SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- Wide-Area Search Synthetic Aperture Radar (WASSAR) Seeker
- Notice Date
- 12/18/2001
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL - Eglin Research Site, 101 West Eglin Blvd Suite 337, Eglin AFB, FL, 32542-6810
- ZIP Code
- 32542-6810
- Solicitation Number
- -MNK-PRDA-02-0003
- Response Due
- 1/31/2002
- Archive Date
- 2/15/2002
- Point of Contact
- Vicki Keider, Conracting Officer, Phone (850)882-4294 ext. 3404, Fax (850)882-9599, - Dona Dowdy-Merchant, Contract Specialist, Phone 850-882-4294+X3408, Fax null,
- E-Mail Address
-
keider@eglin.af.mil, dona.dowdy-merchant%40eglin.af.mil
- Description
- A -- INTRODUCTION: This is a Program Research and Development Announcement (PRDA). The Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate, Advanced Guidance Division (AFRL/MNGS) is interested in receiving technical and cost proposals for development and demonstration of a Wide-Area Search Synthetic Aperture Radar (WASSAR) seeker for autonomous precision-guided munition applications. The overall WASSAR program objective is to design, develop, test and demonstrate a breadboard SAR seeker to investigate, and further develop the use of high-resolution SAR seeker technology for wide-area search munitions. Proposals in response to this PRDA must be received no later than 3:00 P.M. CST on 31 Jan 2002, addressed to Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Contracting Division, Bldg. 13, 101 W. Eglin Blvd., Suite 337, Eglin AFB FL 32542-6810, Attn.: Ms Dona Dowdy-Merchant (AFRL/MNK). Proposals submitted after the cut-off date specified herein shall be treated in accordance with FAR 52.215-1(c)(3), "Instructions to Offerors-Competitive Acquisition (May 2001)". Responders must reference the following number (MNK-PRDA-02-0003). Proposals submitted must be in accordance with this announcement. Since this is a PRDA, there will be no formal request for proposal or other solicitation regarding this announcement. Offerors should be alert to any PRDA amendments that may be published. The Government reserves the right to amend the due date to allow for subsequent submission-of-proposal dates. If a proposal is selected to satisfy the PRDA objectives as a result of the first submission, subsequent opportunities for proposal submission will not be available. Please be advised that this is the final PRDA. B-- REQUIREMENTS: (1) Background: Present-day Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors are capable of producing high-resolution imagery in adverse weather conditions, and are used heavily in surveillance and reconnaissance. New and faster processing techniques enable SAR sensors to produce high-resolution, wide field-of-view images at near real-time frame rates, and current radar hardware and supporting electronics can be compactly packaged making SAR sensors attractive for use in munitions seeker applications. Additionally, SAR sensors can be configured to process in a SAR mode and a Moving Target Indication (MTI) mode, which enables the same sensor to be used for acquiring and tracking stationary and moving mobile/re-locatable targets. New techniques also provide SAR sensors with the capability of acquiring and classifying moving targets. While past SAR seekers were employed against fixed, high-value targets for terminal weapon guidance, the future evolution of SAR seekers is geared toward searching wide areas, classifying mobile/re-locatable targets, and fitting on weapons that are less than six inches in diameter. Future SAR seekers will be used to search, acquire and classify stationary and moving mobile/re-locatable targets. This capability will require high resolution SAR as well as innovative signal processing techniques to complete the search and classification role. Additionally, the future SAR seekers are expected to result in reduced cost and improved performance relative to existing seeker systems and concepts. Reduced costs will be realized through the use of commercial off-the-shelf components and the use of previously developed hardware and software. Improved system performance will be realized through increased frame rates, wider area coverage, adverse weather penetration and new techniques for imaging moving targets with SAR seekers. AFRL/MN has established Integrating Concepts (ICs) that will serve as the program baseline in terms of the seeker?s performance capability and requirements. In general, the integrating concepts support a direct attack type mission and a wide-area search and attack type mission. These missions have different flight profile, operating range, field of view (FOV), area coverage, and track requirements that will directly impact the SAR seeker requirements and design. In this program, it is intended to concentrate on the wide area search and attack mission, but to also have capability to support the direct attack mission. The purpose of this solicitation is to obtain proposals to design, develop and test a breadboard seeker system to investigate and further develop the use of high-resolution SAR seekers for wide-area search munitions. The system design will address requirements for both stationary and moving targets and will be suitable for miniature munitions size seeker applications. A single contract award is anticipated for this program, therefore, potential offerors should, at a minimum, possess and have demonstrated