U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, Acquisition Center (AMSTA-AQ-DE), Warren, MI 48397-5000

A -- EYESAFE LASER RANGE FINDER (ELRF) IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY FOR M1A1 AND M1A2 ABRAMS TANKS DUE 060199 POC Ms. Gloria McCracken [810] 574-7028 WEB: Click here to visit the TACOM-Warren Acquisition Center, www.tacom.army.mil/acqcen. E-MAIL: Click here to contact the Contract Specialist, Gloria, mccrackg@tacom.army.mil. In this market survey, the Program Manager, Abrams Tank System (PM Abrams) is assessing whether alternative technologies can quickly be made available for reducing Life Cycle Costs and improving the performance and reliability, maintainability and supportability of the Eyesafe Laser Range Finder (ELRF). An upgraded ELRF is needed to support future production requirements for Abrams M1A1 and M1A2 tanks. The Abrams tank ELRF is designed to bolt on to the tank's Gunner's Primary Sight (GPS) to determine the range of targets from a minimum of 200 meters to a maximum of at least 7990 meters, through both manmade and natural obscurants. The ELRF will also project a visible collimated reticle into the GPS thereby providing the aim point for the Abrams main/secondary weapon. The term "eyesafe" in this context means that the laser meets the safety requirements of TB-MED 524 and ANSI Z136.1 with a Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance (NOHD) of zero. Goggles or other safety devices must not be required during either operation or maintenance of the laser. It is anticipated that a production contract for the upgraded ELRF will be required before the end of Fiscal Year 2000 to ensure a continued flow of ELRF for M1A2 tank production and the M1A1 Tank refurbishment program. The production contract is planned to be a five year requirements contract with an approximate quantity range each year of between 200 and 300 ELRF systems, plus a currently undetermined quantity of spare parts. The total potential fleet requirements are approximately 3,000 tanks over a 10-year timeframe. Further information about current Life Cycle Costs in connection with required durability performance can be made available upon request. PM Abrams is soliciting industry comments regarding: (1) Interested sources, (2) Availability of alternative solutions and technologies that meet (or improve upon) current ELRF performance requirements, while reducing life cycle costs, including production costs; and, (3) Reasonableness of the acquisition strategy described below. The contemplated acquisition strategy for the ELRF upgrade is a two-phase assessment to be initiated by award of one or more Prototype Other Transactions' or OTs,' followed by a competitive "Best Value" production contract selection. An OT is a new and innovative contracting approach in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2371, Section 845 that allows a more flexible and streamlined approach to the process of developing and analyzing prototype hardware. The 845 award is treated as an assistance instrument (not a FAR contract) and allows the Army to work closely with the participating contractor(s) in the development and modification of the system prior to production. The Government and industry participants essentially become partners in the initial stages of system development, test and analysis. The Phase I assessment is tentatively planned for award of one or more OTs in June 1999. The Phase I assessment will involve the evaluation of up to three prototype ELRF systems for a 13-15 month developmental/evaluation cycle. The Phase I Prototype contractors will be selected based on two things: (1) their response to this market survey; and (2) their oral presentation to the Government evaluators. Any proposed ELRF approach must as a minimum meet the performance requirements specified in the M1A2 ELRF performance specification 12972530 dated May 17, 1995. The Army intends to select the prototype contractors by assessing the risk that each proposed ELRF approach can be implemented within the 13 -- 15 month development cycle, and that the proposed approach has a high likelihood of achieving the stated life cycle cost reductions and reliability and performance improvements. The risk assessment will consider: (1) The maturity of the technology offered, the performance provided by the technology, and the feasibility of the contractor's proposed research and development plan, including the amount of Government cost share expected during development. (2) The expected production cost and any anticipated operationand support (O&S) costs savings. (3) The contractor's relevant background, knowledge and experience developing and manufacturing laser range finder systems. The performance, technological maturity, and feasibility of the contractor's proposed research and development plan, and the expected production cost and any anticipated O&S costs savings, are of equal importance. Each is slightly more important than the contractor's relevant background, knowledge and experience developing and manufacturing laser range finder systems. The selected prototype contractor or contractors will initially provide their ELRF designs within 2 months after award of the Phase I OT(s). The Government will work with the selected prototype developer(s) to consider performance and cost trade-offs for the purpose of finalizing the minimum and desired performance criteria within the affordability constraints of the Army, and to assess, in greater detail, the development risk prior to prototype hardware fabrication. Based on theinitial screening of the design, the Army