Single Sensor with Multispectral Capabilities
M67854-17-I-1205
Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM), Product Manager, Optics and Non-Lethal Systems (PdM ONS) is seeking information for the potential development of an optical system utilizing a single sensor with multispectral capabilities.
Interested vendors capable of providing such a sensor that meets the performance attributes described below are invited to submit a White paper.
•1. The sensor is desired to allow weapon/no-weapon determination during identification of personnel targets at 1,500 meters under extreme darkness, and without the use of supplemental illumination.
•2. The required attributes of this sensor would be:
•a. Capable of positively identifying targets at range under clear conditions, and to a lesser extent, through obscured environments
•b. Detect targets behind glass and plexiglass at urban distances (hundreds of meters)
•c. Detect various Near Infrared (NIR) laser pointers and designators (down to 800 nanometer wavelengths) utilized for target handoff
•d. The ability to see visible and Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) laser rangefinder spots for boresight verification, or covert laser pointers for target handoff, are desired, but not required
•e. Capabilities (a) through (d) would all be possible from a single sensor and single set of optics
•3. There are two identified form factors that could benefit from this technology: a handheld bi-ocular, and a firing shock hardened weapon sight that is clipped onto host weapon MIL-STD-1913 rails, in-line with, and in front of, weapon system day optics.
•4. The primary intended users of such systems are scout-snipers and other dismounted reconnaissance forces operating at extreme stand-off distances, from long duration observation sites.
•5. The anticipated sensor to meet this requirement is a High Operating Temperature (HOT) Midwave Infrared (MWIR) focal plane array (FPA) with extended spectral response toward shorter wavelengths and associated broadband optics.
The United States Marine Corps (USMC) currently employs the AN/PAS-22 Long Range Thermal Imager (LRTI), which is a cooled Indium Antimonide (InSb) MWIR bi-ocular with a 24 micron pixel pitch and 320x256 Focal Plane Array (FPA), which was fielded over ten years ago. Due to advancements in technology, significant reductions in size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) are expected for the replacement of this system. The AN/PVS-27 Scout Sniper Mid-Range Night Sight (SSMRNS) is the only night weapon optic currently available to the scout sniper community. It is an Image Intensification (I2) device, whose performance and range is limited by available light at night, as well as battlefield obscurants. The proposed sensor would greatly enhance the capabilities of Marine Snipers at night.
PdM ONS plans to hold a demonstration in FY17 to show what is currently available with the above described or similar performance. As no program exists for this technology yet, MARCORSYSCOM is looking to generate interest by demonstrating that this technology is feasible and worthy of investment to develop further. PdM ONS priorities for the near-term demonstration are:
1) Broadband detector covering the bands of interest, both to verify spectral range (NIR to MWIR) and capture phenomenology of the targets (can detect personnel in the open and behind transparencies, laser spots) and background
2) Broadband optics with focal length and f-number representative of capability required to make personnel weapon/no-weapon determination at 1,500m.
White Paper responses should address what Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) can be expected for both *time and cost* to develop this technology further, specifically related to:
1) Fabrication of the FPA
2) Integration of a dewar-cooler assembly (IDCA)
3) Broadband window
4) Broadband lens
5) Power estimates for current hardware and path/goals for an optimized system including sensors, cooler, and electronics
6) Demonstration at a Quantico test range, including what support may be needed to perform a demonstration (such as a generator, liquid nitrogen, etc.)
7) Estimated costs for a single-unit, IDCA demonstrator camera and lens
8) Estimated production costs for optimized camera and lens in quantities of 1,000+.
The page limitation for the White paper is not to exceed 20 pages. Written responses can be in any format, but electronic media must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat formats. RFI responses are due no later than 31 January 2017, 3:00 p.m. Responses may also be mailed or e-mailed to the following addresses:
Commander
Marine Corps Systems Command
Infantry Weapons Systems (PMM-113)
Product Manager, ONS/CT2.1
Attn: Jennifer Haveron or Suzanne Blagg
2200 Lester Street
Quantico, Virginia 22134-6050
E-mail: Jennifer.haveron@usmc.mil and suzanne.blagg@usmc.mil
Notices
Questions asked about RFI contents may be posted on the FBO website for public disclosure, but without attribution.
Support contractor/non-Government personnel from Knowledge Capital Associates LLC, Patricio Enterprises Inc., and their subcontractors and consultants may assist in collecting and reviewing market information received from this RFI.
This notice constitutes no obligation on behalf of the Government to issue a solicitation. MARCORSYSCOM is neither seeking proposals nor accepting proposals at this time and no solicitation is in development. No reimbursement will be made for information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. See FAR 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes. Any information that is proprietary needs to be correctly marked.
Jennifer L. Haveron, Contract Specialist, Phone 7034324964, Email jennifer.haveron@usmc.mil - Suzanne Blagg, Contracting Officer, Phone 7034324953, Email suzanne.blagg@usmc.mil
