SOURCES SOUGHT - NEXT GENERATION FAMILY OF SMALL ARMS LASER AIMING MODULES

This solicitation is being posted to Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) page located at http://www.fbo.gov/. FBO is the single point of entry for posting of synopsis and solicitations to the internet. Please feel free to use the FBO 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. Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division is seeking information from industry pertaining to Technological Advances in Small Arms Weapon mounted Laser Aiming and Illuminating Modules compatible with the small arms weapons employed by Special Operations Forces (SOF). The small arms to consider as host platforms include all rifles/carbines, grenade launchers, lightweight machine guns, medium machine guns, heavyweight machine guns, indirect fire munitions, and precision weapons employed by (SOF) including but not limited to the M4/M4A1, M16 series, H&K416, M27, MK17 MOD 0, M110, M110K, H&K417, MK13 EGLM, M203, M320, M79, M249 series, MK46 MOD 0/1, M240 series, MK48 MOD 0/1, M2/M2A1, MK13 MOD 5/6/7/8, PSR (Nomenclature TBD), handheld 60mm mortar system. This effort is underway to gauge potential interest and assist in requirement development of the Next Generation of Family of Small Arms Laser Aiming Modules. Product/Requirement Sub-Categories are as follows: -Carbine/LMG (M4/M4A1, M16 series, H&K416, M27, MK17 MOD 0, M110, M110K, H&K417, M249 series, MK46 MOD 0/1, M240 series, MK48 MOD 0/1) -HMG/CSW (M2/M2A1) -Sniper (MK13 MOD 5/6/7/8, PSR) -Heavy Munitions (MK13 EGLM, M203, M320, M79, handheld 60mm mortar system) Sub-Category overlap is highly encouraged. The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Visual Augmentation System Weapons Accessories (VASWA) / Special Operations Peculiar Modification Kit (SOPMOD) Program managed at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) is interested in receiving product information from industry in support of the next generation family of small arms laser aiming modules mission area. This submission may be in the form of commercial product literature, operating instructions, and/or supplemental technical documentation that define the item and associated hardware. Specific areas of interest for advanced technology include but not limited to: -Advancements in Materials and Designs -Size & Weight Reduction -Improved Methods of Attachment and Integration -Improvements in Tactical/Operational Suitability and Effectiveness -Improved Sustainability for Life Cycle Cost Reduction -Improvements in System Accuracy, Interoperability and Reliability -Improvements in Battery Life Preliminary specifications are: -Laser Module will, at a minimum, point and illuminate A technical description of the product, such as physical characteristics, operational features, performance data, photographs, and a rough cost estimate must be included. Submissions may be sent by any government or non-governmental entity including commercial firms, non-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education with degree-granting programs in science and/or engineering (universities), or by consortia comprising such concerns. All interested parties are strongly encouraged to submit an initial synopsis (commonly referred to as white paper). This white paper should not exceed 10 pages, with an executive summary (short paragraph) on the effort, a technical description of the effort, a preliminary schedule, identification of risks, current Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and a rough cost estimate. Offerors should submit the white papers electronically prior to 3:00 p.m. on August 15, 2013. Submittals after this date will still be accepted, although there is no guarantee they will be evaluated. Responses from Small and Small Disadvantaged Business firms are encouraged to participate. Firms responding should indicate if they are a small business, veteran owned, disabled veteran owned, a socially and economically disadvantaged business, 8(a) firms, historically black colleges or universities, and minority institutions. 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 CAGE Code (if applicable) Email Address Announcement Number: N00164-13-S-NB27 It should be noted that the Government plans to utilize employees from Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), TriStar Engineering (TSE), and possibly other direct Government contractors as advisors to the Government. Contractors must be properly registered in the Government System for Award Management database (SAM). Offerors may obtain information on SAM registration and annual confirmation requirements by calling +1 (555) 000-0000, or via the Internet at www.sam.gov. At the current time, 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. White papers may be submitted any time prior to expiration of this announcement. The following e-mail point of contact is provided for information regarding technical programs/technologies of interest within the warfare areas supported by the VASWA/SOPMOD Program and for submission of white papers: Mr. Brandon Clarke, contact@example.gov. The contracting POC is Mr. Scott Miller (e-mail: contact@example.gov). DO NOT send white papers to the contracting POC. Please refer to announcement number N00164-13-S-NB27 in all correspondence and communications.