A -- PANORAMIC NIGHT VISION GOGGLES

Notice Date

December 14, 2001

Contracting Office

2725 C St WPAFB, Oh, 45433-7424

ZIP Code

45433-7424

Solicitation Number

F33657-02-R-0008

Response Due

January 17, 2002

Point of Contact

Donald C Fisher Contracting Officer,937-656-5127

E-Mail Address

donald.fisher@wpafb.af.mil (donald.fisher@wpafb.af.mil)

Description

The United States Air Force (USAF) is seeking interested sources regarding a requirement for the development and follow-on production of panoramic night vision capabilities. The sponsoring activity is Aeronautical Systems Center, Air Combat SPO, ASC/FB, Panoramic Night Vision Goggle Program Office, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH. The purpose of the PNVG program is to provide the USAF with the capability to improve the performance of air superiority, strike, search and rescue, mobility, and special operations missions at night. The primary objective is to rapidly field a baseline PNVG that will have a greater than 80 degree horizontal field of view (FOV) and a greater than 35 degree vertical FOV, with acuity and performance equivalent to or better than the currently fielded AN/AVS-9s. The baseline PNVG must minimize weight and provide an improved center of gravity over the AN/AVS-9 goggle. Also, the baseline PNVG must minimize bulk to allow for head movement through the full range of motion, and provide sufficient eye relief to enable the user to wear prescription eyeglasses. The baseline PNVG must provide an expanded field of view over current systems, provide protection from lasers, be compatible with existing laser eye protection technologies, and provide a growth path to an ejection capable version. The USAF's requirement shall include a developed PNVG product ready for qualification testing in approximately the second quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 and initial production deliveries beginning in the first quarter of (FY) 2004. A total of 600 units will be delivered by (FY) 2006; 200 each in (FY) 2004, 2005, and 2006. The long-term goal of the PNVG program is to refine the baseline PNVG with additional capability at defined increments, or spiral developments, thus creating an Integrated Panoramic Night Vision Goggle (IPNVG) expanded capability. The levels of spiral development are defined as follows: The baseline is a non-ejection PNVG that mounts to the current helmet with an AN/AVS-9 mount and should be ready for qualification testing in the second quarter of FY 2003 and initial production deliveries in the first quarter of FY 2004, the first spiral development is an ejection capable PNVG that follows the baseline PNVG by approximately (6) six months, the second spiral development incorporates data display capability, and the third spiral development incorporates the ability to interface with the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System for weapon and sensor cueing. The spirals should be ready for qualification testing by approximately the third quarter of FY 2003 and are for PNVG development only, not aircraft or helmet upgrades. The Air Force's preferred approach is that the basic capability and performance of the PNVG system should leverage the Air Force Research Laboratory's existing IPNVG program effort. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION. It is a market research tool to determine the availability and adequacy of potential sources. Firms responding to this announcement should indicate their size, particularly if they are a small business, a socially and economically disadvantaged business, a woman-owned business, a HUBzone small business concern, a minority institution, and should also indicate if the firm is foreign-owned. The North American Industry Classification System (NAIC) code 336413, Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment applies to this acquisition with a size standard of 1,000 employees. Interested sources are encouraged to first register as a source on the PIXS Web Site (www.pixs.wpafb.af.mil). In addition, interested sources must respond with a complete capability/qualification package describing their technical expertise and experience, personnel and facilities. The response should also identify key technical risks, issues, and a notional schedule for each spiral. All parties are asked to provide a telephone number, an e-mail address, and a facsimile number in their response. Information marked "Proprietary" will be protected and will not be divulged unless mandated by existing laws. This information should be sent to ASC/FBH, 2725 C Street, Bldg. 553, Wright- Patterson AFB OH 45433-7424 not later than (30) thirty days from the publication of this notice. The point of contact is Alma Haynesworth, (937) 656-5229. Any non- technical and/or contractual questions should be referred to the above individual. Programmatic questions should be directed to Maj A.J. Scott, (937) 255-9694. Technical questions can be directed to Mr. Ed Matheson, (937) 656- 5268. Mr. Michael Higgins has been appointed as Ombudsman to hear concerns from offerors, or potential offerors, during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. The purpose of the Ombudsman is to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel. Existence of an Ombudsman does not diminish the authority of the program director or the contracting officer. Accordingly, the Ombudsman does not participate in the preparation of solicitations, the evaluation of proposals or the source selection process and, therefore, for routine matters on individual solicitations, please contact the point of contact above. When requested the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. Should you desire to contact the Ombudsman, Mr. Higgins can be reached at (937) 255-6005. *****

Web Link

PNVGII-Panoramic Night Vision Goggles (http://www.pixs.wpafb.af.mil/pixslibr/PNVGII/PNVGII.asp)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20011218/ASOL013.HTM (D-348 SN5152F3)