Coast Guard HC-144A Operational Flight Trainer (OFT)

TITLE: Coast Guard HC-144A Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) NAICS: 333319 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USCG Aviation Training Center, Mobile, AL AGENCY: Naval Warfare Center Training Systems Division, 12350 Research Parkway, Orlando, FL 32826, UNITED STATES POC: Steve Coln, Project Manager, Phone 407-380-8159 Email: Stephen.coln@navy.mil 1. DESCRIPTION Naval Warfare Center Training Systems Division, NAWCTSD, is conducting market research, in support of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Flight Training Branch at the Aviation Training Center in Mobile, AL, for the acquisition of one HC-144A Operational Flight Trainer (OFT). NAWCTSD intends to issue a Request for Proposal for the acquisition of the HC-144A OFT. This RFI is for market research to help define the OFT display system field-of-view (FOV) requirements. 2. BACKGROUND A description of the intended scope and characteristics of HC-144A OFT acquisition was previously posted on FedBizOps as a "Sources Sought" on 16 March 2009 (Attachment 1). Among the intended requirements for the HC-144A OFT listed in the referenced sources sought notice is a 220-by-60 degree (FOV) cross-cockpit collimated visual display system. 3. CONCERN Subsequently to the posting of the referenced sources sought notice, NAWCTSD conducted requirements analysis which included measurements of the actual HC-144A aircraft window FOV and comparisons to display system FOV plots of similar 220 x 60 fielded systems. The analysis indicates that the 220 degree horizontal FOV initially considered for the OFT may be insufficient to support some training tasks for which the USCG ATC Flight Training Branch intends to train in the OFT. 4. PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATIO (RFI) The purpose of this RFI is to conduct market research into the feasibility, availability, estimated price, and associated risks of an enhanced display system solution that would provide the HC-144A OFT with a FOV that extends beyond the baseline 220 H x 60 V. This would provide a visual system with complete coverage of the aircraft windows FOV. The desired solution would provide an extension to the OFT FOV on the extreme left side of the trainer cockpit (ROM 1 ) and on both sides of the cockpit (ROM 21). The desired solution would ideally extend the display system horizontal FOV for its corresponding window from 110 to approximately 145 and provide preferably complete or at least partial coverage of the corresponding window FOV. 5. REFERENCE INFORMATION To assist interested contractors in understanding the stated concern and the desired solution, relevant reference information is being provided as described below. 5.1 Sources Sought Synopsis (Attachment 1) The sources sought synopsis previously posted on FedBizOps on 16 March 2009 describing the intended scope and characteristics of the HC-144A OFT acquisition is being provided as Attachment 1. 5.2 Baseline System Performance (Attachment 2) The Image Display System section of the Visual System Specification in its current state of development (i.e. pre-solicitation) is also included for reference as Attachment 2. This attachment contains the requirements pertaining to the HC-144A OFT baseline 220 H (-110/+110) x 60 V (+20/-40) collimated display system as they currently stand. For convenience, the table below summarizes the baseline performance required for the HC-144A OFT with respect to critical performance parameters of the visual system: TABLE -I. Baseline 220 Visual Display System Performance Critical Parameter Baseline Performance Remarks Field of View from PEP 0 to -110 H +20 to -40 V RFI Area of Concern Field of View from PEP 0 to +110 H +20 to -40 V RFI Area of Concern Minimum Average Highlight Luminance 4 ft-L No less than Maximum Average Black Level Luminance 0.0001 ft-L Minimum Channel Average Contrast Ratio 10:1 No less than Average surface Resolution 6 arc-min/OLP No less than Total Geometric Distortion 1 deg maximum Smaller error desired Relative geometric error from DEP 12 arc-min max within 5'cone Smaller error desired Relative geometric error from PEP and CEP 15 arc-min max within 5'cone Smaller error desired 5.3 Aircraft Windows Layout Photos and FOV Plots (Attachment 3) An attachment containing photographs of the aircraft cockpit windows layout and plots of the actual aircraft window FOV is being provided as Attachment 3. 5.4 HC-144A OFT Housing Facility Motion Pad Concrete Slab Data (Attachment 4) The information that is currently available on the HC-144A OFT housing facility motion pad concrete slab characteristics is being provided as Attachment 4. 6. INFORMATION REQUESTED Responders are requested to address the following issues in their response: 6.1 Technical approach of suggested solution to provide extended FOV Address the following issues with respect to the technical approach of suggested solution to provide extended FOV beyond the baseline requirement of 220 x 60 (e.g. 290 H x 60 V). a. Describe basic technical approach of suggested solution to concern, b. Describe specific technologies, their maturity level, and techniques involved in achieving the suggested solution. 