Reconfigurable Multi-Function System Capabilities
Reconfigurable Multi-Function System Capabilities
Request for Information (RFI)
October 2017
Contact: Radar Technologies and Analysis Branch, Radar Systems and ID (RSID) Division, US Army Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate (I2WD), Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC), Research, Development & Engineering Command (RDECOM)
Email: usarmy.apg.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.i2wd-radar-rfi@mail.mil
Synopsis: THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION ANNOUNCEMENT. The purpose of this notice is for the Government to obtain market research information and gain an understanding of the marketplace. The US Army's Radar Systems and ID (RSID) Division in the Intelligence & Information Warfare Directorate (I2WD) is seeking information from academia, laboratories and industry regarding both internally-funded Independent Research and Development (IR&D) efforts and externally funded (contract or grant) efforts on reconfigurable multi-function system capabilities, hardware, software, and systems (including fielded systems). This RFI seeks information on reconfigurable RF systems that are capable of supporting Radar, Electronic Warfare (EW), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Communications (COMMS). Of interest are techniques, hardware, software, and systems (included fielded systems) that have demonstrated TRL 4 or higher in one or more of the functions and can be demonstrated or road-mapped with milestones. This RFI also seeks information on emerging techniques, hardware, software, and systems in development at TRL 2 and higher that are needed to support reconfigurable RF systems. Knowledge of reconfigurable RF systems development efforts currently underway within industry, laboratories and academia to develop and demonstrate systems that support multi-function operations against current and emerging threats or targets will help the RSID Division to identify technology options as well as remaining gaps.
Disclaimer: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. In accordance with FAR 15.202 (e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. This is a pre-solicitation RFI and the RSID Division is currently conducting market research only. No award is intended as a result of this synopsis. The Government will not reimburse the respondents for any costs incurred in the preparation of responses to this RFI, or for participating in information exchange regarding details of the RFI.
Due Date: 3PM EST on Date Monday 27 November 2017. Pending a review of the responses, the quality of submissions and the level of specification of the information provided, Government may conduct follow up discussions (if needed) with respondents. Please note, however, that the Government is under no obligation to conduct these follow-up Q&A sessions.
Description: The mission of the US Army CERDEC I2WD Radar Systems and ID (RSID) Division is to develop advanced Radar sensing capabilities and exploitation technologies that provide Actionable Intelligence, accurate and timely Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition for Battlespace Awareness and Force Protection. In order to ensure that RSID plans and executes research efforts that provide a maximum return on investment, it is imperative to have situational awareness of ongoing efforts within industry, laboratories, academia, DOD, and other Government agencies.
Requested Information: The RSID Division requests specific information regarding research and development efforts or fielded systems that pertain to reconfigurable multi-function systems, and will only review the following information:
• Section 1: Brief description of the company, laboratory or academic institution and expertise as pertaining to RF systems that can be rapidly reconfigured or simultaneously support different and multiple missions and to support multiple mission functions (two paragraphs maximum).
• Section 2: Completed or ongoing efforts (i.e., architectures, techniques, hardware, software or systems) mapped to development and/or fielding of reconfigurable, multi-function RF systems, the functions including Radar, EW, SIGINT, and COMMS. Additional information can be requested at the "UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY" level after verification of appropriate proof of the respondent's ability to receive these materials.
• Section 3: This section shall contain a brief description of each completed or ongoing effort identified in Section 2. The respondent should include a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) assessment for each technique, hardware, software or system. For efforts that the respondent assesses at TRL 4 and above, the respondent shall include demonstrated performance data for relevant mission functions. Along with each TRL, the respondent should provide justification and evidence for the TRL maturity assessment. If the program is still in development, the respondent may list the planned roadmap for each identified effort (see Section 4 regarding how to submit roadmap information). The combined length of the description of each effort and TRL assessment should not exceed one page (single spaced, 10 pitch font minimum). This page limit does not include any existing supporting documentation that the respondent believes may be germane to this effort. Government test reports, contractor test reports, and any other existing in-house generated technical data that will confirm the respondent's TRL assessment are of interest to the RSID Division.
• Section 4. The respondent may submit a technology development roadmap for each effort
o Roadmaps must be related to achieving one or more of the reference mission functions listed above and should show the current TRL and the ending TRL (and date) at project completion.
o The respondent may identify which parts of the roadmap are currently funded and which are not
o Future cost estimates, ROMs, and information regarding funding amounts are NOT required for this RFI
How to Submit Questions on the RFI: All questions shall be submitted via email and shall contain the subject line: Reconfigurable Multi-Function System Capabilities RFI. UNCLASSIFIED questions and requests for clarification concerning material in this RFI should be submitted to usarmy.apg.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.i2wd-radar-rfi@mail.mil no later than 3PM EST 2 November 2017 (20 days after release). SECRET level questions and requests for clarification concerning material in the RFI should be submitted via SIPRNet to usarmy.apg.cerdec.mbx.i2wd-radar-rfi@mail.smil.mil no later than 3PM EST Date 2 November 2017 (20 days after release). Any other forms of requests for additional information will not be honored. Clarifications from the Government may be UNCLASSIFIED - "Distribution D: Distribution authorized to Department of Defense (DOD) and U.S. DoD contractors only" or SECRET information. This controlled information will not be disseminated without appropriate proof of the respondent's ability to access SECRET materials.
