Appendix C - Management Plans
Sprint FTS2001 Emergency Management Plan (L.38.2.1.10.1)
The offeror shall provide with its proposal plans describing how its architecture, technical capabilities, and organization capabilities shall protect its services during emergency situations, as described in Section C.5.8. The plan shall include examples of how these resources will be brought to bear during an emergency.
The continuance of telecommunications services to the Federal Government during disasters or national emergencies is essential to the security of the United States. As a provider of FTS2001 and other leased services to the Government, Sprint's nationwide network is a vital part of the nation's telecommunications infrastructure. Sprint recognizes the importance of telecommunications to the nation and is committed to maintaining an integrated response capability that will ensure continuance of service and rapid restoration of the network following damage or outages.
The key to the management of communications emergencies is a flexible and robust network with comprehensive and well coordinated plans and procedures, and a management team with the necessary expertise and full authority to commit Sprint resources as required. The Sprint FTS2001 Emergency Management Plan is consistent with existing emergency plans and procedures for the backbone Sprint network.
1.0Purpose
The purpose of the Sprint FTS2001 Emergency Management Plan is to provide guidance and procedures to be followed in time of crisis or emergency affecting the network. It also serves as a planning document for the General Services Administration, the National Communications System and other Government and non-Government organizations with responsibilities for continuity and restoration of critical Government telecommunications services following a disaster or emergency.
2.0Scope
The plan covers emergency management procedures for maintaining the integrity and continuity of FTS2001 network services following system damage or outages, and for responding to emergencies ranging from natural disasters localized to a small geographic area, to a full national emergency causing widespread damage.
It also covers policy and procedures for ensuring continuity of FTS2001 services in emergencies and establishes an Emergency Management Team (EMT) to coordinate Sprint and the Federal Government response to emergencies that might impact the provision of services. It provides for all contingencies that might require the relocation of Sprint management personnel from the FTS2001 Program Office (PO) and Government personnel from the Program Management Office (PMO) to a predesignated Sprint facility that exercises network management and control.
X This plan describes Sprint’s in-place emergency management organization, and the methods and systems used to manage the network under emergency conditions.
3.0Responsibility
Responsibility for implementing this plan is assigned to all organizational elements of the Sprint Network Organization which provide services, facilities and support to FTS2001. This includes Operations, Service Provisioning, Field Operations, Engineering, Strategic, and Fundamental Planning organizations.
Sprint’s Government Systems Division will coordinate all emergency management planning for National Security/Emergency Preparedness functions for the Sprint FTS2001 Network services. The Sprint FTS2001 Manager, Program Managers at the PO in Herndon, Virginia is the designated Classified Liaison with the General Services Administration. This FTS2001 Manager is responsible for interfacing with the user regarding requirements or operational problems that are classified, particularly in a crisis or emergency situation.
4.0Related Documents
4.1Sprint FTS2001 NS/EP References
• Sprint FTS2001 National Security and Emergency Preparedness Plan
• Sprint FTS2001 Proposal Response
4.2Other Sprint Documents
• Sprint Network Practice (SNP), Sprint Network Disaster Preparedness Procedure
4.3Other Reference Documents
• GSA RFP for FTS2001 Services
• National Communications System NCC Policies and Procedures Manual
5.0Definitions
National Emergency – Any federally declared circumstance having, or causing, national security implications and having a potential impact on all or part of the telecommunications network. Examples include, but are not limited to: potential sabotage, refugee incidents, political unrest, attempted assassination, etc.
Emergency Preparedness – The ability to maintain the national telecommunications network under conditions ranging from natural and man-made disasters to local disasters and emergencies.
National Security/Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) – A category of telecommunications policies and procedures that exist to ensure critical Government and industry needs are met when an actual or potential emergency threatens the security or socioeconomic structure of the United States.
National Disaster – An emergency, declared as such by the Federal Government with an actual or potential need for industry reaction. Examples include earthquake, tornadoes, volcanic eruption, fires, nuclear accidents, or severe storms covering a large geographic area and inflicting heavy damage and/or casualties.
Data Processing Disaster – In the context of the FTS2001 Emergency Management Plan, any interrupting event to the FTS2001 Data Center(s) that results in a decision to recover/ resume computer processing at an alternate processing site.
Critical Application Systems – These are application systems which, based upon impact, have the greatest potential for a negative influence on the FTS2001 user community and customers. Critical application systems will be given first processing preference in the FTS2001 recovery operation.
Essential Application Systems – These are data processing application systems which may be essential to FTS2001 operations, but are more suited to manual monitoring and have less impact on the FTS2001 user community. Essential application systems may be delayed until critical application systems are operational and current.
Deferred Application Systems – This group of data processing application systems will be recovered only after all critical and essential application systems are operational and current, and then only if processing capacity permits. This group of application systems represents the least impact on the FTS2001 user community.
6.0Plan Administration
6.1Plan Approval
This plan has been approved for issuance by the Vice President and General Manager of Sprint’s Government Services Division.
