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COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY ISSUE OF FEBRUARY 18,1999 PSA#2285

Munitions Contracting Division (AFRL/MNK), Building 13, 101 West Eglin Boulevard, Suite 337, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6810

A -- OPTICAL PROCESSOR AND LADAR ENHANCED AGM-130 SEEKER SYSTEM (OPLEASS) (PART 1 OF 2) SOL PRDA No. MNK-99-0004 DUE 040799 POC Ms. Stacey Darhower, Contract Specialist, (850) 882-4294, ext. 3411or Ms. Lorna Tedder, Contracting Officer (850) 8824294, ext. 3399 E-MAIL: Contract Specialist, darhow@eglin.af.mil. This is a Program Research and Development Announcement (PRDA). PART 1 OF 2. Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate, Seeker Image and Signal Processing Branch (AFRL/MNGI) is interested in receiving proposals for the design and fabrication of an optical correlator system. An emphasis of this program is the utility of this optical correlator system for the AGM-130 Powered Standoff Weapon. Proposals in response to this announcement must be received no later than 12:00 Noon CDT on 7 April 1999 and addressed to Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Contracting Division, 101 W Eglin Blvd, Ste 337, Eglin AFB FL 32542-6810, Attn: Ms. Lorna Tedder (AFRL/MNK). This is an unrestricted solicitation. Proposals submitted after the cut-off date and time specified herein shall be treated in accordance with FAR 52.215-1(c), Instructions to Offerors Competitive Acquisition. Responders should reference the above number (MNK -99-0004). Proposals handled by courier shall be delivered to Bldg 13, Rm 337, Eglin AFB FL. Proposals submitted must be in accordance with this announcement. Since this is a Program Research and Development Announcement (PRDA), there will be no formal request for proposal or other solicitation regarding this announcement. Offerors should be alert for any PRDA amendments that may be published. The Government reserves the right to amend the due date to allow for subsequent submission proposal dates. If sufficient proposals are received to satisfy the PRDA objectives as a result of the first submission, subsequent opportunities for proposal submission will not be available. B -- REQUIREMENTS: (1) Technical Description: AFRL/MNGI is conducting a program to develop an optical correlator system for potential use in the AGM-130 Powered Standoff Weapon. The AGM-130 weapon system is a modular, glide-boost-glide, air-to-ground missile that provides to tactical users a large warhead, precision capability against high value targets. The AGM-130 uses a 2000 lb. bomb (MK-84 or BLU-109). The AGM-130configuration includes a seeker, control section with digital autopilot, actuators, datalink, 9 in. diameter solid propellant rocket motor fastened to the underside of the bomb, and a guidance adapter group with a radar altimeter for low-altitude cruise and terrain avoidance. The missile is normally employed when attack aircraft survivability depends on stand-off range and target destruction requires extreme accuracy in missile delivery. The missile is controlled via a two-way data link that consists of an externally carried aircraft data link pod and a missile mounted weapon data link. Scene video from a television or imaging infrared sensor in the nose of the missile is transmitted from the missile to the aircraft. The weapon system operator (WSO) views the missile video and transmits appropriate missile control commands from the aircraft to the missile. The WSO may either manually guide the missile to the target or lock the missile video sensor on the target for automatic target track. This man-in-the-loop operation provides excellent aimpoint discretion and delivery accuracy, and secondarily provides the WSO with an immediate indication of the bomb impact point on the target. A mid-course guidance (MCG) capability has been developed as a system enhancement to decrease aircrew workload and improve target acquisition capabilities, especially in adverse weather or against camouflaged targets. The MCG kit includes both a new inertial measurement unit and Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, which together feed into the weapon's inertial navigation system (INS) (along with autopilot and WSO inputs). With the MCG capability, after launch the weapon has the ability to navigate to the target coordinates using the GPS input with no inputs from the operator being required. It is desirable to make the AGM-130 system completely autonomous. An autonomous AGM-130 would probably use INS/GPS to control the trajectory to the target and would point the weapon at the target. The relative positions of the weapon and target, and thus the aspect that the target presents, would be known to GPS accuracy. Autonomous terminal guidance would perform the terminal aimpoint selection function, reduce the guidance error, and could ideally be accomplished with a laser radar sensor and optical correlator. It is assumed that the terminal portion of the flight occurs in the last 1500-2000 feet of flight, and that the sensor may only have time to obtain three or four complete images of the scene. In order to investigate the utility of an optical correlator in an AGM-130, the following tasks shall be accomplished: a) design an optical correlator; b) produce an integration plan for the correlator and correlator electronics to include electronics design and software design; c) fabricate an optical correlator and procure or fabricate associated electronics; d) integrate hardware, to include electronics and software checkout; and e) test correlator system to include laboratory demonstration of operation, hardware-in-the-loop tests using Government-supplied digitally-inserted imagery, and, on system delivery, support a ground-based field demonstration on an Eglin range. Potential sensors that might be interfaced to this correlator system include several Government-owned imaging laser radar systems. Under separate contract, synthetic laser radar imagery along AGM-130 trajectories will be generated for use in the hardware-in-the-loop tests. Also under separate contract, spatial filters will be generated for high value targets for use in the correlator. For this program, some consideration shall be given to such issues as spatial filter invariance, discrimination ratio, filter selection strategy, image preprocessing, correlation result postprocessing, and signal-to-clutter ratios. The performance and