58--MICH-Communications Headsets

The United States Special Operations Command, Special Operations Forces Special Projects Team is seeking information on the following: High noise communications headset suite. The suite should have the following mandatory characteristics: a. The System shall contain a circum-aural high noise headset, inner aural (ear bud type) high noise system, and two systems for use in low noise (provides no hearing protection) environments. One low noise headset will be for use in a maritime environment (the 66 foot diveable version) and one headset should be a low noise ear bud for use in operations that require a less overt appearance. b. All headsets shall work off of a single PTT and cabling system. c. The system shall be able to simultaneously monitor and selectively transmit on two radios and an ICS system. d. ICS system plug-ins shall have a quick disconnect capability. e. The high noise headsets shall monitor multiple radio nets one per each ear with the primary in the left. f. When the high noise headsets monitor one net it shall be heard in both ears. g. If active noise reduction (ANR) is used in the high noise systems the wearer shall be able to readily and selectively turn on and off ANR on the spot without additional software or computers. h. High noise systems shall provide for listen and talk capabilities in a high noise environment to include passive sound attenuation to protect the wearer from both steady state and impulse noise, while allowing the user to hear ambient ear-safe noises that he would hear with the naked ear. i. Noise attenuation amplification shall encompass a range of audio levels (low & high) adjustable by the wearer. j. Wearer shall be able to readily and selectively turn on and off the noise attenuation capability. k. System shall not interfere with wearing and use of the MICH/ACH helmet when worn with the Ops-Core H chinstrap and Team Wendy pads in the SOCOM configuration with the Special Operations Eyewear Suite. System shall not interfere with the cheek to stock weld on the M-4 weapons system with SOPMOD kit. l. System shall work for all SOF operators, left and right hand shooters. m. The suite shall be compatible and functional with the 117F, VIC 3, PRC 148, and the PSC 5. n. All inner aural high noise systems shall have a non-custom molded ear bud. o. All headsets shall maximize volume out put with a high degree of clarity. p. All headsets shall work off of a single PTT and cabling system. q. Offerors shall provide NRR ratings from an independent third party on all high noise products in accordance with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard S12.6-1997. r. Inneraural high noise systems shall provide a minimum NRR rating of 22 s. Circumaural high noise systems shall provide a minimum NRR rating of 13 t. System shall have training products that have explicit directions on wear, use, maintenance and a detailed list of components. Listed below are desirable chartacteristics: 1. The entire system shall be Waterproof to 3 feet salt water for 30 minutes in its as worn configuration. 2. The low noise system (headset, common push-to-talk, and common applicable cabling) shall be dive able to 66 feet salt water for 3 hours, easily configurable to the wearer while submerged, secure in configuration and operable upon wearer surfacing. Minimal degradation to headset speaker clarity and microphone sensitivity due to depth time requirement. This is only in reference to one of the two low noise headsets. a. The low noise headset should allow for listen and talk in low noise environments with an unobtrusive microphone and speaker system that minimizes interference with acoustic hearing, peripheral vision, and/or other worn equipment. Speaker clarity is a critical feature in low noise environments to ensure clear receipt of communiqu without requiring a high volume level and risking compromise. Microphone sensitivity is a critical feature in a low noise environment to ensure clear transmits of communiqu without requiring a high speech level and risking compromise. b. The system is desired to have inner aural and circum-aural high noise headsets that are interoperable. Interoperability is determined by the ability of each headset to enhance the others organic capabilities. Worn simultaneously to provide higher levels of hearing protection. c. It is desired to have the entire system waterproof to 3 feet of salt water continuously. d. The wearer must be able to selectively select whether to receive multi nets or a single net in mono or stereo e. Systems must not interfere with the wearing of Special Operation Forces load carriage and armor systems, Nuclear Biological Chemical protective masks and shall not interfere with cheek to stock weld when firing rifles, machineguns and carbines. f. When ICS communications are required regardless of ICS system or platform user does not require the host platform to go hot, allowing the user to plug directly into the ICS system and talk over an open microphone, or use his, and not the platforms PTT to communicate. g. The circumaural high noise headset noise pass through capabilities are independent from the communications interface with the intent that a critical failure in