Multi-Channel Manpack (MCMP)
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)
M67854-17-I-2638
GENERAL INFORMATION
Document Type: Request for Information/Market Research
Sources Sought: All Businesses - Under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 334220
Closing date for RFI: October 6, 2017
DESCRIPTION
This RFI initiates market research under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10.002(b) (2) (iii). The Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC), Portfolio Manager Command Element Systems (PfM CES), Program Manager Communications Systems (PM CS), Ground Radios (GR) team is seeking industry feedback regarding a multi-channel tactical radio as potential replacement for the AN/PRC-117F in Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 (FY19), with testing planned to start in mid-FY 18. The Marine Corps seeks a discussion on Commercial/Non-Developmental Item (NDI) that can meet Marine Corps operational requirements. The purpose of this RFI is to aid in the requirements generation process and to seek feedback from industry on the current status of potential replacements.
This RFI is being issued to all available vendors to collect information regarding industry capabilities to provide all listed items as an entire system.
THIS RFI IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS OR PROPOSALS. NO STATEMENT OF WORK, SPECIFICATION, OR REQUIREMENTS PACKAGE IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR RELEASE.
This RFI is a market research tool to determine the availability and adequacy of potential commercial sources prior to determining the acquisition strategy and issuance of a Request for Proposals/Quotations. The Government is not obligated to reimburse, and will not pay, for any information received from potential sources as a result of this RFI. This RFI is for informational and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for, or award, a competitive or sole source contract.
BACKGROUND
The Marine Corps intends to replace the AN/PRC-117F with a Commercial/NDI solution that meets National Security Agency (NSA) Communications Security (COMSEC) modernization requirements and possesses improved size, weight, and power (SWAP) attributes. The Multi-Channel Manpack (MCMP) will be configured in both a mounted (track and wheeled vehicles) and dismounted configuration. Radios will be networkable, enabling command and control at the lowest tactical level. The MCMP will leverage commercially available, non-developmental solutions in order to rapidly meet operational requirements.
MANDATORY SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
All specifications are considered to be the threshold (minimum) requirement unless stated as an objective (maximum).
Channels and Frequency Range
•Two-Channels, fully symmetrical, operating from 30MHz to 2.5GHz.
Transmit Characteristics
•Transmit on both channels simultaneously
•Shall be capable of at least 20 Watts of RF output power.
•Shall provide no less than 5 levels of user selectable RF output power.
•Shall allow the user to program no less than five power output presets (objective).
Physical Characteristics
•The radio in an operational configuration (battery, antenna, handset) shall not
exceed 13 lbs.
•The volume (as in cubic inches) of the radio shall not exceed the currently fielded RT-1949 by more than 10%.
Power
•Shall display battery charge status information on the user display. Status shall be
indicated as a percentage of battery capacity remaining.
•Battery status shall be configurable to display as hours and minutes remaining (objective).
•Radio shall provide for 10% transmit, 10% receive, and 80% monitor duty cycle operation for at least 6 hours.
•Shall be compatible with chargeable and non-rechargeable
batteries currently fielded by the Marine Corps.
•Shall be capable of operating with expeditionary solar power systems and battery chargers currently fielded by the Marine Corps.
Connectors and Interfaces
•Shall interface with USB 2.0/3.0 compatible External User Device (EUD) for the transfer of Internet Protocol (IP) networked application data (i.e. PLI/SA, C2, and Network Management) to and from the EUD.
•Shall provide for software interface for loading on third-party end user devices which support management of radio functions, status monitoring and facilitate radio configuration.
•Shall be enabled to support power over Universal Series Bus (USB) to EUD (objective).
•Shall provide an interface for H-250 handset and COMSEC fill devices.
•Shall provide for a hands-free means of monitoring and transmitting on radio (objective).
•Shall provide an Ethernet interface for the transfer of IP-networked application data and distribution of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) data.
•Shall provide a video out interface.
•Shall provide a software interface to the Joint Enterprise Network Manager for radio programing and management of Department of Defense (DOD) certified waveforms.
•Shall provide software capability to program and manage any proprietary waveforms.
MIL-STD Testing
•Shall be compliant with MIL-STD-810G Change 1 for dismounted and mounted (wheeled and tracked) operations.
•Shall be compliant MIL-STD-461G
•Shall be compliant MIL-STD-464C
•Shall be compliant MIL-STD-1275E
•Shall be compliant MIL-STD108E (objective)
•Shall be fully operational after immersion in 1 meter of salt water for 30 minutes.
Waveforms
The radio shall be capable of transmitting and receiving the below waveforms as either a (T) threshold requirement or (O) objective:
Waveforms Manpack
SINCGARS ESIP (VHF-FM Military) - THRESHOLD
HAVE QUICK II (UHF-AM/FM/PSK) - THRESHOLD
UHF SATCOM. MI-STDs 188-181C/182B/183B - THRESHOLD
Enhanced Collection Of Broadcasts from Remote Assets (eCOBRA) - THRESHOLD
Data Control Waveform (MIL-STD-188-184A) - THRESHOLD
VHF FM Military Tactical - THRESHOLD
GPS SAASM - THRESHOLD
Advanced Special Communications Mode (ASCM) - THRESHOLD
VHF AM ATC - THRESHOLD
VHF/UHF FM LMR - THRESHOLD
UHF AM/FM PSK Military Tactical - THRESHOLD
Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) - THRESHOLD
Adaptive Networking Wideband Waveform - THRESHOLD
Tactical Scalable MANET eXtreme (TSM-X) - THRESHOLD
ISR Receiver - THRESHOLD
MUOS - THRESHOLD
Netted Iridium - OBJECTIVE
SATURN - OBJECTIVE
Link 16 / TADIL-J3 - OBJECTIVE
4G/LTE - OBJECTIVE
Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW) - OBJECTIVE
BOWMAN VHF - OBJECTIVE
VHF ATC Data Link Next Generation Air/Ground Communications (NEXCOM) - OBJECTIVE
Retransmit and Crossbanding
•Radio shall be capable of cross-banding IP-Based voice and data traffic on dissimilar waveforms within the supported frequency bands of each channel.
