16 -- HARDWARE SUITE TO SUPPORT THE COMMON AVIONICS ARCHITECTURE SYSTEM (CAAS)

Notice Date

January 3, 2001

Contracting Office

U.S. Special Operations Command, Attn: AMSAM-AR-Z-A-K, Bldg 401, Lee Blvd., Fort Eustis, VA 23604-5577

ZIP Code

23604-5577

Solicitation Number

USZA95-01-R-0013

Response Due

February 15, 2001

Point of Contact

Linda Diedrich, Ct Spec, 757-878-5223,x240 or Kent Fuqua, Engineer, 757-878-3299,x229

E-Mail Address

ldiedric@tapo.eustis.army.mil or rcooney@tapo.eustis.army.mil (ldiedric@tapo.eustis.army.mil or kfuqua@tapo.eustis.army.mil or rcooney@tapo.eustis.army.mil)

Description

The Technology Applications Program Office (TAPO) is anticipating issuing a competitive solicitation for the development and procurement of the hardware suite supporting its Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) upgrade. The Operational Flight Program for the system is already being acquired by the Army. This system will be installed on the U.S. Army Special Operations Command CH-47 and MH-60 aircraft. It is anticipated that this same hardware suite (or a subset of it) will also be installed on the U.S. Army CH-47 Improved Cargo Helicopter and the UH-60M Helicopter. The total estimated quantity of this requirement is 1,800. TAPO and the Army are jointly developing performance based specifications for the hardware to support CAAS and be scalable to the platform. The major components of the hardware suite are anticipated to be: 1) Multifunction Displays (MFD)with a viewable area of 8" x 10" and a resolution of XGA minimum; 2) Mission Processor -- a PowerPC with a minimum 300 MHz processor with a minimum of 32 MB FLASH RAM and 32 MB SRAM; 3) Control Display Unit -- ARINC 753 format with alphanumeric keyboard; 4) Video Concentrator -- able to accept a minimum of four RGB and six digital video inputs and provide a minimum of six digital outputs; 5) Data Concentrator -- Analog to digital converter for the Engine Instrument/Caution Advisory System; 6) Cursor Control Device which provides "mouse-like" cursor control for the selection of item on the MFDs. The CAAS architecture is currently forecasted to be based upon a 100 MegaBit Ethernet high speed bus that meets the integrity and reliability of D.O. 178B (or equivalent) for flight critical applications. Only those firms/teams that can provide a complete suite of hardware will be entertained by the Government. TAPO is soliciting comments from industry as to: 1) the technical description of system proposed; 2) the availability and qualification status of equipment that may meet the functions described above; 3) recommended contract type and duration, and reasons therefore; and 4) Rough order of magnitude (ROM) pricing for any identified systems. Based upon the information received, meetings and followup conversations may be scheduled. Initial deliveries of the hardware systems are anticipated for January 2003. Any sources interested in bidding on this requirement are requested to respond to the Technology Applications Contracting Office by 15 February 2001. Request for Proposal release is currently scheduled for 01 June 2001 with anticipated contract award in January 2002.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010105/16SOL005.HTM (W-003 SN50A0C6)