RFC Editor Services Procurement Process

The Internet Architecture Board (IAB) is restructuring the RFC Editor in a new model with four functions:
  1. RFC Series Editor
  2. Independent Submission Editor
  3. RFC Production Center
  4. RFC Publisher

It is expected that these positions will be filled by October 2009 and begin in January 2010.

This page contains information about the model, the positions and the process leading to the filling of the positions.

Contents:

1. Model Description
2. Position Descriptions; Statements of Work
3. Process Summary
4. Timeline
5. Announcements
6. RFPs
7. Bidders Conference
8. Call for Nominations for RFC Series Editor
9. Call for Nominations for Independent Submissions Editor
10. Official Questions and Answers
11. Contracts Awarded
12. Call for Nominations for Transitional RFC Series Editor in TOC
13. Nevil Brownlee Appointed as Independent Submissions Editor
14. Glenn Kowack Appointed Transitional RFC Series Editor
15. Glenn Kowack now formally RFC Series Editor (RSE)

1. Model Description

draft-iab-rfc-editor-model-07

The RFC Editor performs a number of functions that may be carried out by various persons or entities. The RFC Editor model
presented in this document divides the responsibilities for the RFC Series into four functions: The RFC Series Editor, the
Independent Submission Editor, RFC Production Center, and the RFC Publisher. It also introduces the RFC Series Advicory group
and an (optional) Independent Stream Editorial Board. The model outlined here is intended to increase flexibility and operational
support options, provide for the orderly succession of the RFC Editor, and ensure the continuity of the RFC series, while maintaining
RFC quality, maintaining timely processing, ensuring document accessibility, reducing costs, and increasing cost transparency.

2. Position Descriptions; Statements of Work

  1. RFC Series Editor rtf pdf doc
  2. Independent Submission Editor rtf pdf doc
  3. RFC Production Center pdf doc
  4. RFC Publisher pdf doc
  5. Transitional RFC Series Editor rtf pdf doc

Note that the model, draft-iab-rfc-editor-model-07, is subject to change.
Accordingly, the position descriptions and SOWS are subject to those changes.

3. Process Summary

The IAB is issuing a call for nominations in June to the Internet Community to fill the RFC Series
Editor and Independent Submission Editor positions. The nominations will be reviewed by a group selected
by the IAB, and after obtaining community input on the nominees, the group will make recommendations to
the IAB for these positions. The IAB will make the final selection in September.

The IAOC will be issuing an RFP in May for the RFC Production Center.
An IAOC appointed subcommittee will review the proposals, conduct interviews and testing, and make a
recommendation to the IAOC. The IAOC will select one vendor with which to negotiate a contract. It is
expected that a contract will be in place in September.

The IAOC will first try to negotiate an agreement with the Secretariat contractor to provide RFC Publisher services.
Should that not be successful the IAOC will issue an RFP.

4. Timeline

  1. RFC Series Editor and Independent Submissions Editor
  2. 8 Jun - IAB calls for nominations for ISE and RSE positions

    8 Jul - Nominations closed

    13 Jul - Nominees announced; community input solicited

    23 Jul - Communty input ends

    26 Jul - 14 Aug IAB appointed Advisory Committee conducts interviews

    18 Aug - Advisory Committee recommends individuals to IAB for ISE and RSE positions

    15 Sep - IAB

    1. Appoints ISE
    2. Appoints RSE subject to successful negotiations of agreement with IAOC

    15 Oct - Agreements executed

    15 Oct - Transition begins

    1 Jan - Appointments take effect

  3. RFC Production Center
  4. 22 May - IAOC issues RFP(s)

    3 Jun - Bidders conference at USC/ISI
    4676 Admiralty Way, Suite 1001
    Marina del Rey, CA 90292

    5 Jun - Question period closes

    12 Jun - RFC Series Selection Subcommittee responses to questions posted online

    19 Jun - Addenda to the RFP will not be issued after June 19, 2009

    29 Jun - RFP responses due

    29 Jun - 20 Jul - RFC Series Selection Subcommittee reviews, interviews, tests, checks references

    24 Jul - RFC Series Selection Subcommittee recommends vendor to IAOC

    29 Jul - IAOC selects vendor for negotiations

    17 Sep - IAOC awards contract

    15 Oct - Contract executed

    15 Oct - Transition begins

    1 Jan - Contract begins

  5. RFC Publisher
  6. 7 May - IAOC requests formal bid from AMS (Secretariat) for RFC Publisher services per SOW

    20 May - Secretariat bid deadline

    21 May - IAOC decides whether to RFP for the services or proceed with Sole Source agreement

IF SOLE SOURCE:
26 May - Negotiations begin with Secretariat
29 Jul - IAOC awards Publisher to Secretariat
24 Aug - Contract executed

IF RFP:
22 May - IAOC issues RFP
3 Jun - Bidders conference at ISI
5 Jun - Question period closes
12 Jun - RFC Series Selection Subcommittee responses to questions
29 Jun - RFP responses due
29 Jun - 20 Jul - RFC Series Selection Subcommittee reviews, interviews, tests, checks references
24 Jul - RFC Series Selection Subcommittee recommends vendor to IAOC
29 Jul - IAOC selects vendor for negotiations
17 Sep - IAOC awards contract
15 Oct - Contract executed
15 Oct - Transition begins
1 Jan - Contract begins

5. Announcements

6. RFPs

7. Bidders Conference

The RFC Editor Services Bidders Conference will be June 3, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM PT (UTC-7). The conference will permit those considering the positions of RFC Series Editor, Independent Submissions Editor, or bidding on the RFC Production Center RFP to appear and ask questions of the incumbent RFC Editor, the University of Southern California's Information Sciences Institute, which is not pursuing the opportunity.

Attendance at the Bidders Conference is optional. Attendance will not be used as part of the selection criteria for the position sought.

Presentations for the conference will be posted prior to the conference at: http://iaoc.ietf.org/rfced-procurement.html. See below for the agenda.

Those interested in listening to the conference can call:

Domestic - (866) 209-6438
International - (865) 297-1127
Participant code: 889324

Written questions received at rpelletier@isoc.org prior to June 3rd will be answered at the conference without divulging the source of the query. A reasonable attempt will be made to provide answers to questions raised during the conference prior to the conclusion of the conference.

If questions asked at the conference cannot be adequately answered during the discussion, answers will be provided online by June 12th. Oral answers provided at the conference may be updated or modified when published. The published answers are the official responses.

The deadline for the submission to rpelletier@isoc.org of any questions is June 5, 2009. Answers to those questions, together with the questions and answers from the Bidders Conference will be published online at http://iaoc.ietf.org no later than June 12, 2009.

UPDATE: The deadline for the submission to rpelletier@isoc.org of any questions is June 9, 2009. Answers to those questions, together with the questions and answers from the Bidders Conference will be published online at http://iaoc.ietf.org will be June 15, 2009.

8. Call for Nominations for RFC Series Editor

Nominations are due by July 8, 2009 and must be submitted to rse-nom@ietf.org

9. Call for Nominations for Independent Submissions Editor

Nominations are due by July 8, 2009 and must be submitted to rse-nom@ietf.org

10. Official Questions and Answers

11. Contracts Awarded

The RFC Production Center and RFC Publisher contracts were awarded to AMS. See Announcements.

12. Call for Nominations for Transitional RFC Series Editor in TOC

Nominations must be submitted to rse-nom@ietf.org

13. Nevil Brownlee Appointed as Independent Submissions Editor

14. Glenn Kowack Appointed as Transitional RFC Series Edior

15. Glenn Kowack now formally RFC Series Edior (RSE)