SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- Request for Information for a Solution to the Control and Display Sub-System 4 (CDS4) OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Requirement for a Federated Level Of Interoperability 2 Manned-Unmanned (Level 2 MUM) Capability
- Notice Date
- 9/2/2009
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541330
— Engineering Services
- Contracting Office
- US Army Aviation and Missile Command (Aviation), ATTN: AMSAM-AC, Building 5303, Martin Road, Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898-5280
- ZIP Code
- 35898-5280
- Solicitation Number
- W58RGZXXXXXXX
- Response Due
- 9/17/2009
- Archive Date
- 11/16/2009
- Point of Contact
- Johnny Lee Coleman, 256-876-1150
- E-Mail Address
-
US Army Aviation and Missile Command (Aviation)
(johnny.coleman@peoavn.army.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- 1.0SUBJECT This is a Request for Information (RFI) for a solution to the CDS4 OH-58D Kiowa Warrior (KW) Threshold requirement for a federated Level 2 MUM capability. (Note that Level Of Interoperability (LOI) 4 is an Objective requirement.) Current thoughts are based upon the CDS4 OH-58D KW teaming with the Shadow, Raven, and Sky Warrior (PM UAS) platforms, while using one transceiver and one quad-band antenna with low noise amplifier to receive live video over C-Band, Ku-Band, L-Band, and S-Band. The same transceiver, another quad-band antenna, and individual C-Band and Ku-Band power amplifiers would be used to transmit organic KW Mast Mounted Sight (MMS) sensor video and retransmit received UAS video and AH-64D video over C-Band and Ku-Band to One System Remote Video Terminal (OSVRT) equipped ground systems, AH-64Ds with Level 2 MUM capability, and other CDS4 OH-58Ds with Level 2 MUM capability. The ability to receive Shadow UAS metadata with a dedicated UHF antenna and modem is also envisioned. Responses are due to this RFI by 4:00 PM on September 17, 2009. See section 8.0 for further information. 2.0DESCRIPTION The Product Manager for the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior (PM KW) is seeking information from industry that will assist in the development and fielding of a capability that enables the CDS4 OH-58D to meet its Level 2 MUM requirements. Ultimately, fielding the Level 2 MUM capability requires the following from the contractor, except as where noted: a complete design solution for the federated Level 2 MUM capability, an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP), a validated and verified (verification performed by the Government) Modification Work Order (MWO), a qualified A-Kit, a qualified B-Kit, qualified software, and system level qualification (system qualification performed by the Government). (The A-Kit consists of all cables, connectors, and brackets/mounts. The B-Kit consists of all the electronic/box components: transceiver, computer, modem, RFEs, convertor, and power distribution box, and antennas. The PM KW desires that this capability be fielded to the First Unit Equipped (FUE) by July 2011. Because of these envisioned timelines: all hardware must be at a Technical Readiness Level (TRL) of 7 or greater; all hardware must be fully qualified at the component/box level; RF transmitters must have approved DD-1494s (Application For Equipment Frequency Allocation)or DD-1494s in the process for approval (provide schedule if in process); core software must be at least equivalent to the existing OSRVT software; and total system (A-kit and B-Kit) weight must be no more than 40 pounds. Specifically, this RFI seeks the following information: Conceptual technical architecture and design "Technical architecture and design for a federated Level 2 MUM, including multi-band transceiver, C-Band and Ku-Band power amplifiers, quad-band (C, Ku, L, and S) antennas, UHF modem and antenna, dedicated computer, power distribution, and video convertors if necessary should be addressed. Cabling, connectors, mounts, and cooling should also be addressed. The software control of the Level 2 MUM capability and the pilot vehicle interface should be addressed. The control and display PVI for the video receipt, capture, transmit, and frequency and sensor selection will be on the left KW lightweight MFD, which has two RS-343 video interfaces and the desired RS-422 control interface. The only Level 2 MUM interfaces to the current CDS4 KW Honeywell architecture are to the left MFD for the control and display of the Level 2 MUM capability and the monitoring of a Honeywell 1553B bus for GPS time and aircraft position information. "Approximate cost information (i.e., rough order of magnitude, including non-recurring and recurring breakouts) "Schedule estimate "Ideas and suggestions that provide alternative approaches or possible trade-offs (optional) "Weight estimate for total system, including individual weights of all A-Kit and B-Kit components "Volume estimate for total system, including individual volumes of all A-Kit and B-Kit components "Any known or suspected limitations against MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-461 requirements "Power required estimate for total system (Level 2 MUM will use CDS4 KW 28Vdc power; CDS4 system power quality is IAW MIL-STD-704C) 3.0REQUIREMENTS In order to be synchronized and interoperable with PM UAS systems, UAS interoperability requirements for the CDS4 KW Level 2 MUM capability are contained in the following PM UAS Interoperability Profile (IOP) specifications (Note: focus should be on the LOI 2 requirements): "Overarching Interoperability Profile Version 1.5.6 July 21, 2009 (Draft) "Payload Product Dissemination Interoperability Profile Version 1.5.3 May 18, 2009 "Common Data Link (CDL) Interoperability Profile Version 1.5.2 March 16, 2009 Copies of these documents can be obtained upon request from the Point Of Contact (POC) in Section 8.0. Additional CDS4 KW Level 2 MUM