specification goals of the optical correlator system are as follows: optical correlator in volume of approximately 25 in3 or less (not including digital electronics) ruggedized to operate in AGM-130 environment, 128x128 input and filter modulators, on the order of 500 correlations per second, input modulator gray scale capability of at least 6 bits (preferably 8 bits) of phase modulation, filter modulator gray scale capability of at least 4 bits of phase modulation, and some method of DC blocking on the filter modulator should be considered. (2) Deliverable Items: The following are required deliverable items: (a) complete optical correlator system, consisting of optical package and associated electronics, with capability to accept data from video and laser radar sources, (b) complete design drawings in Government-approved format, (c) software documentation to include user's and programmer's manuals in Government-approved format, and (d) a final report to be delivered in draft form in Government-approved format no later than 30 days after end of the technical effort. (3) Other special requirements: The Government anticipates the following design reviews, program reviews and meetings: Kickoff Meeting within one week of contract award at contractor facilities; one Design Review at the completion of the optical correlator design at contractor facilities; Quarterly Technical Interchange Meetings, unless another review is held, at contractor facilities; and a Final Program review at completion at Government facilities at Eglin AFB, FL. C -- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: (1) Anticipated Period of Performance: 12-18 months technical effort. (2) Expected award date: June 1999. (3) Government Estimate: The Government expects to fund at a level up to $1.1 million for the entire 12-18 month effort. This is an estimate only, not a promise of funding availability. (4) Type of Contract: Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) is anticipated. (5) Government Furnished Property: It is the offeror's responsibility to identify any equipment to be used whether contractor-owned and furnished or Government-owned and furnished. The Government will assist in providing Government-owned property as appropriate if available. (6) Size Status: For the purpose of this acquisition, the size standard is 500 employees (SIC 8731). (7) Notice to Foreign-Owned Firms: Such firms are asked to immediately notify the Air Force technical point of contact cited below upon deciding to respond to this announcement. Foreign contractors should be aware that restrictions may apply which could preclude their participation in this acquisition. D -- PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS: (1) General: Offerors should apply the restrictive notice prescribed in the provision at FAR 52.215-1(e), Instructions To Offerors Competitive Acquisition, to trade secrets or privileged commercial and financial information contained in their proposals. Offerors must submit approved DD Form 2345, Export-Controlled DOD Technical Data Agreement, with their proposal. Offerors should state whether they are a large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, nonprofit, educational, or historically black college or minority institution. Offerors should consider instructions contained in the "Proprietary Information" and "When and How to Submit" sections of the AFMC Pamphlet 64-101, "Unsolicited Proposal Guide," copies of which are available by writing to: AAC/BC, 205 West D Avenue, Ste 449, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6863 or telephone (850) 882-2843. AFMC Form 190, Policy Agreements, does not apply to Program Research and Development Announcements. Additional proposal questions should be directed to one of the points of contact listed elsewhere herein. A technical and cost proposal submitted in separate volumes is required and must reference the above PRDA number. Volume 1 should provide the technical proposal and Volume 2 should address the price/cost portions of the proposal. Volume 1 should be limited to a total of 50 pages, including resumes, charts, figures, tables, etc. Pages in excess of the specified 50 pages will be removed and returned to the offeror before evaluation starts. Cost proposals have no limitations; however, offerors are requested to keep cost proposals to 25 pages as a goal. A page is defined to be one side of an 8.5 x 11-inch piece of paper with information on it. Minimum print size is 10-point type, or 12 pitch. Every proposal shall have at least one copy submitted on disk or via e-mail with a hard copy of the proposal with signature page sent via regular mail. Proposals submitted on disk or sent via e-mail are to be submitted in Microsoft Office 97 format. Note: The preferred format for all proposals is via electronic means, whether on disk or via e-mail. The Government intends to work proposals and awards through electronic means. To do business with the Air Force Research Laboratory/Munitions Directorate (AFRL/MN), you must have the Air Force standard packages (Microsoft Office 97 and JETFORM/Formflow Filler Version 2.15). All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered against the criteria set forth herein. Copies of the proposals may be forwarded, if the offeror authorizes in writing, to other interested government agencies for funding consideration. Authorization for limited reproduction and dissemination within Government Agencies and National Laboratories is requested. Offerors are advised that only the Contracting Officer is legally authorized to bind contractually or otherwise obligate the Government. (2) Cost Proposal: The accompanying cost proposal/price breakdown shall include a person-hour breakdown by task, a cost element summary (labor, overhead, travel, G&A, etc.). Estimated costs for tests or historical data for similar efforts are requested for program office budgetary estimation and value estimation. The cost of preparing proposals in response to this announcement is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract, or any other contract. It is, however, an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost specified in FAR 31.205-18. (3) Technical Proposal: The technical proposal shall include as a minimum : (a) detailed technical approach, (b) proposed component description (c) proposed program schedule. Posted 02/16/99 (W-SN298725). (0047)

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