REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT Multi-Spectral and Targeting Sensor

N00164-19-S-NC20 - REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT Multi-Spectral and Targeting Sensor FSC - 5855 NAICS - 334511 Issue Date: 8/9/2019 Closing Date: 8/23/2019 - 5:00PM EST 1.0 Introduction The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in support of the Multi-Mission Tactical Unmanned Air Systems Program Office (PMA-266) is seeking information for potential sources regarding industry technologies available for a multi-spectral, targeting gimbaled Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor system for potential integration on the MQ-8C aircraft. 2.0 Disclaimer THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to award a contract as a result of this announcement. Further, the Navy is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this website for additional information pertaining to this requirement. 3.0 Background The MQ-8C is a globally deployed unmanned rotary wing aircraft. Advance in information technology (IT) and digital interoperability (DI) have increased the demand for battlefield information beyond the capability of the current EO/IR sensor being utilized by Fire Scout. The government is investigating the feasibility of integrating a High Definition (HD) sensor system utilized for targeting, Intelligence Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), and Multi-Sensor Imagery Reconnaissance (MIR). The sensor system will be integrated using an open system architecture able to support data fusion and/or correlation with other aircraft sensors currently employed, ones that may be added in the future, and external sensor data received via digital interoperability. The sensor system integration will also support off-boarding data via digital interoperability. The system shall be compatible with the environmental characteristics associated with this type of aircraft and minimize structural modifications to the aircraft. 4.0 Objective The Program Office is searching for a sensor that is available to meet the evolving requirements within the following dimensional constraints listed below. Diameter (in) Height (in) Weight (lbs) 13.0 to 19.0 ? 19.3 76.0 to 150.0 The following capabilities are desired for the system: 1. Simultaneous output of three or more camera systems including EO Color daylight, Infrared (Long Wave, Mid Wave, Short Wave) and Low Light capable cameras, providing a high resolution video (720p minimum) during 24 hour operations, including diurnal cross-over, and minimizing effects of battlespace obscurance and particulates. 2. Continuous zoom for Visible and Mid-Wave IR sensors, minimum 3-FOV (3-Field of View) for all other. 3. Capable of detecting and decoding tactical overt and covert marking devices (i.e. Near IR, SWIR, and Mid-wave) 4. Capable of haze penetration. 5. Capable of eye-safe covert area illumination (Objective) 6. Capable of performing high accuracy target locating 7. Capable of performing multiple target tracking 8. IR Laser Point capability 9. Laser Designator/Rangefinder 10. Detect Recognize and Identify (DRI) capability according to criteria in table provided below for 23 km rural, 23km maritime and desert extinction, at 1000' AGL. 11. Self-boresighting capability (Objective) 12. Slew to cue capability 13. SEE-SPOT or Laser Spot Tracker (Objective) 14. Passive range finder and grid determination capability (Objective) 15. The system shall be capable of interfacing to standard interfaces such as Ethernet, STANAG 4586, SAE AS6135 to provide sensor generated data to other aircraft (Objective) 16. Open Systems Architecture 17. Cyber Security ability 18. Built in Test (BIT) capable NV-IPM Model Values Target Set Task Aspect Band ?T(K) Contrast Characteristic Dimensions (m) V50 12 Tracked Vehicle ID All Aspects Thermal 4 3.1 13 Military Vehicle Rec All Aspects Thermal 4 3.1 9 Vehicles (Moderate Clutter) Det All Aspects Thermal 4 3.1 2 Humans (Moderate Clutter) Det All Aspects Thermal 3 0.75 2 Human Activity ID Front Aspects Visible/SWIR 30% 0.75 7.5 Front Aspects Thermal 3 0.75 8.5 Two-Handheld Objects (Weapon/Non-weapon) Rec Front Aspects Visible/SWIR 30% 0.25 3* Thermal 2 0.25 4 All Aspects Visible/SWIR 30% 0.25 7.5* Thermal 2 0.25 10 Two-Handheld Objects ID Front Aspects Visible/SWIR 30% 0.25 5 Thermal 2 0.25 5 All Aspects Visible/SWIR 30% 0.25 12.5 Thermal 2 0.25 12.5 5.0 Requested Information 5.1 As a result of this RFI, NAVAIR expects to receive from each respondent an UNCLASSIFIED white paper, which contains a detailed description of the technical support required to satisfy the desired capabilities described in paragraph 4.0. The white paper is initially sought to preclude unwarranted effort on the part of the offeror prior to an initial assessment of the technical and operational feasibility of the concept by PMA-266. The white paper shall be written from a system solution perspective showing how the concept and development methodology could satisfy above stated desired capabilities. Each white paper should include at a minimum: 1. Cover page, including company name and address, proposal title, project being addressed, technical and administrative points-of-contact, along with email address, telephone and facsimile numbers. 2. Description of the data solution. 3. End product physical and performance technical data. 4. An assessment of the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the proposed solution, and a description of the Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL). 5. Company past performance in this area detailing, at minimum three (3) and maximum five (5), recent (within the last 3-5 years) accomplishments and work which are in any way relevant to the effort. This should include previous cost and schedule performance, contract numbers, and appropriate points of contact with their phone and/or e-mail address. 6. Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) costs for program support. 7. Ability to manage and secure up to SECRET information. 8. Plans for depot and/or repair facility. 9. Options for life-cycle sustainment support utilizing existing commercial and/or Government (Department of Defense (DOD)) infrastructure and average annual costs. 10. Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) costs for unit pricing and production lead-time. 5.2 Intellectual Property Claims The Government desires approaches consistent with the Open Architecture principles. Consequently, the offeror shall justify the use of proprietary, vendor-unique, or closed components including but not limited to hardware, software and interfaces in current or future designs. 5.3 Submission Requirements The white paper shall be no more than twenty-five (25) pages, 12 point font. No supplemental information, such as supporting videos, should be submitted; however, images may be submitted as part of the paper, as long as they do not exceed the page limit. The white paper shall be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format. 5.4 Sources may also provide modeling and simulation information to include input files (or text files) for the following modeling and simulation programs: NV-IPM, SSCAMIP, IINVD, IICAMIP, and/or NVLASERD. System information will be technically evaluated and used for modeling and simulation of system performance with various atmospheres and targets. 6.0 Responses 6.1 Data Markings. In order to complete its review, NAVAIR must be able to share a respondent's information both within the Government and with covered Government support contractors as defined in DFARS clause 252.227-7013 Rights in Technical Data - Noncommercial Items (FEB 2014). Any responses marked in a manner that will not permit such review may be returned without being assessed or considered. All submissions must include a statement which clearly allows for the information to be disclosed with covered Government support customers. 6.2 International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). If the respondent is a foreign concern or if a US respondent has a team member or partner who is a foreign entity, adherence to all ITAR regulations is required. 6.3 White Paper Submission. Responding parties must submit UNCLASSIFIED white papers and input files to be received no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) 08/23/2019 (two weeks after RFI release). Provide full unclassified response in Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF) via email to Kenneth J Reszka Jr, kenneth.reszka@navy.mil and Logan Carrico, logan.carrico@navy.mil. 7.0 Questions Any UNCLASSIFIED questions regarding this RFI can be directed to Kenneth J Reszka Jr(kenneth.reszka@navy.mil) at (812) 854-4769. 8.0 Summary THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY to determine what is available in the marketplace to inform requirements for an EO/IR sensor system for potential integration on the United States Navy (USN) MQ-8C aircraft. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Government has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.