Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY - FEDBIZOPPS ISSUE OF JUNE 25, 2017 FBO #5693
SOURCES SOUGHT

59 -- Communications Accessory Suite – Land (CASL) - RFI

Notice Date

6/23/2017
 

Notice Type

Sources Sought
 

NAICS

334290 — Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
 

Contracting Office

Department of the Army, Army Contracting Command, ACC - APG (W912CG) Natick Installation, BLDG 1 KANSAS STREET, Natick, Massachusetts, 01760-0000, United States
 

ZIP Code

01760-0000
 

Solicitation Number

SOF007
 

Archive Date

7/21/2017
 

Point of Contact

Michael Richards, Phone: 508.308.6375
 

E-Mail Address

Michael.o.richards2.ctr@mail.mil
(Michael.o.richards2.ctr@mail.mil)
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

Request for Information Please respond to: Michael Richards, Project Officer, PM-SOF-SSES, 508.308.6375, Michael.o.richards2.ctr@mail.mil THIS IS a REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY for communication ancillary devices / systems which are interoperable with the Next Generation Handheld (NGHH) radio and capable of meeting the basic requirements described below. This is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP) or an Invitation for Bid (IFB). It is a market research tool being used to determine the availability and adequacy of potential sources for planning purposes and to gather feedback from industry on the technical characteristics and recommendations for process improvements. Responses to this notice are not considered as offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information / demonstration models presented, or the use of any such information. DESCRIPTION The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development, and Engineering Center (NSRDEC), Program Manager Special Operations Forces - Survival, Support, Equipment Systems (PM-SOF SSES, Natick, MA is seeking information for test and evaluation purposes of communication ancillary devices for the Communications Accessory Suite - Land (CASL), that are capable of meeting the following Performance Specifications: A. KEY PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS (KPP's) 1. Multi-Net a. Shall be able to simultaneously monitor either ‘three channels / frequencies' OR ‘two channels / frequencies and one ICS'; and selectively transmit on one of multiple channels / frequencies or an ICS (T); ‘four channels / frequencies' (O) NOTE: The PTT will be a minimum of 2 communication ports. At least 1 communication port will be multi-channel capable (T); it is desired that 2 communication ports are multi-channel capable (O). Both communication ports will be single channel capable. b. Shall provide the wearer a tactile- distinguishing separation between separate channels / frequencies and / or an ICS selection while wearing tactical gloves. (T=O) c. Shall spatially separate radio and ICS incoming voice communications traffic giving the wearer a three-dimensional listening environment (O). 2. High Noise a. Shall provide the wearer hearing protection from harmful steady state noise of 85dBA or greater (T=O). b. Shall provide the wearer multi-ear hearing protection from a harmful impulse noise level of 140dBA or greater (T=O). c. Shall provide the wearer hearing protection from all harmful noises (O). d. Shall provide sound localization from steady state and impulse noise level of 65dB at no more than 45% burst and 30% continuous noise degradation of mean angular errors >45ᵒ. (T=O). e. Shall provide sound localization as good as or better than the naked ear (O). f. Shall eliminate the clipping effect due to the system cycling on and off as the noise level changes from safe to unsafe (T=O). g. Shall allow the wearer to increase or decrease ambient sound levels between 0 and 75dBA (T=O). h. Shall reduce the noise floor of the system to less than 20dBA to maintain auditory detection abilities (T=O). 3. Interoperability a. Shall be interoperable with current USASOC common tactical communications radios (T=O). 1 Harris RF-335M-STC / 20M RF-335 (19 Pin) (NGHH) 2 AN/PRC-152A (V1C) MBHHR 3 AN/PRC-148 (V2) (C) MBITR 4 ‘Next Generation Manpack' (TBD) 5 RT1949 AN/PRC-117G (6 Pin) 6 RT1796 AN/PRC-117F (6 Pin) b. CASL shall be interoperable with ICS onboard Special Operations Forces mobility platforms. (T=O). 1 CV-22 2 MH-60 M 3 MH-47 G 4 MH-6 5 Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.0/1.1 (GMV) 6 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle (MATV) 7 Stryker c. Shall be Voice Activation (Keying) (VOX) capable (O). d. Shall be interoperable with a platform's ICS by either the primary ICS connector or a common utility connector via quick disconnect (T=O). e. Shall provide a means for the Operator to connect the End User Device (EUD) and transmit / receive data via his hand held or manpack radios (T=O). 4. System Survivability a. Shall withstand perspiration, driving rain, and sand storm conditions for ≥ 8 hours (T), for ≥14 hours (O). b. Shall be Full Mission Capable (FMC) upon return to the surface without reconfiguration when immersed to 3 Feet Sea Water (FSW) for ≥ 30 Minutes (T=O). c. When inadvertently activated while immersed, CASL shall be FMC upon surfacing (T). d. Cables shall be capable of disconnecting and reconnecting while exposed to maritime conditions (salt fog, rain, humidity, etc.) on the surface (T). 