THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY for an Android-based weather application capable of meeting the basic requirements described below. This is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP) or an Invitation for Bid (IFB). It is a market research tool being used to determine the availability and adequacy of potential sources for planning purposes only. Responses to this notice are not considered as offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information presented or the use of any such information. DESCRIPTION The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development, and Engineering Center (NSRDEC), Natick, MA is seeking a more streamlined approach to assimilate weather data for aerial delivery mission planning purposes. Currently, weather data is manually or automatically ingested into the mission planning software. The mission planning software can either accept forecasted or dropsonde wind data, but not both. The Government is seeking an Android-based application with a user-friendly/intuitive interface, capable of assimilating forecasted and dropsonde wind data in order to provide a single, more accurate wind prediction solution, and capable of being ingested into the mission planning software for both high altitude cargo and personnel aerial delivery missions. The desired software application shall have the following requirements/features: - Compatible with any mobile computing device running on the Android operating system, versions 4.0 and later. - Wired and/or wireless interface to an Air Force approved UHF receiver in order to configure, initialize, select frequencies and consume data streaming from an air-launched dropsonde wind sensor. - Ability to accept forecasted online weather data from unclassified and classified networks. - Ability to assimilate weather data from various sources (dropsonde, forecast, etc.) to achieve best solution to the user. - Visual display showing connection to the dropsonde as data is sent, indicating connection to the dropsonde, if data has been acquired, and the quality of the data provided. - Output assimilated wind data for given altitude increments, to include magnitude and direction. - Store the gathered and assimilated data that can be exported or downloaded. - Capable of interfacing with USG-owned aerial delivery mission planning software. Vendors capable of developing the desired application must demonstrate the following: - Experience with forecasted and real time weather models. - Experience writing software for related airborne operations. - Experience and knowledge of flight algorithms and physical models of military parachute systems. - Experience with US Government aerial delivery mission systems and airborne operations. - Ability to deliver a beta version application within 90 days of contract award. REQUESTED INFORMATION Vendors who meet the above requirements and believe they can provide a product(s) capable of meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a short (no more than 5 pages total) summary. The summary should provide proof of ability to meet the requirements above as well as include product description, pictures, company website, technical competence, relevant work experience, personnel bios, delivery schedule and test report(s) if available. The five (5) page summary must include Company name and address, point of contact with phone number, DUNS number, Cage Code and a statement regarding any small business designation (if applicable), by the date and to the address noted below. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541330 and the small business size is $15,000,000.00 in revenue. Any information submitted will not be returned, and no payment will be made by the Government for such information. Responses to this notice are to be sent to the RFI POC below. This notice is for market survey only. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement. POINT OF CONTACT (POC) Interested parties shall submit responses to this RFI to: Jean Greenwood Phone:
+1 (555) 000-0000 Email:
contact@example.gov Questions concerning this RFI may be addressed by contacting: Jean Greenwood Phone:
+1 (555) 000-0000 Email:
contact@example.gov Responses shall be received no later than 4:00PM EST 6 March 2015. Responses shall be e-mailed to the address above. No telephonic or hardcopy responses to this RFI will be considered. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION All information received in response to this RFI that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Responses to this RFI are not offers for contract and will not be used by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.
