. The contractor must have process controls (firewalls, access control lists, etc.) to reduce the likelihood that its products and services contain malicious functions, control the quality, configuration, and security of components or subcomponents, and have process controls to ensure that personnel in design, configuration management, test, operations, and security positions are trustworthy. The contractor must protect the USAEDS communications network against cyber threats. Threats to control systems can come from numerous sources, including hostile governments, terrorist groups, disgruntled employees, and malicious intruders. To protect against these threats, it is necessary to create a secure cyber-barrier.
4. In addition to the baseline requirements, the government retains the right to add or delete service points, and/or upgrade/change the data rates of the remote sites as required during the life of the contract. Any additions, changes, or upgrades that incur additional costs must be jointly agreed upon between the contractor and the government, and approved by the Contracting Officer.
5. SP-A continuously receives data from all other Service Points. SP-B is the backup to SP-A, and shall have the networking capability to receive data from all Service Points upon network failures, or when requested via telephone, or e-mail notification from the Government’s technical representative or Systems Control Element. SP-B is a hot stand by for SP-A. SP-B shall be configured to assume the communications responsibilities of SP-A either instantaneously, or within one hour of being notified by the government to swing traffic. Conditions causing SP-B to be activated are communications outages, communication exercises, weather events, disaster preparedness activities, etc.
6. This network requires diversity in routing and network path to ensure redundancy for mission data traffic.
7. The contractor has the choice of providing satellite, frame, leased-line, or MPLS services for any service point. Service points are identified with the type of communications services they are currently operating on. Some locations are extremely remote to civilization or reliable telephone line access.
a. The contractor will furnish all SATCOM and network equipment required to transmit and receive data from one service point to another. The demarcation point will be an interface for GFE off of the contractor’s network device (netmodem, router, switch, or hub).
b. Protocols the government will utilize: TCP/IP Protocols (I.E. UDP, Telnet, FTP, SMTP, VoIP)
c. Maintenance Support (On call or Onsite country): The contractor will be responsible for maintaining equipment and responding to outages. The contractor must be able to either remotely repair or physically repair outages within as quickly as possible.
d. 24/7 Helpdesk Support: Support required monitoring the network, calling up maintenance, and providing notifications and updates to key government personnel.
8. The following support is required for each service point:
a. Monthly bandwidth (include separate line for foreign segment and landing fees)
b. Monthly, quarterly, or annual unscheduled / preventive maintenance fees
c. 24/7/365 Helpdesk services fees
9. The contractor will be responsible for all host nation approval and connection authority certificates for SP’s residing in foreign countries. The contractor is also responsible for all fees and tariffs levied by foreign governments when pursuing telecommunications services and satellite frequency requests. These approvals/permissions must be verifiable by government personnel.
10. Below is a list of service point locations. This is not an all-inclusive list of SP’s. It is a large portion to aide in determining what is required to provide the necessary services, and the regions of the world where the service will be provided.
Service Point A (Frame Relay/MPLS)
Patrick AFB, AFTAC
NPA/NPX: 321-494
CIR Data Rate: T1 (1.544Mb)
Backup Circuit: T1 (1.544Mb)
Service Point B (Frame Relay/MPLS)
Goodfellow AFB, TX, Alternate Location
NPA/NPX: 915-654
CIR Data Rate: T1 (1.544Mb)
Backup Circuits: T1 (1.544Mb)
Service Point A will receive traffic from all Service Points with the exception of Service Point B. Service Point B is a standby for Service Point A. Service Point B will also have the ability to provide other services (SMTP, UDP, FTP, etc.) to some of the Service Points. Therefore, Service Point B must remain an active circuit in conjunction with Service Point A.
