Solar Airfield Lighting

This Request for Information (RFI) is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal. It shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to award a contract as a result of this request for information. The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Naval Air Warfare Center Lakehurst NJ (NAWCADLKE) is requesting information from industry in order to identify airfield lighting manufacturers capable of producing airfield lighting to supplement the US Marine Corps Expeditionary Airfield (EAF) Legacy Hardwired Lighting System. To complement fielded runway lights, NAVAIR is considering the use of a suite of individual and interoperable battery-powered, solar-charged devices to satisfy present needs at expeditionary airfields (runway with taxiways and parking) and remote Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) sites. Necessary devices include: Taxiway Edge Lights, Obstruction Lights, VTOL Edge Lights, Wind Cones, and Signs. All devices are required to be controlled remotely and from the same controller with ability to control from an aircraft. Supporting equipment necessary to stow, transport and maintain these devices is also necessary. Broad industry participation is desired but NAVAIR is keenly interested in designs that are currently in production. Material identified as Company Proprietary provided in response to this RFI will be treated as such by the Government. 1. PURPOSE: This notice is part of Government Market Research, a process for obtaining the latest information on the - art of the possible' from industry with respect to their current and near-term abilities. All company proprietary information contained in the response shall be separately marked. Any proprietary information contained in response to this request that is properly marked will be properly protected from unauthorized disclosure. The Government will not use proprietary information submitted from any one firm to establish the capability and requirements for any future systems acquisition so as to not inadvertently restrict competition. 2. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this RFI are to identify responsible sources and interested parties who have proven solutions that can meet or exceed EAF requirements. 3. BACKGROUND: The mission of the NAVAIR EAF program is to equip the US Marine Corps to support Naval Aviation with the flexibility and capability to rapidly deploy and establish survivable, self-sustaining airfields in austere, expeditionary operating environments. The EAF Concept is a shore-based, aviation weapons support system which permits deployment of landing force aircraft within effective range of ground forces. This concept allows for the construction of portable, reusable, forward-deployed airfields that can be assembled in a building block concept for the rapid introduction of air power. The EAF family of systems supports a myriad of airfield configurations, ranging in size and complexity from single-aircraft vertical take-off and landing sites, to short runways for tactical aircraft, to extended runways for heavy cargo lift, through the deployment of airfield surfacing systems, expeditionary arresting gear, airfield terminal guidance systems and airfield lighting and marking systems. 4. REQUIREMENTS: A. General (lighting devices) 1. Visible light source shall be light emitting diode (LED). 2. Operate from rechargeable battery. 3. Capable of wireless remote control. B. Taxiway Edge Light 1. Photometric output shall meet or exceed that of an FAA L-861T fixture. 2. Fixture shall have a minimum of three discrete visible intensity levels. 3. Fixture shall have an infrared (IR) output compatible with Class B & C Night Vision Devices 4. Fixture shall have a minimum of three discrete IR intensity levels. 5. Fixture shall have a form factor similar to Obstruction and VTOL Edge lights. C. Obstruction Light 1. Photometric output shall meet or exceed that of an FAA L-810 fixture. 2. Fixture shall have a minimum of three discrete visible intensity levels. 3. Fixture shall have an infrared (IR) output compatible with Class B & C Night Vision Devices 4. Fixture shall have a minimum of three discrete IR intensity levels. 5. Fixture shall have a form factor similar to Taxiway Edge and VTOL Edge lights. D. VTOL Edge Light 1. Visible output shall be Aviation White in accordance with FAA EB67D. 2. Desired photometric output in the vertical plane is a minimum average intensity of 50 candelas (cd) from 0 to +15 degrees, and 10 cd from +15 to +90 degrees. 3. Fixture shall have a minimum of three discrete visible intensity levels. 4. Fixture shall have an infrared (IR) output compatible with Class B & C Night Vision Devices 5. Fixture shall have a minimum of three discrete IR intensity levels. 6. Output shall be omnidirectional throughout the horizontal plane. 7. Fixture shall have a form factor similar to Taxiway Edge and Obstruction lights. E. Primary Wind Cone 1. FAA-certified Type L-807 Style I-B, Size 2 construction and illumination, with battery power. F. Secondary Wind Cone 1. FAA-certified Type L-806 Style I-B, Size 1 construction and illumination, with battery power. NOTE: Non-FAA-certified Secondary Wind Cones may be considered for VTOL Site applications provided their windsock provides conspicuous visual cueing similar to that of an L-806, Size 1. G. Runway Distance Marker Sign 1. FAA Type L-858B, Size 4, Class 2, Mode 2 or 3 compliant. 2. Legend panels shall be easily removable to accommodate changes in runway length and interchangeable with Arresting Gear Marker sign. H. Arresting Gear Marker Sign 1. FAA Type L-858B, Size 4, Class 2, Mode 2 or 3 compliant. 2. Legend panels shall be interchangeable with Runway Distance Marker sign. I. Taxiway Location Sign 1. FAA Type L858L, Size 3, Class 2, Mode 2 compliant. 2. Legend panels shall be interchangeable to accommodate changes in airfield configuration. J. Wireless Controller 1. Handheld 2. Capable of controlling all of the above listed devices. 