The Army yesterday released the second of its efforts to supplement the Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) 14.1, slated for October/November at Ft. Bliss, Texas and White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
The Sources Sought seeks mature solutions with a narrow focus on specific identified gaps in the current and evolving networked equipment solution set.
In December, the Army issued the first Request for Proposal (RFP) to support the NIE events (Defense Daily, Jan, 3). As the Army uses Sources Sought notifications to target vendor solutions for broad capability gaps, utilizing the RFP method allows the service to seek solutions for targeted capability gaps. Both the RFP and the Sources Sought will supplement NIE 14.1 assessments.
The identified gaps in the Sources Sought are:
Brigade/Battalion Command Post (CP) Mobility and Scalability; Network Visualization on the Common Operational Picture (COP); Aerial layer Network Extension-rovide assured access for terrestrial network Integrated Network Assurance-Network Access Control; Operational Energy-Energy sources with extended duration and power; Operational Energy–Monitor and manage system power, supply and demand; and Operational Energy-Reduce reliance on petroleum based energy.
The Army, through the System of Systems Integration (SoSI) Directorate, wants only solutions addressing the specified gaps, that are at the representative model or prototype system stage and that have been tested in a relevant environment.
“A highlight of NIE 14.1 will be the implementation of the common operating environment, while also looking beyond the network allowing the Army to assess non-networked Operational Energy systems,” said Col. Rob Carpenter, SoSI director. “Solutions being sought in NIE 14.1 will help inform Capability Sets and the NIE construct as it matures to a Joint environment in NIE 14.2”
Detailed Sources Sought information is available at fbo.gov.