Night Vision Device - Next (NVD-N)

Solicitation Number: W91CRB-23-NVDN Action/Requirement: Night Vision Device - Next (NVD-N) Notice Type: Sources Sought / Market Research Synopsis: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY FOR PLANNING PURPOSES Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AND NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED FROM THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. The purpose of this RFI is to gain information on cutting-edge commercial technologies leading to Government/Industry partnering to accelerate the development of state-of-the-art technologies that will enable the Warfighter to be more effective, efficient and lethal. The U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Grounds (ACC-APG) is seeking sources on behalf of Product Manager Soldier Maneuver Sensors to develop the next generation of night vision capability for the Close Combat Force-Direct Support (CCF-DS) Soldier. The CCF-DS consists of: Cyber, Signal/Info System, Field Artillery, UAS Repair/Operator, Intelligence, Infantry, Engineer, CBRNE, Field Surgeon, Medic, Paralegal, Human Resources, Chaplain, Transport, Ammunition, Mechanic, Allied Trade Specialist and Logistics Soldiers). At a minimum, these Soldiers require overmatch capability while filling the following roles: Execute Combat Support and Combat Service Support Tasks at night or in no/low light conditions. Operate vehicles at night with adequate speed and mobility to support increased operational tempo of a modernized Close Combat Force (CCF). Identify and react to threats at increased ranges at night. Execute individual and collective tasks at night with increased speed to reduce time of support to CCF. Clearly and quickly transition to focus on objects at varying distances (inches to hundreds of meters) with little/no mechanical adjustment. The purpose of this RFI is to gather the necessary information to inform future requirements for this need. Respondents are asked to provide white papers that identify helmet-mounted night vision solutions that meet the needs described herein. Specifically, NVESD anticipates the NVD-N program to enhance existing capability (PVS-14) to significantly improve the lethality and survivability for the CCF-DS Soldier, and as such encourages a variety of responses. To help shape responses, the following are the key areas of consideration for NVD-N, however this is intended only as a guide and thresholds/objectives are subject to change to accommodate desired functionality: 1. The imaging performance of NVD-N must be an improved capability compared to the current fielded (PVS-14). Specifically, NVD-N will: Provide increased performance over the current system by employing a binocular approach. Utilize White Phosphor Image Intensification technology (analog light amplification) or digital equivalent. Will be capable of allowing an equipped Soldier to recognize an upright moving man-size target in clear starlight out to 200 m (T) 300m (O). Maintain or increase system field of view (FoV) of 40 degrees while maintaining or increasing existing detection distance standards. Should provide greater system resolution when compared to the user's current system within the systems recognition range with minimal optical distortion across the field of view, < 3% distortion(T), 0% (O). 2. Affordability will be a major consideration for NVD-N. To adapt to budgetary requirements, the Government is specifically seeking white papers that can be re-scoped to provide a breakout of cost-saving designs that can meet stated requirements while maximizing affordability. 3. NVD-N should be ergonomic and capable of being comfortably worn for many hours of mission time. As such, the total head borne weight for baseline capability (including any batteries or mounting hardware, excluding the helmet) shall not exceed 2.0 lbs. Dimensional size of the NVD-N (excluding any eye cups, battery packs or cables) should be <1,250 cubic cm (T) <1,000 cubic cm (O) to provide the user a system that takes up less room when packed, presents less of a snag hazard when in use, and offers a more ergonomic center of gravity to reduce head and neck strain when worn for extended periods of time. 4. NVD-N should operate for at least 12 hours on a single lithium-ion AA battery. 5. The NVD-N must support an increased operational tempo for equipped Soldiers. CCF-DS Soldiers must operate vehicles at night with adequate speed and mobility to support increase operational tempo of a modern CCF. 6. The NVD-N will be compatible with current Near Infrared (NIR) aiming lights out to 150 meters to allow the user the capability to engage threats at extended range at night without having to move or remove the NVD-N from in front of their eyes. NIR aiming lights are not required to be part of procured system, only compatible. 7. After the above requirements are met, USG is requesting information regarding the following: Prior USG procurement history - Service who procured, quantity, time frame USG testing reports - what tests, when conducted and results. Vendor testing reports - A, B, C, D, EMI etc. - level testing conducted, testing level and results. In addition to technical information for potential solutions and industry state of the art, it is valuable to know timelines for which a solution(s) can be procured, both at a technology readiness level (TRL) 6 for evaluation in a Soldier Touchpoint (STP) or similar environment, as well as in larger quantities for possible fielding. Respondents should describe candidate solutions with regards to the following characteristics: Perception performance. How will the system present visual information to the Soldier? At what ranges will the Soldiers be able to detect/identify a man-sized target? How will ambient light level impact overall performance? Increased Operational Tempo. How does the solution better allow Soldiers to operate vehicles at night with adequate speed and mobility to support increase operational tempo of a modern CCF? Size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C). What is the form factor of the proposed system? What will the APUC be at quantities of 38,000 or more amortized over a 5-year production schedule? Variable Focus. How can the proposed solution transition to focus on objects at varying distances (from inches to hundreds of meters)? Is this accomplished through mechanical adjustment or some other means? Respondents are encouraged to submit multiple courses of action, specifically responding to: What capability can be procured within the next 4 months? What capability can be procured over a longer production schedule? What capability can be procured for a minimal APUC? What capability can be procured at a higher APUC that balances affordability with capability? Interested parties with the capabilities to satisfy the above are encouraged to submit a white paper, not to exceed ten (10) pages (excluding cover and table of contents), describing the system concept including technical performance characteristics, key enabling technologies, Technology Readiness Levels, conceptual drawing, and schedule. Industry teaming arrangements are not precluded. Additionally, your response should include a discussion of your ability to meet the above stated criteria with a brief description of capabilities, and facility availability. The supporting discussion should be in sufficient detail to enable the Government to determine if the potential vendor either has the product, hardware and data that meets the desired capabilities, or the capabilities and qualifications required for the development this system. Responses should also include a cover letter (not included in the page count) providing: Point of contact information to include: company name, contact name, company address, cage code, website (if available), contact phone number, and contact email address. Your intention of being a Prime or a Subcontractor Your Company's experience in performing this type of effort or similar type of effort (to include size and complexity) and a brief description of your direct support of the effort. Further information will be posted to this website or other appropriate websites if required and when available. Respondents to this RFI should not expect a response to their submission. The data received in response to this market survey is for information purposes only and does not mandate or impose requirements. This is market research and is not a request for proposals. No contract award will be made on the basis of responses received. However, the information will be used in the Government's assessment of availability of capable sources. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement or any follow up information requests. Nothing shall be construed herein or through this research process to commit or obligate the Government to further action as a result of this research. It is desirable that data be provided with unlimited rights to the Government. However, the government recognizes that proprietary data may be included with the information provided. If so, clearly mark such proprietary information and clearly separate it from the unrestricted information as an addendum. It is anticipated that this requirement may become a competitive solicitation under 10 USC 4022 Authority of the Department of Defense to carry out certain prototype projects in the 2nd quarter of Fiscal Year 2024. Interested companies should monitor System for Award Management (SAM) for updated information. Responses should be provided via email to Mr. Michael James Agreements Specialist ACC-APG, email: michael.c.james.78.civ@army.mil, and Mr. Jerry Simmons Agreements Officer ACC-APG, email: gerald.a.simmons2.civ@army.mil. Only electronic submissions are being accepted by the date stated in the System for Award Management (SAM). Questions of a technical nature will be addressed as much as possible. Those questions must be emailed to the POCs stated above.