THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes as the initiation of market research under FAR, Part 10, however does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) is seeking information on the state of the art for subsystem architectures, at both the system and component level, which encompass the technologies of interest and current limitations and risks within the technology groups that may be overcome through future developmental programs. Information on metrics to pursue through future efforts will enable the U.S. Army to maintain the dominance of current and future rotorcraft fleet and to prepare the fleet for future mission requirements. Requirement: The AMRDEC aims to focus investments on facets of technology areas unique to military requirements and not duplicative of current industry investments. Such requirements may include but are not limited to: enhanced survivability, durability in operational environments, and weight reduction of technologies and systems related to electrical power, electro-mechanical actuators, thermal management, cargo handling, and fire suppression. Knowledge of the current state of the art and barriers to the fielding of technologies on military rotorcraft will be instrumental in supporting the need for future ventures performed through both the U.S. Government and contractors. Preliminary engineering analysis has been exploratory in nature and conducted within ADD-AATD to determine the potential need for technology developments, to include metrics, for: Advanced Electrical Power Conversion and Distribution Integrated Electrical and Thermal Management Architectures Waste Energy Management Jam-Tolerant, Heat Resistant, Highly Reliable Electromechanical Actuators (EMAs) Multi-Use, Rapid Response Fire Suppression Technology Advanced, Vehicle Management System (VMS)-Integrated Cargo Handling In response to this RFI, ADD-AATD is seeking white papers that address the following items. The white paper should state if the submitter is willing to engage in follow-up contact or discussion regarding the contents of the white paper. Feedback on the need for investments in the areas of electrical power, electro-mechanical actuation, thermal management, cargo handling, and fire suppression. Information on enabling technologies for design, development, or incorporation into the current or future rotorcraft fleet. Expressions of interest in participation, at any level, in the development of technologies related to the areas of interested. Information on the current state-of-the-art of the technology areas of interest. Current metrics and foreseeable advances to pursue in any or all of the areas of interest. Educated suggestions on technologies under development with promising characteristics related to the areas of interest. Applied Research under this announcement for informational and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal, nor is it to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to pay for any information, or otherwise reimburse responders for any costs associated with their respective submissions in response to this RFI. All submissions will be treated as information only. Respondents will not be notified of the results of any review of this RFI; however, clarification of submissions may be requested by the Contracting Officer. Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AT THIS TIME. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Army at this time, is not seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. 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 (FedBizOpps) website. Therefore it is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement. Submission Instructions: Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this RFI by close of business May 24, 2016, in response to this RFI not exceeding 50 pages in length including all appendices with the organization name, address, website address, telephone number, and size and type of ownership for the organization. All questions/comments regarding this RFI should be submitted in writing to ann.m.calvin.civ@mail.mil via the AMRDEC Safe Access and File Exchange website (https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/SAFE/). The Government will provide feedback within seven (7) days of RFI closing date. Documents should be submitted in Microsoft Office format or as a portable document format (.pdf) file. If proprietary or copyrighted information is submitted, please include a statement authorizing the Government to copy and use it within the Government for comparison purposes. Appropriately marked proprietary information will be properly protected by the U.S. Government. Classified information should be submitted only if it significantly clarifies or broadens the scope of technology considered. If a classified response is necessary, please write the contracting point of contact for specific submittal instructions, and include company name and address, primary and one alternate point of contact, telephone and email address, cage code, and NAICS code. AMRDEC's SAFE site is not approved for transmission of classified information.