•Core R/T shall be capable of retransmitting IP-Based voice and data on like waveforms within the supported frequency bands of each channel.
Position and Timing
•Radio shall be capable of receiving input from an external M-Code Global Positioning System (GPS) to support position and timing requirements of all waveforms.
•Shall have an internal Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) GPS upgradeable to M-Code once technology is mature.
•M-Code upgrade must be capable of being performed at either organizational or depot level maintenance activities without replacing the entire receiver / transmitter.
COMSEC
•Radio shall be capable of operating with NSA Suite A and Suite B cryptology.
•Shall be NSA COMSEC modernization compliant.
Vehicle Adapter Kit
•Vehicle mounting interface shall be provided that does not exceed the volume of the currently fielded AN/VRC-114(V) 1.
•When more than one radio is docked in a vehicle kit, radios shall provide an intercom function that allows users to transition between an internal (intercom) and external (RF transmit) function on the same audio interface. (objective)
Amplifier
•Amplifier shall support all bands and waveforms supported by the radio.
•A single amplifier shall support no less than two channels simultaneously or four (objective) (i.e., two MCMP can share one amplifier).
•Amplifiers shall be capable of transmitting up to 50 Watts.
•Amplifier shall be configurable through radio interface.
•Amplifier shall be capable of remote installation away from vehicle adaptor kit.
•R/T and amplifiers when installed shall be compliant with MIL-STD-1275E.
Antennas
•Vehicular antennas shall be capable of operating from 30MHz to 2.5GHz.
•A single antenna shall be capable of operating in similar bands simultaneously. (i.e. two VHF nets can operate on one antenna) (objective).
Maintenance
•All Line Replaceable Units shall be capable of being tested, having faults isolated, and being repaired by general purpose electronic test equipment, automated test equipment and tools found in the Marine Corps inventory.
•Internal shop replaceable units should be able to be tested and fault isolated, for functionality, before having to reassemble the end item.
•Built-in tests shall be capable of identifying faults within functional groups to include transmit, receive, cryptographic, power; memory; band testing; hardware, to include bit error rate, liquid crystal display (LCD) and keypad; and software / firmware validation.
Interested parties are requested to provide an information package, addressing their approach to meeting the mandatory requirements listed above, to include the following:
•Your organization's description of, and its capability to provide, an integrated solution which meets the requirements set. Please provide details concerning integration efforts as well as components to be used.
•A description of your device specifications, addressing each functional area under the mandatory system requirements.
•The technological readiness levels of all components used, and an assessment of when production models can be delivered. If additional testing is required, an assessment of how long it would take to meet testing requirements following contract award.
•An assessment and recommendation on any capability, which if relief were granted or deferred, could accelerate fielding of a multi-channel radio capability.
•How any additional features of the system noted in your response meet or exceed the objective requirements.
•Whether your solution is considered commercially available off-the shelf, or a non-developmental item, in accordance with FAR 2.101.
•Reliability data and statistics for each device discussed in the response, if currently in production.
•Provide any test reports conducted on behalf of or by a government agency which demonstrate how your product meets testing requirements specified in the Mandatory Requirements.
•Provided copies of certifications currently possessed (i.e. NSA, JITC, ARSTRAT).
•The manufacturer warranties for your offered products.
•The ability to conduct new-equipment training during initial fielding.
•Any contracts presently awarded to a government agency (i.e. GSA, DoD, etc.) from which your material solution may be procured.
Please send the requested information by e-mail only (Microsoft WordTM or .pdf attachments are preferred) no later than the closing date provided. Information packages and all inquiries shall be emailed to MCSC_MC3_CONTRACTS@usmc.mil. Please place "Attention: Response to RFI for multi-channel tactical radio" in the subject line of your email.
Responses shall be limited to 20 pages, including slick sheets or product brochures. Proprietary information submitted, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that submissions will not be returned.
NOTICE
Vendors are advised that the Government may use non-Government personnel to assist in collecting and reviewing market information and in providing technical advice to the GR team. Proprietary information submitted in response to this RFI will be protected from unauthorized disclosure as required by Subsection 27 of the Office of Procurement Policy Act, as amended (41 U.S.C. 423) (hereinafter referred to as "the Procurement Integrity Act" or "the Act"), and as implemented in the FAR. Supporting personnel are procurement officials within the meaning of the Act and will take all necessary action to preclude unauthorized use or disclosure of vendor's proprietary data.
By submitting a response, a company will be deemed to understand that, and agree to, the Government allowing its support contractor, with the appropriate Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) in place, access to any information submitted in relation to this
Cori Kirkbride, Contract Specailist, Phone 7034329910, Email cori.kirkbride@usmc.mil
