58 -- Aerial Reconnaissance Equipment for Homeland Security

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Homeland Defense and Combat Support Sector is seeking information for a Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Homeland Security Sensor Suite. Per FAR 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997), (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Although "proposal" and "offeror" are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. (c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of obtaining information on the availability and technical performance of aerial reconnaissance equipment to be used in Civil Air Patrol aircraft. The Civil Air Patrol is the official Auxiliary of the Air Force and operates a fleet of light, general aviation aircraft over the CONUS on a regular basis. The Air Force is examining ways to more efficiently utilize these aircraft in a Homeland Security role. Air Force Research Lab is specifically (but not limited to) searching for both near term (off the shelf) and long term (developmental) technology that will facilitate aerial reconnaissance from the CAP fleet. Current missions are operated at low altitudes (1,000 -10,000 feet) in light aircraft like the Cessna 182, Cessna 206 and Gippsland GA-8 aircraft. Light, twin-engine aircraft are used for off shore missions. Hardware, software and procedures are of interest. Typical missions might include reconnaissance, over time, a nuclear power plant, dam, water reservoir, power station, etc., for suspicious activity. Missions might also involve real time reconnaissance of vessels, ports, or other vehicles/places/events. Sufficient resolution is required to identify the presence of people in prohibited places and the presence of macro level damage on buildings and structures from slant ranges up to 21,000 feet. System output should include Global Positioning System (GPS) date/time stamp indicating location of the objects in the sensor field of view. Responses should include weight (lbs), size (ft3), power requirements (amps/volts), resolution (@ 1000), I/O interface, cost, maturity (in production, in test) and availability as a minimum. Interest in an advantageous product will be followed by subsequent inquiries to the contributor. Even though this request is aimed toward Air Force-specific needs, organizations that have contributed to similar solicitations by other DOD branches or Government agencies should respond here as well to assure exposure of their technology to the Air Force. The requested information is for planning purposes and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement will be issued. However, AFRL and the Air Force will utilize the information for technical and acquisition planning, especially near-to-mid term laboratory investment planning. It is recognized that any cost information provided by the contractor is a preliminary estimate for planning purposes; the contractor will not be bound to these estimates. Subsequent acquisitions may follow in the ways that best meet Air Force needs. The government invites comments related to possible purchase or acquisition strategies. If there is a GSA or other contract vehicle already available for the technology being proposed, please include this information in the response. A Technical Interchange Web-base, On-line Virtual Meeting will be hosted by AFRL on 08 August 2003. Registration for the Technical Interchange meeting is due NLT COB, 04 Aug 2003. To register, please contact Capt David Shahady at contact@example.gov. Please include a point of contact, company name, and phone number. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION. This announcement is UNCLASSIFIED. The Technical Interchange Virtual Conference will be UNCLASSIFIED. However, AFRL anticipates that information received in response to this RFI may be CLASSIFIED up to the SECRET level, especially if it discloses current or projected capabilities and limitations of systems as installed on USAF aircraft. Consult the current classification guide for your technology for details. If the response to this RFI contains classified information or you wish to discuss classified information, please contact the Technical POC. All data received in response to this RFI marked or designated as corporate or proprietary information will be fully protected from release outside the government. The Air Force will not reimburse providers for the cost of submitting information in response to this RFI. Reponses to this RFI are due NLT 15 Aug 03 and shall be submitted to the AFRL Technical POC info: Maj Robert Mack, AFRL/SNO, 2241 Avionic Circle, Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433, voice phone: +1 (555) 000-0000 x4381, email: contact@example.gov. Direct questions to the Technical Point of Contact identified in the announcement.