MODIFICATION
99 -- Market Research and Request for Information (RFI) USMC Joint Precision Air Drop System Capability Solutions
- Notice Date
- 9/22/2009
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- NAICS
- 314999
— All Other Miscellaneous Textile Product Mills
- Contracting Office
- M67854 MARINE CORPS SYSTEMS COMMAND Quantico, VA
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- M6785409I1131
- Response Due
- 9/24/2009
- Archive Date
- 10/9/2009
- Point of Contact
- Ruby Gillette 703-432-3526
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The purpose of this amendment is to provide questions and answers to the RFI as follows. M67854-09-I-1131Questions and Answers Market Research and Request for Information (RFI) USMC Joint Precision Air Drop System Capability Solutions Question: Procurement Strategy and JPADS Variant, (a) Please describe what is meant by an "evolutionary acquisition strategy", and is there a known and dated schedule of events associated with it. (b) Please describe what is meant by "commercially proven product based on mature technology and a variant of the JPADS Family of Systems"? Please include in the answer if it means that a vendor who does not have a military fielded JPADS product will still be considered? Answer: (a) RFI is modified to read "Commercial Item Acquisition" instead of "Evolutionary Acquisition". (b) US Marine Corps is looking for a Commercial Product (See FAR 2.101) with a proven record of the product's performance in the Commercial Marketplace. Mature technology reflects a product or service that has demonstrated the attributes and qualities sought for to be considered mature enough for procurement in the Commercial Marketplace. If a solicitation is published, all respondents will be considered. Question: Steerable Canopy System Is the 'steerable canopy' part of the vendor guidance system, or will that be provided from customer inventory? In 2007 USMC planned to utilize the USMC MC5 and MP360 canopies for ULW. Is that the case, or should the guidance vendor supply information on a system complete with vendor choice/offering of parafoil? If the 'steerable canopy' is government provided, please state if it has already been tested to the deployment weight/altitude/flight speed limits specified, and if so by whom, when, and what vendor guidance systems were involved? Answer: Yes, the system should be an Aircraft Deployed Steerable Canopy System. USMC will utilize the MC-5 and MP360. Testing is on-going via USA. Who, when and what vendor guidance systems were involved is beyond the scope of this RFI. Question: Will there be USMC ULW procurement involved representatives at the upcoming PATCAD 2009 demonstration who will be available for introduction and vendor ULW system discussion/familiarization? Answer: This question is beyond the scope of this RFI. Please review the RFI for purpose as stated in FAR 15.201 (e). Question: Uniform Vendor 'System' familiarity, will the ULW program have a technical/systems point of contact whose responsibility it is to be 'tangibly' familiar with each system, in both hardware and software? And if so, will each vendor be visited by the representative for or some other personal interactive opportunity be provided of, at least a day's duration?Answer: No, this RFI serves the purpose of identifying what capabilities currently exist in the market. Question: ULW Performance Evaluation, will the ULW acquisition program conduct a comparative vendor system performance evaluation which includes flight test and CARP/Mission Plan/GUI operation? If so what is the schedule? Answer: This RFI serves the purpose of identifying what capabilities currently exist in the market. Question: Parafoil GFE, if a gliding parafoil based system is considered and the parafoil is to be government provided, will the USMC provide vendors with representative samples for modification, adaptation and flight test? If so, what, when and how many will be provided? Answer: No, this RFI serves the purpose of identifying what capabilities currently exist in the market. Question: RFI 14 Commercial Interfaces, What is meant by "commercial interfaces" in terms of hardware and/or software? Answer: Example of an allowable commercial interface is an Interface Connection between the Navigation Unit and the Laptop Computer. It must be a standard serial, usb or parallel port type connector or wireless connection. The system must be able to receive a signal inside the aircraft with a GPS repeater type system. Question: RFI 23 Reliability, do not understand reference to "Paragraphs 3.4.1.5 and 3.4.1.6". What is the source document? Answer: RFI 23 Reliability and Maintainability is amended and removes "Paragraphs 3.4.1.5 and 3.4.1.6 also apply". Question: RFI 24 Environmental Conditions, is there a vendor requirement for having completed environmental testing pursuant to RFI 24 MIL STD Environmental tests at a certified facility? Answer: No, this RFI serves the purpose of identifying what capabilities currently exist in the market. Question: Sample/Evaluation Systems, will the ULW procurement acquisition and evaluation strategy require vendor submission of sample systems and software for evaluation and review? If so, when, what, and how many will be required? Answer: No, this RFI serves the purpose of identifying what capabilities currently exist in the market. Question: Regarding performance specification RFI 14, as detailed in the RFI, does "en-route" refer to when the guidance control unit is in an aircraft prior to deployment, or after the system has been dispatched from the aircraft and is flying under canopy to the programmed target? Answer: RFI 14 is amended and now reads, 14. Autonomous Guidance Unit: Must be capable of being programmed by downloading information from a computer with readily available commercial interfaces. The destination coordinates should be able to be programmed into the GPS unit/navigation package. The system must be able to accept coordinates in latitude/longitude and military grid coordinates as a minimum. Positive feedback must be provided to ensure that the system is properly programmed. The system must be capable of accepting programming/reprogramming using a standard computer. The system should provide a visual "go/no go" readiness indication (i.e. LED) upon completing self test and diagnostics. Question: RFI 14 Regarding performance specification should "go/no go" decisions be interpreted according to the Health Status format of the "Interface Specification forJPADS-MP to Guided Airdrop System Communications"? If not, can "go/ no go" beclarified? Answer: The health status of the Autonomous Ground Unit (AGU) shall be based solely on the internal capability of the AGU to meet a mission downloaded by a computer thru a Commercial Interface. Question: The RFI states that "the Government...wants to obtain price, delivery, other market information, or capabilities for planning purposes." Is it the Government's intent that interested parties provide pricing information at this time? Answer: Yes, we are looking for price, delivery and other market information or capabilities for planning purposes only. Question: Is the 250lb/699lb requirement defined by suspended weight, all up weight, or payload weight? Answer: None of the above, it is defined by rigged weight, which encompasses everything exiting the aircraft. Question: Is the minimum drop altitude 2,500 ft MSL or AGL? Answer: Above Ground Level (AGL) Question: Please provide a list of the items and types of parachutes to be included as Government Furnished Property. Answer: Government Furnished Property includes the MC-5 and MP360 Canopies. Question: Is the go/no go flight decision made onboard the aircraft or during flight? What is the desired course of action in the event of no go decision during flight (after release from the aircraft)? Answer: RFI 14 is amended and reads as follows: 14. Autonomous Guidance Unit: Must be capable of being programmed by downloading information from a computer with readily available commercial interfaces. The destination coordinates should be able to be programmed into the GPS unit/navigation package. The system must be able to accept coordinates in latitude/longitude and military grid coordinates as a minimum. Positive feedback must be provided to ensure that the system is properly programmed. The system must be capable of accepting programming/reprogramming using a standard computer. The system should provide a visual "go/no go" readiness indication (i.e. LED) upon completing self test and diagnostics. Question: Please clarify whether the GPS receiver or the SAASM enclosure should be easily removable. Answer: RFI 16 is amended and to read as follows: 16. Navigation Package: Must be designed to facilitate repair at the lowest possible level within the DOD system. Where possible the electronics must be modular in nature. The SAASM Enclosure must be easily removable.
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