Augmented Lighting Technologies for Helicopter NVG Search and Rescue Missions

The purpose of this amendment is to extend the RFI response date to April 23, 2021 at 2:00 PM EST. All other terms and conditions THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. This Request for Information (RFI) is part of a market research effort by the U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) to assess advancements in augmented lighting technologies that could improve Night Vision Goggle (NVG) capability from helicopters and therefore could improve Coast Guard Search & Rescue (SAR) mission performance. This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for information received in response to this RFI. The RDC is conducting research to identify both operational and advanced prototype technologies. - Operational in this context refers to existing technologies and equipment that are currently used in commercial and/or Government application, while - advanced prototype in this context refers to proven and near-proven technologies that are expected to be available in the commercial and/or Government market in the next 30 to 36 months. The RDC intends to use the information collected from this RFI to conduct an analysis that quantifies and evaluates technology readiness, and applicability and improvements to NVG capability. You are invited to respond with information to assist the RDC with its market research to identify potential sources of augmented lighting for rotary wing assets. BACKGROUND The Coast Guard currently uses NVGs as one of the tools to identify persons in the water (PIW), life rafts, and boats that are in distress during SAR helicopter missions. This RFI is requesting information on solutions with the potential to increase the current performance capabilities of the existing NVGs and is not limited to the type of lighting currently deployed on USCG helicopters. SPECIFIC TECHNICAL INFORMATION REQUESTED The Coast Guard RDC desires detailed information regarding augmented lighting technologies that improve NVG performance. Submissions can include new applications of proven technologies, but this request is not seeking information on any low Technical Readiness Level (TRL) concepts. The following information, or best available estimate, is requested with each product/technology submission. If multiple products/technologies are presented by the same entity, the information should be specific to each product/technology. The information requested below will be used by the RDC to assess the benefits of improved NVD capabilities against typical Coast Guard SAR missions. The following questions/statements should be addressed for each product/technology described in your response to this RFI: General description of the augmented lighting capability. What products/technologies do you have with the potential to provide improved night vision goggle capability to helicopter pilots and crew? What agencies, governments, or other maritime service providers currently use the product/technology you described? Has this technology been used in an airborne/maritime environment? Please provide a POC and email contact. Is your technology currently available as a Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) or a Government of the Shelf (GOTS) product? If not, are there any development efforts or test activities currently underway or planned to mature your product/technology and/or assess its maturity over the next 30 to 36 months? If not, describe the effort required to mature your advanced prototype product/technology to a fully tested, ready for production (i.e. DOD TRL 7 or higher) in terms of development time and expense. What is the primary distribution channel for your product? Please provide a response to the information requested/measures of effectiveness in the following list. (Please define all distances given in feet or inches.) Description of Augmented lighting technology Detailed description on how the technology improves NVG capability Provide any detailed validation metrics on improved NVG capability Augmented Lighting Type Description Exterior Lighting Narrow Wide Other Type Technical Information & Specifications (if applicable, note specifications below) Power Input (Volts DC) Current Input (amps at Volts DC) Power Output (watts) Lumens Peak Luminance (at chosen distance) Beam angle (at chosen distance) Beam diameter (at chosen distance) Azimuth rotation (degrees) Elevation rotation (degrees) Rate of rotation (degrees/sec) Recycle time Operational temperature range (degrees F) Operational humidity range (degrees F) Operating & Performance Characteristics Maximum operating speed (knots) Maximum approved altitude (ft) Physical profile of entire unit and control system Dimensions & profile Weight of unit Description of bracket attachment if needed Life expectancy (flying hrs) Mean Time Between Failures (MBTF) (hrs) Rough Order of Magnitude Cost Initial Purchase Recurring costs (annual) Operation Maintenance Parts Note: The technologies of interest are intended to be used in an airborne/maritime environment which includes exposure to sea spray, wet conditions and vibration and shock commonly encountered in an airborne/maritime environment. These conditions should be addressed with respect to each product/technology. RESPONDING TO THIS MARKET RESEARCH It is desired that responses to this RFI address all of the topics discussed in the - SPECIFIC TECHNICAL INFORMATION REQUESTED section. Topics may be combined or treated individually. However, if information is not available for some of the topic areas, your submission is still of interest to the Coast Guard Research and Development Center. When responding to the RFI, please include the following information: A one page cover letter that provides a brief summary of the response and indicating if supporting documentation is included. Amplifying information that addresses all areas of information requested by this RFI in the - SPECIFIC TECHNICAL INFORMATION REQUESTED section. If pre-developed marketing or technical information and specification sheets are provided, please include additional information, as necessary to - fill the gaps between pre-developed material and the information required. Digital photographs, line drawings, and illustrations that clarify descriptive text are encouraged. If multiple products/technologies are presented by the same entity, the responses to these questions should be specific to each product/technology. The country where your product is manufactured and a statement as to whether or not your product meets the Domestic End Product criteria of the Buy American Act. If not, provide any trade agreements that apply. A list of U.S. (or international) Government contracts for products/technologies where applicable. Any digital photos and/or digital videos of the products/technologies in operation. In order to fully analyze the responses please include justification / amplifying information (e.g. reports, videos, actual applications, etc.) which supports your responses. Whether you are a Small or Large Business under NAICS Code 333314 Optical Instrument and Lens Manufacturing Any company proprietary information, performance capabilities, and/or future modification should be clearly identified and marked. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Please limit electronic responses to no more than 25 pages per product/technology (supporting documentation in the form of a glossary or attachments to the RFI response will not be counted towards the 25-page limit). The deadline for final responses to this RFI is 9 April 2021. Responses to this RFI should be sent to Contract Specialist. Anastasia Freddino, (Anastasia.M.Freddino@uscg.mil) and Contracting Officer, Jaqueline Brown, (Jacqueline.Brown@uscg.mil). If your email response is greater than 10 megabytes (MB), break the submission into multiple sequentially numbered emails of 10 MB or less. This RFI does not constitute an invitation for bids, a request for proposal, a solicitation, a request for quote or an indication that the Government will contract for the items provided by submitter. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with the preparation or submission of the information requested. Response to this RFI is strictly voluntary and will not affect any potential offeror's ability to submit an offer if a solicitation is released. Any requests for a solicitation package will be disregarded. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of the RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of preparing submissions in response to this RFI and the Government's use of such information. Submittals will not be returned to the sender. PHONE CALLS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, VOICE MAIL MESSAGES LEFT WILL NOT BE RETURNED AND EMAILS WILL NOT BE RESPONDED TO.