Large Aircraft Hostile Fire Indicators and Human Scanner Improvements

The United States Special Operations Command and Air Force Special Operations Command are issuing this sources-sought announcement as part of a market survey. Request For Information (RFI) is being sought for rapid fielding of improved Hostile Fire Indicators (HFIs) for Large Special Operation Forces Aircraft. Information is relevant to both automated HFI and devices to improve human scanning. This includes systems and devices for improving direct human observation such as domed windows adaptable to C-130 cargo hold doors and escape hatches. Hostile Fire Indication systems should be able to automatically detect anti-aircraft artillery (AAA), surface to air missiles (SAM) and other threats directed at the aircraft. The HFI should be able to detect, identify and track threats, as well as alert the crew of the threat in enough time to deploy countermeasures (if not automatically deployed by Large Aircraft Infra-Red CounterMeasures (LAIRCM) and allow maneuvers to avoid the threat. The HFI system should include AAA and SAM optical detection systems designed to detect the unique signature of the muzzle flash and rocket plume. Optical systems are sought that exploit the MidWave and LongWave IR spectrum, detecting the thermal radiation created by the flash. Hostile Fire Indication systems require high-resolution sensor operation at extremely high speeds to capture hostile fire events, including rocket-propelled grenades, anti-aircraft artillery, heavy machine guns, anti-tank guided missiles, surface to air missiles and small arms. The HFI must also be conducted in a waveband with large available signal and low background clutter, in particular the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR). The shortcoming of current HFI sensors in the MWIR is the bandwidth of the sensor is not sufficient to achieve the required frame rate at the high sensor resolution. This RFI is the initiation of market research under Part 10 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Quote (RFQ), or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and it should not be construed as a commitment of any kind by the Government to issue a formal solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Nor is the Government tasking any offeror to develop any technologies described herein. The USG is in no way liable to pay for any costs incurred by interested companies in response to this announcement. Nothing in this announcement constitutes an obligation on the part of the U.S. Government. All interested parties should submit white papers to Robert Steward via email at robert.steward@socom.mil with a Cc to Daniel Carroll daniel.carroll@socom.mil. Limit white paper responses to 10 pages (Times New Roman, 12 font). If necessary, additional pages for technical drawings and data are allowed (Additional material should not exceed an additional 10 pages and will only be reviewed based on interest in the white paper.) Responses to all or part of the above RFI will be accepted. You may submit corporate expertise information if you would like to be considered a possible interested source. The Government may elect to visit, or host a visit, from any potential sources following the market survey. Further the USG may contact RFI respondents to get clarification on the information submitted. Responses to the RFI shall include the following: Submitter's Name Street Address, City, State, NINE-Digit zip code Point of Contact (POC) POC Telephone Announcement Number: HFIApril2016 Responses should provide budgetary rough-order of magnitude (ROM) unit pricing and production lead time. Responses should provide environmental & safety qualification testing summary, estimated or actual mean time between system failures, and any other product literature that might be useful in evaluating the system. Systems will be evaluated against the current and future operational requirements of the Department of Defense and homeland security. The Technical Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) shall be provided along with the quantity of exact items if previously sold to the DoD, Government Agencies and other customers. If similar items have been sold, provide details delineating all differences. Responses from Small and Small Disadvantaged Business firms are highly encouraged. Firms responding should indicate if they are a small business, a socially and economically disadvantaged business, 8(a) firms, historically black colleges or universities, and minority institutions. Proprietary information shall be clearly marked. Responses to this RFI that indicate the information therein is proprietary or represents confidential business information will be received and held in confidence for U.S. Government use only. The Government will NOT be responsible for any proprietary information not clearly marked. Deadline for submission is NLT 04:00 PM EST on 13 May 2016. White papers may be submitted any time prior to expiration of this announcement. Submittals after this date will still be accepted, although there is no guarantee they will be evaluated. The point of contact for questions and technical issues is Mr. Robert Steward, Phone: 813-826-0547, and email: robert.steward@socom.mil. Please reference announcement number HFIApril2016 in all correspondence and communications.