Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar GaN Transition Phase II

NOTE: THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS ONLY. This Request for Information (RFI) is for planning and informational purposes only and shall not be considered as a request for proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this RFI or the Government's use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any contractor's input resulting from this RFI. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. 1.0 Introduction: The Ground / Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) is a single materiel solution for the Multi-Role Radar System (MRRS) and Ground Weapons Locating Radar (GWLR), requirements. It is a three-dimensional, short/medium range multi-role mobile radar designed to detect unmanned aerial systems, cruise missiles, air breathing targets, rockets, artillery, and mortars. Air Defense/Surveillance Radar (AD/SR) G/ATOR Block 1 (GB1) will provide capabilities in the Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) and Air Surveillance mission areas. Ground Weapons Locating Radar (GWLR) G/ATOR Block 2 (GB2) will address Counterfire Targeting missions. 1.1 Purpose: This RFI constitutes market research in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 and is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Marine Corps Systems Command is issuing this RFI, as part of the G/ATOR program, to assess industry's capability to provide the design, engineering development, fabrication, Design Verification Testing (DVT), and Performance Qualification Testing of Transmit/Receive (T/R) Module components based on the Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology to be used within the Engineering Development Model (EDM) or a modified EDM incorporating Gallium Nitride High Power Amplifier (GaN HPA) technology. The design shall meet the GB1 performance requirements as defined in the GB1 Performance Specification. The design shall achieve significant cost savings through a reduction of the required number of T/R Modules while continuing to meet the performance requirements. 1.2 Objective: Data submitted in response to this RFI will be used to assess the marketplace environment to meet the Government's requirements to modifying the Government provided EDM with fully developed and successfully tested GaN-based T/R modules or GaN-based components suitable for entering Low Rate Initial Production. 2.0 Background: The following system description, mission and key milestones are provided: 2.1 Mission: GB1 supports two distinct mission areas: short-range air defense (SHORAD) and air surveillance Tactical Air Operations Center (TAOC) Mode. GB1 also serves as the baseline design, providing for growth to all following blocks with no equipment redesign and includes a computer software architecture that allows for the processors, computer software, and firmware to be upgraded with the functionality of all following blocks. 2.2 Operational Concept: GB1 provides vital air defense and surveillance capabilities for joint and Marine Corps forces across the range of military operations. The principal mission of GB1 is to provide expeditionary, day or night, adverse weather radar coverage and track aerial objects within the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) commander's area of operations. GB1's advanced technology and precision tracking enables the commander to accomplish the assigned mission and protect the force through early warning of threat cruise missiles, unmanned systems and aircraft. As a lightweight, mobile, rapidly deployable, and expeditionary Marine Corps Aviation Combat Element (ACE) asset, GB1 is the baseline system for the Marine Corps' short and medium range radar requirement. GB1 allows interface with Joint and coalition forces C2 and anti-air systems through Marine Corps C2 or sensor networking systems. The Marine Corps will integrate GB1 into current tactics, techniques and procedures for the detection, identification and tracking of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Cruise Missiles and fixed and rotary wing aircraft. GB1 provides the MAGTF commanders with a highly reliable and maintainable battlespace sensor designed to protect the force from short to medium-range threats by complementing the AN/TPS-59 Long Range Radar. GB1 multi-mission capability allows the MAGTF commander to selectively shape air defense zones that join maritime air defense and surveillance areas, reducing vulnerability gaps in the landward sector for naval forces operating in the world's littoral regions. 