ARMY WIDE AREA NETWORK (AWAN) - Indian Army

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: ARMY WIDE AREA NETWORK (AWAN) PHASE-II MAIN
SYSTEM LESS ENCRYPTION SYSTEM
Introduction
1. Army Wide Area Network (AWAN) is a secure “Desktop to Desktop” messaging
system of the Indian Army. The AWAN system rides the Indian Army backbone
communication network. Existing AWAN system has limited reach and capability. The
proposed system envisages a state of the art secure desktop to desktop messaging system
with enhanced reach and capability.
Aim
3. To invite responses from the prospective firms who are interested in participating in the
development and execution of the proposed system.
Scope
4. Indicative scope of the project (structured as user, operational and system
requirements) is given at Appendix ‘A’.
Objective
5. Directorate General of Signals (Sigs-7), Integrated HQ of MoD (Army), will evaluate
responses to RFI so as to shortlist eligible Firms to issue Request for Proposal (RFP) for
Project AWAN Phase –II (Main System less Encryption). Firms should furnish all details sought
in Appx B to enable the user to achieve following objectives:-
(a) Assess the financial capability of the Firm to handle this project.
(b) Examine Firm’s experience and track record in implementation of similar projects.
(c) Assess ability of Firms to provide maintenance support on pan India basis.
Eligibility Requirements of the Firm
6. Eligibility criteria are given at Appendix ‘B’. Compliance to all criteria is required to be
individually endorsed in the RFI responses. Documents validating compliance have been
indicated in the eligibility criteria. Non availability of documents in responses will indicate non
compliance. Submission of responses will also indicate compliance to the following aspects:-
(a) The Firm should be a System Integrator, who can implement project on turnkey
basis.
(b) Only Indian Residents with Indian origin will be deployed for implementation of
the Project in field.
(c) IPR of the customized software provided will be the property of MoD.
(d) On-site Inspection by Foreign Agencies will not be allowed. Products
mandating the same will not form a part of the solution offered.

(e) Guarantee that all software patches/upgrades, spares and consumables will be
provided for a period of ten years including three years warranty irrespective of
availability of OEM support.
(f) Firms shortlisted for issue of RFP will be required to sign “Non- Disclosure
Agreement” with “Government of India before issue of tender papers as well as before
award of contract.
(g) The firm should posses the following certifications. Copy of certificates to be
attached to the RFI response.
Evaluation Process
(i) ISO 9001:2000 or equivalent certification for Quality management
standards.
(ii) ISO 27000:2005 or equivalent certification for Information Security
Management System in case custom software is being developed by the Firm.
(iii) ISO 20000/BS 15000 or equivalent by HW OEM partner for Information
Technology Service Management.
7. Short listing of Firms will be carried out based on vendor responses to the compliance of
eligibility criterion. Compliance is required to be submitted in the exact format given at
Appendix ‘B’. Firm submitting compliance in any other format or non-submission of any
documents or incomplete information shall automatically disqualify and will not be considered
for the selection process. Firms may be asked to give a presentation on capability, capacity
and experience to undertake the said project to the committee, if required.
Miscellaneous Issues
8. Right to suspend the RFI process or part of the process to accept or reject any or all
applications at any stage of the process and/ or to modify the process or any part thereof at
any time without assigning any reason is reserved with the user without any obligation or
liability whatsoever.
Procedure for Response
9. Firms are requested to forward their response to the proposal of AWAN II as per
requirement listed in the preceding paragraphs along with introductory brief of their companies
as per proforma given at Appendix ‘C’.
10. The response to this RFI may be forwarded through registered post/courier by 1200 h on
19 Feb 2011 to the under mentioned address :-.
Director
Directorate General of Signals (Sigs-7)
General Staff Branch
Integrated HQ of MoD (Army)
Room No 649, ‘A’ Wing, Sena Bhawan
Rajaji Marg, New Delhi -110105
Telephone : 011-23019746
Fax No : 011-23018933

