12 -- CONSOLIDATATED FIRE CONTROL FOR MORTARS (CONFIRE)

Notice Date

July 2, 2001

Contracting Office

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

ZIP Code

07806-5000

Solicitation Number

DAAE30-01-R-0330

Response Due

July 19, 2001

Point of Contact

Linda Shnyder, Contract Specialist, (973)724-6633

E-Mail Address

Linda Shnyder (LShnyder@pica.army.mil)

Description

The Product Manager for Mortar Systems is conducting a market survey to identify potential sources for the execution of a consolidated mortar fire control system acquisition, formally known as ConFire. ConFire is not a program but rather an evolutionary acquisition strategy. The objective of this approach is to leverage mortar fire control programs and there technologies by integrating program synergies. An incrementally funded Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Order contract encompassing Firm Fixed Price (FFP) and Time and Material (T&M) contracts is planned. This performance-based acquisition will require a system integrator with extensive domain experience in fire control as well as the capability to develop and execute an integrated systems evolutionary plan. General support requirements will encompass Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Production and Operational and Support activities. Fire control systems that may be awarded under contract support mortar mounted operations, dismounted and vehicle supported operations. These systems are formally known as (individually): the Mortar Ballistic Computer (MBC), and the Mortar Fire Control System (MFCS), to include variants for heavy forces and light forces. Special Notice: The future procurement action will contain technical data whose export is restricted by the Arms Export Control Act (Title 22, U.S.C. Sect. 2751, et. seq.) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (22 C.F.R. Sections 120-130). Compliance will required in any future RFP and contract award. The Mortar Ballistic Computer is a stand-alone computer capable of computing ballistic solutions for the US Army s 60mm, 81mm and 120mm families of weapons. Capabilities include communicating digitally through SINCGARS Combat Net Radios to higher echelons and directly to Target Acquisition Devices for the assignment of missions. The MBC provides logic and functionality allowing control of weapons in a variety of tactical groupings nd computes firing orders in a manner that maximizes destructive capability. The M95 Mortar Fire Control System (MFCS) is a Heavy 120mm Mortar Fire Control System (MFCS) which is an add-on system to an already fielded 120mm M121 Carrier Mounted Mortar System along with its M577 Fire Direction Center vehicle. It provides mortar platoon commanders with accurate, digitally integrated, and responsive indirect fire system capabilities. System required capabilities include position/navigation, weapon pointing (weapon applications only), ballistic computation, and the ability to digitally communicate with the fire support AFATDS and with the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade-and-Below (FBCB2) Embedded Battle Command (EBC) Situational Awareness networks. The Light Mortar Fire Control System is a derivation of the M95. The primary differences between the light MFCS and the heavy MFCS are based on their base vehicle platforms, power requirements, and need for certain components to be man-portable. It will be an add-on system to two already fielded mortar systems, the 120mm, M120 Towed Mortar System and the 81mm, M252 Mortar System along with their HMMWV Fire Direction Center (FDC) vehicles. It will also serve as a platoon level digitally integrated fire control system consisting of position/navigation, weapon pointing (weapon applications only), ballistic computation, digitally communicate along with providing situational awareness capabilities. Mortar Fire Control Variants: Currently within DoD there are a number of future weapon system initiatives, which will require fully integrated digital fire control systems capable of weapon pointing, navigation, computation, command, control and communications. Given current capabilities, the needs of these weapons systems can be fulfilled through variants of the MFCS. The Government is interested only in those potential offerors who have specific knowledge in this subject matter and have experience and the ability, either independently or through responsive outsourcing, to plan for system integration/support, technology advancements and component obsolescence, which will confront the future operational life cycle of these systems. Responses must indicate the potential offeror s capability to perform any, all or a combination of the efforts described above. Respondents to the notice will not be notified of the assessment of the information submitted. This is a sources sought notice for planning purposes only. This is not a solicitation and does not obligate the Government to issue a solicitation. The Government will not pay for any information submitted under this announcement. All responses are required within 15 calendar days, to: e-mail LShnyder@pica.army.mil or Commander, U.S. Army TACOM-ARDEC, ATTN: AMSTA-AQ-APC, Linda Shnyder, Bldg. 10, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000. See numbered Notes 25 and 26 in Monday s edition of the CBD.

Web Link

US ARMY TACOM-ARDEC Procurement Network (http://procnet.pica.army.mil/cbd/SRCSgt/070220011/070220011.htm)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010705/12SOL001.HTM (D-183 SN50Q684)