The Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center (NFESC) is seeking sources of COMMERCIALLY available hardware technologies suitable for In-Transit Visibility (ITV) aboard ships. We envision Naval transportation nodes (ARG and MPF ships) will be instrumented with this hardware technology to allow the capture of ITV data at entry/exit points (Well Decks, Vehicle ramps, underway replenishment stations). Sustainment items (rolling stock, 20-ft shipping containers, Quadroons, palletized loads) will have RFID tags/sensors affixed. The readers will be used to identify the sensors (e.g. the items) and transmit the identification data to a central storage device such as a computer server. We conducted an initial assessment of the technical challenges involved in this effort and identified a number of issues or factors that potentially may influence/impact the selection of a particular hardware technology. These issues include: (1) Physical/Environmental: Exposure to moisture, weather, saltwater, wear on the equipment, etc. and the need to perform a ship alteration if the hardware technology was permanently installed on-board ship; (2) Radio Frequency Issues: On-board and host nation frequency approval issues that may preclude a system from being employed; (3) Wireless Security: Encryption, Authentication etc. Need to be aware of security requirements for passing data wirelessly from Tag to Interrogator to Server. (RF Issues should include wireless security); (4) Life Cycle Support: Battery life, high reliability, availability, maintainability and durability, etc; (5) Safety: Portability vs. non-portability, tying into the ship?s electrical system, RF interference issues, etc. Respondents should provide the following information: Name and address of Company, Company Point-of-Contact, Company phone and fax number (email address if available), Brochures and/or pamphlets, and technical data/qualification information of your hardware technology specifically addressing the above mentioned challenges. Responses should pertain only to Equipment Product Information sought, do not include software/software development information. Submit all responses to Pearl Wray at e-mail address: [email protected]. It is requested that all proprietary information that is not to be disseminated in government documents be clearly identified. NOTE: THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR SOLICITATION AND NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED SOLELY ON THE BASIS OF THE RESPONSES HERETO, OR ON FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION SUBSEQUENTLY SOUGHT. NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING THIS INFORMATION WILL BE MADE. THIS NOTICE IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ULTIMATELY ISSUE AN IFB, RFP, RFQ, OR CONTRACT. Since this is a sources sought announcement, no evaluation or response letters will be issued to the participants. DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF RESPONSES IS 07 JUNE 2002.

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