SOURCES SOUGHT
99 -- Continuously Variable Squad Optic (CVSO)
- Notice Date
- 8/14/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 333314
— Optical Instrument and Lens Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- ACC - New Jersey, Center for Contracting and Commerce, Building 10 Phipps RD, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000
- ZIP Code
- 07806-5000
- Solicitation Number
- W15QKN-12-X-F027
- Response Due
- 9/11/2012
- Archive Date
- 11/10/2012
- Point of Contact
- Gloria Thoguluva, 9737245366
- E-Mail Address
-
ACC - New Jersey
(gloria.thoguluva@us.army.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) for the Continuously Variable Squad Optic. The U.S. Army - Army Contracting Command - New Jersey (ACC-NJ), on behalf of the Project Manager Soldier Weapons (PM SW), Picatinny Arsenal, NJ is conducting a market survey to identify potential sources for a Continuously Variable Squad Optic (CVSO). This announcement constitutes an official Request for Information (RFI) and the opportunity to obtain performance data of a company's CVSO by performing evaluative testing and operational assessment, at the Government's discretion, of any sample submitted. The purpose of this RFI is to ascertain the performance capability, system technical maturity, user ease of operation and readiness for production of a CVSO. Response is requested from vendors that can function as a prime contractor, and or manufacturer. This request for information (RFI) is for performance analysis and planning purposes only and shall not be considered as a Request for Proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any services or hardware. Your response to this RFI and any samples submitted in response to this RFI will be treated as information only. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this announcement or Government use of such information. This request does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract (see FAR 15.201(e)). No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this effort. The information provided may be used by the Army in developing its Acquisition Strategy, Performance Work Statement and Performance Specification. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information submitted in response to same. The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to pursue any course of action described herein. The U.S. Government is not obligated to notify respondents of the results of this survey or subsequent testing. BACKGROUND: The U.S. War fighter requires a single optical sighting system which facilitates close quarters battle (CQB), and extended range engagement to 600m and beyond. Currently this task is met through utilizing three different optical systems: the M68 Close Combat Optic (CCO), which provides a unity power red dot and excels at CQB; the M150 Rifle Combat Optic (RCO), which provides 4x magnification, and excels at extended range engagement; and the M145 Machine Gun Optic (MGO), which provides 3.5x magnification, and is used exclusively on the dismounted M240 series of medium machine guns. In addition to having its own inherent strengths and weaknesses, each optic also has its own operation and user interface, requiring specialized training. The CVSO will be a single optic utilized across all current and future 5.56mm and selected 7.62mm weapon platforms which provides the CQB capability of the M68 and surpasses the extended range target recognition capability of the M150. SYSTEM DEFINITION: The CVSO desired attributes: 1. Target Acquisition will be maximized for CQB scenarios for a quick reaction response, as well as maximized for mid to long range engagements to ensure accurate and precise small arms fire and transition between short and long range engagements. The optic shall provide a unity or near unity magnification setting, replicating the existing performance of the M68. The optic shall provide variable magnification, and have a maximum magnification setting which extends target recognition beyond current rifle optic capabilities (as defined in the Background of this solicitation). The optic shall be optimized for engagement between 0m and 600m with the M855A1 round. 2. The magnification of the optic must be able to be set to 4x in order to interface with existing, fielded clip-on vision augmentation technologies. 3. Minimization of Size, Weight & Power (SWaP) is highly desirable and should be emphasized to the fullest extent possible. It is highly desired that the total system weight be no more than 1.5 lbs. It is also highly desirable that the total optic length be less than 10 inches. 4. Allow the Soldier to engage CQB targets by use of a brightly illuminated central aiming point, to enable rapid and effective reflexive fire. The reticle, or aiming system within the optic, shall provide the ability to estimate range that is accurate, repeatable, and minimizes training required for effective use. 5. In the event of electrical power interruption (if applicable), the scope must be functional during ambient light conditions. 