2.3 Description of System: GB1 hardware consists of the Radar Equipment Group (REG), the Communications Equipment Group (CEG) and the Power Equipment Group (PEG). The PEG and CEG both have pallet assemblies. The REG and its transport trailer are designed as an integral package. The CEG and PEG are mounted on vehicles, one High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) and one Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR), respectively, which are identified as GFE. In addition, one Mobile Electric Power MEP-806B 60kW generator and various GFE communications components are included in the CEG and PEG design. GB1 software consists of basic radar operations and multiple mission-specific software applications for air defense/air surveillance. This GATOR system is illustrated in Figure 2.3-1 (Figure 2.3-1 can be viewed in the attached sources sought synopsis) Figure 2.3-1 Description of System The GB1 LRIP units' (Lots 3, 4 and 5) transition to GaN primarily focuses on the production configured GaN Transmit/Receive modules and Micro Power Supplies and reduction of cost through the reduced number of Transmit/Receive modules required. 2.4 Key Notional Events: The first GaN LRIP contract is projected to be awarded 3rd Qtr FY2016. The first Lot 3 unit is required for Government testing by third quarter of FY 2018. The anticipated IOC for Lot 3 is fourth quarter FY 2019. The total anticipated quantity of production units is currently projected to be 45 of which 39 are anticipated to be produced to include GaN technology. 2.5 Design, Test and Manufacturing Data: Northrop Grumman was competitively awarded the G/ATOR Block I Engineering, Manufacturing & Development (EMD) contract in March 2007. As such, they are responsible for the design, development, fabrication, and developmental testing of the GB1 hardware and software and will perform all aspects of system integration. At this stage of the acquisition, Northrop Grumman retains a substantial amount of the data rights for the engineering and design data. Some of the data is proprietary and not releasable to another contractor. The TDP is currently not sufficient for competitive re-procurement or second sourcing of the entire G/ATOR systems. Consequently, no complete design drawings, "build to print" specifications, quality assurance data, software code, test data, and limited production tooling information for the G/ATOR system is available. 3.0 Requested Information: Respondents who are interested are requested to provide information that identifies their capability to incorporate GaN HPA technology into the existing Government provided G/ATOR EDM. The modified EDM must continue to meet the Attachment I G/ATOR Performance Specification and be suitable for entering Low Rate Initial Production. Respondents must also demonstrate cost savings through the ability to reduce the number of modules required. Hardware modifications shall be limited to the G/ATOR T/R Modules, their associated power supplies and those required to terminate any unpopulated T/R module sites. Software modifications should be limited to only those required for the technology insertion. The identified GaN HPA technology must be previously demonstrated with the results of the demonstration documented and included in the response to this RFI. All efforts associated with the design, development, fabrication, and testing must be completed prior to the key notional events as set forth in paragraph 2.4 above. Note: The attachment has a security marking of "For Official Use Only" (FOUO). Contractors may submit email requests for a copy of the attachment to Jennifer Sellers (Jennifer.sellers@usmc.mil), Contracting Officer, 2200 Lester Street, Bldg 2210, Quantico, VA. 22134-6050; phone (703) 432-5077. Contractors must include a US Postal physical mailing address (no P.O. Boxes) and current and valid CAGE code for security verification of an active facility clearance. A copy of the attachment will be sent via US Postal Service. Additionally, responses to any industry questions that include any FOUO information will be sent via US Postal Service. 3.1 Company Capabilities Statement (page limitation up to 40 pages, but preferably less): It is requested that interested businesses submit to the Contracting Officer a brief capabilities statement addressing the following: 3.1.1 Company Profile: Respondents are requested to provide the company name; company address; company business size; point-of-contact (POC) name, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address; and company profile to include number of employees, annual revenue history, annual financial report, office location (s), Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number, and business classification (i.e., large, foreign, small disadvantaged, veteran owned, minority owned, etc.). 3.1.2 Engineering and Development Plan: Respondents are requested to provide draft Engineering and Development plans and assessments for engineering, developing, testing and supporting a fully developed and successfully tested Government Provided GB1 EDM, modified to a Gallium Nitride High Power Amplifier (GaN HPA) technology, suitable for entering Low Rate Initial Production. 3.1.2.1 Program Management: Respondents are requested to provide a draft plan for a quality management system resource control, cost and schedule reporting, schedule planning, risk management, the use of Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), system security, and contract deliverable management. 