experience in a variety of technology areas related to SAR and SAR signal processing. Some of the key areas include, but are not limited to, SAR and/or radar seeker hardware development, SAR signal processing for stationary and moving targets, and seeker system integration. (2) Technical Requirements: (a) Seeker Technology Requirements The proposed seeker hardware is expected to operate at millimeter wave or longer wavelengths to address the need for adverse weather penetration. The transmit power will need to be sufficient to provide the necessary signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to accommodate target acquisition up to 8-12 km, while maximizing the total illuminated area. The antenna system for the WASSAR seeker will be suitable for future small diameter munitions and is required to be less than 6 inches in diameter. To fit the flight profiles for munitions, the WASSAR seeker will also need to be able to operate at reduced (5-50?) squint angles. The resolution for the WASSAR seeker will be adequate for acquiring and classifying mobile/re-locatable targets. The breadboard seeker will be designed for the purposes of ground test and evaluation, and may also be designed to include the capability for flight test and evaluation, but this latter capability is not required. (b) Signal Processing Requirements The signal processing system proposed for the WASSAR seeker will be adequate to collect and process wide-area SAR data in near real-time (? 2 Hz frame rate). The processing system will also be adequate to perform the classification function for stationary and moving targets and should provide overhead for additional motion compensation and autonomous target classification (ATC) related functions. (c) Autonomous Target Classification The contractor should provide a level of effort investigating the benefit gained by their seeker design to accommodate Autonomous Target Classification (ATC) for fixed, moving and re-locatable targets. This includes having an understanding of the requirements for ATC to maximize the attributes of their seeker design for the algorithms used for classifying fixed, moving and re-locatable targets. Also, the contractor should show their design will provide growth potential for ATC algorithm development. (d) System Integration and Testing The purpose of system integration and testing is self-explanatory. The offeror should present a sound plan for the research, development, integration, and demonstration of the WASSAR seeker. As part of that plan, the offeror should adequately address the key technologies stated above as well as any design-specific technologies. In addition, the offeror should discuss technology risks and risk mitigation associated with the design. (3) Performance Objectives: The following paragraph contains information concerning SAR seeker performance objectives. This should in no way be construed as a device or instrument requirement for a specific system. The performance thresholds for the WASSAR seeker are driven by the desire to acquire and classify stationary and moving targets while searching wide areas. These performance thresholds must also be realistic in terms of potential implementation on munitions. The WASSAR seeker system will address the following performance objectives: 1) 8-12 km clear weather acquisition range, 2) SAR imaging for 5-50? squint angles, 3) Wide-area coverage (?50km2), 4) Rapid SAR imaging (? 2Hz frame rate), 5) Resolution required for target classification (less than 1m), 6) Small diameter aperture (less than 15 cm). (4) Program Tasking: This development effort will consist of three phases. Phase I will include trade studies, requirements definition, and system design; Phase II will include subsystem development, manufacturing, and integration; Phase III will include seeker system test, evaluation and demonstration. In order to proceed to the next phase of development, the offeror will be required to meet AFRL/MNGS defined exit criteria. (a) Phase I Exit Criteria: The exit criteria for Phase I will be based on the soundness of the design approach as well as the ability to address the performance objectives listed above. The system design must address target acquisition and classification for stationary and moving targets, should incorporate low-cost off-the-shelf components when possible, and should incorporate design considerations for counter-countermeasure capabilities to provide protection to possible jamming sources. (b) Phase II Exit Criteria: The exit criteria for Phase II will require system verification testing to demonstrate that the breadboard seeker hardware reasonably meets the performance objectives defined from the Phase I design. (c) Phase III Exit Criteria: For Phase III, the offeror will be required to support setup, test and demonstration of the seeker system hardware. The offeror and AFRL/MNGS will conduct follow-on ground-based seeker performance testing and data collection. System design, testing and demonstration information shall be documented in a final technical report and provided to AFRL/MNGS. (5) Deliverables: Deliverables under this program will include all data items collected during Phase III of the program as well as the ATC algorithm set for stationary and moving targets. The ATC algorithms will be treated as company proprietary and will be used solely by AFRL/MNGS for independent assessment. (6) Data