 | Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Issue 833 | | Will Smith, Editor |  |
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Editor's Note: Today's top story is a request for proposals (RFP) just issued by the US Army to supply more than 8,000 fixed position and handheld RFID readers, 53,000 tags, 600 printer/encoders, 3,800 software licenses, plus personnel, services, and maintenance during the next three years.
Research firm IDTechEx has released a report on the market for NFC mobile phones and contactless smart cards. The firm predicts that the number of RFID-enabled phones sold annually will grow from 134 million this year to 860 million ten years from now.
Lastly, Bibliotheca, which provides RFID solutions for libraries, has named Lamar Jackson as CEO of its recently-established US subsidiary. Meanwhile, battery-assisted, passive RFID technology provider PowerID has opened a European office in The Netherlands, outside Amsterdam. Fred de Haas has been appointed the company's director of sales for Europe. |
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| RFID Tags & Labels | | - Confidence in RFID - Confidex tags and tickets (site) | | | RTLS & Active RFID | | 
Sponsored by Ekahau | |
| | - Locate it now. How? Ekahau. That's how! (site) | | | Products & Services | | - PCB Tracking & Visibility Solution from Omnitrol Networks (site) | | - Employees steal over $1 billion per week from employers (site) | | | Upcoming Events | | - AWA PABS08 N. America Conference, Sept 11-12, Chicago, IL (site) | | - AWA PABS08 Asia Conference, Dec 4-5 - Hong Kong, China (site) | | - European Supply Chain & Logistics, 13-15 May, Germany (site) | | - SCAN & RFID CHINA 2008, June 19-21, Guangzhou, China (site) | | | Employment | | - RFID Recruiters - 100% Focused on RFID Recruiting (site) | | | Research & Whitepapers | | - RFID Marketing Strategies Report (site) | |
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US Army Issues RFP for Large RFID Purchase
By John Burnell
Last week the US Army issued a request for proposals (RFP) to provide passive Gen2 RFID equipment potentially worth millions of dollars during the next six years. The RFID acquisition is a new program that does not replace an expiring contract or extend an existing one, Nonya Nichols, the army's point of contact for the acquisition, told RFID Update.
The program represents a major new investment in passive RFID. In just the next three years, the Army expects to purchase 5,894 fixed-position readers, 2,199 handheld readers, 646 printer/encoders, 53,642 general-purpose tags, and 3,803 software licenses under the contracts awarded, according to background documents available with the RFP. The contracts awarded will run for three years and include three additional one-year options.
Documentation included with the RFP says RFID equipment will be used throughout the world by the US Army, Coast Guard, Department of Defense, and other federal agencies, plus NATO and some foreign militaries. An overview of the RFP is on the Federal Business Opportunities website.
The Army expects to award up to five contracts to obtain the items specified, including up to three for businesses of less than 1,000 employees. Businesses have until July 30, 2008, to submit proposals. As of May 5th, 18 different organizations were listed on the RFP's Interested Vendors List. The Army may ask for oral presentations to supplement proposals, which would begin August 30. There is no deadline for the Army to award the contracts, and Nichols said there is no way to predict when the process will be completed.
The current RFP was issued May 2. Another version was issued earlier in the year, then canceled on April 18 because the Army changed its RFID requirements. One of the changes required multiprotocol fixed-position and handheld readers that can be easily switched to conform with different regional RF transmission regulations. Other changes required printer/encoders to be able to support additional frequencies (862-870 MHz and 950-956 MHz) within a year of the contract being awarded, and for handheld readers to be certified as non-incendive for use in potentially hazardous environments.
The 48-page Specification of Work that is included with the RFP materials summarizes the scope of Army RFID activity and lists possible applications for the RFID equipment and software specified in the RFP. The following application list is taken directly from the Specification of Work:- Inventory and warehousing environments;
- Supply chain tracking;
- Large open-area storage facilities (austere marshaling areas, and staging and assembly areas), with or without electrical power or an established communications infrastructure;
- The control of maintenance, repair, and tracking facilities;
- The control of entry and exit points of military facilities, and roadside installations;
- Restricted office and laboratory environments;
- The control of transactions at custody exchange points (for example, weapons issue facilities);
- The military transportation community (for example, seaports and air terminals), and petroleum distribution points (including fueling operations at airports, in-flight, and at sea);
- The handling of hazardous, explosive, or otherwise regulated materials; and
- The control of military convoys.
