NA The U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) is requesting information to enhance our understanding of industry's capability and to survey industry feedback regarding our planned approach to and the programmatic requirements of an Advanced Technology Development (ATD) project for a prototype high performance, embedded, mission avionics processing architecture for potential application to multiple tactical unmanned air vehicles (TUAV). This information will be used to develop programmatic ap proach and to finalize planning documents including the Statement of Work (SOW) for our requirement to competitively solicit an ATD for MCAP Phase III. The planned approach is for a UAV Mission Architecture Systems Engineer to coordinate and assimilate th e efforts of UAV manufacturers to derive the common architecture for UAV processing requirements. To develop this requirement, AATD seeks information regarding current and future functional requirements, overall state-of-the art with respect to architectur e designs and implementations, the shortcomings of current systems to meet evolving needs, affordability considerations, prevailing and evolving standards, hardware and software commonality opportunities, and Objective Force Future Combat Systems (OF FCS) interoperability (concentrating primarily on the interoperability of manned helicopters and TUAVs). In addition, AATD requests information regarding modularity, open systems interface standards, market driven commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics, s oftware reuse, obsolescence mitigation, upgrade-ability, technology refresh, scalability, and potential solutions to airworthiness qualification issues. AATD is interested in the systems engineering processes required to translate future operational needs into architecture specifications and in organizing a team to coordinate a preferred design approach throughout the TUAV industry. Stringent TUAV environmental requirements, space, weight, and power considerations, and technical performance objectives wil l drive network design and computing infrastructure component selection including interfaces, transmission media, network devices, enclosures, mission processors, and software architecture and applications. Using this information, AATD intends develop a Statement of Work (SOW) to competitively select a MCAP Phase III UAV Mission Architecture Systems Engineer. This system engineer is expected to conduct OF FCS communications and interoperability requirements research and definition; perform mission pro cessing infrastructure design, standards selection, and documentation; enlist the participation of UAV systems integrators; coordinate with the MCAP Phase II Manned Vehicle Systems Engineer via regular working group participation; develop the embedded miss ion architecture; and plan, coordinate and conduct interoperability demonstrations. AATD anticipates releasing a Request for Proposal for the MCAP Phase III Systems Engineering effort on or about 31 July and award on or about 1 November 2003. AATD is con sidering awarding a contract, a technology investment agreement, or other instrument for the effort depending upon industry interest in financial and technical participation. This level of effort is estimated at approximately $4 million dollars with an ex pected period of performance through the end of Fiscal Year 2005. This announcement should not be construed as a commitment by the Government. Any information submitted by industry will not constitute an offer that could be accepted by the Government to create a binding contract. Prior to receipt of proposals, we plan to conduct Information Exchange Meetings (3-4 hours) individually with industry to promote early dialog to improve the understanding of Government requirements and industry capabilities. I nterested parties can include potential offerors, end users, Government acquisition and supporting personnel, and others involved in the conduct or outcome of t he acquisition.During these meetings, we can also identify and resolve concerns regarding the acquisition strategy, including proposed contract type/instrument, acquisition planning schedules; the feasibility of the requirement, including performance requi rements, statements of work, and data requirements; the suitability of the proposal instructions and evaluation criteria, including the approach for assessing past performance information; the availability of reference documents; and any other industry con cerns or questions. Interested parties for the MCAP Phase III Systems Engineer effort are encouraged to participate in the Information Exchange Meetings and join AATD in discussions. We hope to enhance our understanding of FCS interoperability requiremen ts, share ideas related to embedded mission processing architectures for TUAVs, and exchange ideas relative to the Government's planned approach to their acquisition. We expect open dialog on the Statement of Work and encourage feedback/comments. Those who do not participate in the site visits are still encouraged to review and comment/suggest on the Statement of Work posted to our AATD website: http://www.aatd.eustis.army.mil/Business/Divisions/Contracting/Docs/P3_SOW_20030428.doc and to submit your proposal in response to the RFP. We will schedule visits up to 6 June 2003. For more information, contact the AATD point of contact, Mr. Allen Walker, at
+1 (555) 000-0000 (
contact@example.gov) or Mr. Dale Johnson, at (757) 878-0 123,
contact@example.gov). The AATD Contracting Division point of contact is Ms. Sandra Schuck,
+1 (555) 000-0000 (
contact@example.gov).
