Army posts RFI for WIN-T 4G LTE systems

On January 14, the U.S. Army posted the following request for information (Solicitation Number: W15P7T16R0010) for Warfighter Information Network-Tactical, Increment 1, 4th Generation Long Term Evolution Cellular Transmission Systems. Interested parties are encouraged to respond to this RFI on or before February 2, 4:00pm Eastern Daylight Time.

Program Manager Warfighter Information Network – Tactical (PM WIN-T) Increment 1 (Inc 1) seeks industry feedback regarding Commercial Off-The Shelf (COTS) 4th Generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE) cellular transmission systems, a component of the Signal Modernization Program to transform and augment the Army’s communication capabilities and extend the network to lower echelons via modular, scalable and interoperable nodes. The cellular transmission capability must be fully accredited to transport data from multiple security enclaves. LandWarNet capabilities will be augmented through the employment of a deployable cellular transmission system that provides extension for mission command information, to include voice, possibly sensor information, and data to command elements and unit leaders. The cellular transmission infrastructure will provide network extension and flexibility once connected to the tactical network (WIN-T) and possibly to the Soldier level. This capability will be remotely configured, managed and monitored by organic S6/G6 sections and manpower. Cellular capabilities will have cell towers at select network assemblages to provide coverage per local commander’s priorities. It shall also potentially be leveraged to provide connections to other wireless systems or enable intelligence capabilities [i.e., Relevant ISR at the Edge (RITE)] to provide extended network range and coverage for Army units.

The cellular modernization capability shall provide data transport, which is integrated, interoperable, and certified to connect to WIN-T networks for network extension (Threshold); provide cellular data transport interoperable with Special Operations Forces (SOF) communications systems and commercial communications architectures for network extension (Objective).
This capability will augment the network by bringing tactical single enclave network connectivity to disadvantaged users using cellular data devices fielded at the tactical formation. It shall allow Warfighters to communicate between cellular data devices and specially equipped tactical vehicles outfitted with a cellular base station. These base stations shall be connected to terrestrial transmissions and also to the WIN-T and theater networks. At this time, cellular data devices are not currently supported by WIN-T either while on the move or at the halt. The lack of this capability has been identified as a critical gap in communications that has currently been met by quick reaction capabilities (QRC) systems utilizing commercial off-the-shelf technologies. Incorporating this modernization capability into future WIN-T enabled capability sets will produce a permanent solution that directly links disadvantaged Soldiers at the tactical formation with their expeditionary information network.
PM WIN-T Inc 1 seeks industry feedback regarding availability of a production 4G LTE cellular system that will meet the requirements of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) description included herein. Respondents to this RFI will have the opportunity, if desired, to demonstrate their systems for informal analysis and evaluation in the WIN-T Lab in Building 6010, APG, MD.

Full information is available here.

Source: FedBizOpps