REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT - ENHANCED COMBAT OPTICAL SIGHT - CARBINE & ENHANCED COMBAT OPTICAL SIGHT - CLOSE QUARTERS BATTLE

This solicitation is being posted to Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) page located at http://www.fbo.gov/. FBO is the single point of entry for posting of synopsis and solicitations to the internet. Please feel free to use the FBO site to access information posted by NSWC Crane. MARKET SURVEY: The Government is issuing this RFI/sources sought announcement as part of a market survey. Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division is seeking information from industry pertaining to two categories of Enhanced Combat Optical Sights (ECOS). The two categories of ECOS are 1) variable magnified optic with a secondary powered back-up sight for near to mid-range engagements; and 2) a low profile, wide field of view, passive sight for close quarter battle (CQB) to near-range engagements, and accompanying accessories, for small arms weapons employed by Special Operations Forces (SOF), including but not limited to the M4A1, MK17, MK46, MK48, M249, M240 family and any future rifle, carbine, or lightweight machine gun with an integral accessory rail. This effort will continue to be named ECOS-Carbine (ECOS-C) and ECOS-CQB (ECOS-Q) until such time as the Government may assign formal nomenclature. This ECOS effort is underway to gauge potential interest, identify marked improvement in performance over fielded equipment, and assist in requirement refinement and further development. The Weapons Accessories (WPNAC) / Special Operations Peculiar Modification Kit (SOPMOD) Program managed at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) is interested in receiving product information from industry in support of the ECOS-C and ECOS-Q mission areas. This submission may be in the form of commercial product literature, operating instructions, and/or supplemental technical documentation that define the item and associated hardware. Suggested areas of interest for advanced technology are listed, but not limited to, below: -Advancements in Materials and Designs -Size & Weight Reduction -Improved lenses and lens coatings (hydrophobic, anti-reflectivity, etc.) -Adaptive optics -Improvements in Infrared Signature Reduction -Improved Methods of Attachment and Integration -Improved Sustainability for Life Cycle Cost Reduction -Improvements in System Accuracy, Interoperability and Reliability -Improvements in Tactical/Operational Suitability Potential sources should also provide any test results on the item if applicable. A technical description of the product, such as physical characteristics, operational features, performance data, photographs, and a rough cost estimate should be included. Submissions may be sent by any government or non-governmental entity including commercial firms, non-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education with degree-granting programs in science and/or engineering (universities), or by consortia comprising such concerns. All interested parties are strongly encouraged to submit an initial synopsis (commonly referred to as white paper or quad chart(s)). This white paper or quad chart(s) should not exceed 10 pages, with an executive summary (short paragraph) on the effort, a technical description of the effort, a preliminary schedule, identification of risks, current Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and a rough budgetary estimate. Submissions are due electronically by 4:00PM EST 12 FEB 2014 in order to be evaluated prior to the ECOS requirements IPT brief mid-February 2014. Submittals after this date will still be accepted, although there is no guarantee they will be evaluated. 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. Responses to the RFI shall include the following: Submitter's Name Submitter's DUNS Number Street Address, City, State, NINE-Digit zip code Point of Contact (POC) POC Telephone and facsimile numbers Announcement Number: N00164-14-S-NB05 It should be noted that the Government plans to utilize employees from Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), TriStar Engineering (TSE), Mulbeck LLC and possibly other direct Government contractors as advisors to the Government. Contractors must be properly registered in the Government System for Award Management database (SAM). Contractors may obtain information on SAM registration and annual confirmation requirements by calling +1 (555) 000-0000, or via the Internet at www.sam.gov. At the current time, NO FUNDING IS AVAILABLE for contractual efforts. This RFI/sources sought 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. The US 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. White papers may be submitted any time prior to expiration of this announcement. The following e-mail point of contact is provided for information regarding technical programs/technologies of interest within the warfare areas supported by the WPNAC/SOPMOD Program and for submission of white papers: Mr. Brandon Clarke, contact@example.gov. The contracting POC is Mr. Michael Allen (e-mail: contact@example.gov). DO NOT send white papers to the contracting POC. Please refer to announcement number N00164-14-S-NB05 in all correspondence and communications.