USER REQUIREMENTS
Appendix ‘A’
(Refers to Para 4 of RFI for
AWAN-II)
1. Project Army Wide Area Network (AWAN) Phase II is proposed for implementation of a
desktop to desktop secure workflow and messaging solution for users of the Indian Army. It
requires a single system which should provide basic services like formal and informal
messaging, portal, FTP etc. The solution will also have its own directory services, security
architecture based on asymmetric key algorithm, certification and registration services. This
system will be implemented on IP/MPLS based framework. The proposed solution should be
platform/OS independent. The technology used for the solution should be open standards with
minimum operational complexity.
2. The network architecture for the Project AWAN-II will be hierarchical to cater for the
need of assured application delivery, scalability and high availability. The existing media of the
Indian Army will be made use of for this project. It will have self organizing network architecture
which will provide high resilience and fast convergence with minimal network failover time.
Management traffic should be restricted to minimum during change in network topology, to
avoid unnecessary flooding of the network and bandwidth wastage. A disaster recovery should
be built into the system at various levels to ensure continuous availability of services and will
be transparent to the users. All the network devices should be manageable through a central
NMS. The system should also be able to work with Combat Net Radio and in poor media
conditions i.e. as low as 600 bps.
3. The implementation of the proposed solution is envisaged as given below:-
(a) Hardware. The system will be implemented in a hierarchical architecture. It will
be based on the concept of communication node called Message Processing Server
(MPS). These MPSs will be installed at approximately (300-500) locations on Pan India
basis and this number may further increase as and when MPSs from various static
locations are split, uprooted and deployed in an operational area. Most of these MPSs
will be static. However, certain MPSs are required to be mounted on vehicles, to be
provided by user. These transportable nodes will cater for those users who move out
temporarily for short duration. Each communication node will comprise of major
equipments like routers, switches, servers, firewall, IPS etc. The configuration and
scale of equipments at each node may vary depending upon the user requirement.
AWAN-II will also have support for integration with other IP/MPLS or ATM based
network. The system will also be integrated with the inline encryption device provided by
the user to be used between clients and servers.
(b) Software. Besides the standard operating system/firmware required for the
servers/network equipments following application software will form part of the project:-

(i) Application Software for Basic Services. Application software to
support various services like formal and informal messaging, web portal, FTP,
directory services based on LDAP, Network management etc. are required. The
solution of AWAN-II will also be integrated with other existing applications like
Single Sign On, Patch Management, Antivirus and Firewall. The application
software will be structured to suit the work flow of the user i.e. setting up of
priority, security classification, drafter/approver concept etc. and should comply
with Military messaging standards being used internationally. It should provide
assured delivery of all services.
(ii) Application Software for Security Architecture. A purely customized
application software for implementation of asymmetric key algorithm is required.
The source code of implementation of PKI and encryption algorithms would
require to be submitted to System Analysis Group (SAG), DRDO for evaluation.
This should be able to provide security services like Confidentiality, Integrity,
Availability, Authentication, Non Repudiation and Survivability. These services
should be available using password as well as token based. The software will
also have support for certification and registration services.
4. Miscellaneous requirements are given below:-
(a) Training. A detailed and comprehensive training is required to be imparted to
the users on operation and trouble shooting of the system.
(b) Maintenance. The proposed system is intended to be in use for 10 years.
It will be under warranty for three year followed by seven years of AMC. The terms and
conditions of AMC will be decided mutually at the time of signing of contract.

SER
NO
I. INTRODUCTION
CRITERIA
COMPLIANCE
STATUS
(YES/NO)
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF
COMPLIANCE STATUS
Appendix ‘B’
(Refers to Para 6 of RFI for AWAN-II)
DOCUMENTS
SUBMITTED
(YES/NO)
REFERENCE
FROM THE
DOCUMENTS
SUBMITTED BY
FIRM
1. SI. Responses to the RFI for this project will be submitted by a System Integrator henceforth called as “SI” in this document. The SI will be responsible for
delivery and professional services for the Army Wide Area Network. The SI cannot participate in more than one bid. The user department shall deal only with the
SI.
2 OEM for IP/MPLS Network. The IP/MPLS equipment proposed to be provided should be carrier class, tested, certified and from reputed OEMs.
3. OEM for Software Applications The software applications comprise of limited workflow, portal, directory services, network management, FTP, Certification and
Registration services, mail and messaging. The SI shall specify the arrangement with software application vendor and/or with software customization vendor.
Software applications have to be from reputed OEMs.

