Commander, Marine Corps System Command, Code CTQ, 2033 Barnett Avenue, Ste 315, Quantico, VA 22134-5010

A -- MARKET SURVEY FOR ADVANCE MINE DETECTION (AMD) SENSORS DUE 062199 POC Michael D. Blackstone, Contracting Officer, at 703-784-5822 (253); GySgt John Crane, Project Officer, at 703-784-4278 (291); Rick Noble (Service Support Contractor), at 703-465-4627 WEB: Click here to reach the Marine Corps Systems Command, http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/mcscctq/index.html. E-MAIL: Click here to contact the Contract Specialist via, trickettge@quantico.usmc.mil. The USMC is in the process of establishing an acquisition program to provide the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) with a man-portable mine detection system ("Advanced Mine Detector" (AMD)) capable of detecting both metallic and non-metallic (i.e. plastic) based mines. The USMC has tracked the progress of the U.S. Army's GPR-based HSTAMIDS mine detector program and a DARPA sponsored NQR-based detection project. To date, the GPR technology has not indicated the potential to meet the AMD system requirements. However, the NQR technology has shown great promise as a possible technology capable of meeting the AMD system requirements. The purpose of this Market Survey is to solicit information from vendors on products and technologies which have potential to support the development of an AMD system which meets the functional requirements described below and expressions of interest in this program. The information received in response to this request will be used to evaluate alternative strategies and evolving technologies that could be pursued during the EMD phase of the acquisition program. The AMD acquisition may be executed as a sole source or competitive procurement depending on the number of qualified vendors and the state of alternative technologies available to meet AMD system requirements. The current AMD acquisition objective calls for approximately 500-600 systems. The Marine Corps currently projects an acquisition decision for entry into the EMD phase occurring in approximately September 2001. Interested vendors should be able to demonstrate a prototype capability that approaches the performance requirements for a prototype model as indicated below. The key functional requirements of a "prototype" advanced mine detector are (1) be capable of detecting 80% (Production: 90 percent threshold/100 percent objective) of all surface laid or buried antipersonnel mines to a depth of six inches (to the bottom of the mine) threshold (ever increasing depth objective). The capability to detect trip wires and command detonation firing wires is also an objective, (2) be capable of detecting 80% (Production: 90 percent threshold/100 percent objective) of all surface laid or buried antitank mines to a depth of eight inches (to the bottom of the mine), (3) have a False Alarm Rate (FAR) no greater than three false alarms per five square meters threshold (ever decreasing FAR objective), (4) detect and verify the location of ordnance with an accuracy of 0.15 meters, (5) provide audio and visual signals to the operator for both mine detection and system status (to include a low battery warning). These signals must be obvious only to the operator. They must not indicate the operator's position to other personnel during daylight or darkness beyond 50 meters from the operator's position. The detection and system status signals must be discrete,(6) operate under conditions of natural (rain, snow, fog, darkness) and man-made (dust, smoke) obscuration. The AMD will meet all other system performance requirements under these conditions: (7) detect mines in water up to 12 inches deep (to the bottom of the mine) and function properly after being submerged, (8) have an appropriate level of Built-In Test (BIT) for a prototype model that incorporates both a manual and an automatic self-test capability. The manual self-test must clearly indicate either that the system is working properly or malfunctioning. The automatic self-test, must occur at least every 60 seconds threshold, must not impede ordnance detection, and must indicate only malfunctions to the operator. If malfunctioning, the BIT, in either the manual or automatic mode, must provide troubleshooting steps on the visual display with sufficient information to preclude the need to review external references, (9) weigh no more than 60 pounds (Production: 35 pounds), less carrying case, threshold (ever decreasing weight objective), (10) Mean Time Between Operational Mission Failures (MTBOMF) must be a minimum of 500 hours, and (11) The AMD must have an operational availability of 0.7 (Production:.95 threshold/.98 objective). Information on vendor products or capabilities addressing any or all of the following key technical areas are of particular interest: (1) The detection of low or no metal content mines; (2) Detection of mines under water (up to 12" from top of water to top of mine) (3) Increased probability of detection relative to the stated goals or achievements; (4) Decreased False Alarm Rate relative to the stated goals or achievements; (5) Improved detection of buried mines; (6) Improved detection of small (<4" diameter) mines. In addition, responses should include literature, pricing information (if available), product descriptions, and/or any other pertinent technical information that is readily available for public disemination. In addition, please include the name, phone number, fax number, and E-Mail address of the technical representative who will be available to answer questions regarding your submission. Information pertaining to your business size is also requested. Any information deemed proprietary must be marked as such. This purpose of this announcement is to conduct market research in support of potential Marine Corps requirements and, as such, is not a request for proposals. Any proprietary cost-related/technical information will be protected from disclosure outside the Government. All information provided in response to this request for information is done so on a voluntary basis and shall be provided at no cost to the Government. Future information pertaining to the AMD program will be available on the web at http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil. Vendor information should be submitted by 21 June 1999 to: Commanding General Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) Attn: Program Manager, Combat Support and Logistics Equipment (CSLE)(GySgt John Crane) Quantico, VA 22134-5000 Posted 06/07/99 (W-SN339869). (0158)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0012 19990609\A-0012.SOL)