Requirements: The following data submittals are required (a) Periodic status reports including technical progress, programmatic information, schedule, and appropriate disclosure of actual cost and labor expenditures. Each status report shall specifically address any patents or inventions identified and/or pending, as well as any proprietary issues. (DI-MGMT-80368) Contractor format CSSR, CSR, CFSR, CWBS are required during all phases of the contract (DI-MGMT, -81334, -81467, - 81468). Copies of monthly billing vouchers submitted to the Government, as well as monthly updates regarding payments received from the Government are also required during all phases of the contract; (b) Test plan(s) and test reports for all significant testing. (DI-NDTI-80566, 80809B); (c) Final Technical Report, and a Technology Transfer Report at the end of the program. The Final Report, which will be published in DTIC, must document the entire effort and must include relevant data and results from other technical data that would not otherwise be published. (DI-MISC-80711A); (d) A record (e.g., presentation materials, and tracking of associated action items) of required meetings. (DI-ADMN-81249A, -81250A, -81373). (e) Developmental drawings and associated lists. (DI-DRPR-81002A); (f) Computer software products and end items (DI-MCCR-80700). The contractor may propose additional elements or submittal of combined elements or Data Item Descriptions (DIDs) as appropriate for the proposed program. (7) Meetings and Reviews: The contractor will be expected to conduct various meetings throughout the life of the program, including but not limited to a kickoff Program Review at the beginning, a Preliminary Design Review for transition to Phase II, a Critical Design Review for transition to Phase III, a final review at the end and additional Program Reviews to be held at times coinciding with key program milestones or decision points, as deemed appropriate by the contractor. The contractor will also be expected to conduct periodic progress meetings for technical and programmatic interchange throughout the program. In no event shall the period between successive Program Reviews or the intermediate progress meetings exceed 3 months. The contractor is expected to host half of the reviews and meetings, and the Government will host half. Each Program Review shall specifically address any patents or inventions identified and/or pending as well as any proprietary issues. The contractor may also propose to conduct or participate in other meetings with associate contractors, subcontractors, Government agencies, or other third parties, as deemed appropriate to the program. (8) Proprietary Items: It is the offeror?s responsibility to identify any proprietary materials, products, software, or processes to be used by the prime contractor or subcontractors in the performance of this program and to address acquisition of data rights or licenses. C--ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: (1) Anticipated Period of Performance: 39 Months total (2) Expected Award Date: The estimated award date is 25 April 2002. (3) Type of Contract: The Government anticipates awarding a single cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract. (4) Government Estimate: The Government anticipates that the WASSAR Seeker program then-year-dollars profile for funding available for the contracted effort will be as follows: FY02 - $0.550M, FY03 - $1.0M, FY04 - $.950M, FY05 - $0.650M. However, this statement shall not be interpreted as an obligation on the part of the Government to fund the WASSAR program at the stated annual levels. (5) Size Status: This acquisition is full and open competition. However, the appropriate NAICS code is 541710 with a small business size standard of 500 employees. (6) Notice to Foreign Owned Firms: A determination has been made for this solicitation, that all foreign participation will be prohibited. D--PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS: (1) General: Proposals submitted in response to this announcement must include a written technical and cost proposal, submitted in separate volumes. Volume 1 should provide the technical proposal addressing the program, and Volume 2 should address the price and cost details of the proposal for the program. Offerors should apply the restrictive notice prescribed in the provision at FAR 52.215-1(e), "Instructions to Offerors-Competitive Acquisition" (May 2001), to trade secrets or privileged commercial and financial information contained in their proposals. Offerors should consider instructions contained in the "Proprietary Information", and "When and How to Submit" sections of the AFMC Pamphlet 64-101, "Unsolicited Proposal Guide", which will be provided upon request by contacting Vicki Keider at 850-882-4294 x 3404. AFMC Form 190, Policy Agreements, does not apply to Program Research and Development Announcements. Additional proposal questions should be directed to one of the points of contact listed in Part F. (2) Technical Proposal: The Volume 1 technical proposal shall include, as a minimum: a statement of work suitable for contract incorporation; the offeror?s technical approach for the entire program; risk management procedures to be applied to the program; identification of key personnel, resources, and critical subcontractors; hardware and data deliverables; a proposed program schedule including