SER
NO
II. GENERAL CRITERIA
(a) SI
CRITERIA
1. Is the Firm an Indian registered company under
Company Act 1956 having Indian Management
and control with Resident Indian Nationals? (Firm
should be in existence in India for at least three
years)
2. Will the SI be able to quote for 100% of the
quantities?
COMPLIANCE
STATUS
(YES/NO)
DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF
COMPLIANCE STATUS
(a) Certificate of incorporation from Registrar of
companies having clearance from RBI wherever
applicable (Applicability to be specified by the SI).
(b) Articles and Memorandum of Association.
(c) Latest valid TIN, PAN and Excise & Sales Tax
Registration number.
(d) Details of the firm along with List of Directors
on the Board of the Company with their
address(es), contact telephone numbers, PIN etc.
(e) Documentary evidence for registration with
proof for Management and Control of Company
with Resident Indian Nationals in the form of Form
32 pursuant to sections 303(2), 264(2) or
266(1)(a) and 266(1)(b)(iii) of Company Act 1956.
The Management and Control with Resident
Indian Nationals implies majority of Board of
Directors of the Company should comprise
individuals who are:-
(i) Indian citizens as per the Indian Citizenship
Act 1955.
(ii) Resident Indian Nationals as per Indian
Income Tax Act 1961, Section 6.
Certificate from the Firm
DOCUMENTS
SUBMITTED
(YES/NO)
REFERENCE
FROM THE
DOCUMENTS
SUBMITTED BY
FIRM

SER
NO
CRITERIA
3. Will there be an agreement between SIs and
IP/MPLS and software application OEMs to
ensure traceability and accountability with respect
to entire scope of this project from hardware,
software and services perspective on project life
cycle basis.
4. What are the details of backend arrangement for
third party solution providers?
5. The Firm should not be blacklisted or involved in
corrupt and fraudulent practices with any
central/state government ministries / affiliates or
PSUs for telecom related projects in India during
last three years.
COMPLIANCE
STATUS
(YES/NO)
DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF
COMPLIANCE STATUS
Agreement between SI and various OEMs
Copies of relevant backend agreements
Company Secretary certified documents to this
effect.
Note: In case the bidder is a subsidiary of a parent company the clauses mentioned above are applicable only to the subsidiary.
(b) IP-MPLS/ Software OEMs
1. Is the Firm an Indian registered company under
Company Act 1956? (Firm should be in existence
in India for at least three years)?
2. The Firm should not be blacklisted or involved in
corrupt and fraudulent practices with any
central/state government ministries / affiliates or
PSUs for telecom related projects in India during
last three years.
(a) Certificate of incorporation from Registrar of
companies having clearance from RBI wherever
applicable (Applicability to be specified by the
OEMs).
(b) Articles and Memorandum of Association.
(c) Latest valid TIN, PAN and Excise & Sales Tax
Registration number.
(d) Details of the firm along with List of Directors on
the Board of the Company with their address(es),
contact telephone numbers, PIN etc.
(e) Documentary evidence for registration with proof
for Management and Control of Company
Company Secretary certified documents to this
effect.
DOCUMENTS
SUBMITTED
(YES/NO)
REFERENCE
FROM THE
DOCUMENTS
SUBMITTED BY
FIRM