3. Capable of interfacing with FAA-certified L-854 (Type 1) Radio Controller. K. Pilot Controlled Lighting Controller 1. FAA-certified L-854, Type 1. 2. Capable of operating from battery power. 5. INFORMATION SOUGHT: For each device, please provide the following information, as applicable. If there are any test results available, including but not limited to those performed by third-party test facilities, please include with your response. Photometric/Radiometric. Please describe the photometric and optical properties including the minimum average intensity, vertical and horizontal beam coverage for each intensity step. Please describe the radiometric and infrared (IR) properties, including Radiant intensity, average NRIb, and centroid wavelength for each intensity step. Control: Please describe the control characteristics of each device. Is there the ability to control the light output of each device at the device itself? Can the visible and IR (where applicable) intensities be controlled independent of each other? Can the light output both visible and IR (where applicable) simultaneously? Please describe how the device is controlled remotely. Can the visible and IR (where applicable) intensities be controlled independent of each other? Can the device output both visible and IR (where applicable) simultaneously? Is there the ability for the device to turn on and off automatically depending on ambient light conditions? How are the visible and IR intensities set in this mode? At what ambient light level will the device turn on? At what ambient light level will the device turn off? Electrical characteristics: How much power does the light device consume while on its highest intensity step? Please include data for both visible and IR output (where applicable), plus all control and wireless electronics. How much power does the device fixture consume while in - standby mode, where there is no light being emitted, and only wireless and control electronics consume power? Battery: What chemistry does the battery utilize and what is the rated capacity? What is the run time of the device at its highest output? What is the runtime at ambient temperatures of -40F, +70F and +150F? Does the device remain at its set intensity until it reaches a low power cutoff? Does the device lower its light output over time to extend run time? If so, please explain how this is accomplished. Please describe how the battery is charged from an external source, including physical connections and electrical demands. How long does it take to fully charge the battery, and what capacity does the battery charge to? Will the battery charge when the ambient temperature is -40F? Are these values the results from testing, or theoretical? Solar: Does the device have a photovoltaic/solar recharge capability? If so, is the photovoltaic functionality integral or external to the device? What is the energy generated capacity? How many panels are used for each device, and how is it (are they) oriented? Can the orientation be adjusted? What is the required solar irradiance needed to fully charge the battery? Installation: Please describe how the devices are typically installed. Is there any frangibility in this mounting method? Does the device have the ability to operate from an external power source? If so, please describe the power distribution method, including the physical interface connections, as well as the electrical requirements. Packaging, transportation, and storage: Please describe how the components are packaged for transportation, shipping, and storage. What is the quantity and combinations of components per package? What ancillary equipment is provided in this package? Please describe all forms of packaging available (trailer, ruggedized cases, intermodal, etc). Do the battery powered components have the ability to be charged while in storage? If so, please describe the physical connection to each component for battery charging. Also, please describe the physical connection between all battery chargers and an external power source. Remote control: Please describe any and all remote controllers that may be used for each device. Is it (are they) battery operated? What is the form factor and chemistry of the battery? Is it rechargeable? If so, how is it recharged? What is the runtime of the remote control? Please describe any wireless communication used. Is there an established wireless protocol or standard that is used? What frequencies are used? Is the wireless signal encrypted? If so, please describe the encryption method used. Does the remote control have the ability to independently control different devices, such as taxiway, obstruction, wind cones and/or signs? Does the remote control have the ability to independently control multiple groups of the same light type, such as multiple taxiways? If so, what is the maximum number of groups? Please describe how a light fixture is configured to work with the remote control; that is, any required user input. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. It is not a Request for Proposal, a Request for Quotation, an Invitation for Bids, a solicitation, or an indication that the PMA251 Program Office or NAVAIR will contract for the items contained in the RFI. NAVAIR will not pay respondents for any information generated for or provided in response to this RFI. The Government will not reimburse the respondent for any costs associated with the information submitted in response to this request, nor will the Government compensate any respondent for any costs incurred in developing the information provided to the Government. The Government will not release any information marked with a Proprietary legend, received in response to this RFI, to any firms, agencies, or individuals outside of the Government without written permission in accordance with the legend. Submit your response in a Microsoft Word or compatible format document in no more than twenty single-sided, single-spaced pages, 12-point, Times New Roman font, using a minimum of one-inch margins to Robert.Megill@navy.mil.