A -- Pointer/Tracker State-of-the-Art and Affordability Analysis

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Sensors Directorate is seeking information about Near Term (1 to 1-1/2 year) and Mid Term (3 to 5 year) projected availability, performance characteristics, and affordability data for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS), non-developmental-item (NDI) and/or advanced developmental Pointer/Tracker (P/T) technologies, systems, and/or components. Advanced P/T technologies are enablers for a variety of potential military applications, including aircraft self-protection and airborne countermeasures. A supplemental package has been developed to provide technical performance attributes for the technology of interest. The supplemental package includes two questionnaires, explanatory material, and background information to support this P/T technology assessment. Interested contractors may obtain this supplemental information package from the AFRL POC at a Technical Interchange Meeting/Industry Day to be held at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH, Area B, Building 620, northwest corner, Eagle Conference Room at 1:00PM EDT, 30 May 2002. Gathered information will be used to expand the Air Force database of available P/T components, and systems suitable for use in airborne IRCM systems. The information will be used to develop an acquisition strategy for a SDD program leading to production. AFRL partnered with LAIRCM System Program Office (SPO) will also use the information to build a potential offerors list for possible future procurement of hardware and/or research and development effort in advancing the state of the art in P/T technology. It is the desire of the AFRL to consider technologies that offer required capabilities with minimal impact to the integration and installation of the equipment in large aircraft. Successful P/T Technologies will be assessed against the following categories of attributes: Aircraft Interface/Integration, System Performance, Life Cycle Cost, Maturity, and Logistics issues. Interest in an advantageous product will be followed by subsequent inquiries to the contributor. Even though this request is aimed toward Air Force-specific needs, organizations that have contributed to similar solicitations by other DOD branches or Government agencies should respond here as well to assure exposure of their technology to the Air Force. This announcement is a request for information and no contract will be awarded pursuant to this announcement. There is no bid package or solicitation document associated with this announcement. The requested information is for planning purposes and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement will be issued. However, AFRL and the Air Force will utilize the information for technical and acquisition planning, especially near-to-mid term laboratory investment planning. It is recognized that any cost information provided by the contractor is a preliminary estimate for planning purposes; the contractor will not be bound to these estimates. Subsequent acquisitions may follow in the ways that best meet Air Force needs. The government invites comments related to possible purchase or acquisition strategies. If there is a GSA or other contract vehicle already available for the technology being proposed, please include this information in the response. P/T contractors who take part in the 30 May 2002 Industry Day may also be invited to participate in potential follow-on activities sponsored by the LAIRCM SPO or AFRL Sensors Directorate. AFRL may sponsor contractors as appropriate in upcoming activities. However, contractors will participate at their own expense. Contractors providing P/T hardware and instrumentation in any potential future activity do so at their risk. The government will not be liable for damage caused by test operations or environmental factors. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: This announcement and the AFRL supplemental data packages are UNCLASSIFIED. AFRL anticipates that information received in response to this RFI may be CLASSIFIED up to the SECRET level, especially if it discloses current or projected capabilities and limitations of P/T systems as installed on USAF aircraft. Consult the current classification guide for your technology for details. Contractor personnel who will travel to and work on any future activities must have a SECRET clearance. Attendance at the Technical Interchange Meeting/Industry Day will also require a SECRET clearance and a visit request submitted NLT 20 May 02, to the security POC below. All data received in response to this RFI marked or designated as corporate or proprietary information will be fully protected from release outside the government. The Air Force will not reimburse providers for the cost of submitting information in response to this RFI. AFRL Technical POC info: Mr. William Taylor, AFRL/SNJW, 2241 Avionics Circle, Room A32, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7542, voice: +1 (555) 000-0000 ext. 4004, email: contact@example.gov LAIRCM Technical POC info: Major William Ogden, ASC/GRI, 2145 Monahan Way, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7017, voice: +1 (555) 000-0000 ext. 3900, email: contact@example.gov Security POC info: Ms. Deborah Ables, AFRL/SNJW, voice +1 (555) 000-0000 ext. 4005, fax +1 (555) 000-0000. (D-108 SN445716) Email: contact@example.gov