SOURCES SOUGHT
59 -- BAO Kit Head Mounted Display
- Notice Date
- 11/16/2011
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 333314
— Optical Instrument and Lens Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, ASC - Aeronautical Systems Center, 2275 D Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, 45433-7218
- ZIP Code
- 45433-7218
- Solicitation Number
- FA8629-12-R-2415
- Archive Date
- 12/22/2011
- Point of Contact
- Nancy G. Leggett, Phone: (937) 255-1696
- E-Mail Address
-
nancy.leggett@wpafb.af.mil
(nancy.leggett@wpafb.af.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- 1. The Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) Battlefield Airmen Branch (WISN), Wright-Patterson AFB OH, is soliciting information to identify possible sources to provide information on production or near production ready products that address the need for tactical head mounted computer displays. This Request for Information (RFI) is issued for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or commit the government to award a contract now or in the future. Submitting information for this RFI is voluntary, and participants will not be compensated. 2. The Head Mounted Display (HMD) system is intended as an individual issued unit for operators deployed in combat zones, and provide a heads up display from a computer interface of combat mission related information. 3. The HMDs will be within the following notional requests. If outside the requested parameters, please provide narrative on how the proposed system adapts to the situation: a. Power The HMD will plug into a single standard USB 2.0 port. Ideally all power and display signals will come through this single port connection. b. Characteristics 1) System should not prevent any protective equipment (such as helmets, hearing protection, etc) worn by the operator. 2) The system shall be ruggedized(adheres to MIL-STD-810-G Method 516.6 Procedure IV (transit drop test); Procedure I category 24 and 20 (Minimum Integrity test); Method 506.4, Procedure III (Drip) plus three ft submersion in salt water; Method 510.5, Procedure I (Dust); Method 501.5, Procedures I (Storage) and Procedure II (Operation); Method 503.4. (Thermal shock); Method 500.4, Procedures I (Storage); and II (Operation)) 3) HMD must allow the user the ability to see text, DTED, images, map, overlays, blast effects, and video display data from sensors while running applications. 4) HMD should allow the user to select on/off, dim/bright, left/right eye screen rotation, and "mouse" control. 5) If mounted to helmet, the HMD eyepiece should have an adjustable boom which mounts to the side rail on a FAST helmet from OPS Core. The boom mount should allow easy adjustment between "in-use" and "stowed" positions. 6) The HMD display should allow for use either as a "mirror" or "extended" display of the computer screen. This feature should be easily selectable through hardware or software. c. Reliability: HMD must not be susceptible to nearby electromagnetic interference nor cause interference to other nearby devices like the radio headset or night vision goggles. Vendors should note that the device will be used in close proximity (within 2 feet) of military radios. These radios are capable of transmitting frequencies from 30 MHz to 2 GHz at up to 20 Watts EIRP. 4. Please address the following questions: a. Power 1) How does HMD receive its power supply? 2) How long will your system operate without critical equipment failure (such as battery swap-out, overheating, etc)? 3) How much power does it require to operate your system? b. Characteristics 1) How/does your HMD present information and interfaces in a clear, easily understandable format (e.g. color, size, shape, etc.)? 2) Through what types of interfaces does the HMD receive signal inputs? 3) What is the resolution of your system and is it in color? 4) Is the HMD a monocular or binocular? If monocular is it interchangeable among eye preference? 5) Is there any special software driver required to operate on any computer? (Is it a plug in play system?) 6) How does your system maintain readability during the day and reduce light signature at night to avoid detection? 7) How does your HMD provide the user the ability to input, control, and output data to and from computing and sensor systems handled in a manner that is intuitive and easily manipulated? 8) Does your system have a secondary control not attached directly to the eye piece? 9) Does HMD have an on/off button directly on the HMD eyepiece? If not where is it? 10) Does the system input control use the same USB port where the display signals and power come from? 11) How much does the HMD weigh? 12) How much of an operator's field of view does the HMD obstruct? 13) To what degree does the HMD protect the user's eyes from loss of visual performance? 