This is a Request for Information (RFI). The purpose of this RFI is to obtain feedback from the IETF community on the Statement of Work (SOW), identify potential suppliers and developers for an IETF IETF Email List Archiving, Web-based Browsing and Search Tool, and to seek comments on the (SOW) from such suppliers/developers to inform the preparation of a possible RFP. We seek information on how to improve the IETF email list archiving and searching systems. The IETF makes heavy use of email lists to conduct its work. Participants frequently need to search the archives of these lists, and have asked for improved search capabilities, particularly when the search needs to cover a large period of time, or cross several lists. The current tools for performing these searches require several manually coordinated steps, which are error prone. More advanced search capabilities have been constructed for a limited subset of the available lists and are exposed in the "Email Archives Quick Search" section of the main IETF website. While these tools are of great assistance, there is still significant need for improvement. The current archive mechanism could also be made more efficient. The RFI can be found at: <http://iaoc.ietf.org/rfpsrfis.html> The Statement of Work can be found at: <http://tools.ietf.org/html/draft-sparks-genarea-mailarch-05> Expressions of interest from potential bidders and all SOW comments are due by 16 April 2012 and should be submitted to mailarch@ietf-bids.org. See the RFI for more details. Questions about this RFI can be addressed to mailarch@ietf-bids.org by 19 March 2012. All questions and answers will be posted on the website at http://iaoc.ietf.org/rfpsrfis.html. The identity of the question's originator will not be disclosed. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary and may be used in the development of the RFP. Ray Pelletier IETF Administrative Director
