--Market Investigation to Identify Products, Developers, Manufacturers, and System Integrators for an Ultra Rugged Handheld Computer

DO NOT CONTACT SHERRI COMER. Responses to this notice are to be sent by email only to Mario Velez, PM Soldier Warrior at contact@example.gov. This notice is for market research only. The Program Manager Soldier Warrior, Program Executive O ffice Soldier is conducting a market investigation to identify products, developers, manufacturers, and system integrators for an ultra rugged handheld computer that provides command & control (C2) and situational awareness (SA) to the dismounted Soldier u sing Government provided Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade-and-Below (FBCB2) Blue Force Tracker (BFT) software and network. The purpose of this effort is to replace the existing Commanders Digital Assistant (CDA) Version 5 currently used by the Land War rior Program and to also provide a dismounted system to the Joint Battle Command  Platform (JBC-P) product line. The U.S. Army is interested in identifying firms with capabilities to design, develop, provide, and integrate a remotely networked, stand alo ne, tactical handheld computer with integrated position location and communications devices required for selected dismounted Joint warfighters in all terrains and conditions. The Government is seeking a readily available product or information on developm ent of product(s) that will be available within the next six to twelve months. The Government desires commercial and/or modified non-developmental items that will not require time, cost, and risks typically associated with a full development program. The next generation CDA (Version 6) system must be capable of the following critical sub-factors: a) The entire dismounted system, to include spare batteries, communication components and carrying case, must weigh no more than 7 lbs (threshold); 5 lbs (object ive). b) The set of batteries installed in the system shall provide sufficient power for continuous operation lasting nominally 8 hours (threshold); 24(objective). c) The system must have sufficient internal power to run applications while changing the b atteries without having to power down the system (threshold = objective). d) The rugged computer shall meet industrial environmental standards with a 1GHz processor, capable of reduced processor speeds to conserve power; 512 MB RAM, expandable to 1GB; 32G B minimum mass storage, internal power; CF memory card interface, capability to host LINUX OS and operate latest version of FBCB2 software; SVGA display size between 6.5 and 10 inches, interactive screen input with stylus; daylight readable screen; bright ness controls; two USB ports, one Ethernet port, VGA and audio outputs; microphone and power inputs; satisfy Army ground system EMI requirements of MIL-STD-461E for radiated emissions (RE-102) and radiated susceptibility (RS-103); external power input rang e from 10 to 28 VDC (threshold). Computer module shall be certified by an independent laboratory that it meets the manufacturers claimed industrial environmental specifications. e) Rugged antenna module shall meet military environmental requirements for Basic, Hot (with solar loading), Cold and salt atmosphere as defined in MIL-STD-810F Appendix C; miniature form factor; FBCB2 Blue Force Tracking Satellite transceiver; Military Grade GPS and backup commercial GPS; multimode LHCP/RHCP L-Band and L1/L2 GPS antenna; digital connection to computer module via selectable USB and Ethernet; internal power; crypto key fill; power input; and capable of remote operation up to 250 feet from the computer module (threshold); integrated into rugged computer (objective). If antenna module is not integrated into computer the rugged Interconnect Cable shall meet military environmental requirements for Basic, Hot, Cold and salt atmosphere; variants ranging from short (3 feet) to optional extended (250 feet) antenna deploymen t; USB, Ethernet and SMBus power interfaces; external connector to standard Army BB 2590 batteries; standard NATO dismounted soldier data/power connector (MIL-D TL-38999C) on antenna end (threshold). f) Integrate standard FBCB2 6.X software (Government provided); LINUX OS; device drivers for computer and antenna module components; and a customized local management application to indicate communication signal stren gth and battery life remaining (threshold = objective). Interested sources must, within forty-five (45) days following the publication of this synopsis, respond with information on their current commercial or non-developmental product(s) and how they are made or could be modified to address the Military requirement. Interested sources shall include information detailed in FBO Note 25 regarding a firm's experience, personnel, and facilities. Information should include product cost, schedule, technical infor mation (i.e., technical literature, data and illustrations), and relevant company background/experience. Firms responding shall indicate whether or not they are a small business. Any information submitted will not be returned. Individual manufacturers or vendors need not respond to this market survey unless they can integrate the CDA v6 system. Any response to this market survey shall not exceed 20 pages. Responses to this notice are to be sent by email only to Mario Velez, PM Soldier Warrior at mario.ve contact@example.gov. This notice is for market research only. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS. No solicitation document exists. The information received under this announcement may be used to purchase items for Government testing and/or prepare a s olicitation package for development prototypes.