6.2Issue/Reissue
The Sprint Government Systems Division's FTS2001 Assistant Vice President (AVP) is the originator of this plan and is responsible for future revisions. Revisions will be coordinated with Network Planning, Engineering, Operations and Network Provisioning.
This plan will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis. Comments and recommendations for changes should be submitted to the FTS2001 AVP, at the Sprint FTS2001 PO, who has responsibility for coordinating all revisions.
7.0NS/EP Organizations and Relationships
7.1NS/EP Emergency Operations Organization
Federal agencies and telecommunications industry organizations involved in National Security/Emergency Preparedness telecommunications matters are shown in Figure 1 along with their relationships with Sprint and GSA organizational elements that have overall responsibility for the delivery of FTS2001 services.
X
X
7.2Authority/Responsibilities
An understanding of the authority and responsibilities of Government and industry entities involved in the management of telecommunications during emergencies is important in planning for contingencies. A brief description of each organization is shown in the paragraphs below.
7.2.1National Communications System (NCS)
The assignment of National Security/Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) functions to the National Communications System (NCS) as the Executive Agent was directed in Executive Order 12472 of April 3, 1984. Its purpose was to provide for the consolidation of assignment and responsibility for improved execution of national security and emergency preparedness functions.
The mission of the NCS is to:
• Assist the President, the National Security Council, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and the Director of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the exercise of the telecommunications functions and responsibilities set for in Section 2 of EO. 12472.
• Coordinate the planning for and provision of national security emergency preparedness communications for the Federal Government under all circumstances, including crisis or emergency, attack, recovery and reconstitution.
The coordination and provision of NS/EP functions is exercised through the National Coordinating Center (NCC) which is collocated with the Defense Information Systems Agency Operations Center (DISAOC) in Arlington, Virginia. It is staffed by Government and industry resident representatives. Sprint is represented at the NCC.
7.2.2National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC)
The National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC) was established subsequent to the 1982 Modification of Final Judgement (MFJ) which resulted in the divestiture of the Bell Operating Companies. Executive Order 12382 established the NTSAC under an appointed Chairman from industry with Presidents and CEOs of major telecommunications companies as members. NSTAC under its charter is charged with providing advice and specific proposals to the President on telecommunications matters which are related to national security. Sprint has been involved with NSTAC and its subordinate committees since its inception and has participated fully in the development of all policies and procedures concerning NS/EP matters.
One of the first initiatives of the NSTAC was a recommendation which led to the establishment of an industry/Government National Coordinating Center. The purpose of the NCC is to coordinate the telecommunication industry response to Government requirements for restoration and provisioning of critical NS/EP telecommunications services.
7.2.3National Coordinating Center (NCC)
The NCC is a joint industry-Government operation that brings together representatives of the US telecommunications industry and Federal Government agencies that have responsibilities for planning, coordinating and executing NS/EP service initiation and restoration requirements. The NCC was officially established on January 3, 1984 following recommendation of the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC) for a national coordination mechanism. Industry representation in the NCC includes all major telecommunications industry entities, including Sprint. The NCC operates under the auspices of the Managers National Communications System (NCS), the Executive Agent for implementing and coordinating national security telecommunications policy for Government and commercial networks.
The primary site for the NCC is the National Communications System (NCS)/Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) facility at 8th Street and South Courthouse Road in Arlington, Virginia. The NCC is normally manned only during daytime working hours, but Government and industry representatives are available on standby and can be recalled to respond to emergencies requiring NS/EP service and restoration activities outside normal duty hours.
The primary focus of the NCC is the NS/EP telecommunications service requirements of the Federal Government, but the NCC also monitors the status of all essential telecommunications facilities, including public switched networks. The NCC has the responsibility and capability to support responses to a broad spectrum of emergency and crisis situations. The extent of the NCC authority is governed by the nature of the emergency and its charter mandates as follows:
a.Section 706 of the Communications Act of 1934
b.Public Law 93-288, 42 U.S.C. 5121, the “Disaster Relief Act” (Presidentially declared emergencies)
c.DISA Circular 310-130-1, Chapter II, Paragraph 2 (emergencies or crisis short of Presidential declaration)
The NCC operates in a directive role for NS/EP requirements only after invocation of Section 706 of the Communications Act. In all other situations, the NCC consults with industry representatives and coordinates responses to requirements. The NCC becomes actively involved only when one or more of the following occurs:
• Industry representatives request NCC assistance or coordination in NS/EP matters.
• A Government agency or organization declares that existing procedures will not result in sufficient NS/EP service.
• NS/EP service and support requirements involve coordination across geographic, company or organizational lines which require NCC involvement.
The NCC performs the following functions in support of NS/EP telecommunications service requirements:
• Technical analysis/damage assessment of service disruptions and identification of restoration actions.
• Coordinates/directs prompt restoration of telecommunications services in support of NS/EP.
• Develops and exercises comprehensive service restoration plans.
• Maintains “watch center” to work through cooperating industry operation centers to monitor status of essential telecommunications facilities.
