SOLICITATION NOTICE
59 -- BEYOND LINE-OF-SIGHT (BLOS) COMMAND AND CONTROL (C2) COMMUNICATIONS FOR AIRCRAFT IN AFGHANISTAN
- Notice Date
- 8/22/2003
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- ESC/DIG 5 Eglin St. Bldg. 1612 Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2100
- ZIP Code
- 01731-2100
- Solicitation Number
- DIGK-03-07
- Response Due
- 9/15/2003
- Archive Date
- 11/22/2003
- Point of Contact
- Anne Marie Bastek, Contract Specialist, 781-377-7512 Richard Fox, Contracting Officer, 781-377-6395
- E-Mail Address
-
Email your questions to Click Here to E-mail the POC
(ann.bastek@hanscom.af.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The following information does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) nor does it restrict the Government as to the ultimate acquisition approach. Electronic Systems Center, Global Grid Product Area Directorate (ESC/DIG) at Hanscom Air Force Base, MA is requesting information and feedback from industry for alternative ideas for material solutions and concepts for a robust, beyond line-of-sight (BLOS), command and control (C2) communications capability for sustained control of air operations throughout Afghanistan. Additionally, companies wishing to provide this capability as a service provider are also invited to respond. The desired outcome of this RFI is to describe solutions and/or concepts, using existing or emerging technologies, which could have an initial capability in place by January 2004, with a longer-term solution to follow if need be. Information on BLOS C2 Communications will be made available through the Electronic Systems Center Business Opportunities website (HERBB) at http://herbb.hanscom.af.mil/. (Note: Select "Systems" within "Business Opportunities" and then scroll to "BLOS C2 Communications"). GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The capability sought will provide non-secure, non-frequency agile VHF (1 frequency plus guard) and UHF (1 frequency plus guard) communications connectivity between aircraft (bombers, fighters, C2 platforms, UAVs) and C2 functions located BLOS of the aircraft. The C2 functions could be located in Afghanistan or could be at the Al Udeid Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) located 2,000 miles away. To save on scarce manpower resources, it is highly desired that system components operate unattended and be remotely controlled. The technical solution should take maximum advantage of commercial off-the-shelf technology, to include commercial satellite systems, if applicable to the design. Military wideband (25KHz) UHF TACSAT channels are not available; however, narrowband (5 KHz) demand assigned, multiple access (DAMA) channels are available. System availability rate must not be less than 0.97. MISSION AND THREAT ANALYSIS: USCENTAF has a requirement to command and control aircraft in Afghanistan from C2 facilities located BLOS of those aircraft. Air superiority is assumed. Mountainous terrain and extreme distance precludes line-of-sight communications between aircraft and their controllers. Strong considerations must be given to force protection issues and for ground-based capabilities due to limited control of territory by coalition forces. There is an inability to provide physical protection of unattended equipment located outside US military compounds in Afghanistan. NON-MATERIAL ALTERNATIVE: Changes in concepts of operation, tactics, techniques, procedures and training were initiated as an alternative to the inefficient use of two separate low density/high demand (LD/HD) assets as an airborne radio relay. In the spirit of transformation, an unattended, remotely controllable communications relay system was identified as a viable and cost-effective alternative to relieve LD/HD airborne assets. CONSTRAINTS: (a) Logistics Support. Commercial power is not available. Military-provided generator power is not desired because of the subsequent increase in required manpower and support. Neither a commercial nor military telecommunications infrastructure exists. It is highly desired that maintenance spares and technicians be centrally located to provide as-required on-call support to all unattended radios. The Government will consider distributed/dedicated spares and personnel located at each site if that is what it takes to obtain a system reliability of 0.97 or better. (b) Transportation. System components must not exceed the high altitude and load-lifting capabilities of a CH-47. Additionally, the system components must be capable of being transported by a HMMWV. (c) Geospatial information and services support. No unique requirements are anticipated. (d) Manpower. It is desired that the solution not increase existing manpower requirements; however, the Government will consider options that increase manpower if that is what it takes to obtain a system reliability of 0.97 or better. This AOR-specific solution will drive a requirement for contract maintenance. (e) Training. This capability will require operations and maintenance training on all system components and interfaces. (f) Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence support. No unique requirements are anticipated. (g) Standardization and Interoperability. The solution must be simultaneously accessible by not less than 10 C2 elements. The solution may incorporate any interface to achieve the stated requirements, but must also include provisions for telephonic access. (h) Timing. Current LD/HD airborne assets are scheduled to re-deploy in the near future and this capability must be fielded as soon as possible to meet that timeline. (i) Operational Environment. It is highly desired that this solution provide a robust, unattended, communications capability to relieve the LD/HD airborne assets from performing radio relay missions in the Afghanistan area of operations. Note - due to extreme environmental conditions, unattended equipment must be able to operate at altitudes that range from 0,000 MSL to 14,000 MSL in temperature ranges from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Written responses to this RFI, not to exceed 10 pages, are due no later than close of business 15 September 2003. Respondents are notified that a formal solicitation may not necessarily result from this RFI. However, information received in response to the RFI may be reflected in a formal solicitation. The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this RFI, nor will the Government compensate a respondent for any cost incurred in developing the information provided to ESC. Please note that the HERBB will be the primary source of information for the BLOS C2 Communications acquisition. Interested firms should check for updates frequently and subscribe to the HERBB update service. Firms are reminded that only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government. Without written permission from you, ESC will not release to any firm, agency, or individual outside the Government, any information marked with a Proprietary legend. Any procurement action for this capability will be the subject of a separate, future announcement. Send two paper copies, and 1 electronic copy (i.e., CD or diskette) of your response to the following: Mr. Richard Fox, Contracting Officer, BLOS C2 Communications, ESC/DIGK, Bldg 1612, 5 Eglin Street, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731, richard.fox@hanscom.af.mil, phone: 781-377-6395. Please direct any questions you may have concerning this RFI to Mr. Richard Fox, Contracting Officer (ESC/DIGK) at 781-377-6395 or Ann Bastek, Contract Specialist (ESC/DIGK) at 781-377-7512, ann.bastek@hanscom.af.mil.
- Web Link
-
ESC Business Opportunities Web Page
(http://www.herbb.hanscom.af.mil)
- Place of Performance
- Address: N/A
- Zip Code: N/A
- Country: N/A
- Zip Code: N/A
- Record
- SN00409833-W 20030824/030822213400 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |