SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Request for Information regarding Small Digital Data Link (SDDL) for Small Unmanned Aerial Systems and Munitions
- Notice Date
- 3/1/2011
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- AMCOM Contracting Center - Missile (AMCOM-CC), ATTN: AMSAM-AC, Building 5303, Martin Road, Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898-5280
- ZIP Code
- 35898-5280
- Solicitation Number
- W31P4Q-11-R-0102
- Response Due
- 4/15/2011
- Archive Date
- 6/14/2011
- Point of Contact
- Michael D. Garner Jr., 256-876-8278
- E-Mail Address
-
AMCOM Contracting Center - Missile (AMCOM-CC)
(michael.garnerjr@us.army.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Small Digital Data Link (SDDL) for Small Unmanned Aerial Systems and Munitions Request for Information Sources Sought Synopsis: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION OR SOLICITATION FOR PLANNING PURPOSES (OCT 1997) (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Although proposal and offeror are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only, it shall not be used as a proposal. (c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of obtaining information to serve as a market survey to aid in research associated with the potential development of a Small Digital Data Link (SDDL) for small unmanned aerial systems and munitions. The Government does not presently intend to award a contract, but desires information on risk, capability, price, innovative research and development methodology and other information in planning the development of a SDDL. This is a Request for Information (RFI) issued pursuant to FAR 15.2. The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) Redstone Arsenal, AL, on behalf of the U.S. Army, desires to obtain information to serve as a market survey to aid in research associated with the development of a SDDL designed to provide a secure data link for control and sensor data for small unmanned aerial systems and munitions over the operating temperatures ranges from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to +140 degrees Fahrenheit and withstand storage from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to +140 degrees Fahrenheit. High humidity shall not degrade operations. As a result of issuing this RFI, the Government expects to receive technical data describing the proposed concept and innovative methodology information to assist in the following: (1) Determine the ability of current and near term emerging technology to support an SDDL, (2) Identify feasible alternatives that meet the objectives stated below, (3) Determine the approximate research and development cost and schedule, and end-item cost information for each alternative, and (4) Determine the estimated performance characteristics and risks associated with each alternative. Interested and capable sources are asked to submit a white paper containing a description of the above areas of interest. Information on available, emerging, or required technologies and how these technologies could be applied to this project should also be included. Interested and capable sources are asked to submit a white paper containing a description of the above areas of interest. Submissions should focus on information concerning available, emerging, or required SDDL technologies, circuit miniaturization technology and information assurance technologies for which proof-of-concept has been demonstrated at least at the subsystem/component level, and for which an implementation roadmap for a form-factored system solution has been identified and is clearly communicated. The white paper responses shall be written from a system solution perspective showing how the technologies identified above would be integrated into an SDDL materiel solution, tested, and qualified for military application in a typical military operating environment. Interested and capable sources may respond to one or all of the following technical areas. 1. Complete SDDL system solution including all technical aspects. 2. Circuit miniaturization. - Respond with technologies for reducing size and weight of the device. 3. Information Assurance (IA) - Respond only with algorithms, methods and device solutions for implementing cryptographic requirements. Technical objectives: This section enumerates the high-level functional capabilities for SDDL. The contemplated SDDL would provide the ground combatant Soldier a NLOS day/night all weather capable secure data link for control and sensor data for small unmanned aerial systems and munitions. SDDL provide secure uplink and downlink real time full motion downlink video between the GCS and munitions by means of digital data link. SDDL will provide at least two frequency bands that will be used to transmit and receive data from a ground control station. Transmit and receive circuitry should be modular to allow for future frequency bands. Power requirements for the system must be less than 5W while transmitting. Transmit and receive range will be greater than 5KM including environmental effects. A significant reduction in circuit size and weight beyond current fielded units shall be achieved. Advanced materials and processes may be used to achieve the desired size and weight. Total volume of all components must be less than 2 cubic inches. Total weight of SDDL shall be less than 2 oz. The IA portion of the SDDL solution requires the link to include a method to prevent unauthorized parties from gaining control of the SDDL platform and ensures that uplink commands and downlink video in the channel is secure. The IA solution includes NSA Certified Type 1 encryption for all control and video traffic, encryption keying scheme, and node authentication system. The purpose of this RFI is to gather information about those top level requirements enumerated above. To the extent simplifying assumptions are needed, respondents are encouraged to make and document such assumptions in their responses. Responses: To assist in research associated with the potential development of a SDDL for small unmanned aerial systems and munitions, the government is requesting information from industry. Interested parties should submit white papers not to exceed 20 pages and no smaller than 12pt Times New Roman font. Responses may include multiple concept submittals. The government encourages creativity in responses to this RFI. The white paper should include the following: (1) A brief description of one or more conceptual alternatives for the SDDL including associated components, (2) An overall feasibility assessment of each alternative and how each meets the objectives stated above. (3) A candidate high-level implementation roadmap that includes transition points, (4) SDDL cost drivers and cost tradeoffs and a preliminary cost estimate for each of the alternatives should be provided to include research and development costs, and cost per system for quantities of 500, 2000, and 20,000 SDDL systems, (5), A high-level risk assessment for each alternative that articulates the respondent's understanding of associated risks and risk mitigation approaches, (6) An estimate of Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) of components and the power system as a whole, (7) An estimate of SDDL production lead times and delivery schedules for the quantities listed above, (8) A brief description of any projects that the respondent's company is or has been involved in that are similar in concept to what is described in this RFI. This should include any relevant lessons learned, (9) Any additional materials that are deemed appropriate by the respondent. The objective of this process is to assess current and future products and technologies capable of achieving the stated SDDL objectives. After RFI release, there will be a period of 15 calendar days for question submittal. Questions may be submitted to Michael Garner via email at michael.garnerjr@us.army.mil. All questions must be submitted in writing and reference the RFI number no later than 3:00 CST on 16 March 2011; telephone request for additional information will not be honored. Request must include: Company name, Company and Government Entity (CAGE) code, and appropriate point of contact information. All RFI responses must be submitted to the technical point of contact, Ray Bates at ray.bates@us.army.mil no later than 3:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST) on 15 April 2011. Responses should be made within (45) days from publication of this notice. The Government requests that the respondents deliver one electronic soft copy in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. In addition to the information provided above, all responses to this RFI must include the RFI number, company or institution name, CAGE code, and point of contact information. Acknowledgement of receipt will only be issued if a return receipt is requested with the submission. Please do not submit any classified information. All information submitted shall be adequately safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR Part 15.207. The Government reserves the right to request further clarification or request presentations to enhance the Governments understanding of the respondent's submittal. White papers that fail to comply with the above instructions or present ideas that are not pertinent to the subject may not be reviewed. This is a request for information purposes only. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the U.S. Army to procure products or services. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION OR OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. NO FOREIGN PARTICIPATION IS AUTHORIZED, U.S. CITITZENS ONLY. No award is intended as a result of the RFI. Information submitted in response to this RFI is submitted at no cost to the Government and will not be returned. Any exchange of information shall be consistent with procurement integrity requirements, and all appropriate proprietary claims will be protected to prevent improper disclosure. In the event you have difficulty reading this RFI, please contact Michael Garner at michael.garnerjr@us.army.mil for a copy of this notice.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/127e792b19910e4d5fa52b99dc14c858)
- Place of Performance
- Address: AMCOM Contracting Center - Missile (AMCOM-CC) ATTN: AMSAM-AC, Building 5303, Martin Road Redstone Arsenal AL
- Zip Code: 35898-5280
- Zip Code: 35898-5280
- Record
- SN02390550-W 20110303/110301234928-127e792b19910e4d5fa52b99dc14c858 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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