SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Request for Information regarding Micro Inertial Navigator (MINAV)
- Notice Date
- 11/23/2010
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541711
— Research and Development in Biotechnology
- Contracting Office
- AMCOM Contracting Center - Missile (AMCOM-CC), ATTN: AMSAM-AC, Building 5303, Martin Road, Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898-5280
- ZIP Code
- 35898-5280
- Solicitation Number
- W31P4Q11R0034
- Response Due
- 12/23/2010
- Archive Date
- 2/21/2011
- Point of Contact
- Michael D. Garner Jr., 256-876-8278
- E-Mail Address
-
AMCOM Contracting Center - Missile (AMCOM-CC)
(michael.garnerjr@us.army.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION OR SOLICITATION FOR PLANNING PURPOSES (OCT 1997) (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Although proposal and offeror are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. (c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of obtaining information to serve as a market survey to aid in research associated with the potential development of a Micro Inertial Navigator (MINAV). This is a Request for Information (RFI) issued pursuant to FAR 15.2. The government does not presently intend to award a contract, but desires information on risk, price, performance, pertinent research and/or products as well as other information related to planning the development of the MINAV system. The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) Redstone Arsenal, AL, on behalf of the U.S. Army, desires to obtain information to serve as a market survey to aid in research associated with the development of a non-Global Positioning System (GPS), non-celestial Micro Inertial Navigator (MINAV). Current navigation and azimuth sensing technology has placed a premium on accuracy and performance without excessive concerns regarding Size, Weight and Power (SWaP). Typical systems range from 100 in3 to 400 in3, weigh 7.0 to 15 pounds and require 20 to 50 watts. These systems are ideally suited for large-scale military platforms and commercial markets. However, as weapon systems requirements increase in accuracy and performance an opposing trend has emerged in the form of overall size and power reductions. Many weapon systems are now man-portable or remote/unmanned and with the advent of precise Global Positioning System (GPS) location, these systems either require an inertial/GPS blended solution or stand alone inertial back-up in the event of GPS denial. To date, no significant SWaP advancements have been made in the core technology of navigation grade inertial sensor technology. The government does not presently intend to award a contract, but desires information on risk, price, performance, pertinent research and/or products as well as other information related to planning the development of a non-GPS, non-celestial MINAV system. As a result of issuing this RFI, the Government expects to receive technical, programmatic, Research and Development (R&D) methodologies to assist in the development of the following: (a) Determine the ability of current and near term technology to support a MINAV system. (b) Identify potential sensor designs that have demonstrated the potential to meet the objectives stated below. (c) Determine the approximate cost for the potential MINAV R&D effort. (d) Establish a reasonable schedule for the potential effort. Interested and capable sources are asked to present a briefing and/or submit a white paper addressing each of the areas of interest listed above. If available, existing designs and data, simulated or real, from existing sensor designs should be included in the briefing and/or white paper. The MINAV would contain six inertial sensors, three accelerometers and three gyroscopes, in a single package excluding electronics and power supply within a limited volume. The MINAV threshold volume is 12 in3 and the objective volume is 4 in3. This volume is allocated for the sensors only and does not include electronics or power supply for the MINAV. It is however envisioned that the electronics for the MINAV will utilize appropriate fabrication and packaging techniques necessary to render a single electronics card capable of processing and outputting navigation data. A summary of the performance guidelines is as follows: Threshold (T), Objective (O) Volume: 12.0 in3 (T), 4.0 in3 (O) Weight: 20 ounces (1.25 pounds) (T), 8 ounces (0.5 pounds) (O) Power: less than 5 watts (T), less than 1 watt (O) Alignment Time: 5.0 min. (T), 1.0 min. (O) Azimuth Error: 5.0 gmils* (T), 1.0 gmils* (O) Horizontal Position Error: 25m Circular Error Probable (CEP) (T), 5m CEP (O) Vertical Error: 10m Probable Error (PE) (T), 5m (PE) (O) Stored Heading Alignment Time: 2.0 min. (T), 30 sec. (O) Static Update Interval: 15 min. (T), 30 min. (O) Static Update Length: 60 sec. (T), 30 sec. (O) *gmils represents Gunners Mils which measure 6400 gmils per revolution. The primary goal of the RFI is to assess the feasibility of various approaches to micro-inertial navigation that possess the capability to meet the performance goals. The size and weight goals are secondary behind (1) proving feasibility, performance and (2) identifying and mitigating risk associated with miniaturization. The envisioned MINAV would be expected to leverage existing gyroscope and accelerometer sensor designs from the owning entity already in the design phase or in a larger prototype form. It is desirable that material selection and fabrication techniques be considered for the purposes of maintaining the lowest possible costs, however alternate concepts are encouraged and will be considered. The government encourages creativity and collaboration in response to this RFI. All briefs and/or whitepapers should include the following: 1. A brief description of the fundamental core methodology; 2. A brief description of the proposed gyroscopes and accelerometers on which the MINAV is based; 3. A brief description of the materials and fabrication associated with the system; 4. An expected schedule and cost for the completion of the sensors; 5. An expected schedule and cost for the completion of the system; 6. A brief description of associated projects that the respondents company is or has been involved in that would be leveraged for the MINAV or are similar in concept to what is described in this RFI. This should include any relevant lessons learned. The objective of this process is to assess the feasibility of various approaches to micro-inertial navigation that possess the capability to meet the performance goals. THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) IS NOT AN INVITATION FOR BID OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. Rather this Request for Information is part of a technology survey that is an integral part of US Army planning efforts for possible future programs. The US Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this request for information, neither is the government liable for any costs associated with the preparation of this RFI. Interested and capable sources are asked to submit a briefing and/or white paper not to exceed 25 pages in length and no smaller than size 12 Times New Roman font. Responses may include multiple concept submittals. After RFI release, there will be a period of 15 calendar days for question submittal. All questions must be submitted in writing and reference the RFI number; telephone requests for additional information will not be honored. All RFI responses must be submitted to the technical point of contact, Greg Graham at greg.graham@us.army.mil no later than 3:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST) on 23 December 2010. Responses should be made within (30) days from publication of this notice. In addition to the information provided above, all responses to this RFI must include the RFI number, company or institution name, Company and Government Entity (CAGE) code, and point of contact information. Acknowledgement of receipt will only be issued if a return receipt is requested with the submission. Please do not submit any classified information. All information submitted shall be adequately safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR Part 15.207. The Government reserves the right to request further clarification or request presentations to enhance the Governments understanding of the respondents submittal. RFI responses will be accepted from United States companies and organizations only. No foreign participation is authorized. White papers that fail to comply with the above instructions or present ideas that are not pertinent to the subject may not be reviewed. This is a request for information purposes only. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the U.S. Army to procure products or services. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION OR OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. No award is intended as a result of the RFI. Information submitted in response to this RFI is submitted at no cost to the Government and will not be returned. Any exchange of information shall be consistent with procurement integrity requirements, and all appropriate proprietary claims will be protected to prevent improper disclosure. In the event you have difficulty reading this RFI, please contact Michael D. Garner via email at michael.garnerjr@us.army.mil for a copy of this notice.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/cb1fa1d0a46f6fcbee5918b58cb69bce)
- Place of Performance
- Address: AMCOM Contracting Center - Missile (AMCOM-CC) ATTN: AMSAM-AC, Building 5303, Martin Road Redstone Arsenal AL
- Zip Code: 35898-5280
- Zip Code: 35898-5280
- Record
- SN02332974-W 20101125/101123234544-cb1fa1d0a46f6fcbee5918b58cb69bce (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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