functional requirements and information to be addressed/considered: "The CDS4 KW Level 2 MUM must be capable of capturing a still image from the KW left MFD. Storage of this image on the dedicated computer for porting to the Aviation Mission Planning System (AMPS) after the mission for after action reports is desirable. "Storage of received video for retransmission purposes is required. Storage of this video on the dedicated computer for porting to AMPS after the mission for after action reports is desirable. "Processing received UAS and Apache metadata is required if the metadata is included in the video link or for Shadow, received on a dedicated UHF capability. "Secure Level 2 MUM communications will evolve from Type 2 encryption using AES-256 to NSA Type 1 encryption; the Level 2 MUM capability must have a NSA approved path for the use of KGV-135 COMSEC, including anti-tamper provisions if required by NSA. "A path forward from LOI 2 (Threshold requirement) to LOI 4 (Objective requirement) should be briefly addressed. "CDS4 KW physical size and weight constraints may preclude a directional antenna. "TCDL data rate is expected to be 10.71 Mbps. "UAS are expected to operate at their maximum altitudes while CDS4 KWs will operate at 1,000 feet or less altitudes; for transmission and reception ranges, assume the KW is at 1,000 feet: minimum acceptable transmit ranges at 1,000 feet are 50km for C-Band and 12km for Ku-Band; receive ranges are expected to be the same for those bands and 12km for L-Band and S-Band "Current planning is for PM KW to purchase the following for the CDS4 KW Level 2 MUM capability: 180 B-Kits and 377 A-Kits through FY10-FY13. "Operating temperature requirement for all Level 2 MUM A-Kit and B-Kit components is from -40 degrees C through 71 degrees C. "Level 2 MUM total system weight requirement (A-Kit and B-Kit) is no more than 40 pounds. "Ease of system operation is important for crew safety and timely mission execution. Simplified system operation should be discussed to the extent that it mirrors MFD operation in the CDS4 KW and requires minimal key strokes for operation of the system. 4.0POSSIBLE CDS4 KW LEVEL 2 MUM SOLUTIONS The CDS4 KW Level 2 MUM solution must address all of the concepts and requirements in paragraphs 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 above. To the extent simplifying assumptions are needed, respondents are encouraged to make and document such assumptions in their responses. 5.0SAMPLE RESPONSE OUTLINE Following is a suggested outline with suggested page counts for a response to this RFI. This outline is intended to minimize the effort of the respondent and structure the responses for ease of analysis by the Government. Nevertheless, respondents are free to develop their response as they see fit. Section 1 Concept Briefly describe your architecture concept for CDS4 KW Kevel 2 MUM, including the reliability and availability characteristics. Discuss the capability for the architecture to expand to meet possible future requirements for LOI 3 and LOI 4. (2 pages) Section 2 Feasibility Assessment Briefly describe the feasibility of your approach and the design tradeoffs involved as matched against the Level 2 MUM functional requirements and the space, weight, and power constraints of a small helicopter, such as the CDS4 OH-58D. (1 page) Section 3 Cost and Schedule Estimates Provide cost estimates for a 5-year contract term for non-recurring and annual recurring costs (one page table). Also, discuss cost drivers, cost tradeoffs, and schedule considerations (2-3 pages) Section 4 Corporate Expertise Briefly describe your company, your products and services, history, ownership, financial information, and other information you deem relevant. (no suggested page count) In particular, describe any projects you have been involved in that are similar in concept to what is described in this RFI, including management and operations approach, security requirements, technical concerns, and any relevant lessons learned (1-2 pages per project). Include any comments on the structure of the requirements for a formal RFP response. Note also describe any company investment considerations that you may be willing to entertain. Section 5 Logistics Capabilities Describe your companys experience in developing logistics products and providing logistics service for your products. Specifically, describe your experience in developing provisioning, publication and training data required to support your products. Describe your operator and maintainer training concept for the Level 2 MUM capability. Describe your experience in determining the ground support equipment and tooling required to support your products. Describe your experience in providing product support to users of your products. Section 6 Additional Materials Provide any other materials, suggestions, and discussion you deem appropriate. 6.0INFORMATION EXCHANGE MEETINGS PM KW does not intend to host an information exchange meeting to discuss this RFI with interested potential respondents. 7.0DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. 8.0CONTACT INFORMATION Following is the Point of Contact (POC) for this RFI: Mr. Trent Steadman (256)842-1112 Trent.steadman@peoavn.army.mil Please submit responses via e-mail in Microsoft Office format by 4:00 PM on September 17, 2009, to the POC at trent.steadman@peoavn.army.mil. You may also submit supplemental hardcopy materials such as brochures, etc. (2 copies each) to the POC.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USA/USAMC/DAAH23/W58RGZXXXXXXX/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: US Army Aviation and Missile Command (Aviation) ATTN: AMSAM-AC, Building 5303, Martin Road Redstone Arsenal AL
- Zip Code: 35898-5280
- Zip Code: 35898-5280
- Record
- SN01937885-W 20090904/090903001051-7190f0288a6d44fa4e6779a5ac9215ed (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |