A--STANDOFF PRECISION MINE NEUTRALIZATION REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

The US Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) Acquisition Center-Washington (CAC-W) on behalf of the CERDEC Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD), Science & Technology Division is soliciting informational white papers fo r development of technologies for precision neutralization, at safe standoff distances, of mines both metal and plastic, on the surface and buried and at speed for a mobile force. This Request for Information (RFI) is issued to assess the current state-of- the-art in standoff precision mine neutralization and to serve as a guide for the types of technologies that may be included in a subsequent BAA. The data received in response to the RFI will be used for information purposes only and does not, in any way, mandate or impose requirements. CERDEC does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for information solicited herein. The current plan is to issue a separate BAA for Standoff Precision Mine Neutralization in 3QFY04 with contract award(s) in 4QFY04. It is highly desirable for the Government to receive unlimited rights to the data provided, however, it is recognized that proprietary data may be included with the information provided. If this is the case, proprietary data must be clearly marked as such and separated from the unrestricted information as an addendum. Proprietary information will be protected. All responses to this request for information shall be submitted by COB 1 March 2004. Responses must be submitt ed via electronic mail to Ms. Laura Paskman-Syms, Contract Specialist at contact@example.gov. The email subject line should include the phrase Vendor's Name_W909MY-04-Q-0003_Neutralization Research Response. Questions pertaining to this a nnouncement may also be submitted via email to Ms. Paskman-Syms. No telephonic questions or requests will be honored. Written, replies, responses or evaluations of the white papers may not be provided. The objective of this request is to survey the stat e-of-the-art for advanced precision mine neutralization technologies to provide new or improved standoff mine neutralization capabilities and means for confirming those neutralizations. Neutralization techniques for consideration include but are not limite d to: explosives, radio frequency technologies, lasers, water jets, directed energy or other methods, with the ultimate goal of demonstrating technologies for precision neutralization with a 0.90 Probability of Kill (Pk) and means for confirming those neut ralizations. Novel concepts for precision delivery of explosive neutralizers at safe standoff distances while at speed are of particular interest. Standoff distances of 50 meters or greater are desired, with a goal of 250 meters. The proposed mine neutrali zation system shall be capable of a minimum rate-of-advance of 25 kph. Mine neutralization time against individual mines shall be less than 15 minutes, with 2 minutes desired. If neutralization cannot be done instantaneously, the above neutralization time s are for complete destruction of the threat. Instantaneous or near-real time neutralization techniques are of particular interest. Techniques that result in minimal damage to road surfaces and can neutralize mines without detonation are also of interest . The proposed technologies shall address individual anti-tank (AT) and anti-personnel (AP) mines and booby traps, whose burial depths can vary from surface laid to 20 cm below the ground surface. Burial depth is measured from the surface of the ground to the top of the target. The landmines will range in size from 4.5 cm to 38cm (which covers AP to AT respectively) in diameter or width. Booby traps can be much larger in dimensions of 38 cms and typically have larger amounts of explosive fills. Explosive fill is typically RDX, TNT or PETN. Both dumb and smart mines must be neutralized, though not necessarily by the same technique. The mines may employ a variet y of fuze types, including pressure, tilt rod, magnetic influence, seismic/acoustic and other sensors. Both on- and side attack mines/booby traps must be considered. Sensored off-route and side-attack mines/booby traps are of particular interest. The pro posed technologies are intended for use in support of a highly mobile force; therefore, rate-of-advance (OP-TEMPO) and standoff capability is important. The Army's Future Combat System (FCS) family of vehicles are likely host platforms. Techniques should lend themselves to modular and bolt-on applications. Size, weight and power consumption and other logistical constraints to a highly mobile force are important. Proposed technology applications should be precision, point or spot neutralizers as opposed to area neutralizers. The proposed research technologies will be required to collect data and eventually demonstrate, at NVESD's mine lane facilities (Ft. AP Hill, VA (Demo Site 71 Alpha)) and other government test facilities (CONUS), high Probabilities of Kill, an ROA of 25 kph, and neutralization time of less than 15 minutes. The mine neutralization technologies may eventually be inserted into ongoing military operations or the existing spiral development programs within NVESD's Countermine Division. The se spiral development programs lead to the Ground Standoff Mine Detection System (GSTAMIDS) program(s) managed by the Program Manager for Close Combat Systems (PM-CCS).