A -- Laser ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) Systems and Applications (LISA)

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Directed Energy Directorate at Kirtland AFB, NM, plans to award an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract spanning five years with an estimated value of $49.9 million for the Laser ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) Systems and Applications (LISA) program. The solicitation, anticipated around March 13, 2008, will cover four specific areas, with three open to full and open competition and one set aside for small businesses. The contract will combine Cost Plus Fixed Fee and Firm Fixed Price contract line items and aims to advance airborne ISR technologies including laser turrets, imaging sensors, advanced continuous wave lasers, and designator imager lasers. The contract is expected to be classified SECRET, and offerors must confirm their small business status or eligibility as 8(a) firms or minority-serving institutions. The four focused areas include airborne ISR laser turret technology development and maintenance ($34 million), small business innovation in imaging sensor systems and sensor fusion ($7.9 million), advanced sensors and CW laser technology development ($4 million), and solid-state designator/imager laser systems for weapons targeting and reconnaissance ($4 million). Technologies under development span short-wave infrared sensors, signal processing algorithms, hardware upgrades for current Army and Air Force systems, and new laser cooling and qualification methods. The program emphasizes integration with existing DoD architectures, rapid deployment of upgrades in operational theaters, and cost reduction for laser qualification. Registration in the Central Contracting Registration system and certification with Defense Logistics Information Service are required for proposal submission, and ombudsmen are designated to facilitate offeror concerns.