REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY--FOR PLANNING PURPOSES. This is a request for information only as defined in FAR 15.201(e) for Military Sealift Command (http://www.msc.navy.mil.) MSC does not presently intend to award a contract, but seeks information on the existing capabilities on Maritime Satellite Communications (SATCOM) as a potential Next Generation Wideband (NGW) Initiative. The Military Sealift Command is the sea transportation component of the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) and is the Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force (NFAF) for the United States Navy. The mission of MSC is to provide ocean transportation of equipment, fuel, supplies, and ammunition to sustain U.S. forces worldwide during peacetime and in war for as long as operational requirements dictate. There are currently one hundred and ten (110) operational civilian mariners - crewed (CIVMAR) ships. Seventy-two (72) of the vessels have their voice and data networks connected to the shore via the MSC Bandwidth Efficient Satellite Transport (BEST) Wide Area Network (WAN) infrastructure.  The MSC BEST satellite infrastructure provides the following features: Centrally managed ship-specific uplink guaranteed bandwidth allocation (non-shared, 256kbps maximum). Ship-specific dynamic data rates set up in the return (uplink) direction through the Bandwidth Management Counsel (BMC) Server located at each Stratos Land Earth Station (LES) or through the Remote User Interface (RUI) Client located at each MSC Point-of-Presence (POP). (Ship-specific uplink data rates are prepared in advance via transmission plans which are then applied as required.) (Shared broadcast downlink.) (Frame over satellite network architecture.) (Utilizes leased International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT) L-Band generation II four (4) satellite constellation.) (24x7 connectivity for all end user terminals at fixed cost.) (Out-of-band management to BEST infrastructure devices.) The primary objective of the Next Generation Wideband (NGW) initiative is to evaluate current and near-future maritime satellite technology for applicability as a replacement/upgrade for the existing MSC Afloat BEST satellite infrastructure. The result of the evaluation will be an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) that will be the basis for the engineering and deployment of a new MSC SATCOM fleet solution. The initiative is necessitated by BEST infrastructure end-of-lifecycle and capacity shortfall factors.  The NGW initiative invites Maritime SATCOM solution providers to submit an information paper (not to exceed twenty-five (25) pages in length) detailing a NGW SATCOM system solution. The submission shall include an overview (not to exceed five (5) pages) and a technical proposal. The major characteristics that shall be addressed are: IP centric transmission capability, transmission security (TRANSEC) requirements, SATCOM RF dish size restrictions, bandwidth management capability and any associated costs. In addition the submission shall address the following Policy and Capability requirements: (1)Teleport integrated (commercial: Ku, C-band available; INMARSAT not available), priority- low; category-design; source-DoD Teleport  (2)SATCOM policy enclosure D section 3 "Commercial SATCOM Resources," priority-high, category-Design, source-CJCSI 6250.01B (3)IPv6 compatibility per IPv6 Memos dated 6/9/2003 and 9/29/2003, priority-High, category-Design, source-DoD Memo (4)IP over satellite per IP over DoD Leased and Owned SATCOM dated 10/27/2005 priority-High, category-Design, source-DoD Memo (5)DoD IT system measurable performance improvements required priority-High, category-Performance, source-Clinger-Cohen (6)Procurement of Mobile Satellite Services dated 8/29/2001 priority-High, category-Design, source-DoD Memo (7)Voice over IP per End-to-End IA for the GIG dated 8/7/2003 priority-High, category-Security, source-DoD Memo (8)HAIPIS type 1 COMSEC for SIPRNET (intelligence info protection), priority-High, category-Security, source-DOJ 2640.2C, DCID6/3 (9)Space Systems link TRANSEC & encryption (type 3), priority-High, category-Security, source- DoDD 8581.1E (10)Integrated, layered protection of IS and networks, priority- High, category- Security, source-DoDI 8500.2 (11)IA in the Defense acquisition system, priority-High, category-Security, source-DoDI 8580.1 (12)Ports, Protocols, & Services, priority-High, category-Security, source-DoDI 8551.1 (13)Space Systems IA, priority-High, category-Security, source-DoDD 8581.1E (14)DoD Critical Infrastructure Program DCIP, priority-High, category-Security, source-DoDD 3020.40 NGW Capability Requirements: (1)Increase fleet link bandwidth (128Kbps per ship minimum link speed), Priority-Medium, category-Performance (2)Increase the number of simultaneous ships that can be supported (100+), Priority-High, category-Performance (3)Minimize the overhead adding to the satellite latency constant, Priority-Medium, Category-Performance (4)IP QOS implementation (separated by security enclave), Priority-High, Category-Performance (5)No increase in recurring satellite bandwidth costs, Priority-High, Category-Design (6)Global coverage (excluding poles), Priority-High, Category-Functionality (7)Per-ship central (NOC) management/monitoring of bandwidth resources, Priority-Medium, Category-Functionality (8)Minimize the amount of centralized (NOC) management necessary, Priority-Medium, Category-Functionality (9)Controlled ability to automatically allocate AFLOAT bandwidth for SL sustainment, Priority-Medium, Category-Functionality (10)Reliable operation in adverse marine conditions, Priority-High, Category-Functionality (11)24 x 7 availability with 99% uptime, Priority-High, Category-Functionality (12)SATCOM Antenna real-estate (Nera SATURN Bm size or less), Priority-High, Category-Design (13)Must be fully deployed by INMARSAT G2 end-of-life (2010), Priority-High, Category-Design (14)Minimize the amount of on-ship management/maintenance necessary, Priority-Medium, Category-Functionality Technical questions should be directed to Ken Toy at (202) 685-5317. Responses should provide telephone and e-mail contact information. This announcement is open and effective until 15 December 2006. Contractors shall submit the original and three (3) copies of the above material to the following address no later than 15 December 2006: Commander, Military Sealift Command, ATTN: Jerry Schall, 914 Charles Morris CT, SE, Washington, DC  20398. Electronic packages will be accepted and should be submitted to ken.toy@navy.mil with a copy to [Please use the link below]. The contractor shall indicate with clear markings any proprietary or sensitive material provided with the RFI. The marking must be compliant with Department of Defense industrial security. Contractors are reminded that the information obtained as a result of this posting may be used in the development of the Statement of Work for a solicitation. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a request for proposal (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of submission of responses to this RFI and the Government s use of such information. Respondents of this RFI may be requested to provide additional information/details based on their initial submittals.