US Army ARDEC, AMSTA-AR-PC, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey 07806-5000

A -- TOWED M119 HOWITZER LOCATOR DEVICE SOL DAAE30-00-R-0200 DUE 111899 POC Donna M. Apgar, Contracting Officer, 973-724-3271 WEB: US ARMY TACOM-ARDEC Procurement Network, http://procnet.pica.army.mil/cbd/RFP/00R0200/00R0200.htm. E-MAIL: Robert McMinn, rmcminn@pica.army.mil. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation: proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.The US Army TACOM-ARDEC is soliciting for a commercially available device that is to be used to locate a Towed M119 Howitzer and associated loads. This situation arises due to dark drop zone, obstructing terrain, inclement weather, multiple heavy drop loads, no visible lights, and proximity of the enemy. Delays in locating the weapon and the other equipment dropped, increases emplacement times and lower the effectiveness of the operation. Background: A search of commercially available products disclosed various types of signal/beacon equipment whose primary use is for search and rescue situations. Examples include skiers in avalanche prone areas, pilots in crash, etc. The primary types of equipment in use for these applications are: electronic devices that either transmit or receive, at your control, a pulsed radio signal or other frequency; strobe or other type of light device; ultrasonic (acoustic) transmitter and receiver. Each of these devices has their advantages/disadvantages and would more than likely require some type of modification for our unique application, which is finding equipment while not being detected by the enemy. Suggested Application parameters: 1. The maximum distance troops would be dropped from equipment load: .5 miles to 1.5 miles (estimated). 2. The maximum distance signal could transmit to keep it from being detected by enemy: 2 miles 3. The transmitter can be turned on while in the plane, but preferably by the gun crew after they are on the ground. 4.Each gun would preferably have a separate unique signal(desired characteristic)5. Troops are wearing night vision equipment. Interested firms should submit a proposal consisting of a concept paper, which defines the locator and describes its characteristics (10 page maximum). Provide also, a detailed operational explanation of the system and associated equipment. Provide life cycle cost for the system and required detection equipment cost based on supporting 100 units for approximately 10 years. Assume 3 deployments per year for each unit. The proposal should also include costs for quantities for user evaluation to be awarded on or about 15 JAN00 for 3, 6, and 12 systems to be delivered NLT 15MAR00 and an option for 100 systems to be exercised no later than 30AUG00. Upon receipt of the proposal, a draft commercial contract with appropriate certifications will be provided for execution. Award shall be made to the offer whose proposal represents the best value to the Government. Suitability for Use, Life Cycle Costs, and Price Risk shall be subjectively compared to determine the combination that is most advantageous to the Government and an award shall be made on that basis. The Government reserves the right to make award to other than the lowest priced offers or to other than the offer with the lowest Proposal Risk rating if the PCO determines that to do so would result in the best value to the Government. The initial concept paper will be reviewed for suitability for use based on in house technical evaluation. Offers selected in the initial competitive range will be awarded contracts for initial quantity of 3 each. This quantity will be presented to the user for evaluation. The results of the evaluation will be provided to the offeror for a final proposal revision and pricing of the option quantity and any special detection equipment, if necessary. Life cycle costs will be based on 10-year usage by the Armed Forces. Price will combine the option price and the basic quantity. Suitability for Use and Life Cycle Costs are equally important. Suitability for Use/Life Cycle Costs are significantly more important than price. Offers are reguired to be submitted via E-mail to rmcminn@pica.army.mil. Posted 10/18/99 (D-SN392639). (0291)

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