either area does not effect essential performance in the other. h. The high noise circum-aural headset should be able to be worn/integrate with the MICH/ACH after the wearer has secured his helmet (e.g. The wearer not having to put on the headset prior to putting on his helmet.) i. The system may have compatibility with following radios: AN/PRC-148(V)1(C) MBITR Maritime, JEM (PRC-148), AN/PSC-5D, AN/PRC117F, PRR, AN/PRC 150, CSEL AN/PRQ-7, AN/PRC117D(V)2(C), AN/PRC-148(V)2(C) MBITR Urban, AN/PSC-5C, AN-PRC-113 j. The system may have compatibility with the following ground mobility vehicles: RG 33, Stryker vehicle, and the FMTV. k. The compatibility with ICS and Radio systems may be achieved with the minimum number of components. l. When ICS communications are required regardless of ICS system or platform user does not require the host platform to go hot. m. Systems that have the ability to upgrade to custom fit inner aural headset. In either being a moldable or a fixed molded system the electronics shall be detachable/recoverable. n. Systems are desirable that have an operationally effective wireless PTT option. If no wireless PTT is available, a PTT that will accept the integration of another PTT (e.g. finger PTT). o. Comfort time frame is 12 hours while still being able to secure the headset to the wearer and adjust sizing as required. p. It is also desirable to provide amplification of ambient sounds. q. Multiple components may be necessary to accomplish this objective, but fewer components with more capabilities are desirable. r. Vendor submissions must perform consistently in all standard Special Operations Forces operating environments. It must be built to withstand arduous combat conditions for not less than 120 days in austere locations in all environments. The headsets will be employed in the jungle environment and experience many days of high humidity, rain, water submersion, thorny trees and bushes etc. In the Desert environment the headset will endure solar radiation, sand storms and dust, high temperatures and rocky terrain. The Maritime environment brings salt water and spray, solar, sand, and grit. Mountainous environments bring jagged rocks, hauling and rappelling, climbing harnesses etc. The headsets will be jumped from high altitudes, loaded in vehicles or on aircraft pallets for transport, used around sharp objects, subjected to vibration wear and tear, dropped from heights of 15 feet, beat up and down, exposed to significant wear and tear, yet have to perform to high standards in the face of combat. Headset should be able to survive temperatures from -40F to 160F. It is advised to have a system capable of surviving 200v/m. System should function in all SOF RF environments. s. Military standard or commercially equivalent batteries will power components. A threshold battery life of 200 hours is required given a 7/1 receive to transmit ratio. Parasitic power from the tactical radios capable of this is permitted to reduce the bulk and weight of the device while maintaining internal power described above. It will not be tested with parasitic power. Desired 300 hours with a 3/1/1 ratio t. System should be compatible with the ICS systems on all Special Operations common air, sea and land craft as wel11M RIB AN/VIC-3 VIS , MK V SOC AN/VIC-3 VIS , SOC-R AN/VIC-3 VIS. u. Instructions must be a stand alone product; i.e. users should not need hands on instruction in order to use the equipment. Prior to user evaluation vendors may or may not be permitted to have a defined period to teach users how to properly use the equipment. v. Comfort is critical do to the extended wear time of headsets. w. Offerors may provide additional data showing acoustical and RF/EMI performance. x. Offerors should provide the best possible sound localization, impulse attenuation, face to face speech intelligibility, over the radio speech intelligibility and EMI performance while maintaining an operationally effective solution. Please advise if your product is proprietary and or classified. Any classified information will be protected as denoted with submission. Parties having a system meeting the constraints listed above should contact Alan Chisholm at the below listed contact via email. Detailed information and data packages are not needed at this time, and will be requested on an individual basis if desired. This market survey is for information and planning purposes only, does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U. S. Government. The Government implies not intention or opportunity to acquire funding to support current or future development efforts. If a formal solicitation is generated at a later date, a solicitation notice will be published. No award will be made as a result of this market survey. All information is to be submitted at no cost or obligation to the Government. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any private sector input as a result of this market survey. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this survey or results of information submitted. Please submit your responses no later than 05FEB09 Original Point of Contact Alan Chisholm, Project Officer +1 (555) 000-0000. Email your questions to: Alan Chisholm at contact@example.gov