6. The illuminated central dot will have an adjustable brightness that will work with image intensified devices on the low end and in full sun brightness on the high end. It is desired that the switch have off positions between each intensity setting (or some other non intrusive means), allowing the Soldier to quickly go from no illuminated central aim point to the desired brightness in one motion. 7. Battery life is desired to be a minimum of 700 hours with continuous operation. Common batteries already in the Army inventory shall be used (i.e. AA or CR123). 8. Ranging Mil or Stadia lines will be viewable at mid and high power without inhibiting observation, will be usable for elevation hold-overs at highest power, and shall require minimal training for operations. 9. Optic is desired to be parallax free at 150m at maximum magnification. 10. Eye relief shall be a minimum of 2.5 inches at all magnification settings. 11. Fully functional in environments ranging from arid, dry desert with blowing sand to 100% humidity, jungle to salt fog, as delineated in MIL-STD-810G. 12. Wear resistant, anti-glare, non-reflective matte finish. 13. Flip-up subdued scope caps provided with each scope or some other suitable protective measure. 14. Fully compatible with currently fielded Image Intensified devices and thermal inline optics. 15. CVSO shall exhibit scratch resistant materials to exposed surfaces (lenses, etc.) that minimize wear and tear during operational scenarios. 16. It is desired that minimal training be required to properly zero the CVSO to the weapon. OBJECTIVE: Currently, the Warfighter has multiple optics in the inventory that do not optimize the elements of target identification, ergonomically allow for rapid and accurate engagements in CQS scenarios, or minimize required training for maximum aptitude. The intent of this RFI is to understand industry's capability to provide a lightweight, variable power, CVSO that maximizes the Warfighters capability for rapid and accurate target identification throughout the range of M4, M16, M249, and M240 Weapon systems, and to establish a list of known sources of such hardware. Respondents to this RFI are requested to provide any performance test data, reports, and analysis for evaluation. Respondents to this RFI are also requested to include a discussion of current and planned optic production capabilities, in particular noting the maximum rate of production and the quality assurance and control measures. The Government will evaluate the data provided and may request samples from any respondents deemed capable of meeting the Government's requirements. These samples will be quantitatively assessed based on the following criteria: size, weight, accuracy of zero, zero repeatability, degree of collimation, resolution, magnification, parallax, and soldier usability. The Government also may perform lab testing and/or operational assessment to further quantify the samples performance. If the contractor so requests, these samples will be returned following completion of characterization of the sample in as tested condition. RESPONSES: Submission should be in electronic format that is Microsoft Office 2007 compatible. Submitted data will not be returned. If any of the material provided contains proprietary information, then mark and identify disposition instructions. Responses should include, but are not limited to the following: Performance Data, Test Reports, and Company History in designing, producing and delivering systems similar in scope and complexity to the CVSO. Interested firms should also provide their address, point-of-contact with telephone number, e-mail address, and type of business (i.e. Small Business, Large Business, 8a Small Business, Hubzone Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business). Any pricing data, if available, should be sent at no cost to the U.S. Government. SUBMISSION INFORMATION: Responses to the RFI must be received via e-mail no later than 3:00 PM EST on September 11, 2012, referencing Market Survey # W15QKN-12-X-F027. The Point of Contact is Gloria Thoguluva at gloria.thoguluva@us.army.mil. NO TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED. The Government will accept written questions by Email to Gloria Thoguluva at gloria.thoguluva@us.army.mil.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/9fe0b0d8a3d06dc2ce2c526ce5ee7587)
- Place of Performance
- Address: ACC - New Jersey Center for Contracting and Commerce, Building 10 Phipps RD Picatinny Arsenal NJ
- Zip Code: 07806-5000
- Zip Code: 07806-5000
- Record
- SN02838795-W 20120816/120815000608-9fe0b0d8a3d06dc2ce2c526ce5ee7587 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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