• Maintains access to inventory of minimum essential equipment, personnel, and other resources available for restoration operations, including location and capabilities of all industry network operations centers (NOCs).
• Identifies liaison points in each company.
• Maintains ability to rapidly transfer operations from normal to emergency operations.
• Coordinates/directs and expedites the initiation of NS/EP telecommunications services.
• Assists with development of technical standards and national network planning to facilitate NS/EP.
• Coordinates/directs network reconfiguration plans in support of NS/EP needs.
7.2.4Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA is the Federal Agency that has authority and responsibility to direct and coordinate all federal response following a declared disaster. FEMA is responsible, internally for:
• Planning for and providing, operating and maintaining telecommunications services and facilities, as part of its National Emergency Management System, adequate to support its assigned emergency management responsibilities.
• Advising and assisting State and local Governments and volunteer organizations, upon request, and to the extent consistent with law, developing plans and procedures for identifying and satisfying their national security or emergency preparedness telecommunications requirements.
After a federally declared disaster, FEMA provides overall coordination and direction of federal recovery actions. In the event of a Presidentially declared emergency or disaster, a Federal Coordinating Officer is appointed in the distressed region to assess the types of relief most urgently required and to coordinate with federal/military agencies, state, local and private relief organizations.
The NCS provides telecommunications policy and planning assistance to FEMA and coordinates communications support to the 10 FEMA regional offices. FEMA coordinates with the NCS through the General Services Administration (GSA) Regional Emergency Communications Coordinator (RECC).
7.2.5Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO)
The DITCO is the agency within the Department of Defense responsible for centralized procurement of communications services. It is also the operating agent for joint wide area leased voice/data networks such as the Defense Switched Network (DSN), and the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN). The DITCO is the sole authority within the Department of Defense for coordinating the restoration, reconstitution, or reconfiguration of systems or networks with commercial carriers.
7.2.6Defense Information Systems (DISA)
DISA monitors and controls DoD network operations through the DITCO Operations Center (DISAOC) at its headquarters facility in Arlington, Virginia. The DISAOC also supports the operation of the NCS Network Coordinating Center which is collocated at the Arlington site.
The NCS/DISAOC is connected via direct communications links to operations
centers of other agencies with emergency NS/EP management responsibilities. This includes the FEMA Emergency Information and Coordination Center (EICC) as well as industry emergency operations centers.
7.2.7General Services Administration (GSA)
GSA has statutory authority giving it broad powers to provide telecommunications
services to the federal Government. As the executive agent for FTS2001 and a major provider of telecommunications services to federal agencies, it is represented at the NCS National Coordinating Center. GSA operated networks are an integral part of the National Communications System.
The GSA FTS2001 Program Management Office is the single point of coordination with the Sprint organization on matters concerning NS/EP planning for FTS2001.
7.2.8FTS2001 Program Office (PO)
The PO is an office within the FTS organization responsible for management and contract oversight of telecommunications programs.
The PO does not function as an FTS2001 network operations center. Its role is to provide direction to Sprint as prescribed in the contract for services and to monitor and verify performance. Access to Sprint FTS2001 administrative and monitoring systems for administrative, service provisioning, customer database and operational network status is available in the PO as prescribed in the proposal.
Sprint is responsible for network operations at all times; however, the PO will be provided information on Sprint network operations X. The PO has access to network status information through the X, a near real time system.
X
This capability gives the PO information upon which priority decisions can be made for restoration of FTS2001 services during emergencies.
In addition to its role in monitoring system performance, the PO will provide guidance on priorities for FTS2001 service restoration during emergencies to Sprint through the Customer Service Office.
7.2.9FTS2001 Customer Service Office (CSO)
The CSO is the focal point within Sprint for the implementation and continuing provision of services of FTS2001. The CSO organization ensures delivery of quality telecommunications service to the Government and full compliance with all performance and NS/EP requirements of the FTS2001 contract.
The CSO is a service management organization with access to network status and monitoring systems as described in the previous section for the PMO. The CSO has a fully functional X that permits it to monitor the performance of the X dedicated to FTS2001 service.
The CSO contains a network management function with full authority to intervene with the Sprint X in the event of network problems which affect FTS2001 services. The X continuously surveils the network for service threatening conditions or catastrophic equipment failures, X supports national service restoration activities.
The CSO also has direct lines of communication and access to Sprint network management and operations control facilities.X
An Emergency Management Team (EMT), with representatives from Sprint, General Services Administration and their supporting technical and management services contractor, will be established to facilitate coordination during those emergencies which require special focus and management attention. The EMT is described in Section 10.1 of this Emergency Management Plan.
8.0Sprint Shared Network Concept
X
9.0The Sprint network gives priority treatment to FTS2001 switched traffic and assures continued service during emergencies.
X when it is necessary, will invoke Protective Network Management Controls to preserve the integrity of the overall network.
9.0Sprint Network Management and Control
The Sprint approach for this important function uses X
Figure 2 shows the Sprint network control centers that support FTS2001. Figure 3 depicts the Sprint network management and control systems, and interfaces with administrative support systems.