Post-Production support for the Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS)

Market Survey/Sources Sought Notice W15QKN-16-X-045R NAICS: 541511 PSC: D318 FBO Post Date: March 22, 2016 Response Date: April 21, 2016 Synopsis: The U.S. Army Contracting Command - New Jersey, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000 is interested in receiving information from industry and the academic community in reference to providing post-production support for the Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) program for The Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC), Armament Software Center (Armament SEC). Support tasks would include analyzing software requirements to determine appropriate tasks, managing task schedules and providing JPADS flight software/ Guidance Navigation and Control (GN&C) subject matter expertise to address project specific software engineering requirements for the JPADS system. The Armament SEC is seeking information from industry in regards to support with the design, development and of support of vehicle GN&C sensors and systems, including the JPADS. Experience in the participation in the development and operation of test instrumentation, post flight processing of systems for vehicle trajectory reconstruction, root cause failure analysis for operations and maintenance software, engineering field support and GN&C evaluation would be required. Extensive experience in mission planning for airdrop applications in the Consolidated Airdrop Tool (CAT) and joint mission planning system environments is also required. Specific expertise needed includes: Launch Acceptability Region (LAR) algorithms accounting for terrain, 3-dimensional winds, wind uncertainty, mission planning automation based on mission constraints, user priorities and mission parameters, Airdrop Damage Estimation (ADE) for unguided and guided systems, mission planning for dispersion systems including leaflets and humanitarian systems, Guided Systems Simulations, and Drop Zone evaluations. Extensive experience with the JPADS program should include the following; expertise in developing software for the Ultra Light Weight 500 lb (ULW) , 4,000 lb (4K), 2,000 lb (2K) and 10,000 lb (10K) hardware variants of the JPADS system, the ability to perform system identification through to support existing and new weight ranges for GN&C software, experience in developing software capable of performing autonomous avoidance of hazard objects, mid-air collision avoidance on a single release pass, active terrain avoidance, and experience with GN&C strategies to operate in GPS limited environments. Additionally, experience with strategies for updating firmware in the field is required. This unique knowledge will be utilized to maintain reliability and effectiveness of operational systems and capabilities in military applications. The ability to develop software in the loop simulations and embedded software on real-time hardware and is also required. Armament SEC is seeking assistance with development, fielding and support of a web-based solution for providing software updates to the field. This requires experience with analyzing log files for the current JPADS software, creating certificates of acceptance, wind logs, performing LAR and drop zone analysis. Additionally, knowledge of the JPADS terrain data format will be required to package and deliver terrain data to the field. Web server application development will be required. Additionally, Armament SEC is seeking assistance in its efforts to provide certifiable avionics and GN&C systems. Generally, this would include engineering and verification support of the JPADS, maintenance of the JPADS, and support for implementation Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs). Extensive experience with the JPADS program would be required, including a capability in the field of precision GN&C as well as miniaturized electronics packaging. Firms/companies are invited to indicate their interests by providing specifications, brochures, manuals, reports, demonstration video and other technical data as well as identification of current customers and any available GSA or other Federal Supply Schedule contract vehicles. In addition, please provide the firm's name and address, point of contact with telephone number and email address, and size of business (small/large) per the listed NAICs. This market survey is for information and planning purposes only; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government implies no intention or opportunity to acquire funding to support current or future efforts. If a formal solicitation is generated at a later date, a solicitation notice will be published. No award will be made as a result of this market survey. All information is to be submitted at no cost or obligation to the Government. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any private sector input as a result of this market survey. The Government is not obligated to notify respondents of the results of this survey. The information must be submitted within thirty calendar days from the date of this publication to: U.S. Army Contracting Command New Jersey, ACC-NJ-JA, ATTN: Christie Vicci, Building 9, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806. Electronic submittals are preferred and should be sent to Email: Christie.r.vicci.civ@mail.mil. Phone inquiries will not be addressed all requests should be submitted in writing via email. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the survey.