The document also includes technical specifications for RFID hardware and software, and describes the services, personnel, and maintenance contracts called for in the RFP. Specifications require relevant hardware and software to support the EPCglobal Class 1 Gen2 standard, but also call for suppliers to provide Class 2 Gen2 products as the technology becomes available. Class 2 is a next-generation standard in development that provides additional memory and security features.
The RFP is for an indefinite-order, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, which means there is no dollar value or amount of equipment to be purchased. Judging by the estimated year-by-year quantities listed in the RFP documentation, item quantities and contract values will be large. For perspective, Lowry Computer Products recently announced it won an $8.5 million contract from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to provide 1,800 RFID printer/encoders over five years (see DLA to Expand RFID Labeling with $8.5M Order). The Army's RFP calls for about a third as many printer/encoders, but also for more than four times as many readers, plus software, services, maintenance, and personnel. The technology and services called for in the new RFP are also separate from those covered by existing contracts for active RFID technology (see DoD Awards Unisys Multimillion Dollar RFID Contract).
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| RFID Tags & Labels | Confidence in RFID - Confidex tags and tickets
The challenges of various industries lead Confidex to develop a comprehensive offering of special tags and labels. Confidex tags are used in a variety of applications ranging from tracking items in the retail supply chain to automotive manufacturing and petrochemical installations. Confidex designs and manufactures contactless tickets for public transport. Visit www.confidex.fi | | | RTLS & Active RFID | Locate it now. How? Ekahau. That's how!
Ekahau RTLS (Real-Time Location System) automatically tracks assets and people via your existing Wi-Fi network. Control costs and improve asset management with Ekahau. For more information, visit us at www.ekahau.com. | | | Products & Services | PCB Tracking & Visibility Solution from Omnitrol Networks
Off-the-shelf solution provides automated real-time visibility and complete electronic pedigree for traceability on parts and WIP providing real-time dashboards, alerts and reports for shop-floor management. The pedigree information is automatically programmed into Texas Instruments' RFID tag for access to critical data without the need for connection to a back-end database. Learn more. | Employees steal over $1 billion per week from employers
the American Management Association reports. 95% of businesses are victimized by employee theft. Managers are reluctant to ask questions, because trusted employees may feel offended, leaving business owners in a difficult situation. What can you do? Nox: Intelligent Perimeter Defense from Simply RFID provides advanced security and protection for business assets. | | | Upcoming Events | AWA PABS08 N. America Conference, Sept 11-12, Chicago, IL
AWA is organizing the Product Authentication & Brand Security Conference 2008 on September 11-12 in Chicago, IL. The event includes presentations and panel discussions with brand owners, legal authorities, associations, converters and suppliers; also networking sessions, a supplier forum, a social program and more. Find more on the program here. | AWA PABS08 Asia Conference, Dec 4-5 - Hong Kong, China
AWA presents the Asian Product Authentication & Brand Security Conference 2008, to be held on 4 & 5 December in Hong Kong, China. PABS08 Asia focuses on the threats specific to the Asia Pacific region, various elements of IP Theft, and leading-edge solutions. Find more on the program here. | European Supply Chain & Logistics, 13-15 May, Germany
Bringing together Europe's leading providers of supply chain management to evaluate best practices and to move the supply chain agenda into the boardroom. Also, featuring the AMR Research Strategy Session: What makes a supply chain world class in today's global market? More information here: www.supplychain.eu.com | SCAN & RFID CHINA 2008, June 19-21, Guangzhou, China
As one of the earliest, most specialized and authoritative exhibitions in China, approved and supported directly from State Ministry, the 8th SCAN & RFID CHINA 2008 will present you the impressive up-dated development and market of RFID technology in rising China. To know more, please go to www.scan-china.com. | | | Employment | RFID Recruiters - 100% Focused on RFID Recruiting
Whether your company is looking for the best RFID talent or you have the best RFID talent and are looking for the best RFID employer, RFID Recruiters offers the most focused approach to your objective. To learn how the RFID industry and the RFID job market are evolving, visit www.rfidrecruiters.com | | | Research & Whitepapers | RFID Marketing Strategies Report
Thirty-nine pages of original research on RFID audience perceptions, including 30+ figures of tactics, content & messaging, and recommendations to guide marketing strategy. Also, Top-10 RFID company rankings based on 550+ survey respondents. View the executive summary free, with Top-3 sample rankings. Only $495 Individual License or $795 Corporate License. Available now |
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