A--Performance Improvements to AN/PSS-14 Mine Detection System for use by Humanitarian Deminers

The US Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) Acquisition Center-Washington, on behalf of the US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, Communications and Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC), Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD), Countermine Division, Humanitarian Demining Team, plans to negotiate a sole source contract with CyTerra Corporation of Waltham, MA for two tasks to improve performance of the AN/PSS-14 for use by humanita rian deminers. The first task will be the design, fabrication and integration of a thin profile (planar circuit) antenna balun and a position accelerometer onto the AN/PSS-14 platform. The second task will be the design; fabrication and integration of a Continuous Wave (CW) metal detector (MD) into the AN/PSS-14 platform in an effort to further improve the clutter discrimination capability. Both tasks must be accomplished with minimal modification to the AS/PSS-14. The first task will encompass an improv ement of antenna-to-system impedance match which in turn help improve the AN/PSS-14 Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) performance and also provide a ground imaging capability in both cross range and down range. The net result of this effort will be an improve d dynamic range, providing additional target imaging information detail to help further discriminate between mines and clutters. The overall system improvement includes an increase in probability of detection and a reduction in false alarm rates. Consequen tly, the improved AN/PSS-14 will significantly provide confidence to and ease the daily tasks undertaken by worldwide humanitarian deminers. Under this task, CyTerra will perform the following subtasks: 1) Design, fabricate and test an integrated planar c ircuit balun/antenna and a wand tracking accelerometer; 2) Design hardware and software integration; 3) Test the newly integrated AN/PSS-14 assembly. It has been determined that CyTerra is the 'Only One Responsible Source and no other Supplies or Services will satisfy Agency Requirements'. The second task will involve integrating of a CW metal detector into the AN/PSS-14 platform to improve clutter discrimination capability. The CW metal detector (also known as Frequency Domain metal detector) has inhere nt data features in In-phase and Quadrature-phase (I & Q) channels that can be easily characterized. As a result, the data fusion between those of metal detector and those of the AN/PSS-14 Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) can be handled seamlessly. This inte gration effort may significantly improve the probability of detection and reduce false alarm rates and consequently will significantly provide confidence to and ease the daily tasks undertaken by worldwide humanitarian deminers. Under this second task, CyT erra along with their subcontractor Geophex, Ltd. will perform the following subtasks: 1) Perform a preliminary design, build and test the CW MD as it is integrated with the AN/PSS-14; 2) Design and develop hardware and software integration concepts; 3) Pe rform final integration and test the integrated system. The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is 10 USC 2304 (c)(1); Only One Responsible Source and no Other Supplies or Services will Satisfy Agency Requirements. However, all r esponsible sources that can provide supporting data to demonstrate they can successfully provide the required AN/PSS-14 improvements may submit a quote that shall be considered by the agency. Responses should be no longer than ten (10) pages. The resulta nt contract will be cost plus fixed fee. Responses are to be received via email within 45 calendar days of the date of this notice. All requests for further information must be in writing and via email, telephone requests for additional information will not be honored. You may forward responses to Ms. Jane Borden, Contract Specialist, at the following e-mail address: contact@example.gov. Acknowledgement of receipt will be issued. See note 22.