RFI AIRCRAFT SURVIVABILITY RESEARCH / DEVELOPMENT
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY - This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes to acquire information concerning existing capabilities and developmental efforts in expendable countermeasure technology that can protect Army manned helicopter and fixed wing aircraft from guided missile systems that operate in multi-spectral bands (i.e. infrared, visible and ultra-violet, and Radio Frequency (RF). This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. Solicitations are not available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary; the United States Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the United States Government. Although "proposal", "offeror" and "respondent" are used in this RFI, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on Federal Business Opportunities (FedbizOpps) www.fbo.gov. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.
The US Army Contracting Command - New Jersey Close Combat (ACC-NJ-CC) on behalf of the Office of the Program Manager- Close Combat Systems (OPM -CCS) is interested in receiving information pertaining to industry's research and development (R&D) initiatives that will enhance the combat survivability of manned aircraft specifically relating to expendable countermeasures. The information received from this request will be used by OPM- CCS to shape future requirements and acquisition programs for expendable countermeasure technology and to allow industry to inform the Government as to present efforts related to aircraft survivability. Its principal focus is Science and Technology (S&T) for advanced technology/component development and demonstration (Research Development Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) 6.3 as well as 6.4 Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction (TMRR).
The technologies of interest are:
• Expendable Countermeasures (i.e., single-use countermeasure that is discarded after use) Technologies or concepts that, if developed successfully, would significantly benefit operational units in the 2017-2027 timeframe by improving Army manned helicopter and fixed wing aircraft's ability to avoid damage from Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) seeking and/or RF threat systems.
• Expendable Countermeasures Technologies or concepts that will defeat (i.e., threat unable to gain and/or maintain lock or track on the aircraft, resulting in the threat unable to damage the aircraft) current and future generation multi-spectral (i.e. infrared, visible and ultra-violet) threats such as man-portable air defense systems and imaging seekers. Such technologies or concepts include low cost approaches to multi-spectral missile countermeasures or entirely new concepts.
• Expendable Countermeasures Technologies or concepts that will defeat advanced coherent, parameter-agile search and track radar threats employed against manned Army aircraft. Threats could include advanced radars and passive radars.
Vendor shall provide the following information in response to this RFI:
1. Description of how the technology will defeat Electrical Optical/Infrared (EO/IRand/or Radio Frequency (RF) guided threats, its EO/IR or RF bands of operation and how it addresses the requirement to protect Army manned aircraft.
2. Table 1-System Critical Technology Identification and Maturation Information (See Attachment 1 for the table and specific instructions). Overall, identify the Critical Technologies (CTs) of your solution, each CT's current Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Integration Readiness Level (IRL), the estimated time needed to reach TRL 6 and IRL 6, the development activities required to mature that technology, and the risks associated with developing each CT.
3. Table 2-Integrated System Maturation Timeline and Cost Estimate (See Attachment 2 for the table and specific instructions). Overall, identify the estimated time required for the integrated system/solution to reach TRL/IRL 8 and identify the estimated cost to develop the system/solution from its current state to TRL/IRL 8.
All proprietary material in the submission package shall be clearly identified and will be treated in the strictest confidence. Submissions must be unclassified. Submissions are not to exceed twelve (12) pages using your preferred format. Please note there are three (3) attachments to this RFI.
Respondents shall not be obligated to provide the services described herein and it is understood by the United States Government that the cost estimates provided as a result of this request are "best" estimates only.
The response date for this RFI is September 5, 2017. No phone calls will be accepted. All responses or questions to this RFI shall be submitted electronically (MS Word, PDF or MS PowerPoint format).via e-mail to Heather A. Gandy Contracting Officer, at heather.a.gandy.civ@mail..mil, and Melissa L. Sena, Contracting Specialist, at melissa.l.sena.civ@mail.mil.
Melissa Sena, Contract Specialist, Phone 9737249002, Email melissa.l.sena.civ@mail.mil - Heather Gandy, Contracting Officer, Phone 973-724-3638, Email heather.a.gandy.civ@mail.mil