Service Point C (Satellite)
Remote Site EL 079 Cambridge Bay, Canada
Lat/Long: 690652N 1050714W
NPA/NPX: 804-766, 867-983
Data Rate: 1Mbps/64kbps
Service Point D (Frame/MPLS)
Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Lat/Long: 535800N 1010600W
NPA/NPX: 306-688, 881-306
CIR Data Rate: 19.2 kbps (Increase to 64Kbps)
Service Point E (Frame/MPLS)
Kandili, Turkey
Lat/Long: 395101N 0324716E
PHONE: 011-90-312-491-7213
CIR: 64 Kbps
Service Point G (Satellite)
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Lat/Long: 184800N 0985900E
Data Rate: 2Mbps/256 Kbps
Service Point H (Satellite)
Det 421 Alice Springs, Australia
Lat/Long: 234200N 1335200E
Data Rate: 512 Kbps/1 Mbps
Service Point I (Satellite)
Det 452 Wonju, South Korea
Lat/Long: 372500N 1275700E
Data Rate: 2Mbps/1.5 Mbps
Service Point K (Satellite)
Lajitas, Texas
Lat/Long: 292000N 1033740W
NPA/NPX: 432-424
CIR: 256kbps/1Mbps
VOIP: Yes
**Additional connection required to service point K1 (Sends data to SP-A and SP-K1simultaneously)
Service Point K1 (Satellite)
Southern Methodist University (SMU)
NPA/NPX: 214-768
CIR: 256 Kbps/1 Mbps
Service Point L (Satellite)
Ulaanbaatar (Capitol City), Mongolia
Lat/Long: 47n55, 106e53
CIR: 256 Kbps/256 Kbps
Power: *240VAC, 50 HZ
**Additional connection required to service point L1 (Sends data to SP-A and SP-L1simultaneously)
Service Point L1 (Satellite)
Altai-Gobi, Mongolia
CIR: 256Kbps/256Kbps
Power: 220-240 VAC, 50 HZ
Service Point N (Satellite)
Silverton, South Africa
Lat/Long: 254407S 281655E
CIR: 1 Mbps/256 Kbps
Service Point R (Satellite)
San Lorenzo, Paraguay
Lat/Long: 251940S 573030W
CIR: 320 Kbps/320 Kbps
Service Point S1 (Satellite)
Paso Flores Argentina
CIR: 64 Kbps
Service Point T (Frame Relay/MPLS)
La Paz, Bolivia
Lat/Long: 162926S 680757W
(591) (2) 240-6222
CIR: 64 Kbps
Service Point U (Frame Relay/MPLS)
Canberra, Australia
Phone: 011 61 2 6249 9699
CIR: 64 Kbps
Service Point X1 (Satellite)
Makanchi Seismic Station, Kazakhstan
Lat /Long: 46, 48’24” N 81, 58’37” E
CIR: 1 Mbps/512 Kbps
Service Point Z (Frame Relay/MPLS)
Centennial, CO
Phone/NPA: 1-800-688-8606, Cell: 303-810-0500
CIR: 16kbps 64 Kbps
Service Point AB (Frame Relay/MPLS)
Kjeller Norway
Phone/NPA: (011) 47-63-80-5900
CIR: 256 Kbps
Service Point AD1 (Satellite)
Benea, Romania
Lat/Long: 47-46.6N 025-11.5E
CIR: 1 Mbps/256 kbps
Service Point AF (Satellite)
Ascension Island, BC
CIR: 128 Kbps/128 Kbps
Service Point AK (Satellite)
Kabul Afghanistan
Lat/Long: 34n31, 69e12
CIR: 64 Kbps/64 Kbps
Service Point AM (MPLS)
Vienna Austria
Phone: 43 (1) 260 30 6367
CIR: 1.544 Mbps
Service Point AO (Satellite)
Indian Mountain Air Station, Alaska
Long/Lat: 66°0’13”N 153°40’57”W
CIR: 128 Kbps/128 Kbps
Responses
Responses to this RFI are to be submitted by e-mail to angela.zang@disa.mil, ATTN: AFTAC RFI Response. Request your response by 1600 hours Central Standard Time, 3 June 2009. Responses must be single-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font, with one inch margins, and compatible with MS Office Word 2003.
Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All government and contractor personal reviewing RFI responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described 41 USC 423. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.
Points of Contact
Contracting Officer: Arthur L. Kruse
Phone: 618-229-9773
E-Mail: arthur.kruse@disa.mil
Contract Specialist: Angela Zang
Phone: 618-229-9435
E-Mail: angela.zang@disa.mil
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