SER
NO
III. FINANCIAL CRITERIA
(a) SI
CRITERIA
1. Is the Firm profit-making for each of the last three
years and have Cumulative turnover (last three
fiscal years) of at least Rs 1500 Cr?
2. Is the firm capable of undertaking a Pan India
project of national importance?
(b) IP-MPLS/ Software OEMs
1. Is the Firm profit-making for each of the last three
years?
IV. TECHNICAL CRITERIA
(a) SI
1. The SI must have strong System Integration and
Project Management (SIPM) portfolio for delivery
of required services
2. Is the Firm an ISO 9001:2000 or equivalent
certified for Quality management standards?
3. Does the Firm have ISO 27000:2005 or equivalent
certification for Information Security Management
System in case custom software is being
developed by the Firm?
4. Does the Firm have certification for ISO 20000/BS
15000 or equivalent for Information Technology
Service Management?
COMPLIANCE
STATUS
(YES/NO)
DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF
COMPLIANCE STATUS
Documentary proofs including audited and
certified financial reports (including Balance sheet,
P & L statement) are required to be submitted for
each of the financial years reporting turnover and
net profit.
Bankers Solvency Certificate for at least Rs 150
Cr.
Documentary proofs including audited and
certified financial reports (including Balance sheet,
P & L statement) are required to be submitted for
each of the financial years reporting turnover and
net profit.
Performance certificate from customers having a
similar Pan Indian Network.
Current and valid certificate
Current and valid certificate
Current and valid certificate
DOCUMENTS
SUBMITTED
(YES/NO)
REFERENCE
FROM THE
DOCUMENTS
SUBMITTED BY
FIRM

SER
NO
CRITERIA
5. The bidder shall provide list of names of main
technology partners, platforms and
hardware/software solutions proposed in the bid.
Can the Firm provide the proposed
implementation plan for the messaging
application?
6. Will the Firm provide an undertaking to share with
the user, the source codes of all exclusively
developed software / customizations done for the
project? This will, however, not include source
codes of standard COTS applications used by
the Firm. IPR of customized software would
belong to MoD.
7. Does the Firm guarantee to provide all software
patches/upgrades for a period of ten years.
8. Does the Firm confirm that there are no
infringements of any Patent rights and the transfer
of IPRs for the customized part of the software as
per the laws of the country?
9. Would you be able to provide source code for
implementation of Asymmetric key and Encryption
algorithms?
COMPLIANCE
STATUS
(YES/NO)
DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF
COMPLIANCE STATUS
(a) The proposed implementation plan to be
provided. The plan must cover following aspects:-
(i) Whether an existing messaging application
will be customized to meet user’s requirements
or it will be developed ab initio.
(ii) If proposed to be customized then the
COTS messaging applications likely to be
used must be listed.
(b) List of names of main technology partners,
platforms
proposed.
and hardware/software solutions
Commitment letter from Firm
Commitment letter from Firm
Commitment letter from Firm
Commitment letter from Firm
DOCUMENTS
SUBMITTED
(YES/NO)
REFERENCE
FROM THE
DOCUMENTS
SUBMITTED BY
FIRM

SER
NO
CRITERIA
10. The bidder should be able to support in situ
repairs at users’ premises and have support
centres in India.
(b) IP-MPLS/ Software OEMs
1. The quoted models are currently being offered
and should have been deployed in a live network.
2. Offered network equipments/Operating System
should be EAL certified on date of submission.
3. Is the Firm an ISO 9001:2000 or equivalent
certified for Quality management standards?
4. Does the Firm have ISO 27000:2005 or equivalent
certification for Information Security Management
System in case custom software is being
developed by the Firm?
5. Does the Firm have certification for ISO 20000/BS
15000 or equivalent for Information Technology
Service Management?
6. Will the customized application software be
developed by a Firm having adequate Capability
Maturity Model (CMM) certification?
COMPLIANCE
STATUS
(YES/NO)
DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF
COMPLIANCE STATUS
Details of support centes to be furnished
Certificate from the existing customer
Commitment letter from the firm
Current and valid certificate
Current and valid certificate
Current and valid certificate
Current and valid certificate of the Firm or
agreement with certified firm along with certificate
DOCUMENTS
SUBMITTED
(YES/NO)
REFERENCE
FROM THE
DOCUMENTS
SUBMITTED BY
FIRM

