Unified Communications Software Platform Licensing

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses from the U.S. Government (USG) to industry questions regarding the Unified Communications Software Platform Licensing opportunity (UC_FY26-01).

• Teaming Arrangements: Teaming arrangements will be evaluated equally with single-vendor offerings if they are the only way the OEM provides licensing/services or if there are substantial value-added benefits for the Government, subject to proper justification.
• White Paper Assessment: The white paper assessment will evaluate the degree to which the delivered capability meets performance objectives, includes solution architecture, integration approach, and deployment readiness. Teaming structures will be evaluated equally with single-vendor offerings, subject to proper justification.
• Radio Hardware: Integration with existing/third-party radio interface devices is acceptable. The UC platform vendor is not expected to provide physical radio hardware.
• GFE/GFI Radio Infrastructure: No specific GFE/GFI radio infrastructure will be provided. A list of example radios is provided, but variations exist.
• Classification Levels: The UC platform is expected to operate across multiple classification levels (e.g., IL-2 to IL-6), and cross-domain capability is expected within the scope of the solicitation.
• DDIL Definition: 'Disconnected, degraded, and intermittent' (DDIL) refers to challenging operating environments with unreliable, unpredictable, or unavailable network connectivity, particularly at the tactical edge. This applies to both prolonged and brief intermittent connectivity.
• Serverless Client Operations: Serverless clients must be capable of performing voice multicast or unicast communication even when fully disconnected from the server.
• Evaluation Criteria: The Call for Solutions provided White Paper Full Evaluation Criteria, and all criteria will be weighted equally.
• Delivery Expectation: A mature, fully operational solution is required by the June 1, 2026, delivery date.

These responses clarify key aspects of the solicitation, including evaluation criteria, technical requirements for integration and operation, and the expected maturity of the delivered solution. Bidders should incorporate these clarifications into their white paper submissions and overall understanding of the opportunity.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This "Call for Solutions" document, issued as an amendment to Army Open Solicitation W9128Z-25-S-A002, seeks mature, commercially available software solutions for a unified communications platform. The U.S. Army aims to bridge legacy and modern systems into a single integrated voice environment, enhancing productivity and collaboration for warfighters. This is a recurring annual requirement.

• The software must provide an interoperable capability within the Army's tactical voice architecture.

• Support real-time collaboration (messaging, file sharing, video conferencing, virtual meetings).

• Provide advanced analytics and reporting.

• Include end-to-end encryption.

• Streamline communication across multiple channels (voice, video, chat).

• Integrate seamlessly with existing enterprise applications.

• Key solution characteristics include: system/hardware agnostic architecture, multicast stream ingestion, VoIP interoperability, dynamic talk group management, scalability, mobile device integration, offline/disconnected operation, server-based/serverless options, modular cloud-native microservices, Kubernetes deployment, access control, and operational readiness.

• Detailed technical requirements are in the accompanying Statement of Objectives (SOO), which contains Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and requires specific access procedures and CMMC compliance.

• The Government's preference is to award a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a 5-year ordering period, using FAR Part 12 commercial procedures.

• White Papers Due: 30 April 2026, 1700 EDT.

• Questions Deadline: 24 April 2026, 0900 EDT.

• Submission Method: Email to Contracting Officer and Specialist.

• Evaluation Process: Up to three steps: White Paper submission, Demonstration (optional), and Award Negotiations.

• White Paper Evaluation: Assessed against Gate Criteria (Commercial Solution Experience, Solution Maturity) and Full Evaluation Criteria (Technical Capability, Solution Maturity & Past Performance, Data Rights, Price).

• White Paper Format: Max 10 pages (excluding title page, company info, etc.), 11-point font, 1-inch margins.

• Not explicitly stated as a set-aside, but requires commercial solutions.

• Offerors are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for amendments.

• Academic research proposals are not desired.

• The Government reserves the right to award multiple contracts or no award.

• The SOO contains CUI and requires specific access procedures and CMMC compliance.