MODIFICATION
A -- BAA Topic Number: S0810
- Notice Date
- 12/24/2013
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- ACC-APG - Aberdeen Division B, HQ CECOM CONTRACTING CENTER, 6001 COMBAT DRIVE, ABERDEEN PROVING GROU, MD 21005-1846
- ZIP Code
- 21005-1846
- Solicitation Number
- W15P7T-13-R-A424
- Response Due
- 1/24/2014
- Archive Date
- 2/23/2014
- Point of Contact
- Michael Levy, 443-861-4615
- E-Mail Address
-
ACC-APG - Aberdeen Division B
(michael.w.levy7.civ@mail.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / SOURCES SOUGHT (SS) NOTICE Solicitation Number: W15P7T-13-R-A424 Topic Number: S0810 Title: Development of Distributed/Embedded Standard SATCOM on-The-Move Terminal Architecture (DESSTA) Division: SATCOM/Space Systems Technical POC: Jeffrey Hoppe ***To receive requirement details and RFI attachment please email Michael Levy; Michael.w.levy7.civ@mail.mil*** REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / SOURCES SOUGHT (SS) NOTICE Distributed Embedded SATCOM On The Move (SOTM) Standard Terminal Architecture (DESSTA) Distributed SOTM Terminal (DST) and Open Systems Architecture (OSA) Development Program 20 December 2013 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) AND NOT A SOLICITATION. This RFI is solely for information and planning purposes and shall not be considered as an invitation for bid, Request for Quotation, Request for Proposal (RFP), or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. Your response to this RFI will be treated as information only. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this announcement or the Government use of such information. This request does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this effort. The information provided may be used by the Army in developing its acquisition strategy, or performance work statements, or performance specifications. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information submitted in response to this RFI. 1.0 INTRODUCTION The US Army Communications Electronics Research & Development Engineering Center (CERDEC) Space & Terrestrial Communications Directorate (S&TCD) is interested in developing an open standard interface and architecture that will allow it to procure distributed aperture satellite communications antennas for on-the-move vehicular applications. To prove out the interface and architecture, a several demonstration units will be developed. This Request For Information is a call to industry to provide your input on how to develop the open standard architecture, and demonstration units. The development of both these items will need to take into account the Army's goals for performance, integration and cost. 1.1 ORGANIZATION 1.1.1. IDENTIFICATION. US Army, Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), Communications Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Command (CERDEC), Space & Terrestrial Communications Directorate (S&TCD), Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), MD. 1.1.2. MISSION. The Space & Terrestrial Communications Directorate's (S&TCD) Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Developmental Systems Branch provides the science and technology (S&T) solutions to the S&TCD SATCOM Systems division and the warfighter. In this role the office works on various technology efforts to provide on the move (OTM) satellite communications. S&TCD performs research, development, and engineering functions in all aspects of terrestrial, avionics, and space-dependent communications technology to include adaptive, reliable seamless battlefield communications with full electronic counter-countermeasures capability and information security (INFOSEC). By harnessing the potential of communications systems technology, S&TCD is able to meet near-term needs of our warfighters. 1.2. BACKGROUND. Current SATCOM On The Move (SOTM) terminal products that meet the performance specifications of the Warfighter Information Network - Tactical (WIN-T) program, cannot be integrated onto heavy tactical vehicles due to many longstanding integration issues. As a result, our soldiers are without a SOTM capability on the Bradley, and other heavy vehicles. Under the Distributed Embedded SATCOM On The Move (SOTM) Standard Terminal Architecture (DESSTA) Development Program, CERDEC's SATCOM Developmental Systems (DS) Branch is currently researching quote mark Distributed SATCOM On-the-Move (SOTM) Terminals quote mark (DST) or DESSTA DST. Distributed terminals are designed from the perspective that several smaller terminal components distributed around the vehicle will add a level of flexibility to the integration trade space. CERDEC S&TCD and PM WIN-T foresee that distributed terminals will be an enabling technology to overcome these long standing integration challenges. As a standout example, many turreted vehicles cannot mount SATCOM antennas on the vehicle surface because the firing lines or mechanical rotation of the turret will hit the large SOTM antenna. The antennas of a distributed terminal can be broken up into several smaller antennas that can to be mounted on the side of the vehicle. By distributing the antennas around the perimeter of the vehicle, this longstanding integration problem is solved. Two major challenges of a distributed terminal are per unit cost, and developing technology solutions that effectively utilize the new integration paradigm they provide. The concept of a distributed terminal requires, what used to be a single system, to be broken up into several individual subsystems or components. The sum total cost of these components will be greater than that of a