The Natick Soldier Systems Center, Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PM-SCIE), Natick, MA is conducting a market survey to locate potential manufacturers or suppliers of a roll on/roll off GPS retransmission kit (RTK) for use onboard Army and Air Force aircraft. The GPS RTK will support Military Freefall training and operations for Army Special Forces by rebroadcasting L1 and L2 GPS signals to the Parachutist Navigation System (PARANAVSYS). The PARANAVSYS will consist of a ruggedized computer platform capable of receiving L1 and L2 signals with navigation software and a display interface. The navigation software will guide MFF jumpers to a pre-designated target on the ground during High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) operations. The GPS RTK will- 1) Receive and rebroadcast both L1 and L2 GPS signals with no interference to the aircraft. (T=O) GPS signal must be available onboard all training and operational aircraft to take full advantage of the capabilities of the PARANAVSYS during MFF High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) operations. GPS availability prior to exit allows the jumpmaster to identify a pre-planned release point based on target information and weather data entered during the mission planning phase. GPS rebroadcast onboard the aircraft will also allow the system to reacquire satellites from a warm start with a pre-acquired almanac as opposed to a cold start with an empty almanac. Exiting the aircraft with an empty almanac may require a delay of several minutes before position is established using the PARANAVSYS and thereby shortchanging the navigation capabilities of the system when they are most needed. The GPS RTK shall rebroadcast both commercial and military GPS signals in the bands 1575.42 +/- 12 MHz (L1) and 1227.6 +/- 12MHz (L2). The RTK shall be designed to ensure that all efforts are taken to mitigate the rebroadcast of all signals outside of these bands. Any such emissions must be attenuated to a negligible level so that the GPS RTK will not interfere with the aircraft's navigational system. To mitigate the possibility of interference with other aircraft the maximum Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) must be such that the calculated or measured emissions at 1575.42MHz (L1) and 1227.6 MHz (L2) are no greater than -141dB/24MHz as received by an isotropic antenna at a distance of 10 meters from the aircraft skin with all access doors open. 2) Be compatible with the following aircraft- CASA 212, C-23, C-130 Series (T), and C-17, CH-47, CH-53 Series and UH-60 (O). The PARANAVSYS will be used on a variety of aircraft for both training and HAHO operations. The GPS RTK must be capable of installation onboard all potential aircraft and rebroadcast to an area containing up to 15 jumpers. A versatile GPS RTK will be required which can be easily installed on each of the aircraft listed above without a change in GPS signal rebroadcast performance or reliability. To account for the different sized aircraft which may be used the GPS RTK will have an EIRP level that can be adjusted based on aircraft type. The GPS RTK will also be configurable to accommodate different aircraft sizes with one or several passive antennas as required. Power may be supplied through either a DC connection to the aircraft or through a BA5590 Lithium Sulfur Dioxide battery. Power interface and EMI will perform in accordance with MIL STD 704F, 461F and 464A. The GPS RTK will also function in a rugged operational environment in accordance with MIL STD 810G. Documentation verifying performance will be needed to support either Army Airworthiness or Air Force certification as it applies to each aircraft listed. 3) Demonstrate a 95 percent probability of success during a 96 hour mission free from a system-degrading failure with a 3 hour (T) uninterrupted period without a system abort, or 6 hours (O). Operators are required to conduct mission planning throughout a 96 hour timeframe and the system may be required to be in use for a 6 hour uninterrupted use during operation within the 96 hour period. A system reliability less than stated above would jeopardize successful accomplishment of the airdrop mission and could provide an unsafe environment for the MFF jumper. A system abort (SA) for the GPS RTK is defined as a failure to rebroadcast L1 and/or L2 signals onboard a required aircraft despite outside signal availability and proper GPS receiver functioning for the navigation unit. A SA is declared only after standard troubleshooting procedures have been followed and have failed to correct the problem All interested firms and manufacturers, regardless of size, are encouraged to respond to this request for information. Information submissions should include available technology, product literature and illustrations, and relevant company background/experience. Available product pricing will also be provided as part of the information submission. Information submissions must be received by 30 September 2010. Responses to this notice should be directed to: Natick Soldier Systems Center, Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment, Personnel Airdrop Team, ATTN: Jason Craley, Natick, MA 01760-5057 or e-mail to
contact@example.gov. All information supplied will be considered confidential, unless otherwise specified by the firm or available from other sources without restriction. This Market Survey is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute an Invitation for Bid (IFB) or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not to be taken as a commitment by Natick Soldier Systems Center or PM-SCIE.
