59--Crew Served Weapons Light (CSWL) Product Evaluation Testing

POC: Mr. James Brown, telephone +1 (555) 000-0000, email: contact@example.gov This announcement is a Request for Information (RFI) and product samples. This is not an Invitation to Bid nor a Request for Proposals. There is currently no acquisition funding available for this effort. However, Product Manager Soldier Maneuver Sensors (PM SMS) has a requirement to conduct a Product Evaluation Test (PET) for the Crew Served Weapons Light (CSWL), a component of the Army Family of Flashlights, to qualify sources for the U.S. Army. This is a market survey to identify any manufacturers who have commercially available CSWLs that will interface with current weapon systems in the Army inventory; the M2 Series Heavy Machine Gun and the MK-19 MOD III Grenade Machine Gun. There is also an emerging requirement for the CSWL to interface with the Common Remotely Operated Weapons Station (CROWS). While sources are sought that can provide Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) items that are already in production, Non Developmental Items (NDIs) that can be delivered for comparative testing by 8 March 2010 are also acceptable. Six samples will be required for the PET process along with operation and mounting training and technical documentation. PM SMS requests that interested parties submit six product samples and one set of the necessary technical data to the addresses given under Responses below by 8 March 2010. On 11 or 12 March 2010, it is further requested that respondents provide operation and mounting training to the test personnel at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. Responses will be limited to one product model per vendor. The samples will be tested in accordance with the requirements described under PET System Requirements below and will be returned following testing along with final test results for each product. Units that perform well during the PET and are competitively priced will be placed on the Armys Approved Family of Flashlights List (AFFL) and will be entitled to display the AFFL sticker on their approved product. CSWL Mounting Requirements Familiarization Exhibit: To help vendors prepare to participate in the PET, PM SMS will sponsor a CSWL Mounting Requirements Familiarization Exhibit at the Aberdeen Test Center (ATC), Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD on 11 through 15 January 2010. Participation in the familiarization exhibit is strictly voluntary. Each vendor will be given a dedicated block of time to familiarize themselves with the M-2 and MK-19 weapons in both the mounted configuration with the Objective Gunner Protective Kit (O-GPK) and the dismounted configuration with a machine gun tripod mount. Further, they will see how the CSWL must mount on the weapons when a thermal sight and an aiming laser are also on the weapon. If possible, there will also be a CROWS for evaluation. They will be given the opportunity to mount their CSWLs on the weapons in the various configurations; however, there will be no live firings of the weapons. It is mainly an exhibit for the vendors to get hands-on experience with the CSWL mounting requirements. Technical experts from ATC will be available to answer questions. The familiarization exhibit will be open to all vendors. However, because the exhibit time is limited, those wishing to attend must contact PM SMS for reservations and scheduling. Vendors should be prepared to provide the following information: 1. Company name and address. 2. Company point of contact for the familiarization exhibit, phone number, and email address. 3. Names of those attending the familiarization exhibit. Reservations should be made by 7 January 2010. PM SMS point of contact is Mr. James W. Brown, Phone: +1 (555) 000-0000, Email: contact@example.gov. Note: Attendance at the CSWL Mounting Requirements Familiarization Exhibit is strictly voluntary and is not required for participation in the PET. PET System Requirements: The CSWL will give the Soldier the capability to employ a white light with infrared (IR) capability that is small and lightweight and can be weapon-mounted or hand-held. When weapon-mounted, the CSWL will provide the Soldier a capability to identify targets accurately when using the weapon during periods of darkness or limited visibility. The CSWL will be employed with the M2 series machine guns, the MK-19 grenade machine gun (threshold), and the M240B medium machine gun (objective). The CSWL must be able to withstand weapon recoil, and must be able to mount on the U.S. Army Standard Rail (MIL-STD-1913) using an interface device without the use of special tools. The CSWL shall have an adjustable beam (narrow to wide) (threshold = objective), that allows illumination up to a range of 1000 meters with IR light and 500 meters with white light (threshold) in total darkness (between sunset and sunrise). The maximum CSWL weight with batteries, MIL-STD-1913 interface