The NMP 2113 EQoL Internet Rollout project aims to upgrade the current Quality of Life (QoL) systems with an Enhanced Quality of Life (EQoL) capability across the entire Navy fleet, harnessing the power of the Starlink network to offer internet access at sea. This capability is designed to provide enhanced ship-to-shore connectivity for personnel at sea, transforming their ability to maintain contact with their families, community, and administrative resources while deployed. The project, which is expected to be completed within a two-year timeframe, involves the acquisition, integration, and installation of new hardware, software, and network infrastructure. The EQoL services will be activated on a gradual basis as each vessel is installed.

Rough Order of Magnitude pricing

The CoA is seeking ROM cost information on Starlink plans and hardware. Please note that ROM pricing does not constitute an offer capable of acceptance by the CoA. The CoA will use the ROM costing to inform the budget and procurement strategy. Suppliers will not be down selected based on their response to this RFI.

System Management

CoA seek to understand how users can create, modify, enable excess data, pause and cancel services as required. It is desirable to have minimum industry access to the system for security. The CoA seek to understand how security of information will be maintained and what assurances can be given. CoA also seek a method for ship staff to have knowledge of how much data has been consumed in near real-time.

Support

The CoA requests information on how Starlink network issues will be identified/reported. CoA is seeking direct access to the Starlink ticketing system for support. CoA is not pursuing a 24/7 monitored service.

Contracting Model

The CoA is investigating a cost plus model. This would remove risk of price increase to resellers, and offers CoA the lowest base cost. The CoA seeks to understand from industry what contract models can drive down cost.

Content Delivery Systems

The CoA is seeking information about solutions that can provide Content Delivery over Starlink (Netflix, Foxtel, ect.). Ideally this can operate without persistent connection utilising locally stored content or cached content. CoA is seeking options for Media broadcast or in-port upload.

Additional Satellite Constellations

The CoA seeks information on what alternative competing networks are available to suppliers. This may include differences in price and throughput.

Value Add Propositions

The CoA is seeking information on value add propositions that augments the Starlink service to provide additional value, including:

• Layer 2 Solutions
• Pooled Data plans/ Consumption Management
• SD-WAN
• Performance Monitoring

The users and their needs

The CoA currently use two, Flat High Performance Kits per vessel on 5TB Maritime plans. To achieve cost efficiency the CoA is upgrading and downgrading and pausing plans based on vessel activity.

Response format

• References
• Relevant case study
• Presentation
• Other

Key dates/ milestones: The CoA is currently seeking information to inform the system design and administration. Based on information received, the CoA will seek a RFQ in Q4 2024.