14) What characteristics does the mount of the HMD provide to stability during movement, such as bouncing around, when used in a marching or walking environment? 15) How large is the viewing area of the HMD and does it provide ability to adjust the overall system to the user's specific needs? 16) What kind of cable management system does the HMD invoke to avoid cabling that can tangle user and hinder operations? 17) How long will the HMD allow for continuous wear without causing undue "hotspots" or other discomforts to operator? 18) The HMD cabling must have "break-away" points at critical junctures (i.e. the operator's neck) so as not to create a snag hazard that could injure the user. If there is a break-away, how will the HMD react to reconnection? c. Reliability: 1) How long will HMD operate before maintenance above operator level is necessary? 2) How long is the total life cycle of the HMD? 3) To what extent is the HMD able to operate reliably in the global environment, including submersion in the maritime environment? d. Detectability What range does HMD signature and external indicators inhibit operator or system from detection by unaided human sight, sound, smell or signal? e. Logistics and Certifications 1) What is the sustainability strategy for any consumable items with the system? 2) Are there any certifications needed to transport, operate or dispose of the proposed system? 3) Are there any field deployed units of the proposed system or a previous iteration of the system proposed? 5. This notice is part of government market research, a continuous process for obtaining the latest information on the "art of the possible" and associated material procurement and approach risks from industry with respect to their current and near-term abilities. The information collected may be used by the Government to explore future strategies and implementation for the BAO kit. Information received as a result of this request will be considered as sensitive and will be protected as such. Any company proprietary information contained in the response should be clearly marked as such, by paragraph, such that ‘publicly-releasable' and ‘proprietary' information are clearly distinguished. Any material that is not marked proprietary will be considered publicly-releasable. Any proprietary information received in response to this request will be properly protected from any unauthorized disclosure. The Government will not use proprietary information submitted from any one firm to establish the capability and requirements for any future systems acquisition, so as to not inadvertently restrict competition. 6. When submitting a response to this RFI, please be aware that the Air Force workforce is supplemented by contracted support personnel. Any proprietary data submitted may be handled by contract support services personnel who have signed the same Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) as organic AF personnel. 7. Responses are limited to six (6) pages and should include technical and descriptive text to provide sufficient detail. The submitted documentation becomes the property of the Government and will not be returned. 8. Broad industry participation for this RFI is encouraged. U.S. and non-U.S. firms are permitted to respond to this HMD RFI. Responses to questions from interested parties will be promptly answered and posted on Fed Biz Opps (FBO), unless some release of proprietary information is involved or the answer addresses a question peculiar to a Company or that Company's response. Post submittal one-on-one information sessions with respondents are not contemplated. 9. This notice may be updated as additional information becomes available. Please check the FBO site for updates to this announcement and register to receive e-mail notices of any updates to the FBO announcement. For more information on this RFI, please contact the AF POCs below. E-mail communications preferred. 10. Submissions are requested within 21 calendar days of this announcement and may be submitted via e-mail or by mailing your response to: Ms. Nancy Leggett, Contracting Officer ASC/WISK (Bldg 46, 1895 5th St) Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7233 Contracting Officer, nancy.leggett@wpafb.af.mil, Personnel hand-carrying responses should contact the Contracting Officer to arrange a mutually acceptable arrival time. E-mail communication is preferred. Contractual: Ms. Nancy Leggett, Contracting Officer, (937) 255-7202 nancy.leggett@wpafb.af.mil,. Programmatic: Mr Brian Machuca, HMD/Headset Project Manager (937) 255-3833, Brian.Machuca.ctr@wpafb.af.mil
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/ASC/FA8629-12-R-2415/listing.html)
- Record
- SN02624576-W 20111118/111116234606-f1cea83aace7be4682feac67b9eef672 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |