BAO Kit Tactical Acoustic Hemet

1. The Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) Battlefield Airmen Branch (WISN), Wright-Patterson AFB OH, is soliciting information to identify possible sources to provide information on production or near production ready products that address the need for tactical acoustic headsets. This Request for Information (RFI) is issued for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or commit the government to award a contract now or in the future. Submitting information for this RFI is voluntary, and participants will not be compensated. 2. The Tactical Acoustic Headset system is intended as an individual issued unit for operators deployed in combat zones, and provide communications interactions, with radio and computer interfaces. 3. The headsets will be within the following notional requests. If outside the requested parameters, please provide narrative on how the proposed system adapts to the situation: a. Characteristics 1) The system shall be ruggedized(adheres to MIL-STD-810-G Method 516.6 Procedure IV (transit drop test); Procedure I category 24 and 20 (Minimum Integrity test); Method 506.4, Procedure III (Drip) plus three ft submersion in salt water; Method 510.5, Procedure I (Dust); Method 501.5, Procedures I (Storage) and Procedure II (Operation); Method 503.4. (Thermal shock); Method 500.4, Procedures I (Storage); and II (Operation)) 2) The system shall allow the user to monitor external audio and acoustic stimuli while system is in use. Aural components should recover from high-noise (e.g., gunfire, blasts, aircraft noise, dynamic swirling winds, etc.) dampening in less than one (1) second from actuation while allowing same levels of ambient acoustic stimuli to reach user while system is in place. 3) System should not prevent any protective equipment (such as helmets, protective glasses, etc) worn by the operator. 4) User must be capable of acoustic localization/3D audio for both ambient sound and radio traffic. 5) Ability to mute/un-mute outside sound or single channel as needed. 6) System must be able to receive Stereo-input and provide Stereo-output, interfacing with multiple radios and computers simultaneously, to include smart devices. b. Reliability: 1) The system must not be susceptible to nearby electromagnetic interference nor cause interference to other devices like a helmet mounted video display or night vision goggles. Vendors should note that the device will be used in conjunction with military radios. These radios are capable of transmitting frequencies from 30 MHz to 2 GHz at up to 20 Watts EIRP. 2) Aural component must allow for pressure equalizations experienced in Airdrop and high altitude operations without harming the operator. 4. Please address the following questions: a. Power 1) How long will your system operate without critical equipment failure (such as battery swap-out, overheating, etc)? 2) How many days before maintenance above operator level will be needed? 3) Is the system stand alone or pull power from radio in use? b. Characteristics 1) To what degree does aural component protect the operator from high noise environments including blasts? 2) How long will the system be wearable by the operator continuously without damage to the operator while wearing other protective systems (e.g., CBRN mask, Helmet, eye protection, night vision, etc.)? 3) How much sound amplification ability does system have for both ambient and radio sound? Are they independently controlled? 4) Is the tactical headset set up for removable media or radio traffic recording? If so, how much memory can it record? c. Reliability: How long is the total life expediency of the unit? d. Detectability What range does HMD signature and external indicators inhibit operator or system from detection by unaided human sight, sound, smell or signal? e. Logistics and Certifications 1) What is the sustainability strategy for any consumable items with the system? 2) Are there any certifications needed to transport, operate or dispose of the proposed system? 3) Are there any field deployed units of the proposed system or a previous iteration of the system proposed? 5. This notice is part of government market research, a continuous process for obtaining the latest information on the "art of the possible" and associated material procurement and approach risks from industry with respect to their current and near-term abilities. The information collected may be used by the Government to explore future strategies and implementation for the BAO kit. Information received as a result of this request will be considered as sensitive and will be protected as such. Any company proprietary information contained in the response should be clearly marked as such, by paragraph, such that - publicly-releasable' and - proprietary' information are clearly distinguished. Any material that is not marked proprietary will be considered publicly-releasable. Any proprietary information received in response to this request will be properly protected from any unauthorized disclosure. The Government will not use proprietary information submitted from any one firm to establish the capability and requirements for any future systems acquisition, so as to not inadvertently restrict competition. 6. When submitting a response to this RFI, please be aware that the Air Force workforce is supplemented by contracted support personnel. Any proprietary data submitted may be handled by contract support services personnel who have signed the same Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) as organic AF personnel. 7. Responses are limited to 6 pages and should include technical and descriptive text to provide sufficient detail. The submitted documentation becomes the property of the U.S. Government and will not be returned. 8. Broad industry participation for this RFI is encouraged. U.S. and non-U.S. firms are permitted to respond to this tactical acoustic headset RFI. Responses to questions from interested parties will be promptly answered and posted on Fed Biz Opps (FBO), unless some release of proprietary information is involved or the answer addresses a question peculiar to a Company or that Company's response. Post submittal one-on-one information sessions with respondents are not contemplated. 9. This notice may be updated as additional information becomes available. Please check the FBO site for updates to this announcement and register to receive e-mail notices of any updates to the FBO announcement. For more information on this RFI, please contact the AF POCs below. E-mail communications preferred. 10. Submissions are requested within 20 calendar days of this announcement and may be submitted via e-mail or by mailing your response to: Ms. Nancy Leggett, Contracting Officer ASC/WISK (Bldg 46, 1895 5th St) Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7233 Contracting Officer, nancy.leggett@wpafb.af.mil, Personnel hand-carrying responses should contact the Contracting Officer to arrange a mutually acceptable arrival time. E-mail communication is preferred. Contractual: Ms. Nancy Leggett, Contracting Officer, (937) 255-7202 nancy.leggett@wpafb.af.mil,. Programmatic: Mr Brian Machuca, HMD/Headset Project Manager (937) 255-3833, Brian.Machuca.ctr@wpafb.af.mil