5. Training a. User manual shall provide simple, plain language, and visual instruction for operation, functionality, wear, and maintenance for all components. (T=O). b. NET shall be made available prior to fielding. (T=O). c. Preventative maintenance and parts of system repair / replace capability must be clearly written and demonstrated visually (T=O). 6. Sustainment a. Shall be materially available i.e. capable of functioning in a primarily land environment, and while deployed, be available for operations. Materiel Availability of ≥85% (T); ≥95% (O). b. Shall be operationally available, i.e. capable of functioning in a primary land environment, and while deployed be available for operations. Operational Availability of ≥85% (T); ≥95% (O). B. KEY SYSTEM ATTRIBUTES (KSA's) 1. Speech Intelligibility a. Over the Radio Intelligibility i. Low noise environment (60dBA to 70dBA): 80% (T), 90% (O). ii. High noise environment (85dBA to 100dBA): 70% (T), 80% (O). b. Face to Face Radio Intelligibility i. Low noise environment (60dBA to 70dBA): 80% (T), 90% (O). ii. High noise environment (85dBA to 100dBA): 70% (T), 80% (O). 2. Comfort a. When worn for four (4) consecutive hours shall not distract, hinder, or interfere with the wearer performing required operational tasks (T); eight (8) hours (O). 3. Ergonomics a. Shall not interfere with the wearer's range of motion in his ability to perform airborne (Static Line) operations; (Military Free Fall); ground (platform) operations / movement; ground (foot) operations / movement; maritime (platform) operations / movement (T=O). b. Shall not interfere with the wearer's ability to shoot / move / communicate while wearing standard operational equipment (e.g. ‘high cut' ballistic helmets, body armor, load carriage system, etc.) (T=O). c. Configuration shall mitigate accidental activation (T=O). d. The PTT (if applicable) shall be of an ergonomic design providing ease of locating radio or ICS activation mechanism or mechanisms when visibility is limited or non-existent (T=O). e. Connectors shall provide a low profile, be of minimal size and provide a streamlined platform for cable routing (T=O). 4. Hearing Conservation: Shall address ambient/steady state noise reduction and impulse noise reduction, which allows the wearer to selectively activate noise reduction without additional software/computers (T=O). 5. Weight a. In an "as worn" single radio configuration: audio emitter, push-to-talk, required cabling and power source (as applicable) shall weigh no more than 2.5lbs. (T); 1.5lbs. (O). b. In an "as worn" single radio configuration: head-borne weight shall be no more than 1.5lbs. (T); 1.0lbs. (O). 6. Cable Length: cabling shall be of various lengths and connector size to minimize snag hazards and allow efficient routing of cabling in load carriage systems and other worn individual equipment (T=O). 7. Altitude a. Shall withstand (non-operating) air transportation at altitudes up to 40,000 feet above sea level (T=O). b. Shall operate at unpressurized altitudes up to 30,000 feet above sea level during high altitude / high opening (HAHO) and / or high altitude / low opening (HALO) Military Free-Fall operations (T=O). 8. Extreme Temperatures a. Shall operate in ambient temperatures ranging from -40 F to 130 F and show no degradation in performance (T=O). b. Shall withstand storage temperatures from -40 Fahrenheit to 160 F without any degradation in performance after placed into operation (T=O). 9. Simplicity of Use a. Assembly, to include connection to an already configured primary radio shall require no more than 5 minutes (T), 3 minutes (O) to make voice communications. b. Cables/connectors shall be capable of disconnect/reconnect in 30 seconds or less (T=O). c. Connectors shall only connect with intended equipment (e.g. radio, PTT, or audio emitter) (T=O). d. Low-light situations shall not impede Operator from connecting connectors (T=O). e. If software/firmware is used, effective systems of assurance and distribution shall be established to allow for minimal negative impact on operator and support personnel (T=O). 10. Size/Fit a. Applicable components shall accommodate the 5th to 95th operator percentile (T=O). b. PTT will be of minimal size in order to facilitate ease of use and mounting on the operator's kit. (T=O). 11. Power Source (if required) a. A configuration requiring a battery power source shall function for a period no less than 60 hours (T) / 120 hours (O) without replacing or charging the battery source. b. The power source shall be non-proprietary and readily available (DoD standard or commercial equivalent) and be field replaceable within 5 minutes without the use of special tools (T=O). c. Shall have a discreet audible power availability indicator only heard by the wearer, providing graduating indication levels identifying time to failure (T=O). d. Audio emitter shall be capable of receiving and transmitting functions with or without use of internal power source (T=O). e. A configuration requiring power to function whose battery power source has failed shall be capable of parasitic power draw from the radio it is attached to as an emergency backup (O). 