Submission Requirements: Submission of proprietary and other sensitive information shall be marked and identified with disposition instructions (material submitted in response to this RFI will not be returned). All submissions shall contain section headings and provide the information requested under each section in order to be evaluated. Technologies/research efforts below TRL2 should not be submitted in response to this RFI.
Classification of RFI Responses: Responses that contain U.S. classified military information (CMI) generated in conjunction with a DOD program should be classified in accordance with the applicable Security Classification Guide (SCG). The I2WD security classification guides are the "(U) Security Classification Guide for Intelligence and Information Warfare Technologies", approved on 11 JUN 2013 as well as the "(U) Security Classification Guide for Radar Electronic Protection", approved on 16 MAR 2017. These document are classified UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY and will be only be furnished to those respondents with the ability to store collateral SECRET information. If the respondent uses an SCG other than the I2WD SCGs to classify the RFI response, a copy of the SCG should be included with the submission. Only U.S. citizens are authorized to respond to this RFI.
Submittal of RFI Responses: Responses to this RFI may be submitted electronically in MS Office or Adobe .pdf format. A Table of Contents and List of Figures are not desired. For any SECRET material, all responses shall have paragraph markings. Respondents are requested to submit one electronic copy of the responses to the RSID Division at usarmy.apg.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.i2wd-radar-rfi@mail.mil.
RFI Responses Submitted via US Postal Service (USPS), United Parcel Service (UPS) or FedEx: Any classified responses must include a tracer document - DA Form 3964 (http://www.apd.army.mil/pub/eforms/pdf/a3964.pdf). All classified responses at the SECRET level must be double wrapped and shipped via Express Mail, Priority Mail, Registered Mail, UPS or FedEx:
Inner Wrapping Address:
US Army CERDEC I2WD
ATTN: Radar Systems and ID (RSID) Division
6003 Combat Drive
APG, MD 21005
Outer Wrapping Address:
US Army CERDEC I2WD
ATTN: Security (Rm A2118)
6003 Combat Drive
APG, MD 21005
RFI Responses via SIPRNet: RFI responses submitted electronically via SIPRNet shall be emailed to the following address:
usarmy.apg.cerdec.mbx.i2wd-radar-rfi@mail.smil.mil. If you need to send material of a classification higher than SECRET, contact the I2WD security office at (443) 861-0482 for additional guidance.
RFI Evaluation Support: I2WD intends to use the National Security Engineering Center (an FFRDC operated by MITRE) and Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contractors as part of our pool of subject matter experts.
Reference:
Technology Readiness Levels in the Department of Defense (DOD)
(Source: DOD (2004), DODI 5000.2 Acquisition System Guidebook)
Technology Readiness Level Description
1. Basic principles observed and reported Lowest level of technology readiness. Scientific research begins to be translated into applied research and development. Example might include paper studies of a technology's basic properties.
2. Technology concept and/or application formulated Invention begins. Once basic principles are observed, practical applications can be invented. The application is speculative and there is no proof or detailed analysis to support the assumption. Examples are still limited to paper studies.
3. Analytical and experimental critical function and/or characteristic proof of concept Active research and development is initiated. This includes analytical studies and laboratory studies to physically validate analytical predictions of separate elements of the technology. Examples include components that are not yet integrated or representative.
4. Component and/or breadboard validation in laboratory environment Basic technological components are integrated to establish that the pieces will work together. This is relatively "low fidelity" compared to the eventual system. Examples include integration of 'ad hoc' hardware in a laboratory.
5. Component and/or breadboard validation in relevant environment Fidelity of breadboard technology increases significantly. The basic technological components are integrated with reasonably realistic supporting elements so that the technology can be tested in a simulated environment. Examples include 'high fidelity' laboratory integration of components.
6. System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment Representative model or prototype system, which is well beyond the breadboard tested for TRL 5, is tested in a relevant environment. Represents a major step up in a technology's demonstrated readiness. Examples include testing a prototype in a high fidelity laboratory environment or in simulated operational environment.
7. System prototype demonstration in an operational environment Prototype near or at planned operational system. Represents a major step up from TRL 6, requiring the demonstration of an actual system prototype in an operational environment, such as in an aircraft, vehicle or space. Examples include testing the prototype in a test bed aircraft.
8. Actual system completed and 'flight qualified' through test and demonstration Technology has been proven to work in its final form and under expected conditions. In almost all cases, this TRL represents the end of true system development. Examples include developmental test and evaluation of the system in its intended weapon system to determine if it meets design specifications.
9. Actual system 'flight proven' through successful mission operations Actual application of the technology in its final form and under mission conditions, such as those encountered in operational test and evaluation. In almost all cases, this is the end of the last "bug fixing" aspects of true system development. Examples include using the system under operational mission conditions.
Amy L. Pancio, Contract Specialist, Phone 4438614679, Email amy.l.pancio.civ@mail.mil - Nicolas A. Martin, Contracting Officer, Phone 4438614681, Email nicolas.a.martin2.civ@mail.mil
