Future Army System of Integrated Targets (FASIT) Radio Frequency (RF) Technology Working Group and FASIT Standards Technology Working Group

Description: The U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) Project Manager for Training Devices (PM TRADE), Product Director for Digitized Training (PD DT) will conduct a FASIT Technology Working Group meeting to address the technical challenges associated with the implementation of the FASIT standards over UHF/VHF RF media. PD DT will also conduct a FASIT Technology Working Group meeting to address potential revisions to the FASIT Performance Specification and Interface Control Document (ICD) that have been mostly unchanged since their approval in 2008. The intent is to open the documents up for review to ensure the applicability, viability, and affordability of the defined requirements as compared to operational use cases, technology maturation, and the advantages of the formation of a common baseline (for both industry and customers). The intent of the FASIT Working Group is to brief industry on the 2 topics below. 1. RF ICD: A potential approach to overcome the bandwidth limitations associated with the UHF/VHF frequencies. The Government plans to gather comments and recommendations from industry regarding the proposed approach. The Government will also accept recommendations from industry regarding alternate approaches to solve the RF challenges associated with FASIT in so much as the recommendations allow for the formation of a common standard and specification that can be articulated and implemented by all FASIT target vendors. 2. FASIT Standards: To initiate a discussion regarding the standards review, establish sub-working groups as required, establish a time-line and schedule for the development, promulgation, and approval of the new standards, and establish a forum for the publication of comments/recommendations. While the intent is to leverage industry knowledge and capability, the Government will remain the final decision authority for all changes/updates. The intent is that all FASIT documents will become the published standards. Therefore, industry is encouraged not to submit or recommend proprietary data. Depending on the complexity of the comments/changes to the Specifications and ICDs, it may take up to one to two years before updates to the Targetry Range Automated Control and Recording (TRACR) baseline can be developed, tested, and released for usage. The Government's planned approach is predicated around shifting more information processing to the targets and away from TRACR (i.e., making the target lifters "smarter"). The planned approach will require the generation of a new FASIT Presentation Device Interface Control Document for these RF ranges. Due to restrictions, attendance by interested parties may be limited. The FASIT Working Group is planned for 18-19 September 2018, PIII, 3039 Research Parkway, Orlando, FL 32826. The Partnership II/III parking lot is authorized parking for building occupants only; therefore, you will need to park in the Science Drive gate overflow parking lot (or UCF overflow lot), then walk the short distance to PIII. There will be a follow on meeting at I/ITSEC 2018. More information on this event will be provided during the 18-19 September 2018 working group. Science Drive Overflow Lot: 12211 Science Drive Orlando, FL 32826 UCF Overflow lot for attendees: University Towers 12201 Research Parkway Orlando, FL 32826 Responses Requested: Interested parties are requested to respond via email, by the closing date listed, to Ms. Andrea Morhack at andrea.m.morhack.civ@mail.mil. Written responses to this announcement should consist of the following: - Interest in attending the Working Group - Number of attendees desired - Summary of alternate RF solution to be discussed, if applicable - Summary of initial areas/topics to be reconsidered for FASIT Standards It is requested written responses be submitted in a Microsoft Word document, limited to one page. Font shall not be smaller than industry standard word processor 12-point Times New Roman. The response should be compatible with Microsoft Word 2013. The cover page should include company name, address, and points of contact, including phone numbers and email addresses. DISCLAIMER: The Government does not anticipate a future contract action (RFP, award, etc.) as a result of this RFI. This notice does not constitute an invitation for bids or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not a commitment by the U.S. Government to procure products or services. No funds are available to pay for preparation of responses or travel and attendance in response to this notification. Participation and attendance to the aforementioned meetings are strictly voluntary. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. All information received in response to this RFI will be treated as business confidential information and exempted from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Nonetheless, submitters should properly mark their responses if the information is confidential or proprietary. The Government will use the information received to assist in the development of the RF ICD and FASIT Standards. PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT: Primary - Ms. Andrea Morhack, PEO STRI Systems Engineer, andrea.m.morhack.civ@mail.mil, (407) 384-3556 Alternate - Matthew J. Edson, ACC-Orlando Contract Specialist, matthew.j.edson.civ@mail.mil, (407) 384-5335