WSMR is a physically large (>4000 square miles) and technically distributed test and simulation environment with multiple mission support as typical operating condition. Voice communications were provided by multiple out-of-date systems that were increasingly difficult to maintain and interface together. A large project was completed in 2010 that provided a robust, high-bandwidth IP backbone across the entire Range and a decision was made to use this network to replace the old voice systems with an IP-based solution.
ATAMIR, acting as technical services subcontractor to the US Army, performed an initial market survey of potential solutions in early 2010. Quintron participated in site visits and hands-on demonstration of DICES VoIP. ATAMIR proceeded to create a design specification and issued an RFP in summer 2010. Since a multi-year phased implementation was planned, the RFP required an IDIQ-like approach to include a dedicated product “catalog” that included technical design support and travel line items. This would allow the significant design efforts along with final equipment deliveries to be made directly out of the catalog during subsequent Task Orders.
The DICES VoIP product was chosen as a best value solution with initial contract award in November of 2010 and first Task Order to provide for considerable engineering evaluation and design concept refinements. This first effort began in December of 2010 and progressed through multiple site visits, Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews and concluded in April 2011 with final system design that included multiple independent central servers operating under a common database replication environment. Two new user stations were designed to provide direct replacement for existing stations with minimal physical reconfigurations required. Multiple new software features were incorporated to address specific operating techniques critical to WSMR standards. In addition, a full Information Assurance (IA) scan was completed to meet the WSMR security requirements.
Subsequent Task Orders were released through 2015 that continued the planned equipment quantities to support full-range implementation. This included over 700 end instruments, 68 T1 Gateways and 3 small standalone Mini-VoIP servers to support customer applications where separation from the main WSMR system was required (like alliance partners).
