Naval Air Warfare Center AD, Contracts Dept. Code 233, Bldg 129-2, Lakehurst, NJ 08733-5083.

A -- INTEGRATED, SEMI-AUTONOMOUS, AIRCRAFT SERVICING ABOARD CARRIERS SOL N68335-97-BAA-703 DUE 081497 POC Chris Veith Contract Specialist, Code 213CV, (908) 323-2062. The Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) is interested in receiving proposals (technical and cost) for conceptual designs and feasability studies of an integrated, semi-autonomous system that performs the necessary servicing functions that prepare aircraft for launch aboard aircraft carriers. Background: Once an aircraft is recovered on the flight deck, it goes through a servicing process to ready that aircraft for launch. This process may include, as required: de-arming forward firing weapons, taxiing to an initial parking spot, chock and chain to secure the aircraft to the deck, weapons loading, fueling, troubleshooting, maintenance, canopy washing, liquid oxygen servicing, alignment of the inertial navigation system, manning of the aircraft, conducting preflight checks, axiing to the catapult, estimating the weight of the aircraft, re-arming forward firing weapons and launch. At some point in the process, the aircraft will sometimes have to be towed to another spot (called "the respot"). These tasks are very manpower intensive and require close coordination since there are numerous aircraft on the flight deck to be serviced and desk space is limited. Personnel is the single largest driver of carrier life-cycle cost. In addition, the carrier's flight deck is an extremely dangerous place to work, and it is getting more dangerous as new aircraft are introduced with hotter exhaust and louder engines. Therefore, to make aircraft carriers more affordable and more safe, we need to introduce automation to the flight deck. With the advent of the CVX future carrier program, we have the opportunity to redesign the flight deck to accomodate automated servicing modules in a "pit stop" type of setting. Goals: The objectives are to reduce manning (especially on the flight deck) increase sortie rates by decreasing aircraft turnaround time, enhance aviation safety, and reduce the number and types of equipment currently on the flight deck. Constraints: The system must operate reliable in all conditions where flight operationsare conducted. Flight deck temperatures can range from approximately -40 degrees F (in the Arctic Circle) to 140 degrees F (in the Persian Gulf). Flight operations are conducted in all levels of ambient light: day, dusk, cloudy, night and all types of weather including rain and snow. Other aspects of the carrier enviroment which are problematic include, high levels of acoustical noise (one aircraft at military power can generate 140 decibels which may be sustained up to 10 seconds at a wide frequency band of 50 to 40,000 Hz), high levels of electro-magnetic interference, and corrosive sea spray. Modification to aircraft or weapons is discouraged, unless an overwhelming advantage in doing so can be supported. Designs are not constrained by the physical configuration of the current Nimitz-class carriers. Since CVX will be a completely new carrier, assume that flight and hangar deck designs are not fixed and can be significantly altered. Special attention must be given to principles of system reliability (i.e. simplicity and redundancy) and maintainability to ensure that for one person taken off the carrier, two people are not added to fix the system. Flexibility is also a key consideration as accidents and emergencies occur both in wartime and peacetime. Examples include ramp strikes, explosions on deck, or emergency push-forwards, where the landing area must be immediately cleared to recover an aircraft that developed a malfunction upon launch. Proposal guidance: Proposals are hereby solicited to produce a feasability study of the above topic. Studies should include: (1) conceptual designs, (2) critical component identification, (3) technology base assessment, (4) risk assessment, (5) system-level performance specifications, (6) analysis of aircraft flow, impact to flight and hangar deck designs, (8) recommended level of autonomy. Deliverables describing each conceptual design must include a concept flow model, mission analysis, manpower budget and an analysis of aircraft turnaround time. For planning purposes, the period of performance is estimated to be one (1) year or less at a level of effort of 4 to 6 man years for each contract. Conceptual designs may be the basis for eventual hardware implementation in the lab enviroment and aboard ship. Offerors shall submit an original plus four (4) copies of the technical proposal and an original plus two (2) copies of the cost proposal. Additionally, the offeror must identify restricted rights to any part of the offer, if any, and mark all pages that contain proprietary or restricted use data. This announcement will be open for twelve months after publication. Proposals may be submitted at any time during this period, however submission within 90 days of this announcement is strongly encouraged. Several awards may be made from this announcement. Award decisions will be based on the following criteria: (1) Overall scientific and technical merits of the proposal as they apply to the areas of interest in the announcement: (2) The offeror's capabilities, related experience, facilities, technicques or unique combinations of these which are integral factors for achieving the proposed objectives; (3) Originality of the idea; (4) Quality of approach and thoroughness of planning; (5) Realism of proposed cost. The merit of the proposal will be evaluated in relation to the proposed coat and availability of funds. Technical proposals should be limited to thirty (30) pages. The cost of preparation of this response to this BAA is not considered an allowable direct charge to the resulting contract or any other contract. Point of contact for technical issues is Mark Husni, (908) 323-4081. Point of contact for contractual matters is Christopher Veith, (908) 323-2062. Offerors may contact these individuals, at any time, for clarififcation of technical/contractual issues and cost response format. In concert with this announcement, NAWC will conduct an industry briefing on Tuesday, 1 July 1997, 9:00am, at NAWC Lakehurst, New Jersey, Bldg 150, Room 102. Offerors are cautioned that only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government. Contract type will depend on the nature of the offer received and the Governments cost/benefit analysis of the proposed work and available funding. No formal solicitation will be issued; this BAA is the solicitation. Exterior markings on the response shall be as follows: N68335-97-BAA-703, Naval Air Warfare Center, Attn: Christopher Veith, Code 2.5.2 (Contracts Division) Building 129-2, Highway 547, Lakehurst, NJ 08733-5082. (0135)

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