will decide, for each proposed approach, whether to proceed with prototype hardware fabrication. The current target schedule milestones are as follows. If a decision is made to proceed with prototype fabrication, the participants will furnish prototype hardware with an associated performance specification and Interface Control Document (ICD) for evaluation within 8 months of Phase I OT award. In addition, the participants will provide a technical and cost proposal which, along with the approved performance specification and ICD, will form the basis of the Phase II production contract award. The Government will evaluate the prototype hardware and make a final call for improvements with corresponding adjustments to the cost and technical proposals within 11 months of the Phase I OT award. The Phase II production contract award is expected to be made based on a formal "best value" selection among the prototype developers within 13 months of the Phase I OT award. Please be advised that the Government does not have sufficient Research and Development (R&D) Funds to pay for full-scale development programs for a new laser. The total Government funding available for development may be as low as $100,000.00. However, provided that there is a reasonable expectation that new technologies will be available within the required timeframes, and that there is a high probability that such technologies will result in life cycle cost savings, PM Abrams may consider partnerships with industry to leverage on-going laser development whereby the PM may, in addition to investing whatever amount of R&D funds it can afford, also provide (1) tank-unique interface hardware, (2) technical integration support, and (3) test and evaluation support. We would appreciate industry response to the following questions: 1. General Information: a. Company Name:_____________________________________________ b. Address: ___________________________________________________ c. E-mail address:______________________________________________ d. Point of Contact:_____________________________________________ (Including title/position) e. Telephone No:_______________________________________________ f. Fax No:_____________________________________________________ 2. Briefly describe your company's background/experience with Laser Range Finders, including development and system integration. Provide a description of your company (how long you've been in this business, etc?) and the products you offer, and if applicable, attach brochures and /or literature. Has your company performed on a relevant Government or commercial contract within the past five (5) years? If so, please provide a detailed explanation of work performed, including an explanation of its relevance to meeting our eyesafe laser requirements. Contract # ____________________________________________________ Agency ______________________________________________________ PCO/Phone No. _______________________________________________ Dollar Value __________________________________________________ Period of Performance___________________________________________ Description of Items/Services Provided _____________________________ 4. Describe your proposed ELRF approach, emphasizing how that approach will increase ELRF performance, reliability and maintainability. If emerging technologies are being considered, please summarize in sufficient detail for the Government to assess the maturity of such technologies. Briefly describe how your approach will meet, or exceed, the Tank Eyesafe Laser Range Finder Specifications. Copies of the unclassified specifications may be requested by E-mail addressed to Mr. Michael Martell martellm@tacom.army.mil; (810) 574-6752. 5. If your approach requires a developmental effort, please describe your development process with critical milestones, and comment on the feasibility of completing the developmental process, through integration on the Abrams Tank, to meet the delivery timeframes noted above. Please comment on your interest in entering into a partnership with the Government during the development process, and describe the type and quantity of support you anticipate needing. What is the maximum amount in terms of dollars and percentage of the total development cost that your company will fund for the required ELRF development and integration effort? 6. Please provide a rough order of magnitude production cost for the proposed ELRF. To the extent possible, please identify and quantify all potential benefits with regard to sustainment cost savings arising from your proposed approach. For example, if your proposed approach will improve reliability and maintainability, and result in a reduction in failures, explain the rationale that supports your claims. Those benefits that you consider unquantifiable, but still significant, may also be included. 7. Please comment on the appropriateness of the acquisition strategy described above. 8. Please indicate the present level of your facilities clearance, if any. Please note that this marketsurvey is not a guarantee of a contract award. The Government does not intend to pay sources for responding to the market survey. Your replies to this Market Survey should be sent to the following address no later than June 1, 1999. U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command ATTN: AMSTA-AQ-LGD, ATTN: Gloria McCracken Warren, MI 48397-5000 Questions may be directed by E-mail or phone to: Ms. Gloria McCracken at mccrackg@tacom.army.mil or (810) 574-7028; datafax: (810) 574-7018. Posted 04/30/99 (W-SN326607). (0120)

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