R&D Contracting Directorate, Bldg 7, 2530 C Street, WPAFB, OH 45433-7607

A -- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ABOUT MULTI-BAND INFRARED (IR) LASER TECHNOLOGY PERFORMANCE AND AFFORDABILITY DUE 043099 POC Contact Jane Hendricks, Contract Negotiator, (937) 255-2976, or Michele Dickman, Contracting Officer (937) 255-5311 WEB: click here to view the R&D Contracting Home Page, http://www.wrs.afrl.af.mil/contract/. Air Force Research Laboratory, (AFRL/SNJW) solicits a REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ABOUT MULTI-BAND INFRARED (IR) LASER TECHNOLOGY PERFORMANCE AND AFFORDABILITY TO SUPPORT FUTURE LARGE AIRCRAFT INFRARED COUNTERMEASURES SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is seeking information about current, near term (2 to 4 year) and mid-term (4 to 8 year) present or projected availability, performance characteristics, and cost data for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS), non-developmental-item (NDI) and/or advanced developmental multi-band IR laser technologies, systems, and/or components suitable for installation on large aircraft. Advanced laser technologies have a variety of potential military applications, including use as airborne energy sources for countering current and future threat IR missile seekers. A supplemental package has been developed to provide detailed technical performance requirements for the technology of interest. This package includes a questionnaire, a summary of IRCM technology for large aircraft, and general information on affordability to support laser technology assessment. Interested potential offerors should request this information/questionnaire package from the AFRL POC identified below. Gathered information will be used to expand the Air Force database of available developmental, COTS and NDI laser components and systems suitable for use in airborne electro-optical countermeasures systems; affordability issues will be a key part of this database. AFRL will also use the information to build a potential offerors list for possible future procurement of hardware and/or research and development effort in advancing the state of the art in laser technology. It is the desire of AFRL to consider technologies offering required capabilities with minimal impact to the integration and installation of the laser equipment in large transport aircraft. Interest in an advantageous product will be followed by subsequent inquiries to the contributor. Product information is desired for allelectrical, electronic, and optical components and laser materials. The respondent should provide as a minimum the following information: (1) physical and functional description of the item being offered (size, weight, and external interfaces to include power and cooling requirements); (2) performance description and specifications of the item; (3) include cost of item or technology now and anticipated in the future with further development; and (4) if not yet NDI, provide the development status and anticipated schedule for completion. Even though this request is aimed toward Air Force-specific requirements, organizations that have contributed to similar solicitations by other DOD branches or Government agencies should respond here as well to assure exposure of their technology to the Air Force. This announcement is a request for information and no contract will be awarded pursuant to this announcement. There is no bid package or solicitation document associated with this announcement. The requested information is for planning purposes and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. However, AFRL and the Air Force will utilize the information for technical and acquisition planning, especially near-to-mid term laboratory investment planning. It is recognized that cost information which is provided by the potential offeror is a preliminary estimate for planning purposes; the potential offeror will not be bound to these estimates. Subsequent acquisitions may follow in the ways which best meet Air Force needs. The government invites comments related to possible purchase or acquisition strategies. If there is a GSA or other contract vehicle already available for the technology being proposed, please include this information in the response. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: AFRL anticipates that all information received in response to this RFI will be UNCLASSIFIED. All data received in response to this RFI marked or designated as corporate or proprietary information will be fully protected from release outside the government. It is not the intent of AFRL to reimburse providers for the cost of submitting information in response to this RFI. POTENTIAL OFFERORS WHO WISH TO RESPOND TO THIS RFI SHOULD CONTACT Mr. Bill Taylor, AFRL/SNJW, (937)255-4174 x4006, e-mail: taylor@sensors.wpafb.af.mil; or alternatively Mr. Bill Nolte, AFRL/SNOL, (937)255-4202 x4040, e-mail: noltewl@sensors.wpafb.af.mil; or Mr. Cal Verity, AFRL/SNJW, (937)255-4174 x4356, e-mail: veritycb@sensors.wpafb.af.mil Posted 03/16/99 (W-SN308849). (0075)

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