traditional single system SOTM terminal simply because some functions will need to be repeated in each component. One way to reduce the per unit cost at the component level is to promote competition for each component. This can be done by creating a standard architecture for the distributed terminal, then defining open standard interfaces between each component. While distributed terminals will address several longstanding integration problems, there are several new integration challenges that this paradigm creates. For example, distributed antennas, have additional mounting locations on a tactical vehicle that must be identified. Additionally, cable routing for distributed terminals is a more complex process, because there are more cables to route. Developing a realistic technology solution that strikes the right balance between: -meeting the realistic performance and cost expectations/requirements of the soldier (PM WIN-T requirements), -solving the longstanding integration challenges, -and managing the new integration challenges that distributed systems create, will develop our capability to understand and manage this new trade space as future Programs of Record adopt the distributed terminal paradigm. In FY13 CERDEC initiated a four year formal research and development program to address the development and standardization of distributed terminals. The program is entitled, Distributed Embedded SOTM Standard Terminal Architecture (DESSTA). In FY13 the primary efforts of the DESSTA program were to conduct a Vehicle Integration Trade Study (VTS), and to begin development of an open standard architecture for distributed terminals. The VTS integrates a candidate (but theoretical) distributed terminal onto the Bradley M2A3 platform. In doing so, the VTS identified a number of new integration challenges on the platform that a distributed system may encounter. The study also addressed how to overcome some of the longstanding challenges of terminal integration onto heavy vehicles. In the study, the distributed terminal was a viable integration solution for the Bradley M2A3 from a theoretical perspective. However, the study also points out many other integration questions that cannot be readily evaluated with the information we currently have on distributed terminals. To answer these questions, development of an actual product is necessary. The VTS is an available reference, upon request to RFI POCs. In the final three years of the program, FY14, FY15and FY16, the DESSTA program will: -Fully develop the OSA -Develop DST systems to: -Validate and test the OSA, -Validate and test the VTS results, further answer integration questions that require a product. -better understand and manage the distributed terminal solution space 2.0 OBJECTIVE. The objectives of this effort are to: -Develop a DESSTA OSA -Validate the DESSTA OSA by test with an actual/realistic DESSTA DST systems. -Validate the VTS results and further answer integration questions, by integrating an actual DESSTA DST onto a Bradley M2A3 and demonstrating performance. -Better understand and manage the distributed terminal solution space, by developing, testing and demonstrating an actual DESSTA DST system. The objective of the DESSTA OSA is to foster open market competition for the components of a DST. These components need to be compatble, interoperable, and interchangeable. In order to achieve this, there has to be a uniform set of agreed content and context exchanged between those components (i.e. data, control/ status/monitoring, etc). Another key objective for the development is to enable vendors to creatively design and own their own proprietary solutions within the components. To do this, the OSA needs to be developed in an open way. This will ensure that the OSA does not preclude the use of varying technology solutions that different vendors utilize. CERDEC recommends a multi-vendor teaming relationship for the development of the DESSTA OSA, as well as the use of an independent consortium to reduce risk of a vendor specific solution. One major challenge with the development of an OSA is that it must be validated. Products developed properly to the DESSTA OSA will be compatible, interchangeable and interoperable. As a result, hardware products are a necessary component to test and validate the OSA. To test if products are interchangeable, several products must be built. CERDEC recommends a multi-vendor teaming relationship between a Core Terminal developer, developing a single core terminal system (quantity two), and two (2) antenna developers, developing two (2) different DST antenna systems. Two separately developed antenna products which are interchangeable with a common core terminal would prove that interchangeable products can be developed with the DESSTA OSA. These multi-vendor teaming arrangements will herein be referred to as the 'offeror'. 2.1 SCOPE. The work defined herein furthers development efforts enumerated under BAA-W15P7T-R-13-A424, Topic S0810. The period of performance should be no greater than 29 months. The effort shall include: 1) Development of the DESSTA Open System Architecture (OSA) 2) Development, test and demonstration of a DESSTA DST system. The government has less than $9.9M for this effort. 