SOURCES SOUGHT
70 -- McKenna Advanced Communications Server (MACS) Prototype
- Notice Date
- 2/13/2006
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541330
— Engineering Services
- Contracting Office
- General Services Administration, Federal Technology Service (FTS), Federal Technology Service (4TRC), 4890 University Square, Ste 3F, Huntsville, AL, 35816
- ZIP Code
- 35816
- Solicitation Number
- 4THO21067027
- Response Due
- 2/23/2006
- Archive Date
- 3/10/2006
- Description
- This is not a request for proposal/quote. The General Services Administration, Federal Technology Service, is seeking sources to support a requirement for the McKenna Advanced Communications Server (MACS) Prototype. No contract(s) will be issued as a result of this particular notice; however, a bidder?s list will be compiled from the responses to this notice. In order to bid on this requirement, a firm must be registered in the GSA Acquisition Management System (ITSS). If you are not currently registered, you may do so by going to it-solutions.gsa.gov and following the registration instructions. The description of the requirement is as follows: 1.0 BACKGROUND: The US Soldier Battle Lab Ft. Benning conducts live experimentations and Technical demonstrations in support of the future soldier?s combat development. In order to facilitate and document tactical troop maneuvers soldiers are equipped with a man-worn instrumentation device, which monitors, tracks and records movements and engagements. This device is a combination of a localized communications server and long haul RF data radio. This custom built soldier tracking device has been in operation for 3 years. In an effort to maximize the use of the latest technologies and a continuous effort to ruggedize instrumented soldier worn devices for military environments, this activity is seeking proposals for an enhanced version (next generation) of this soldier worn communication server. 2. DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT DEVICE: The concept of this man worn server has already been tested utilizing the MOUT simulation system. This device is a collection of standard off the shelf OEM boards housed in a single enclosure integrated on a custom motherboard. The device uses a standard Microhard 910 MHz radio and a multi port Bluetooth serial server and a Rabbit microprocessor controller. The current communication software was written using the Z World microprocessor specific dynamic C. Block diagram as (email kristen.eaves@gsa.gov for drawing). 3. DESCRIPTION OF MCKENNA ADVANCED COMMUNICATION SERVER (MACS) This contract is for the development of a prototype hardware device which will serve as an upgrade model for the next generation of CommServer devices used at this facility for all future replacement and expansion requirements. The contractor will be responsible to search out current advanced technologies and integrate into a complete communication device. The government will provide one sample device along with proper documentation. This device will provide PDAs and other processors a BT enabled bi-directionally communication device with a base station radio farm. The concept has already been tested at MOUT using a standard Microhard 910 MHz radio and a Bluetooth serial connector device and an IPAQ PDA. The BT/Radio device to be built in this quotation is a consolidation of the Microhard radio with the Bluetooth serial connector into a single hardened box. Additional diagnostic and configuration software will be provided to configure this box and monitor communication status. 3.1 Overall design: This device shall be open-ended architecture using a single OEM design or uses multiple OEM interconnected to create a soldier worn network for both wired and wireless electronic monitoring and information sharing components mounted on the soldier. The device will use a long haul RF system to communicate information from the soldier to a central collection facility up to 10 km away. This device will have test indicators in the form of LEDs or LCD displays. This device will have an on/off switch and battery life of at least 8 hours. 3.2 Form Factor. The MACS prototype device design requires it to be lightweight, as it will be affixed to the soldier?s already heavy load of military gear. It needs to be as small as possible in order not to interfere with tactical maneuvering (less than 2?x 3?x 4?). It needs to be weather resistant, as it will be operated in various weather conditions. It needs to be self-contained including power. Connectors need to be of military grade. Switches, LEDs and other displays need to be low profile to prevent snagging and catching on peripheral gear. The capability is needed to programmatically dim or disable displays for use in tactical night missions. A tool less enclosure is required to facilitate maintenance and an easily accessible port (not necessarily wired) for programming. 3.3 Protocols and communication: This device requires a minimum of 5 ea. Bi-directional communication ports linked to other soldier worn devices. This device will provide for 2 wired RS 232 connections. The device will have 2 relay control interfaces and 2 inputs to sense for contact closure. This device will provide a Bluetooth serial server to communicate up to 3 wireless serial devices. The devices will have one fixed Ethernet port 802.3.This device will have an embedded processor and non volatile memory. This device will have a long haul RF transport using 900 MHZ, 2.4 GHZ or Cell Phone for data rates at least 128 kb. 4. Deliverables The contractor shall provide one working prototype device along with schematics, board layout, source code, development tools and other documentation pertinent to development. The government reserves all rights to use, reproduce and distribute at its discretion. Also the government may contract with other vendors to modify and or remanufacture as required by future needs. Responses are due via email or fax (256) 895-5898 no later than COB February 23, 2006 to Kristen Eaves, kristen.eaves@gsa.gov
- Place of Performance
- Address: McKenna Range ATZB-WC-DFP, Hourglass Road, Fort Benning, GA,
- Zip Code: 31905
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 31905
- Record
- SN00987420-W 20060215/060213212652 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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