Celestial Navigation

The Air Force Research Lab, Munitions Directorate Contracting Division (AFRL/RWK), 203 West Eglin Blvd, Bld 300, Eglin AFB, Florida, intends to solicit a limited number of contractors to participate in Celestial Navigation. This is a Notice of Contract Action (NOCA); this is not a solicitation for proposals. The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with a limited number of sources under the authority FAR part 6.302-1 (b)(1)(ii). This notice of intent is not to request competitive proposals, and a Request for Proposal (RFP) will not be issued. The National American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this action is 541715, with a size standard of 1000 employees. The following is a brief description of the acquisition requirements: The Air Force Research Laboratory Integrated Seekers and Processing Branch (AFRL/RWWI) is considering a contract for research and development of celestial-aided navigation technologies to reduce the risk for GPS denied guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), particularly over feature-poor terrain such as desert, water, snow, and ice where existing terrain-aided methods may not be used for position, navigation, and timing (PNT) updates. Primary focus will be to develop a Star Tracker that can reliably perform celestial sightings for sensor altitudes between 30kft-80kft. The sensor should operate both day and night, meet demanding environmental requirements, provide a pointing capability if necessary, and integrate all required hardware into a package weighing no more than 40lbs. Star tracker development must account for its intended use with an integrated navigation solution and either in-house or external consultation is expected to fully address system requirements for seamless integration; however, a full navigation solution will not be required as part of this effort. As program schedule is anticipated to be fast-paced, the ability to apply knowledge and expertise leveraged from other relevant efforts is expected to be critical and award to any other sources would result in unacceptable delays. It is the policy of the Government to provide maximum practicable opportunities in its acquisitions to small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and women-owned small business concerns. The resulting evaluation of all organizations providing capabilities packages will be considered in determining the acquisition strategy, specifically in determining for which (if any) small-business concerns this acquisition will be set-aside in accordance with FAR 19.5. The Government requests feedback, comments and questions be submitted no later than fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of this notice posted to www.fbo.gov. In accordance with FAR 5.207 (c) (16) (ii), all responsible sources may contact the agency. Please submit all questions, comments and feedback regarding this NOCA via e-mail to the Points of Contract provided for with this notice. No telephone responses will be accepted. Any information submitted by respondents to this Notice of Contract Action is strictly voluntary. To the maximum extent possible, please submit non-proprietary information. No classified information shall be submitted. Any response submitted by respondents to this Notice of Contract Action constitutes consent for that submission to be reviewed by Government personnel, Federally Funded Research and Development Center employees and Advisory & Assistance Services contractor employees, unless the respondent clearly objects in writing to the release of this information to Federally Funded Research and Development Contractor employees and Advisory & Assistance Services Contractor employees.