SPECIAL OPERATIONS TACTICLE IMAGING SYSTEM (SOLE SOURCE) DESC: The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Special Operations Acquisition and Logistics Center, Directorate of Procurement intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304c (1) and FAR 6.302-1; Only one responsible source and no other supplies or service will satisfy the agency requirements. Justification for the lack of competition is based on market research, e.g., ongoing market surveys for more than a year, sources sought in July 99, telephonic exchanges of information, and an industry day. Eastman Kodak is the only known company willing and capable to undertake the subject efforts for this program. Specifically, USSOCOM needs tactical, man-operated, rugged, digital, splashproof and waterproof cameras, and rugged compatible field computing devices (FCD) with maintenance and support that will allow Special Operational Forces (SOF) to execute their missions. This requirement is to provide SOF with a family of digital imaging apparatus that can be operated in diverse and rugged field operational environments. The work involves producing a rugged digital splashproof camera non-developmental item (NDI) based product for deployment in the integrated SOF environment. This camera must have at least 1K by 1K resolution and must be capable of supporting a variety of interchangeable lenses and night vision devices to meet a wide range of imaging conditions while being able to withstand the shock, vibration, humidity, temperature extremes and precipitation of the operational environment. It is our intent to award a sole-source contract to Kodak to be able to provide a rugged digital splashproof NDI camera. The current estimated quantity for the rugged, digital splashproof camera is 111 with a maximum quantity of 477. The quantity of 477 is actually a maximum for both this instant contract and the production contract discussed later; the quantity of 111 is not a minimum, but only an estimate. In addition, USSOCOM requires a rugged digital, splashproof camera variant that is inherently more rugged that can withstand repeated drops with the lens attached. Therefore, it also our intent to have Kodak deliver three of these NDI rugged, digital, splashproof camera variants. Finally, it is our intention, as part of this instant contract, to have Kodak develop a prototype for a rugged digital waterproof camera to meet our SOF needs. Special Operations Forces require a rugged digital waterproof camera that meets a 1K by 1K resolution requirement and that is inherently waterproof, i.e., does not need a case, and can be used to image both under and above water. This camera will primarily be used for above water operations and must therefore fit the form factor of a "normal" human-operated camera, but will also occasionally be used for underwater operations at depths up to 66 feet. This camera must be able to withstand the pressure and environmental factors associated with submarine lockout and withstand up to two atmospheres of pressure for several hours. Moreover, this rugged digital waterproof camera must have the same operational capabilities as the rugged digital splashproof camera model. This program also includes a requirement for a Field Computing Device (FCD) for each of these cameras which shall be capable of interfacing to these camera(s) with the appropriate camera protocol, download the images from the camera, manipulate, annotate, and compress the images and then interface to a variety of SOF radios to transmit the images to remote locations. Further, the imaging apparatus and the FCD for the splashproof camera must operate without degradation while being subjected to above water atmospheric pressures up to 15,000 feet. They must also operate, without degradation, after being transported in a rigid case under pressures from 66 feet under salt water to 40,000 feet above water. They must also operate after immersion in 3 feet of salt water for a period no less than thirty minutes in a flexible case. Also, the imaging apparatus for the waterproof camera must operate, without degradation, while being subjected to pressures from 66 feet under salt water to 15,000 feet above water. The FCD for the waterproof imaging apparatus must operate during and after exposure to the same environments as the FCD for the splashproof camera. The current estimated quantity for the FCD is to have one FCD for each splashproof camera, e.g., estimates of 111 to 477. The quantity of 111 is not a minimum, but the 477 is a maximum. The FCD must be able to withstand the same environmental conditions as the rugged digital splashproof variant camera as well as having a sunlight readable, night dimmable display. Kodak as the imaging apparatus contractors will be tasked with system integration responsibility to ensure that the hand-off from image capture through radio transmission is seamless and optimized. It is planned that this instant sole source contract with Eastman Kodak will either be approximately a base period and several option years or an ordering period for several years from the date of award or a combination of both. Depending upon administrative ease, there may be one or two contracts issued to Eastman Kodak. Moreover, it is expected that the contract type will be an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity with firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract line items, though this could change. Through the use of the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program, USSOCOM has identified two candidates who may be able to develop a suitable imaging apparatus to meet our needs. These SBIRs are Desert Star Systems, 761 Neeson Road Number 9, Marina, CA 93933 and International Electronic Machines, 60 4th Avenue, Albany, NY 12202-1924. At the conclusion of the development of the rugged digital waterproof camera, which may be before the end of the ordering/option periods of the instant Eastman Kodak's sole source contract, we plan on competing the production of the rugged digital waterproof camera among Eastman Kodak and the two Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) companies mentioned previously. Based upon that comparison, we will make a determination among the alternatives and award a contract to the contractor team that offers the best approach to meeting our rugged digital waterproof camera needs. Toward this end, it is expected that production downselect clauses may be included in the Eastman Kodak and two SBIR contractual documents. However, the government reserves the right to award one, two, three, or no contracts at the end of the development of the rugged digital waterproof camera. The production quantities for both the more rugged, digital splashproof camera variant and the rugged digital waterproof camera will not be part of this instant award. The estimates for these cameras are 193 for the more rugged, digital splashproof camera variant and 48 for the rugged, digital waterproof camera. The maximum for both these cameras is 477. Moreover, quantities of 193 and 48 respectively are not minimums, but only estimates. Based upon current market research, the Government does not anticipate that any other offeror will participate in the downselect competition among Kodak and the two SBIR contractors to supply the production quantities of the more rugged, digital splashproof camera variant and the rugged digital waterproof camera. All responsible sources may submit a proposal in accordance with Note 22, which shall be considered by the agency. Any questions regarding the above may be directed to Mr. Christopher D. Stiller (813) 828-7659. See Note #22 E-MAIL: Contract Specialist, stillec@socom.mil. Posted 02/03/00 (W-SN421294).

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0389 20000207\SP-0010.MSC)