Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF MARCH 13, 2003 FBO #0468
SOURCES SOUGHT

A -- Aircraft Near Real-Time Aviation Weather Information Datalink System (NAVWINDS)

Notice Date

3/11/2003
 

Notice Type

Sources Sought
 

Contracting Office

Department of the Air Force, Air Mobility Command, 305th CONS, 2402 Vandenburg, McGuire AFB, NJ, 08641
 

ZIP Code

08641
 

Solicitation Number

Reference-Number-NAVWINDS-031103-1
 

Archive Date

4/9/2003
 

Point of Contact

Michael Corson, Air Mobility Warfare Center - Senior Operations Analyst, Phone (609)754-7609, Fax (609)754-7651,
 

E-Mail Address

michael.corson@mcguire.af.mil
 

Description

The US Air Force Air Mobility Battlelab (AMB) plans to conduct a concept demonstration of a commercial/government off-the-shelf (COTS/GOTS) or emerging technology Near Real-time Aviation Weather Information Datalink System (NAVWINDS). Mobility Air Forces (MAF) aircraft require near real-time reception and display of mission relevant weather data/products for C-5, C-17, C-130, and C-141 cargo aircraft, KC-10 and KC-135 tanker aircraft, C-9 aeromedical evacuation aircraft, and all MAF special mission aircraft. Access to in-flight weather conditions as well as destination and alternate destination airfield weather on a global scale would aid in mission success and decrease aircrew task load. Weather conditions are likely to change across a typical long duration mission and the current request/response process does not provide an automated means to update mission specific weather information. This information is necessary for aircrews to effectively circumvent known or forecast areas of hazardous weather, exploit favorable conditions to reach their destination safely, and make prudent weather related mission divert decisions. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. The envisioned system would utilize a laptop computer or electronic kneeboard system, which could be carried on and connected to existing aircraft power and antenna systems. To improve command and control (C2) and weather forecast accuracy for future missions, aircrews require the automated capability to collect, format, and transmit real-time weather data regularly using existing C2 channels without added aircrew workload. Information available should include graphical images of weather radar, satellite images, winds aloft at all altitudes, icing, convective weather, turbulence, airport METARS, Terminal Area Forecasts, and Significant Meteorological (SIGMET) information in both graphic form and text. The system should be able to receive data from both military and civilian weather sources. Information should be collected from a variety of weather sources and capable of being delivered through a variety of delivery methods in-flight (INMARSAT, Iridium, VHF/UHF, Telephony, Internet, Direct PC, etc.). The system should be configured to optimize efficiency on limited bandwidth systems such as Iridium. The ability to use multiple delivery methods will preclude having a separate system dedicated to each type of aircraft. Through this BAA, the Air Force is soliciting information concerning mature technologies, which meet the requirements previously stated, to be used in a Battlelab concept demonstration. The primary selection criteria for all submissions will be the most practical system readily available to support the requirements. All offerors are strongly encouraged to submit information supporting this request. Currently, there is only limited Battlelab funding identified for this program, however, if research indicates that the technology is available and transferable to the USAF, funding will be sought for prototype demonstration and recommended to Headquarters, Air Mobility Command. NOTICE TO FOREIGN OFFERORS: Foreign or foreign-owned offerors are advised that their participation is subject to foreign disclosure review procedures and restrictions that could preclude their participation in this announcement. SUBMISSIONS: Product Information may be submitted until COB EST 25 March 2003. Electronic responses shall be submitted in MS Word format or Adobe PDF file. Please use the following guidelines when submitting white papers: a) TECHNICAL APPROACH. Please provide a brief high-level technical description of the proposed Near Real-time Aviation Weather Information Datalink System (no more than 1-2 pages). Ideally, the technical approach should include a scenario illustrating the use of the proposed system. If applicable, pictures of the system are encouraged (soft copies preferred). b) RISKS. Briefly address all potential risks. Does the system rely on the performance of subcontractors? c) TRAINING REQUIREMENTS. Describe the type of training that will be required to operate your system? How long will the training take? Briefly summarize how personnel would deploy and operate the system. d) COMPATIBILITY. Explain system compatibility. e) ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING. State the type of environmental testing that has been performed on the system. What are the temperature and humidity limits within which the system will function properly? f) COST. What is the estimated cost or cost range of the proposed system, including low volume production numbers and high volume production numbers? g) AVAILABILITY. Provide system availability information. Is it available off-the-shelf right now? If not, how soon can it be made available? h) PREVIOUS WORK. Briefly explain any previous work you have done or are doing for military/civilian customers similar to what this BAA addresses (include demonstration information that supported that work). Refer technical questions and submit product information to the Air Mobility Battlelab?s technical representative: Mr. Ed Lillion of Concurrent Technologies Corporation via email at lillione@ctcnsc.com or mail to 100 CTC Drive, Johnstown, PA 15904-1935. The single point of contact concerning this Sources Sought Notice is Mr. Lillion . You may contact Mr. Lillion with any questions you may have at (814) 269-6516. Electronic submittals are strongly encouraged. GENERAL BAA INFORMATION: This notice itself constitutes the BAA as per FAR 6.102(d) (2). There shall be no formal RFP. The Air Force reserves the right to select for award, any, part of, all, or none of the proposals received. The Air Force may or may not purchase any of the technology demonstrated. This BAA is an expression of interest only and does not obligate the Air Force to pay any proposal preparation and prototype costs or to award any contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions. Respondents are advised that only the Air Mobility Battlelab is legally authorized to commit the Government to the obligation of funds.
 

Place of Performance

Address: 100 CTC Drive, Johnstown PA

Zip Code: 15904

Country: US
 

Record

SN00276745-W 20030313/030311213720 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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