6.2 Estimated display system performance of suggested solution Provide information identifying estimated display system performance of suggested solution addressing the following areas: a. Identify instantaneous and total FOV of suggested solution, b. If the increased FOV of suggested solution can not be extended to provide display system complete coverage of the FOV of the aircraft windows at the extreme left and right side of the cockpit, please state. In such case, identify the maximum horizontal and vertical FOV offered by the suggested solution for the desired FOV extensions at each side of the cockpit FOV beyond the baseline requirement of 220 H (-110/+110) by 60 (+20/-40), c. Provide estimated performance of suggested solution for other critical display system parameters besides FOV such as luminance, contrast, resolution, geometric accuracy, and image quality matching across multiple displays, d. Identify any potential undesirable display artifacts that could result from a practical implementation of the suggested solution (e.g. hotspots, dark spots, noticeable seams, altered uniformity, etc.) and means to minimize or overcome such artifacts (e.g., strategic placement of seams, masking of seams, etc.). 6.3 Technical challenges associated with suggested solution Identify technical challenges associated with solution, and describe unique design features, special methods, innovative manufacturing techniques, performance trade-offs, industry partnerships, etc. that would enable and make viable the suggested solution. 6.4 Potential risks and suggested mitigation approach Identify potential technical, cost, and schedule risks associated with suggested solution and discuss mitigation approach. 6.5 Potential impact to other trainer subsystems besides visual system Identify if and how the technical approach and price that would otherwise be proposed for other trainer subsystems, if only the baseline FOV of 220 x 60 were required, would be impacted by the extended FOV solution. For instance: (1) due to increased weight of the extended FOV solution, the motion system may require a different approach, or (2) the facility concrete slab may be impacted due to increased trainer weight. 6.6 Price deltas between baseline (220 x 60) approach and extended FOV solution Two separate Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) price estimates are being requested. ROM 1 should address the price of providing the suggested solution for only the left side of the cockpit. ROM 2 should address the price of providing the solution for both sides of the cockpit. Each ROM shall address the price difference between a fully integrated approach that provides only the baseline 220 x 60 FOV and an approach that provides the suggested extended FOV solution. The requested ROMs should be developed for the suggested solution fully integrated into the OFT. The ROMs should address and account for price deltas related to issues such as nonrecurring engineering (NRE), design, development and manufacturing of components unique to the extended FOV solution, additional projectors, image generator (IG) channels, mirrors, modified back projection screen, support structures, etc., as well as price deltas resulting from impact to the design approach for other trainer subsystems. The ROMs should account for the price deltas for efforts related to integration, in-plant set up, tear down and install, transportation, and other support costs to the extent that these efforts are impacted by the suggested extended FOV solution. A breakdown of the ROM price estimates showing major cost elements is desired, but optional. 6.7 Estimated schedule impact Identify impact to delivery schedule in terms of the additional time (if any) that would be required to develop and integrate the suggested extended FOV solution with respect to the period of performance necessary to deliver a system with only the baseline 220 x 60 FOV. 6.8 Responder's teaming arrangements and technical and management capabilities Identify industry partnerships that the responder would establish in order to develop and deliver the suggested solution. Address specific and relevant experience, expertise, and capabilities of the responder and industry partners to perform and deliver the suggested solution within suggested price and schedule, in accordance with the requirements stated for the desired solution. 7. INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESPONDING TO THIS RFI The proposed contract action is to solicit with vendors under the (TSC) II Training Systems Contract. Interested TSC II contractors under the TSC II contract should address all requested information under section 6 above in responding to this RFI. Information should be sent via e-mail to ayana.graham@navy.mil. Responses are requested by 2 April 2010. The submission of this information is for PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to procure any services, or for the Government to pay for the information received. NO REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS AT THIS TIME. Responders are assured that the information provided in response to this RFI will not be provided to or shared with other responders. For attachments and additional information, for RFP N61339-10-R-0024, continue to visit the World Wide Web at "http://nawctsd.navair.navy.mil/EBusiness/BusOps/Index.cfm" (click on Open Acquisitions). Be advised that periodic access to the website is essential for obtaining updated documentation and the latest information regarding this RFI. Technical questions concerning this requirement should be directed to Steve Coln, Program Manager via email at Stephen.coln@navy.mil or by telephone at (407) 380-8159. All other questions should be directed to Contract Specialist, Ayana Graham, via email at ayana.graham@navy.mil or by telephone at (407) 380-4012.