3.1.2.2 System Engineering: Respondents are requested to provide a technical overview of the systems engineering process and capabilities to be used in the design, development, fabrication and testing required to meet the scoped identified in this RFI. The overview should also address technical performance measures, modeling and simulation, requirements definition and management associated with the GaN technology insertion, preliminary and critical designs, integrated architecture, hardware/software testing, system-level and qualification testing, developmental test equipment, reliability, system safety, delivery of technical data packages, and configuration management. 3.1.3 Risk: Respondents are requested to provide a draft set of risks associated with this effort and a summary of proposed risk mitigation as a result of the absence of the communication between the respondent's production/manufacturing engineering and the developer of the Engineering Development Model (EDM) during the design process. 3.1.4 Technology and Manufacturing Self-Assessment: Respondents are requested to provide a "self- assessment" of the readiness of the technology and its manufacturing to be employed in meeting the requirements of Attachment I. Also respondents are requested to provide the supporting Technology/Manufacturing Readiness Level (TRL and MRL) documentation, in accordance with Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) Deskbook, dated 2009, and the DoD Manufacturing Readiness Assessment (MRA) Deskbook dated 2 May 2009 as an attachment to the Company Capabilities Statement. (No page limit on the supporting documentation). 3.1.5 Technical Data Rights: Respondents are requested to identify their strategy for ensuring the government receives unlimited data rights for all components and software for which open system architecture is not utilized as a design approach. 3.2 Cost and Schedule: Respondents are requested to provide an estimate of Acquisition Production Unit Cost (APUC) based on a production run of 39 LRIPs and provide a risk assessment of the probability of meeting the key notional event dates. 4.0 Responses: 4.1 Response Format: Interested businesses which believe they are capable of modifying a Government Provided GB1 EDM to incorporate Gallium Nitride High Power Amplifier (GaN HPA) technology, in accordance with Attachment I capability, are invited to express their interest by responding to this RFI in one volume with two separate sections titled "Company Capabilities Statement and Engineering and Development Plan" and "Cost and Schedule" in Microsoft Word for Office 2003-compatible format. 4.2 Proprietary Markings: Please be advised that any proprietary information must be marked as such on a page-by-page basis. The Government will not assume that any of the information provided by a respondent is proprietary unless it is conspicuously marked on a page-by-page basis. Moreover, the Government does not assume any duty to contact a respondent and inquire whether any unmarked information submitted in response to this RFI is proprietary. 4.3 Submission Requirements: Responses shall be submitted electronically via e-mail to Krista Francom, Contract Specialist (krista.francom@usmc.mil). All submissions received will not be returned. Telephone replies will not be accepted. The response package may be sent by mail to MARCORSYSCOM, Contracts CT028, Jennifer Sellers, Contracting Officer, 2200 Lester Street, Building 2210, Quantico, VA. 22134-6050. All responses must include the following information: Company Name; Company Address; Company Business Size; CAGE Code, and POC name, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address. As previously stated, submissions received will not be returned and telephone replies will not be accepted. 4.4 Questions: Questions or comments regarding this notice may be addressed to Krista Francom, Contract Specialist (krista.francom@usmc.mil) by email only. No questions will be accepted after July 30th, 2014 at 1400 Eastern time. The Government intends to respond to as many questions as possible and will respond to questions via amendment posted to FedBizOpps so that all interested parties will benefit from the same information. It is industries' responsibility to monitor the site for the release of any amendment to this announcement. However, if some of the answers to industry's questions include FOUO information, only vendors who have provided the Government with their US Postal mailing address and valid CAGE code will be provided this information. 4.5 Response Deadline and Submissions: Responses are requested no later than September 3, 2014 at 1600 Eastern time. 4.6 Contracting Office Address: M67854 MARINE CORPS SYSTEMS COMMAND Quantico, VA Points of Contact(s): Krista Francom, Contract Specialist Krista.Francom@usmc.mil Jennifer L. Sellers, Contracting Officer Jennifer.sellers@usmc.mil