SER
NO
CRITERIA
V. CAPABILITY AND EXPERIENCE CRITERIA
(a) SI
1. Has the Firm successfully completed at least one
or more projects of such a large scale (including
supply, installation and integration of IT
equipments like Routers, High-end Servers,
Network Area storage, Switches etc.) as a System
Integrator in last five years?
2. The proposed system is to be integrated with
the existing networks of the Indian Army. The
proposed system should be open-standard
and fully integrable with the existing networks.
Does the Firm have experience in integration to
existing networks?
3. Is the Firm capable of providing maintenance
support for minimum of ten years? It will include
facilities and spares backup for on-site
maintenance support to include resident
engineer.
(b) IP-MPLS/ Software OEMs
1. The IP-MPLS OEM equipment offered should be
deployed in MPLS network in India with large No.
of nodes.
2. The OEM of main technology block for this project
must have supplied equipment
(Routers/switches/security systems) for such a
large scale network in the last ten years.
3. The OEMs should be able to support the system
for seven years after the warranty period.
COMPLIANCE
STATUS
(YES/NO)
DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF
COMPLIANCE STATUS
Details of such projects along with performance
certificate from the customer in this regard to
include maintenance aspects.
Firm shall produce performance certificate from
the customer in this regard. The performance
certificate/report should also provide broad details
of Network topology & equipment details.
Existing establishment in India for on-site
maintenance, technical support, repair and
training along with address and contact numbers.
Details of such networks with No of nodes and
Client reference certificate from existing
customers.
Undertaking to be provided by the OEM.
A letter from OEM signed by authorized signatory
(who is legally competent to sign the agreement
on behalf of the OEM) to be enclosed.
DOCUMENTS
SUBMITTED
(YES/NO)
REFERENCE
FROM THE
DOCUMENTS
SUBMITTED BY
FIRM
Note: Criteria mentioned above are broad criteria for selection of vendors. Responses to the RFI will form basis for short listing vendors for participating in
the project. Conditional/partial compliance may not be sole criteria for rejection.

1. Name of the Vendor/Company/Firm.
INFORMATION PROFORMA
(INDIAN VENDORS)
Appendix ‘C’
(Refers to Para 9 of RFI for
AWAN-II)
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(Company profile, in brief, to be attached)
2. Type (Tick the relevant category).
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Yes/No
Authorised Vendor of foreign Firm Yes/No (attach details, if yes)
Others (give specific details) __________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3. Contact Details.
Postal Address:
______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
City : ______________________ State : ______________________________
Pin Code : ___________________ Tele : ____________________________
Fax : _______________________URL/Web Site: ______________________
4. Local Branch/Liaison Office in Delhi (if any).
Name & Address: ___________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Pin code : ______________ Tel : ______________ Fax : __________________
5. Financial Details.
(a) Category of Industry (Large/medium/small Scale) :____________________
(b) Annual turnover: _______________________ (in INR)
(c) Number of employees in firm: _________________________________
(d) Details of manufacturing infrastructure : _____________________________

__________________________________________________________________
(e) Earlier contracts with Indian Ministry of Defence/Government agencies :
Contract Number Equipment Quantity Cost
6. Certification by Quality Assurance Organisation.
Name of Agency Certification Applicable from
(date & Year)
7. Details of Registration.
Agency
DGS&D
DGQA/DGAQA
OFB
DRDO
Any other Government
Agency
Valid till
(date & year)
Registration No Validity (Date) Equipment
8. Membership of FICCI/ASSOCHAM/CII or other Industrial Associations.
Name of Organistion Membership Number
9. Equipment/Product Profile (to be submitted for each product separately)
(a) Name of Product : ____________________________________________
(Should be given category wise for e.g. all products under night vision devices to be
mentioned together)
(b) Description (attach technical literature): _____________________________
__________________________________________________________________
(c) Whether OEM or Integrator : __________________________________
(d) Name and address of Foreign collaborator (if any):_____________________
(e) Industrial License Number: ____________________________________

(f) Indigenous component of the product (in percentage): __________________
(g) Status (in service /design & development stage): ______________________
__________________________________________________________________
(h) Production capacity per annum: ___________________________________
(j) Countries/agencies where equipment supplied earlier (give details of quantity
supplied): __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________.
10. Any other relevant information: ____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________