58 -- ALL PURPOSE REMOTE TRANSPORT SYSTEM (ALTERNATE CONTROL MECHANISM)

Notice Date

August 2, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AAC -- Air Armament Center, AAC/PK 205 West D Avenue, Suite 433, Eglin AFB, FL, 32542-6864

ZIP Code

32542-6864

Solicitation Number

Reference-Number-WMOK-01-003

Response Due

September 1, 2001

Point of Contact

Dennis Fields, Contract Specialist, Phone (850)882-4686 X 336, Fax (850)882-9381, Email dennis.fields@eglin.af.mil -- Karen Turner, Contracting Officer, Phone (850)882-4685 x 316, Fax 850-882-9381, Email karen.turner@eglin.af.mil

Description

FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSE ONLY. This is a modification of the Synopsis published 04 May 2001. The Combat Support Systems Program Office of the Armament Product Support Group, Air Armament Center, is seeking information from firms interested in designing, producing and logistically supporting an Alternate Control System (ACS) for the All-purpose Remote Transport System (ARTS). Produced by Applied Research Associates (ARA), Incorporated, the ARTS is a diesel-powered, remotely controlled, all-terrain transport system, based on the MD-70 Posi-Track vehicle manufactured by All-Season Vehicle, Inc. The ARTS is capable of carrying and employing various explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) attachments and tools up to one and a half miles from its portable, operator control station. The ARTS' ACS is envisioned to be a bolt-on kit that is employed when normal radio control transmissions are not to be used. As part of the current, primary control system, radio transmissions carry digital data packets for status and control between the operator control station and the remotely controlled platform. In addition, an analog broadband video signal is transmitted via L- or C-band radio from the platform to the control station. The ACS must duplicate these capabilities. The data must retain 19,200-baud RS-232 standard through a pair of ten-pin connectors (PEI-Genesis KPT02E10-6S) at the control station and at the platform control unit. The video source on the platform control unit and the control station are standard 75 Ohm BNC connectors. Signal power boost and transformation to and from another medium (fiberoptic, twisted wire pair, etc.) will be accomplished using 110-VAC 60Hz electric power at the control station, and 12-VDC power at the platform. A desired feature of the ACS is that it be reusable and employ a method for automatic retrieval/retraction of the delivery medium if such medium involves cables, landline, etc., when the ARTS unit is operated in backup or reverse direction to ensure that the medium is not damaged. Additional information regarding the ARTS is available from two internet sources. General product information, including a picture of the ARTS can be obtained from the ARA website at http://www.ara.com/robotics1.htm. The ARTS Product Description, containing detailed performance characteristics, is available for review on the AAC Contracting Electronic Bulletin Board under Air Force Material Command at www.eps.gov. Firms having or capable of designing such communications systems are requested to submit literature/brochures outlining the specifications/capabilities of these systems to AAC/WMOK, Attn: Mr. Dennis Fields, Contracting Specialist, (see address below) within 30 days of the date of CBD paper publication of this announcement. Responses will be evaluated and a solicitation list established of those firms determined capable of fulfilling the Government?s requirements. At a later date, the Government may acquire one or more units for initial testing and a subsequent purchase of an unspecified number from one or more of these vendors. This request for information (RFI) is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a request for proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any follow-on acquisitions. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of submission of responses to this RFI and Government use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject in whole or in part any industry input as a result of this RFI. This RFI does not constitute the solicitation of proposals. The Government recognizes that proprietary data may be part of this effort. If so, clearly mark such restricted or proprietary data and present it as an addendum to the non-restricted/non-proprietary information. For further information concerning technical aspects, contact Mr. Cleo Gooden, ARTS Program Manager, or Mr. Stephen Kelley, ARTS Program Support Engineer, AAC/WMO, 314 W. Choctawhatchee Ave, Suite 104, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-5717, or by telephone at (850) 882-4686, extensions 330 and 356, respectively. E-mail addresses are: cleotha.gooden@eglin.af.mil or stephen.kelley@eglin.af.mil. For contracting information contact Mr. Dennis Fields, Contracting Specialist, AAC/WMOK, 314 W. Choctawhatchee Ave, Suite 104, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-5717 or by telephone at (850) 882-4686, ext. 336. E-mail address is dennis.fields@eglin.af.mil. Firms responding to this synopsis should state whether they are or are not a small business concern or small disadvantaged business concern as defined by FAR 52.219-1 and 52.219-2, respectively. The Government reserves the right to consider a small business set-aside based on responses hereto. =20 =09

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AAC/Reference-Number-WMOK-01-003/l isting.html)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010806/58SOL004.HTM (D-214 SN50T7U3)