MESSAGING APPLICATIONS for FIRST RESPONDERS
1.0 BACKGROUND
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) is seeking information on commercially available Messaging Applications for First Responders to meet the needs of emergency responders and protective services. In general, NUSTL is seeking information on: Messaging Applications that can be used for emergency response by first responders. The messaging applications should contain the following features and functions:
1. Has both a mobile and desktop-based user interface.
2. Allows for desktop users to push Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) Geographic Information System (GIS) information to mobile users within the messaging app. For example, sending a field officer a layer-based map with highlighted threats and resources.
3. The mobile version should have the ability for the end user to toggle on and off location sharing with multiple members of their team.
3.1. An administrator user should be able to remotely toggle on/off the location sharing of their team members, overriding the field operator's location sharing preferences if necessary.
4. Must be compatible with iPhones and iOS
5. Mobile application must have push notifications (similar to notifications received from SMS text applications on most smart phones).
6. Secure communications (encryption) that allows for logging such that audit reviews and FOIA request compliance can occur.
7. The messaging app should conserve battery to the maximum extent possible.
This information is being sought for the DHS Science and Technology Directorate's System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) Program to assist emergency responders making procurement decisions. The SAVER Program conducts objective assessments and validations on commercially available equipment and systems and develops knowledge products that provide relevant equipment information to the emergency responder community. Information provided by the SAVER Program will be shared nationally with the responder community, providing a life- and cost-saving asset to DHS, as well as to Federal, state, and local responders. For more information on the SAVER program, visit the SAVER website at https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/saver.
2.0 SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTATION
Respondents are required to complete a written Product Summary Questionnaire for each product. The questionnaire may be obtained via e-mail from the technical point of contact, Bhargav Patel, at bhargav.patel@hq.dhs.gov. The Product Summary Questionnaire includes questions seeking the following specific information:
1. Company name
2. Company address
3. Point(s) of contact (name, title, e-mail, and phone number)
4. Business type (manufacturer or distributor)
5. Product name, type, description, and specifications
6. Cost information (purchase price and General Services Administration [GSA] schedule information).
7. Does the software have both a mobile and desktop-based user interface ?
8. Does the desktop user interface allow for ESRI or other GIS affiliated file types to be sent to mobile users of the messaging application?
9. Can mobile users of the application turn on and off their location sharing settings through the application?
10. Can an admin user of a group turn on and off the location sharing settings of other users?
3.0 RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS
All information received will be treated by NUSTL as public knowledge and may be published in SAVER Program documents; therefore, companies should not submit proprietary information in response to this RFI. Submission of information by the respondent constitutes consent to the publication of that information by NUSTL and the SAVER Program.
Responses to this RFI must be submitted to Bhargav Patel no later than 5:00 PM EST, November 25, 2019. All technical comments, inquiries, and responses should be directed to Bhargav Patel via e-mail at bhargav.patel@hq.dhs.gov; all non-technical questions should be directed to Ms. Sharon Flowers, DHS Contracting Officer, via e-mail at sharon.flowers@hq.dhs.gov.
Responses to this RFI are solely for the purpose of information gathering and will be used for a market survey of commercially available Messaging Applications geared toward first responders. No content in the RFI shall be interpreted as a commitment on the part of NUSTL to enter into a contract with any respondent or to make any procurement, nor should it be construed as a request for Proposal (RFP) or solicitation of an offer. NUSTL does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited.
Each respondent, by submitting a response to this RFI, agrees that any costs incurred in responding to this request, or in support of activities associated with this RFI, shall be the sole responsibility of the respondent. NUSTL shall incur no obligations or liabilities whatsoever, to anyone, for any costs or expenses incurred by the respondent in responding to this RFI.
The information provided by the respondent will be evaluated by NUSTL for inclusion in SAVER Program documents. Determination as to an individual product's suitability will be made by NUSTL based on the objectives of this request. Therefore, requests for feedback should not be made through the Federal Business Opportunities posting agency. Vendors may be contacted by NUSTL following submission for more detailed product information. Vendor provided information may be reformatted for publication in SAVER Program documents.
Sharon I Flowers, Contracting Officer, Phone 202-447-5736, Email sharon.flowers@hq.dhs.gov
