REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - MANPADS MISSILE SURROGATE

This request for information/sources sought is being posted to Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) page located at http://www.fbo.gov/ . While it is understood that FBO is the single point of entry for posting of synopsis and solicitations to the internet. Please feel free to use this site to access information posted by NSWC Crane. The Government is issuing this request for information/sources-sought announcement as part of a market survey. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division is seeking prospective sources and information on surrogate missile systems that emulate actual threat Man-Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS). The intended use of the MANPADS missile surrogate is to test missile warning systems installed on aircraft and to train aircrews on proper tactics, techniques, and procedures against MANPADS. The MANPADS missile surrogate shall have a missile body with a rocket motor that replicates the ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) signatures of specific threat MANPADS during their launch and flyout, including eject, boost, and sustain phases. The MANPADS missile surrogate shall exhibit the same spectral, spatial, and temporal characteristics of the actual threat missile it is intended to replicate. The one exception is that the kinematic range of the missile surrogate should be such that the missile can be fired safely within two to three kilometers of a manned aircraft and not reach the aircraft. The MANPADS missile surrogate, including launcher system, shall be operationally suitable for the intended test and training environments. The expected environments include hot and arid, hot and humid, cold and arid, near sea-level, or at altitudes over 10,000 feet; essentially, anywhere Navy and Marine Corps aircraft may operate. The surrogate missile body should be recoverable and use replaceable motors. Other designs may be considered. The MANPADS missile surrogate system shall be a Non-Developmental Item (NDI). Potential sources should provide performance data to demonstrate that it is at a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7, preferably 8 or 9. A description of the system, such as physical characteristics, standard operating procedures, safety requirements, photographs, video of operation, radiometric/spectral/ trajectory data, system options, and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) of cost/price is requested. All interested sources are encouraged to respond by providing the aforementioned requested information and the following: technical/contractual points of contact, address, telephone and fax numbers, email address, duns number, cage code and or tax ID number, as well as business size category (large, small, small disadvantaged, etc.) The Government may choose to visit, or host a visit from, any potential sources. This Request for Information (RFI) in no way implies either implicitly or explicitly that respondents will be compensated in any way by the Government for information provided. At the current time, NO FUNDING IS AVAILABLE for contractual efforts. This Request for Information 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 in connection with this announcement. The U.S. Government is in no way liable to pay for or reimburse any companies or entities that respond to this announcement. Any costs incurred by interested companies in response to this announcement will NOT be reimbursed. All information marked as proprietary information will be safeguarded to prevent disclosures to non-government personnel and entities. All information provided becomes U.S. Navy property and will not be returned. All proprietary information will be treated appropriately. Your interest in this response is appreciated. Interested vendors should provide information regarding this announcement no later than 1400 EDT on or before 21 April 2014 to Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division. Submittals after this date will still be accepted, although there is no guarantee they will be considered. Technical POC: The technical POC is Mr. Burke Geene, (812) 854-3204, burke.geene@navy.mil. The complete mailing address to submit all information to is: Mr. Burke Geene, Code WXRL, Bldg. 121, NAVSURFWARCEN Crane Division, 300 Highway 361, Crane, IN 47522-5001. Reference Request for Information Announcement Number (N00164-14-S-NB12) when responding to this notice. For contracting related questions the contracting POC is Mrs. Jenn Shepherd, (182)-854-3860, jennifer.shepherd@navy.mil (preferable).