58 -- Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Combat Survivor Evader and Locator (CSEL) Survivor Radio System

The US Air Force intends to purchase up to 5,000 AN/PRQ-7 radio sets for Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) for the Combat Survivor Evader Locator System (CSEL) with The Boeing Company (deliveries set to begin by the 1st Quarter of FY05). The full rate production decision on the CSEL system is set to be made by the 4th Quarter of FY04. Boeing is the designer, developer and sole manufacturer of the CSEL system and is the only known company with the requisite knowledge capable of providing the production requirement within the required time period. Interested parties are invited to submit a statement of technical capabilities which includes the following information: 1) Company name, mailing address, points of contact and telephone numbers, 2) Business size classification, Large, Small, or Other, 3) Experience in small/survival radios or similar technologies, and 4) The facilities to work at the appropriate security level. Interested offerors must submit Statements of Capabilities (SOC), which clearly show that they are qualified to perform this effort. Send your capability statements to SMC/GPK (ATTN: Capt. Jake Campbell), 2435 Vela Way, Suite 1866, El Segundo, CA 90245-4659. Oral communications are not acceptable. Email communications are acceptable. This acquisition is intended to fulfill urgent operational requirements. This synopsis is a notice of intent to modify the contract and shall not be considered a request for offers. Prospective contractors should submit information in writing no later than the deadline date stated above with well-documented evidence of their capability to meet all technical contractual requirements. All production radios must meet the form, fit, function and NSA security design features of the existing CSEL AN/PRQ-7 Radio Set and the CSEL system architecture as described below. SYSTEM OVERVIEW: The CSEL system provides isolated personnel (IP) in need of rescue with: DoD GPS policy compliant precision Global Positioning System (GPS) based geoposition and navigation data in a navigation warfare (SAASM-based with direct Y capability) environment, two-way over-the-horizon (OTH), NSA approved secure data communications to Joint Search and Rescue Centers (JSRCs)/Rescue Coordination Centers (RCC), OTH beacon operation, Line-of-Sight (LOS) voice communication, sweep tone and swept tone beacon capabilities. The CSEL system architecture is composed of three segments: Over-the-Horizon (OTH), Ground, and User. The OTH segment operates in three modes each using one of three Communication systems: UHF Satellite Communications (UHFSATCOM), other assets, and COSPAS (Space System for Search of Vessels in Distress [Russian translation])/Search and Rescue Satellite Assisted Tracking (SARSAT). The UHFSATCOM mode supports two-way world-wide secure data messaging for 197 users every half hour between the AN/PRQ-7 radio and the AN/GRC-242 UHF SATCOM Base Station (UBS) over a dedicated 5Khz channel. IP or JSRC/RCC operator messages are then routed to the appropriate UBS and JSRC/RCC CSEL workstation JSRC/RCC command, control, and communications application (C3). AN/PRQ-7 transmissions are automatically acknowledged upon receipt at the UBS prior to routing to the JSRC/RCC workstation C3 application. A third OTH mode supports one-way secure messaging/geoposition from the AN/PRQ-7 using the Low Probability of Exploitation (LPE) capability to the JSRC/RCC workstation C3 application with return messaging capability available through UHF SATCOM. In addition the AN/PRQ-7 is capable of dual LPE/UHF transmissions with return messaging over UHF SATCOM. COSPAS-SARSAT provides non-secure, one-way data & beacon transmission and is intended for emergency use above or below 70 degrees latitude where UHFSATCOM coverage is lacking. The Ground segment is composed of Defense Information Infrastructure Common Operating Environment (DII COE) compliant CSEL JSRC/RCC C3 application segment software. This software must be installed on a DII COE compliant workstation connected to the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNET), which links the JSRC/RCC workstation to the UBS. The User segment consists of the AN/PRQ-7 radio, J-6431/PRQ-7 Radio Set Adapter (RSA), Radio Set Mission Loading Application Software and a service-provided IBM compatible computer using the Windows 2000 operating system. These elements of equipment are collectively known as CSEL Planning Equipment (CPE). The Mission Loading Application software installed in the IBM compatible computer is required to load communications frequencies, waypoints, callsigns, routing information, and optional user password into the AN/PRQ-7. The RSA provides the physical and electrical interface between the IBM compatible computer and an AN/PRQ-7 and also between key fill devices and the AN/PRQ-7 for loading of GPS keys. A second AN/PRQ-7 serves as the reference radios and is used to transfer GPS position, almanac, ephemeris, and time to the target radio. Potential offerors must demonstrate the capability to produce an AN/PRQ-7 Radio Set and associated CPE that has completed a Multi-Service Operational Test and Evaluation under the oversight of DOT&E and be capable of receiving an AFOTEC finding that the system is effective and suitable and has received a positive DOT&E Beyond LRIP Report to Congress prior to first delivery of CSEL radios. Contractor will be required to produce first delivery operational radios no later than one year after contract award to meet urgent operational requirements. See Note 26