Semi-Active Laser Seeker

SEMI-ACTIVE LASER (SAL) SEEKER REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) (***This is an active solicitation. RFI-AAC-PKESXR-SALS04182011 was cancelled in error. This solicitation is effectively the same as the aforementioned solicitation.***) Synopsis: I. Description The USAF Air Armament Center Capabilities Integration Directorate (AAC/XR) Intra-Theater/Close-Control Strike Integrated Product Team (IPT) is requesting information on SAL seekers for use in guidance packages for a variety of air-to-ground weapons. This information will assist Air Force decision makers in evaluating existing, modified, and new air-delivered weapons for potential use given cost, effectiveness, platform load-out, and logistical constraints. II. Background LASER-guided weapons were first developed by the Air Force in the late 1960's. Since then, a myriad of SAL seekers, with a variety of physical properties and capabilities, have been developed and employed. AAC/XR is attempting to re-baseline the state of the art for SAL seekers looking for potential incorporation into a variety of air-to-ground weapons. III. Technical Objectives Identified SAL systems should be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or greater. Our interest ranges from stand-alone, single-aperture systems to distributed-aperture systems intended to leave internal volume for other functions. Seeker diameter can range from 1 inch to 6 inches. System identification should include the following information: Dimensions Weight Power Required Aperture Type (e.g. Distributed or Single) Gimbaled or Strapdown Optics (if integral) Linear Field of View (LFOV) Angular Accuracy in the LFOV Field of Regard (FOR), Ungimbaled Field of Regard (FOR), Gimbaled LASER Energy (at the aperture) Range of Operation (min detection to saturation, X to Y millijoules) Sensitivity at a range of 5 Km Operating Temperature Range Sensitivity over Temperature Range Dynamic Threshold Instantaneous Dynamic Range LASER Code Input (type, input method) Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Approximate Cost per unit for quantity buys of 10, 100, and 1,000 IV. Government Information THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs of charges by the Government will arise due to contractor submission of responses to this RFI or the Government's use of such information. The Government may issue an RFP after reviewing the information submitted in response to this RFI. Contractors that do not submit information in response to this announcement will not be precluded from submitting a proposal to any subsequent RFP. However, any acquisition strategy will be defined based on the information submitted in response to this RFI, so maximum participation is highly encouraged. AAC/XR uses Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contractors to fulfill its mission requirements and to review technology capabilities solicited in this RFI. Service contracts contain an organizational conflict-of-interest clause that requires service contractors to protect the data and prohibits them from using the data for any purpose other than for which it was presented. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any contractor's input resulting from this RFI. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this contemplated effort. The information provided may be utilized by the Department of Defense in developing its acquisition strategy, including creation of Initial Capabilities Documents. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only. It does not constitute a formal RFP, and should not be construed as such as a commitment by the U.S. Government. All information contained in this RFI is preliminary, and subject to modification. V. Responses The information submitted should include the general characteristics identified under section III, Technical Objectives. Respondents to this RFI are encouraged to provide relevant examples of ongoing and previous contractual efforts with the Government that support the desired capabilities described. Respondents may be requested to provide additional information/details based on their initial submittals. Industry is encouraged to respond with information not constrained by proprietary data rights. However, if proprietary data is included in your reply, please mark it appropriately. Any subsequent actions resulting from the evaluation of the information provided because of this RFI may be synopsized at a future date. Responses to this RFI may be classified. Classified responses should be properly marked and packaged. For instructions on submitting classified information, contact: Christine Wicker at (850) 883-4925 or christine.wicker@eglin.af.mil. Deadline for RFI response submittals shall be no later than close of business 01 Jul 2011. Responses should be single-spaced, 12-point font, with numbered pages, and should not exceed 7 pages in length, including cover page, appendices, tables, and figures. Electronic submissions should use the following subject heading: "Semi-Active Laser Seekers." These submissions must be properly marked and sent to the following e-mail address: paul.laporta@eglin.af.mil. Adobe Portable Document Format (.pdf) or Microsoft Word (.doc) formats are preferred. If the file is encrypted and password-protected, please provide the password and instructions in a separate electronic transmittal. Paper responses should be properly marked and hand-carried or mailed to the following address: AAC/XRS Attention: Mr Paul LaPorta 207 West D Avenue, Bldg 349, Suite 300 Eglin AFB, FL 32542