deliveries for the entire program; and a summary of relevant past and present performance of the proposing corporate division only. The offeror must provide sufficient technical discussion and technical detail to establish the soundness of the proposed approach; provide an adequate basis for assessing program technical, cost and schedule risk; and form a sound basis for the cost proposed in Volume 2. Proposals failing to provide adequate technical detail and discussion will be considered technically unresponsive to this PRDA. The technical proposal shall also include an abbreviated overall fabrication and test plan of individual components and the overall system. (3) Cost Proposal: Adequate price competition is anticipated. The Volume 2 cost proposal must include as a minimum a cost element summary including labor, material, overhead, travel, G&A, etc. for each proposed task and an expenditure schedule for the entire program. (4) Page Limitations: Volume 1 will be limited to a total of 30 pages, including resumes, charts, figures, tables, etc. The proposed SOW and CDRLs may be included as an appendix of not more than 20 pages. The Government reserves the right to remove and return to the offeror any excess pages before evaluation starts. Cost proposals have no page limitations, however, offerors are requested to keep the cost proposal to 50 pages as a goal. A page is defined to be one side of an 8.5x11-inch piece of paper with information on it. Minimum print size is 10 point type, or 12 pitch, with line spacing of not less than one and one half for the typeface used. Proposals shall be submitted in an original and 5 copies. All responsible sources may submit a proposal that shall be considered against the criteria set forth herein. Authorization for limited reproduction and dissemination within Government agencies and National Laboratories is requested. (5) Preparation Costs: The cost of preparing proposals in response to this announcement is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract, or any other contract. It is, however, an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost specified in FAR 31.205-18. Offerors are advised that only the Contracting Officer is legally authorized to contractually bind or otherwise obligate the Government. The US Air Force reserves the right to award one or none contracts based on the proposals received in response to this announcement. If selected for possible award, the offeror will be required to submit a Small, Small Disadvantaged, and Women-Owned Small Business Plan within ten (10) days of notice. E--BASIS FOR AWARD: Award Evaluation Criteria: The selection of none or one source for contract award will be based on evaluation of the proposals in response to this PRDA to determine the best value potential for the entire program. Proposals will be evaluated as received using the following areas and factors. No other evaluation criteria will be used in selecting the best proposal. Technical and Cost Area information will be evaluated at the same time. The Technical Area will be considered of higher priority than the Cost Area. The factors under the Technical Area, listed in decreasing order of importance, are: (a) Soundness of Technical Approach and Compliance with Requirements, (b) Understanding the Problem, and (c) Relevant Past and Present Performance. The Soundness of Technical Approach and Compliance with Requirements factor will consider and evaluate the technical merits and risks as related to design, development and test of the offeror?s proposed WASSAR seeker design. It will also consider the potential of the proposed approach in meeting the various levels of performance objectives identified above. Under the Cost Area, the Cost Proposal will be evaluated for reasonableness and realism. F--POINTS OF CONTACT: (1) Contracting and Cost: Ms Vicki Keider, Contracting Officer, (850) 882-4294, ext 3404, AFRL/MNK, 101 West Eglin Blvd., Suite 337, Eglin AFB FL 32542-6810, or e-mail to keider@eglin.af.mil. The AFRL/MNK telefax number is (850) 882-9599. (2) Programmatic and Technical Issues: Mr. Frank Arredondo, (850) 882-5607, ext 2374, at AFRL/MNGS, 101 West Eglin Blvd., Suite 287, Eglin AFB FL 32542-6810, or e-mail francisco.arredondo@eglin.af.mil, respectively. The AFRL/MNGS telefax number is (850) 882-4638. (3) Ombudsman: An Ombudsman has been appointed to address concerns from offerors or potential offerors during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. The Ombudsman does not diminish the authority of the Program Manager or Contracting Officer, but communicates Contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate Government personnel. When requested, the Ombudsman shall maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. Matters of a routine or administrative nature concerning this acquisition should not be addressed to the Ombudsman but rather to the Contracting Officer, Contract Specialist, or the Program Manager identified above. For any other concerns, interested parties may call AFRL/MN?s Ombudsman, Lt Col Mary Quinn, at (850) 882-2872 ext. 3420. (4) General information: This announcement and updated or other general information are available via the World Wide Web at http://www.eps.gov/ (Look for Solicitation Number MNK-PRDA-02-0003).
- Record
- SN20011220/00007361-011219090250 (fbodaily.com)
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