Request For Information (RFI) The US Army Contracting Command, Joint Munitions and Lethality Contracting Center, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000, on behalf of the US Army RDECOM CERDEC Night Vision & Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD), is seeking White Papers regarding the integration and networking of various sensing capabilities into armored vehicles to provide closed hatch situational awareness, in support of the Urban Sensor Suite (USS) project. NVESD USS efforts directly support the Tank and Armament Research, Development and Engineering Centers (TARDEC) Improved Mobility and Operational Performance through Autonomous Technologies (IMOPAT) Army Technology Objective (ATO). Program Overview: The USS is a system of systems integrated to provide closed hatch situational awareness, threat detection, interrogation, tracking, target handoff and engagement during day/night operations in urban and complex terrain. USS will enhance several of the component system capabilities, and network these components via a central controller, for component system management and display of sensor information at multiple crew stations (i.e. driver, commander, troop). USS integration and networking of these component systems via a central controller will provide an enhanced understanding of the vehicles environment during closed hatch operations that exceeds the sum of the individual sensor components. The integration of day and night vision systems (both 360 degree and long range high resolution), electronic shot detection and location, dismounted unmanned systems control, and remote weapon systems serves to simulate the Soldiers open hatch understanding of the environment. When all these systems are integrated and networked together via a central controller, and each system can simultaneously interact with the others, the result is an enhanced understanding of the threat environment while operating closed hatch. Information is sought on integrating the various components of the USS. To achieve the desired benefits of USS a central controller is envisioned that will serve as the means to integrate the USS components, and the interface with the Common Crew Station (CCS). The CCS is the set of smart monitors (part of the IMOPAT ATO) that provides the human machine interface to USS, where information from the USS is presented to the user and where the user controls the USS system. The USS sensor outputs include day and night vision systems providing both 360 degree wide field of view for situational awareness and high resolution narrow field of view for target interrogation, and acoustic gunshot detection systems and moving target indicators (MTI). CCS users will control a USS virtual pointer enabling a dismounted Soldier or external SUGVs to exchange target location information with each other. The MTI, gunshot detection, and virtual pointer generate targets for the system. Video systems respond to generated cues either automatically or manually. This exchange of targets and cross cuing is at the heart of the central controller capability required to integrate all the USS components. Information from these sensors along with GIS information will be recorded to a DVR for playback and post mission analysis. NVESD seeks information, ideas, concepts, architectures, and/or strategies that may assist in the development of a central controller capability for the USS. The means by which video/information/data is shared between the USS components and with the CCS must be creatively managed according to a standard architecture to allow for future upgrades and enhancements. Therefore, any potential architecture should address applicable architectural guidance (i.e. GIG architectures, industry standards and best practices, and Army video architecture guidance) and avoid proprietary solutions as much as possible. Submissions should consider the life cycle costs of such a system, including fielding, support, training, maintenance and disposal. All responsible sources capable of supporting USS system component integration and interface with a CCS are requested to submit a White Paper outlining their approach/concepts for networking component systems via a central controller. The suggested page limit for the submissions is 10 pages (8 x 11 inches) paper hard copies. Font shall be 12 pitch with one inch borders. Your response to this RFI will be treated as information only. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this announcement or the Government use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or part, any contractor input resulting from this request. Contractor/Vendor responses may be used by the Army in developing its overall acquisition strategy, Statement of Work, Statement of Objectives, or performance specifications. This RFI is to invite industry comment on integration of technologies, architectures and/or strategies. It is desirable that data be received with unlimited rights to the Government. However, we recognize 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. This request for information is for planning purposes only, and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). It is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government. No award will be made because of this request for information. If a formal solicitation is issued at a later date, a solicitation notice will be published. Technical questions concerning this announcement may be submitted via email to John Maurer at
contact@example.gov. Responses should be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, 16 October 2009. The subject of the mail message shall be: USS Request For Information, Your Companys Name. All responses must be submitted via e-mail to the attention of Jason Mackie at
contact@example.gov. Acknowledgement of receipt will be issued.