2.1.1 DESSTA Open System Architecture (OSA) Development Generally the scope of the DESSTA OSA development effort includes: A functional decomposition of a DST into the systems ( quote mark Antenna quote mark, quote mark Core Terminal quote mark and quote mark External Devices quote mark ) and components, the development of all interfaces between these systems, and the development of test procedures to validate compliance to the interfaces. The DESSTA OSA should be developed using an open process. This shall be done by the development of a consortium of industry experts. The consortium shall include the Government (CERDEC), the offorer, and should include other interested industry experts. A funding set-aside for industry experts is recommended. The role of the consortium is to provide an open forum for the Government and industry experts to provide input and feedback on the OSA throughout the development process. It is recommended that the offeror outline an organized approach for development, and execution of the consortium. The offeror should be responsible for identifying and coordinating all proposed changes and deviations to the DESSTA OSA. The Government (CERDEC) shall serve as the final approval authority to all requested changes to the DESSTA OSA Documents. 2.1.2 Development, Test and Demonstration of a Distributed SOTM Terminal (DST) 2.1.2.1 Summary of Product Technical Description A DESSTA DST consists of: a Core Terminal, commercial/military Ka-Band Transmit /Receive Antennas (in sufficient number of to provide the required system level performance in Section 3), interconnecting connecting cables (power, digital IF, control, timing, etc), a Bradley M2A3 Integration Kit, and any ancillary components associated with the offerors system. The Bradley M2A3 Integration Kit shall consist of: mounting hardware for each of the four (4) antennas, and Core Terminal on to the Bradley M2A3 vehicle. Each DESSTA DST system shall be designed to integrate onto the Bradley M2A3 vehicle. The Antennas shall be designed to integrate onto the outside of the Bradley M2A3 vehicle hull. The Core Terminal shall be designed to integrate inside the Bradley M2A3 vehicle hull. The DESSTA DST shall adhere to the most recent DESSTA OSA released prior to CDR. The DESSTA DST shall meet the performance specifications detailed in Section 3. All components and systems of the DESSTA DST shall be compatible, interoperable, and interchangeable. The DESSTA DST Antennas shall be designed with single transmit and receive beams. The Antennas shall transmit and receive on orthogonal right hand or left hand circular polarizations (switchable between transmit and receive). The Antennas shall convert analog RF into digital L-Band signaling, for transmission between the antennas and the Core Terminal. The DESSTA DST Core Terminal shall be designed to coherently combine digital L-Band IF signals from two or more Antennas on receive, and shall switch to and provide digital IF dynamically to any single transmit antenna. The Core Terminal shall ensure all analog IF L-band signals coming from the modem, are converted to Digital IF L-Band before being passed across the interface to the transmitting antenna. The Core Terminal shall be compatible, interoperable, and interchangeable with the Antennas. The Core Terminal shall adhere to the DESSTA OSA to interface with the antennas and external devices. The Core Terminal shall be designed with a modem agnostic, OSA compliant interface (i.e. compatible, interoperable, and interchangeable). 2.1.2.2 Summary of Work Effort Under this effort: Two (2) fully turn-key TRL 6 Ka-Band DESSTA DST systems shall be developed tested demonstrated and delivered by the offeror. Development of the product shall adhere to best practice systems engineering and program management guidelines. Both DST systems shall be integrated onto a turreted (M2A3) Bradley Fighting Vehicle for test and demonstration purposes by the offeror. The offeror shall perform the test and demonstration in coordination with the Government (CERDEC). The offeror shall perform all (non-government inherent) tasks necessary to receive permission from ARSTRAT for permission to test and demonstrate each DESSTA DST on a Wideband Global Satellite (WGS). The Government shall provide the M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle or surrogate test vehicle. The offeror shall remove the DESSTA DST systems from the Bradley M2A3 vehicle post test and demonstration. The DESSTA DST's shall be tested for acceptance and demonstrated on a Bradley M2A3 Vehicle at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. Acceptance testing shall include all test procedures developed in the DESSTA OSA for OSA compliance, as well as performance test procedures identified by the Government (performance to WIN-T requirements in section 3). Acceptance testing for interchangeability of products shall be accomplished by connecting each antenna solution to the Core Terminal and demonstrating operational performance. Acceptance testing and demonstration shall be performed using an RMPM-1000 spread spectrum modem and any alternate FDMA capable modem approved by the Government Program Manager. Contracting Office Address: ACC-APG - Aberdeen Division B, HQ CECOM CONTRACTING CENTER, 6001 COMBAT DRIVE, ABERDEEN PROVING GROU, MD 21005-1846 Place of Performance: ACC-APG - Aberdeen Division B HQ CECOM CONTRACTING CENTER, 6001 COMBAT DRIVE ABERDEEN PROVING GROU MD 21005-1846 US Point of Contact(s): Michael Levy, 443-861-4615 Jeff Hoppe; Jeffrey.t.hoppe.civ@mail.mil ACC-APG - Aberdeen Division B
- Web Link
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- Place of Performance
- Address: ACC-APG - Aberdeen Division B HQ CECOM CONTRACTING CENTER, 6001 COMBAT DRIVE ABERDEEN PROVING GROU MD
- Zip Code: 21005-1846
- Zip Code: 21005-1846
- Record
- SN03257833-W 20131226/131224233714-21de77f3d758af312e11f7dbe72db28d (fbodaily.com)
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