SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Request For Information for Standoff (line of sight) Tagging.
- Notice Date
- 1/26/2009
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 334511
— Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AAC - Air Armament Center, AAC/PK, 205 West D Avenue, Suite 433, Eglin AFB, Florida, 32542-6864
- ZIP Code
- 32542-6864
- Solicitation Number
- AAC-PKEXR-01-2609
- Archive Date
- 9/30/2009
- Point of Contact
- Lorna Hendrix,, Phone: 850-882-0171, Dana L Alexander,, Phone: 850-882-0185
- E-Mail Address
-
lorna.hendrix@eglin.af.mil, dana.alexander@eglin.af.mil
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- I. Description The Air Armament Center Capabilities Integration Directorate Division AAC/XR is requesting information and/or concepts for developing an airborne capability to remotely mark vehicles for identification purposes. A near-term technology is sought for fast implementation; therefore, mature technologies are preferred. Respondent information will be used by the Government to determine the most promising approaches to standoff (line of sight) "tagging," how operational sensing and tracking of the tag marker could be accomplished, and the art of the possible in meeting further desired qualities described below. Responses to this RFI will be used by the Government to determine corporate interest in demonstrating such systems. From the responses to this RFI, the Air Force will determine the feasibility of hosting demonstrations at Eglin Air Force Base and developing an acquisition strategy. Tagging technologies are sought which satisfy the following criteria: 1. Effectiveness: Tags should be readily applied to a variety of commercial or other vehicles, from a host aircraft at a distance of approx. 3 km or greater, and be easily recognized from similar distances. Commercial paint, trim, tires, upholstery, etc. can be assumed for the target vehicles. 2. Persistence: Tags should be capable of being sensed and tracked for at least a few hours duration, with a goal of a few days. Tags may be permanent or ephemeral. 3. Inconspicuous: An ideal tag will be unobservable to the unaided eye, but readily detected with a sensor. Visible tags that are not readily identifiable as intentionally marked will also be considered. In general, less obvious tags are better. 4. Unique ID: An ideal tag will allow the user to distinguish among multiple similar vehicles with tags, i.e. a different identifiable tag for each. 5. Date/Time: An ideal tag will include a time stamp or expiration feature which will allow some idea of the age of a tag under observation, to allow the observer to easily recognize and disregard an old tag which has outlived its usefulness. Alternatively, the tag may simply disappear over time. 6. Platform Compatibility: The tagging system must be compatible with carriage on relatively slow-moving (propeller-driven) aircraft or UAV's. Respondents should provide some estimate of the size and weight of proposed systems. Consideration should be given as to how the system would be integrated so that the air/flightworthiness and safety of the original airframe are not compromised. 7. Maturity: Any level of maturity will be considered; however, please indicate if the system is available within the next few months for a ground demonstration. Indicate when the technology would be available for military use. Additionally, the following information is requested (if available) to enable the Government to better evaluate the maturity and effectiveness of the proposed tagging technology: 1. Military Utility: Any weaponization analysis/studies of the tagging technology and potential concepts of employment to show performance, effectiveness, and military utility. 2. Reliability/Maintainability: Any data on tagging technology reliability and maintainability issues and their potential solutions. II. Government Information THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. This RFI is for planning purposes only, and shall not be considered as a Request for Proposal (RFP), or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs of charges by the Government will arise due to contractor submission of responses to this RFI or the Government's use of such information. AAC/XR uses service contractors in fulfilling its mission requirements, including the review of the technology capabilities solicited in this RFI. Service contracts contain an organizational conflict of interest clause that requires service contractors to protect the data, and prohibits them from using the data for any other purpose than for which it was presented. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any contractor's input resulting from this RFI. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this contemplated effort. The information you provide may be utilized by the Department of Defense in developing its acquisition strategy, including creation of Initial Capabilities Documents. Industry is encouraged to respond with information not constrained by proprietary data rights. However, if proprietary data is included in your reply, please mark it appropriately. Any subsequent actions resulting from the evaluation of the information provided because of this RFI, may be synopsized at a future date. If synopsized, information detailing the specific requirements of this procurement(s) will be included. Responses to this RFI may be classified at the TOP SECRET level or below. Classified responses should be properly marked and packaged. For instructions on submitting classified information contact: Ms Christine Wicker at Christine.Wicker@eglin.af.mil or (850) 883-4925. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only. It does not constitute a formal Request for Proposal (RFP), and should not be construed as such a commitment by the U.S. Government. All information contained in this RFI is preliminary, and subject to modification. III. Responses Responses should include information about all relevant and applicable unclassified technologies available within the aforementioned timeframes and based on requested criteria. They should include information about the type of material, hazard classification, physical properties, etc., as described in requirement criteria. Responses should be single-spaced, 12-point font, with numbered pages, and should not exceed 15 pages in length, including cover page, appendices, tables, and figures. Responses should use the following subject heading: Airborne Tagging Technology. For electronic submissions, please use either Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. Submissions must be properly marked and hand-carried or mailed to the following address: AAC/XR Attention: John Cserep 207 West D. Ave, Bldg. 349, Suite 303 Eglin AFB, FL 32542 Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Respondents are advised that AAC/XR is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received, or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. IV. Points of Contact For technical questions, please contact: Major Kevin Anchor at kevin.anchor@eglin.af.mil or (850) 883-3274 John Cserep at john.cserep@eglin.af.mil or (850) 883-3223, or Robert Wilson at Robert.Wilson@eglin.af.mil or (850) 882-4108. For contractual questions, please contact: Dana Alexander at dana.alexander@eglin.af.mil or (850)882-0185 Lorna Hendrix at lorna.hendrix@eglin.af.mil or (850)882-0171
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- Place of Performance
- Address: Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AAC-Air Armament Center, AAC 205 West D Avenue, Suite 433, Eglin AFB, Florida, 32542, United States
- Zip Code: 32542
- Zip Code: 32542
- Record
- SN01738283-W 20090128/090126215742-ee0830f21d33b0b7336d7e5ce64b1e6e (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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