A--Block 1 Airborne Standoff Minefield Detection System (ASTAMIDS) Pre-Solicitation Notice for Block 1 ASTAMIDS Request for Proposal (RFP) Amended Announcement

NA This announcement is issued to update the status of the proposed acquisition of Block 1 ASTAMIDS RFP to be issued by the US Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) in support of the Project Manager for Close Combat Systems (PM-CCS), Countermine Div ision. The RFP is now expected to be ready for release on or about 21 October 2002. The Government no longer intends the RFP to restrict the EO/IR sensor assembly used in the AP to the Multi-Mission Common Modular UAV Advanced EO/IR Sensor currently under development for the U.S. Government by Wescam. The Block 1 ASTAMIDS will provide a Unit of Action (UA) asset that can be used in Tactical Operations in day and night, real time, to detect and locate obstacles and surface and recently buried minefields. T he ASTAMIDS will be deployed on a Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) Block 2, or another UAV with equal or greater payload capacity, such as the future Extended Range/Multi Purpose (ER/MP) UAV or Future Combat Systems (FCS) UAVs. [The point of contact for the TUAV Block 2 is Mr. Pete Mullowney of AAI Corp, Hunt Valley, MD. +1 (555) 000-0000.] Each ASTAMIDS consists of two (2) Airborne Payload (AP) subsystems and one (1) Tactical Ground Segment (TGS) subsystem. The AP shall consist of an EO/IR sensor ass embly and other mission-specific hardware, software, and firmware components installed in the UAV platform. The AP shall collect imagery and data and interface to the Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) to transfer imagery and data to the common Army UAV Grou nd Control Station (GCS). The TGS shall be installed into the common Army UAV GCS in a modular manner through standard interfaces. (Note: Although not an ASTAMIDS component, the UAV GCS will be the host for the ASTAMIDS TGS.) The standard interfaces shall provide required connectivity and support. The TGS shall consist of the software to perform mission planning and in-flight payload control of the TUAV and of the AP. The TGS shall perform analysis of retrieved imagery and data and transmit mission results to the Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) network. The TGS shall also consist of the imagery and data processing hardware, software, and firmware required to generate, display, and disseminate products to the users via the A rmy C4I network. Only minimal modifications to the common Army GCS are allowed. The RFP will be issued on the Interactive Business Opportunity Page (IBOP), https://abop.monmouth.army.mil. No hard copies or copies via email will be available. The RFP will c lose 45 days after release. Proposals in response to this RFP must be submitted electronically to the Contracting Officer through the IBOP website within 45 days of the release of the RFP. Selection of the awardee will be made on a best-value basis. In ord er to use the IBOP a vendor must register by completing the following steps: 1) At the IBOP homepage select 'New User Registration' under the User Services; 2) click on the Industry Button; 3) Select either the Browse button or the Browse & Post button. (I f you plan on responding to the solicitation it is best to select Browse & Post Button, otherwise you will have to register again. A CAGE Code and Duns Number are required); 4) Complete all the required information and then click on the 'Submit Request' bu tton. Once Registered: 1) At the IBOP homepage select 'CECOM Comm.-Elec. Comm.-Active' from the Army Solicitations, View By Army Contracting Activity drop down menu and click 'go'; 2) Enter your User Name and Password and click 'OK'; 3) Click on 'All Busin ess Opportunities by Contracting Officer' and then click on the folder ICON to the left of 'Davis, Patricia'; 4) Click on the folder ICON to the left of DAAB15-02-R-0028; 5) Once the RFP is posted it will be at the line entitled 'Messages & Documents; ASTA MIDS SD&D RFP'. Click on that title and proceed to the bottom of the page. The RFP will be posted as an attachment. It is also recommended that each offeror j oin the solicitation specific mailing list under the RFP number DAAB15-02-R-0028. Once registered on the solicitation specific mailing list a vendor will receive email notification of any updates relating to the RFP. Any questions regarding the submission of proposals should be addressed to Ms. Jane Borden, Contract Specialist at contact@example.gov or Ms. Patricia Davis, Contracting Officer at contact@example.gov.