mounting mechanism, and remote cable shall be 10 lbs (threshold), 8 lbs (objective). The CSWL shall be compatible with (shall not interfere with) appropriate day/night optics, aiming lights and other weapon accessories. The CSWL shall have dual activation controls, an on/off switch which shall be located on the device housing and a wired remote control switch. A full-off control shall also be provided on the device housing which will prevent activation controls from functioning. The system shall operate on standard military or DOD-approved, commercially available batteries. Acceptable non-vehicular battery performance with the light constantly on must be 90 minutes (threshold). Degraded battery performance in extreme temperatures or with prolonged use of the light is acceptable (threshold). When mounted on a military vehicle, the CSWL will be able to operate on vehicle power. The CSWL kit shall include a mounting capability that is compatible with the vehicle mounted OGPK protection systems (threshold). The CSWL shall include a detachable lens dust cover. The CSWL requires an IR capability (threshold). The CSWL bulb must be replaceable by the operator and not require any special tools. The CSWL must be capable of being used when Soldiers are wearing the Army issued black leather glove with wool insert. The CSWL must provide for one-handed, ambidextrous operation. The CSWL must be capable of being dropped from 3 feet (threshold), 5 feet (objective) without impacting operational capability. The CSWL must be capable of being immersed in 3 feet of water without impacting operational capability. The CSWL must be able to operate in 5 percent to 100 percent relative humidity without degradation of capability. All samples submitted for the PET will be given an initial inspection to determine their readiness for testing. ATC will perform a physical inspection and inventory of the CSWL candidates and will determine if the test item candidates are complete, undamaged, and fully operational for testing including the capability of being mounted and dismounted from the test weapons. Test items that do not pass the initial inspection will be returned to the vendor and no testing will be conducted. RESPONSES: Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be in two parts; technical documentation and six test samples. The technical documentation portion will be sent to PM SMS. The test samples, along with full operating instructions and connection diagrams, will be sent to the Aberdeen Test Center. The vendors technical documentation response will include the following information: (1) a technical description of the product, to include photographs (electronic photographs preferred); (2) current military users/customers of the product, if any; (3) contact information for current military users/customers, if any; and (4) test qualification history of the product, if any. If the item is of foreign origin, vendors must provide information on any federal/military, state, and/or local government plans for procurement and applicable government/military contract information, if any. Send your technical documentation response to PM Soldier Maneuver Sensors, ATTN: James Brown, 10170 Beach Rd, Bldg 325, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5800. The vendors test sample submission will consist of six (6) product samples, mounting mechanism(s), remote operating cable(s), vehicular power cables, and operating and mounting instructions. The samples and associated equipment and data will be sent to the Commander, U.S Army Aberdeen Test Center, ATTN: CSTE-DTC-AT-WC-S, SST/CIE Team, 400 Colleran Rd , Bldg 610, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5009, ATTN: Ms. Elizabeth Richardson/+1 (555) 000-0000 or Mr. Steven Gearin/+1 (555) 000-0000. In addition to test samples, vendors will provide ATC test personnel operation and mounting training for their CSWL candidate submissions. The training will be held at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. The training will be held on 11 or 12 March 2010 as scheduled by ATC. Responses and test samples must be received by 8 March 2010. POINT OF CONTACT: Mr. James Brown, telephone +1 (555) 000-0000, email: contact@example.gov. The lack of a response to this Sources Sought Notice will not exclude you from any future procurements that might occur. Your response to this notice does not constitute the start of negotiations. This notice does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB) or a Request for Proposals (RFP) and is not a commitment by PEO Soldier to procure the subject equipment. No solicitation document exists at this time. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD ON THE BASIS OF THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION OR OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION AND SAMPLES SOLICITED. EMAIL ADDRESS: contact@example.gov EMAIL SUBJECT: Crew Served Weapons Light (CSWL) Product Evaluation Testing