58 -- Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) Program Schedule

This notice is to inform Industry that the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Patuxent River, MD desires to continue its exchanges with industry in its planning of the JPALS Acquisition Strategy for System Development and Demonstration (SDD). JPALS is a Global Positioning System (GPS)/Inertial Navigation System (INS)-based precision approach and landing system (on land and at sea) that enables military aircraft to safely execute approaches to landing when ceiling and visibility are limiting factors. JPALS is a Joint Program with the Navy, Air Force and Army as its participants. Enabling technologies include Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) with an anti-jam capability, a Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) UHF Data Link, and INS (Sea Based only). The JPALS program requirements also include civil interoperability for all airborne platforms and land based installations. A draft RFP for a competitive, performance-based specification was scheduled for release in December 2005 with the final RFP being released in February 2006 for the JPALS SDD effort. The anticipated contract award via Best Value source selection was scheduled for July 2006. With regards to recent technology development issues, the JPALS Program schedule is being revised which includes postponing the release of the draft and final RFPs. While significant progress has been made, several technical focus areas have been evaluated to require additional demonstrated technological maturity prior to entering the SDD phase. These technical areas are: a) Ability to estimate GPS carrier phase and pseudorange errors under jamming conditions in order to detect and report hazardously misleading information within a specified time (integrity), b) ability to correct for GPS antenna element bias errors, c) ability to resolve GPS carrier phase cycle ambiguities , d) ability for the GPS reference receiver system to receive and provide data to the JPALS system under clear air and jamming conditions. The JPALS Program requests Industry provide feedback on these technical focus areas. Specifically, the Government wishes to know the availability of solutions to the technical areas, testing and test results in the technical areas and perceived risks in developing solutions to the technical areas. Other comments and suggestions regarding the Government's course of action and/or alternatives are encouraged and appreciated. It is requested all written responses and comments be received no later than 4:00 PM on 16 December 2005. Firms responding should indicate whether they are a small business (S), a small disadvantaged business (SDB), an 8(a) firm, or a large business (L). An update to the JPALS Program schedule and its strategy identifying the planned course of action will be provided in early December 2005. Interested parties should periodically check the PMA-213 web site, https://home.navair.navy.mil/pma213/jpals_industry, for this information and other updated information on JPALS. Industry members are encouraged to respond to these questions and provide additional/alternative inputs. Responses and inquiries should be e-mailed to the attention of the Contracting Officer, Lynda Frattone - lynda.frattone@navy.mil, AIR-2.2.1.3, telephone (301) 757 5936. Note: This Special Notice is provided for planning purposes only and is subject to change. This notice does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) and the Government is not committed or obligated to pay for any information submitted in response to this notice, and no basis for claim shall arise as a result of this notice or contractor response to this notice.