Treasury casts for messaging net

Treasury RFI

The Treasury Department is looking for the latest technology for voice and electronic messaging systems to handle a network with more than 90,000 mailboxes.

In two requests for information (RFI) posted April 3, the agency said it wants to develop nationwide systems, services and support for its existing nationwide voice messaging system as well as for a unified e-mail system.

"We are looking for what the new technologies are," said Robert Bannerman, a contracting officer for Treasury.

Responses to the RFIs are due April 22, according to Bannerman. And while it is too early to say just how much new systems could cost, Bannerman said the department is looking for the best ideas industry has to offer.

"Treasury encourages approaches that speak to creativity in architecture, suggested migration paths, and operational support," the RFI said.

Nevertheless, the RFI said Treasury is looking for available unified messaging systems for large enterprises and using the current voice mail and e-mail environment as a starting point for a unified system. It also wants:

* E-mail, voice and fax messaging services from a single mailbox as well as video messaging.

* The ability to interact via cell phones, pagers, personal digital assistants, networked personal computers and wireless telephones.

* A single user mailbox to handle all messaging functions.

* Tight security. The system must be segregated from public access.