12. Service Life: shall have an expected service life of at least two years (T); at least four years (O). 13. Evolutionary Technology/Capability Insertions: shall be configured to accept Evolutionary Technology/Capability insertions (T=O). 14. Ownership Cost: operation and sustainment (O&S) costs associated with materiel readiness will be collected over time to determine cost efficiency (T=O). C. ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE ATTRIBUTES 1. Shall provide the operator access and control of radio channels via the PTT with an audible feedback upon selection (O). 2. Shall provide the operator access and control of radio groups via the PTT with an audible feedback upon selection (O). 3. Shall provide the operator access and control of radio volume via the PTT with an audible feedback upon selection (O). 4. Shall provide a means of remote PTT (wired/wireless) capable of transmitting on a single net (T) dual net (O). INTENDED USE The Communications Package may be worn alone, under the helmet, and/or attached to the helmet; will use an unobtrusive microphone/sound transmission system; and will allow for connection of the End User Device (EUD) for data. It will allow the operator to monitor single or multiple radios/intercoms, transmit on the selected frequency, and utilize the EUD while using the NGHH and currently fielded SOF radios and platform intercom systems. COMPLETE CASL SYSTEM (CLIN 0001) The complete CASL systems and components, at a minimum, will consist of: • Headset: In-the-Ear (ITE) or Circumaural • Headset down-lead cable • PTT • Radio Down lead cables - RF-355M-STC (Qty: 1) • Radio Down lead cables - Legacy 6 pin (Qty: 2) • ICS Down lead Cables - (Qty: 1) • Carrying Case • Technical Manuals • Use and Care Pamphlet • Battery(ies) (if required) Solutions for both ITE and Circumaural systems are being sought. CASL is to be considered a High Noise capable system. RESPONSES SHALL INCLUDE: 1. A technical data sheet for each product used in each potential system; including name, model number, and picture of the product. 2. A data sheet for each potential system; including name, model number, and picture of the system. 3. Information should also be provided for Cost/Pricing. 4. Please include feedback / questions with regards to any technical characteristics within this RFI, and any other characteristics / specifications which would be difficult and/or unattainable. 5. While no demonstration models are being requested, each manufacturer may, at their own discretion and expense, include a set along with the requested information, to facilitate the government's assessment. Note: a ‘set' consists of all of the components that comprise one system that will meet the requirement. REQUESTED INFORMATION Manufacturers who believe they have system(s) capable of meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a short (no more than 5 pages total per system) summary, including description (nomenclature, part numbers), performance information, pictures and website (if available) for each communication ancillary system and subsystem. The five (5) page summary must include Company name and address (to include all partners involved), points of contact with phone number(s), email address(es), DUNS number, Cage Code, and a statement regarding any small business designation (if applicable), by 21 Jul 2017 and to the address noted below. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 315990. Please advise if your product / information is proprietary and or classified. Any classified information will be protected as denoted with submission. Parties having a system meeting these constraints should contact Michael Richards at the below listed contact via email. ESTIMATED TIMELINE / SCHEDULE Initial RFI - Posted: 26 June 2017 Questions from Industry due (via email): 06 July 2017 (5:00 p.m. EDT) Answers to Industry Questions (via Telcon): 11 July 2017 (10:00 a.m. EDT) Industry Information Due: 26 July 2017 (12:00 p.m. EDT) Review of Submissions: Receipt + 15 days (est.) FBO Solicitation - Posted: (To be published) Industry Submissions Due: (To be published) Review and Assessment of Submissions: (To be published) SSEB (Initial Down-select): (To be published) User Evaluation (OT): (To be published) Developmental Testing : (To be published) Review of results: (To be published) Government decision : (To be published)    This notice is for market survey only. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this survey or results of testing and evaluation on any samples submitted. Point of Contact (POC) Interested parties shall submit responses to this RFI to: Michael O. Richards Natick Soldier Systems Center ATTN: RDNS-WPS Bldg 4, Rm D-017 15 General Green Ave Natick, MA 01760 Phone: (508)308-6375 Email: Michael.O.Richards2.ctr@mail.mil
 

Web Link

FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/c599ba272b16d4ceb32b2afe7db23400)
 

Place of Performance

Address: Natick Soldier Systems Center, ATTN: RDNS-WPS, Bldg 4, Rm D-017, 15 General Green Ave, Natick, Massachusetts, 01760, United States

Zip Code: 01760
 

Record

SN04556013-W 20170625/170623234842-c599ba272b16d4ceb32b2afe7db23400 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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