This synopsis is being posted to both the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) page located at http://www.fbo.gov/ and the Navy Electronic Commerce on Line (NECO) site located at https://www.neco.navy.mil/ While it is understood that FBO is the single point of entry for posting of synopsis and solicitations to the internet, NECO is the alternative in case FBO is unavailable. Please feel free to use either site to access information posted by NSWC Crane. MARKET SURVEY - SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS: The Government is issuing this sources-sought announcement as part of a market survey and Request for Information (RFI). Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division located at the Naval Support Activity, Crane, IN is looking to evaluate technologies from Research and Development (R and D) organizations, private industry and academia, that have the capability to detect, classify and track human activity in areas concealed by heavy foliage. The RFI is seeking technologies that the Government will investigate that have the potential of detecting, classifying and tracking concealed human targets within heavily forested areas. The Systems will be ideally ground-based, capable of operating in heavily foliated, littoral or riverine environments. It is anticipated that the submissions to this sources-sought announcement will be reviewed and down-selected and interested parties may be invited to participate in a product demonstration to evaluate the candidate technologies. This proof of concept demonstration is tentatively scheduled for Q3 FY14 at a time and place to be determined. A. Background: Current systems for detecting, classifying and tracking human targets in heavy foliage provide limited capability and have high false alarm rates (FAR). Most testing to date for foliage penetration has been from airborne platforms with a downward view of heavy foliage. Results from aerial testing can be leveraged for this RFI, but a technology is desired that can detect human activity in foliage by surveying forested areas from a ground level stationary or mobile platform. The objective of this RFI is to identify promising technologies and systems for the problem statement. The information from this RFI may be used as the path forward for extended testing in operational environments. Capabilities: See Attachment 1 B. Requested Information: Sources are requested to provide potential solutions based on the ability to meet the Performance Criteria. If a potential solution meets some of the Performance Criteria but cannot meet others then please highlight what can be met and what cannot. For those Performance Criteria that cannot be met please detail the level and/or reason for the shortfall. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to submit an initial synopsis (commonly referred to as white paper). This white paper should not exceed 15 pages, with an executive summary (short paragraph) on the effort. The white paper ideally addresses the primary categories listed below and as many of the optional categories as possible. Primary Categories: Description of technology including fundamental principles Description of system including all major components Ability to meet performance criteria TRL level of the system or technology with substantiating justification Size and weight Power requirements System limitations Previous foliage penetration testing performed with system Costs (initial and operational) Data output format and ability to interface with other systems Ability to participate in product demonstration during Q3 FY14 at a date and location to be determined Optional Categories: Description of techniques and user interface used for tracking/alerting Data output and interface method Effects of different types/density of foliage Latency of detection Maintenance requirements Photographs/drawings of top level system/prototypes C. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Respondents should submit the white papers electronically prior to 3:00 p.m. EDT on 7 June 2013 in order to be evaluated. Submissions after this date will be still accepted, although there is no guarantee they will be evaluated. White papers can be submitted in plain text, PDF or MS Word formats. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Responses from Small and Small Disadvantaged Business firms are highly encouraged. Firms responding should indicate if they are a small business, a socially and economically disadvantaged business, 8(a) firms, historically black colleges or universities, and minority institutions. Please include the following in the subject line of the e-mail: RFI for Foliage Penetration Technology Evaluation Responses to the RFI shall include the following: Submitter(s) Name Street Address, City, State, NINE-Digit zip code Point of Contact (POC) POC Telephone and facsimile numbers Announcement Number: N00164-13-S-NB13 All responses are to be submitted to Harvey S. Smith
contact@example.gov or Ean Seals
contact@example.gov , Electro-Optic Technology Division, NSWC-Crane, Code JXQ-Building 2044, Crane, Indiana 47522. D. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The purpose of this notice is to gain information on technology capabilities and employment to fill gap requirements. Proprietary information shall be clearly marked. Responses to this RFI that indicate that the information therein is proprietary or represents confidential business information, will be received and held in confidence for U.S. Government use only. Proprietary information will be properly protected from any unauthorized disclosure. The Government will not use proprietary information submitted from any one firm to establish future capabilities and requirements. The Government will NOT be responsible for any proprietary information not clearly marked. Vendors may be requested to provide additional information if clarification is required. Interested parties may also submit supplemental hardcopy materials such as brochures, CDs, etc. to: Harvey S. Smith, Electro-Optic Technology Division, NSWC-Crane, Code JXQQ-Building 2044, Crane, Indiana, 47522. Additional material provided does not count towards the 15 page limit for the white paper submittal. E. Per Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997): 1. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI notice or to otherwise pay for the information. NO FUNDING IS AVAILABLE for contractual efforts. This sources sought synopsis does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Quote (RFQ), or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and it should not be construed as a commitment of any kind by the government to issue a formal solicitation or ultimately award a contract. The US Government is in no way liable to pay for or reimburse any companies or entities that respond to this announcement. Any costs incurred by interested companies in response to this announcement will NOT be reimbursed. 2. Although proposal and respondent are used in this RFI, your responses will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. The following POCs are provided for information regarding technical issues: Harvey Smith
+1 (555) 000-0000,
contact@example.gov Ean Seals
+1 (555) 000-0000,
contact@example.gov Contracting Office POC is
contact@example.gov,
+1 (555) 000-0000. Please reference announcement number N00164-13-S-NB13 in all correspondence and communications. DO NOT send white papers to the Contracting POC.
