COMMANDER, MARINE CORPS SYSTEMS COMMAND, CODE CTCMAN, WASHINGTON, DC 20380-1775

58 -- MARINE CORPS STATIONARY LIGHTER THAN AIR PLATFORM (MCSLAP) DUE 080197 POC Margaret A. Norris, (703) 696-0919 SOURCES SOUGHT -- The Marine Corps Systems Command is considering the development of a Marine Corps Stationary Lighter than Air Platform (MCSLAP) System using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The MCSLAP, consisting of an aerostat, helium, fiber optic tether, 150 pound interchangeable/removable payload, mooring system, motorized winch, support equipment, and High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), will provide the capability to rapidly establish communications and sensor platforms to allow over-the-horizon capabilities by two operator/maintainers dressed in either standard issue cold weather gear or full mission oriented protective posture (MOPP) IV clothing within sixty (60) minutes of arriving at the site. In addition, the MCSLAP must be operational and maintainable as a stationary lifting platform for extended periods (up to thirty days, including required maintenance) in all types of climates and terrains where Marine Aviation and Ground units deploy. The MCSLAP must be capable ofoperating in (-40) to +51.6 degrees Celsius environmental conditions and being stored, transported, and operated in ambient temperatures of (-28) to +58 degrees Celsius; operation in salt laden air and spray normally encountered in marine amphibious operations without suffering corrosion or damage that would render the system incapable of performing its mission. The MCSLAP must be supported within the existing USMC's three-level maintenance concept (organizational, intermediate, and depot) using common tools and general purpose test equipment. MCSLAP fuel and electrical power requirements will be of standard military type. All electronic and support equipment required to perform aerostat operations at a remote site must be contained and be transportable within the Heavy HMMWV and a single trailer that can simultaneously be pulled by the Heavy HMMWV. The MCSLAP shall incorporate an easily removable/exchangeable 150 pound payload lifting capability able to support radio communications and sensor equipment for sustained operations, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver shall also be included. The MCSLAP must incorporate a mobile helium-inflation capability to allow for the rapid inflation and deflation of the aerostat from a remote site without extensive site preparations; an emergency deflation device to provide a rapid method to deflate the aerostat must also be incorporated. The MCSLAP must be capable of being loaded and transported by highway, rail, maritime and air modes while mounted on a HMMWV and being transported internally by C-130 or equivalent fixed-wing aircraft and externally by the CH-53E while mounted on a HMMWV. The MCSLAP must have a Mean Time Between Operational Mission Failure (MTBOMF) of at least 120 hours and an operational availability of at least 98 percent. MCSLAP preventive maintenance (PM) shall only be required weekly; Mean Time To Perform PM at the organizational level will be one hour or less, Aerostat and mooring system Built-In-Test/Built-In-Test Equipment (BIT/BITE) will be capable of detecting 95 percent of all electrical and electronic faults within the MCSLAP with a false alarm rate of less than 10 percent. Interested firms capable of meeting the aforementioned minimal MCSLAP technical requirements using COTS components are invited to submit the above information in three (3) copies not to exceed thirty (30) pages. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, NOR WILL THE GOVERNMENT PAY FOR ANY INFORMATION SOLICITED. Acknowledgment of receipt will not be made. Proprietary data will be protected when so designated. Firms should include in their response whether or not they are a small or small disadvantaged business.**** (0203)

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