Office of Space Launch, SAF/SL, 2420 Vela Way, Suite 1467-A5, El Segundo, CA 90245-4659

D -- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR A THREE-DIMENSIONAL SIMULATION AND MODELING SYSTEM SOL OSL RFI #CCAFS-001 DUE 060900 POC POC Contact BILL SCHUPP, (321) 730-6239 The National Reconnissance Office (NRO) Office of Space Launch (OSL) is posting this RFI to conduct market research and to encourage Information Technology companies to provide comments and suggestions about current commercial industry practices and products pertaining to Three-dimensional modeling and simulation. All information received in response to this RFI will be used for planning purposes and utilized to develop an acquisition strategy for a Three-dimensional Visualization and Modeling system. Plans for initial system deployment are for 15 systems in 5 geographically dispersed metropolitan areas across the United States. We envision the eventual deployment of a system at each one of our satellite, booster and support facilities of our mission partners. This is not a formal solicitation under FAR Part 14 or 15; however, it is anticipated that only those firms responding to this RFI will be invited to participate in any acquisition that may result from this RFI. Functional requirements are identified in the following paragraphs to provide a starting point and to assist in establishing an understanding of capabilities we are seeking. Our vision is to eventually implement virtual technologies across the organization to enhance our launch processing and increase our overall quality of processing, planning, engineering support and problem resolution. These functional requirements are described at the business level. We are hoping that several options will be presented that will address future systems capabilities and any budgetary consideration. System Overview The Three-dimensional Visualization and Modeling System is expected to support fully interactive, real-time, virtual, three-dimensional scenarios in a distributed collaborative network environment. The system will facilitate launch site processing, planning, engineering and operations analysis, and anomaly resolution. The system will be used to evaluate effectiveness of proposed launch site facility modifications, operational processing scenarios, engineering assessment/analysis, procedure development and evaluation as well as providing realistic demonstrations of launch site facilities and capabilities. The capabilities we seek are outlined below. Please don't limit your vision to what we have established thus far. 1. Modeling This capability will apply to all mission processing and support facilities, generic Ground Support Equipment (GSE), mission unique GSE, satellite vehicles and boosters. Generic GSE includes, but is not limited to, items such as man-lifts, scissors lifts, work stands, scaffolding, air pallets, transporters, hoists, cranes, and drive tractors that are used by multiple spacecraft customers. Unique GSE references items that are developed and built to support a specific spacecraft, such as adapter rings, lifting fixtures, work stands, environmental housing, etc.  Each system must be capable of producing and exercising three-dimensional virtual models of each payload/spacecraft vehicle processing and launch facility, GSE, and spacecraft vehicles in close tolerances. The models must be very accurate in size, form, fit, and function and shall reflect actual build accuracy.  The system must import CAD drawings and tessellate these drawings into models without degrading the performance of the host hardware or distorting the subject's original parameters, appearance, and accuracy. CAD drawings for items such as spacecraft and manufacture drawings on some GSE usually have sufficient accuracy to support required accuracy while others may require alteration to support engineering analysis.  The system must have provisions or processes for validating accuracy of models/simulation capability prior to using the modeling tool to support a space program. Describe the means you would use to validate the accuracy of these models and the precision of your approach. 2. Simulation Requirements Simulate actual capabilities of each facility to include such items as platforms, cranes, doors, etc. Functionality of each modeled GSE must simulate actual capabilities, form, function, size and action of the real GSE.  The system should have the ability to perform Processing Simulation and produce as-run script of each simulated scenario  Fully interactive human factor engineering capable of supporting workflow and full physics based motion. This feature allows us to interject the human factor into the virtual environment.  Capability of virtual simulation to perform Polygon to Polygon proximity alarm and collision detection and indication of collision occurrence.  The system should be capable of simulating launch vehicle and spacecraft ascent operations utilizing real time telemetry and displaying actual and predicted ascent through deployment.  Ability to perform time compression of operations simulated. 3. Collaboration System must be capable of operating in a distributed network configuration and facilitate collaboration in near real-time. It should allow interaction between all sites connected to the network simultaneously and each muse be able to see what the others are doing as well as have the capability to control the remote system to facilitate interaction. Network collaboration must not be network bandwidth intensive. Additionally, the ability to view collaboration at multiple sites without modeling/simulation system specific software is desirable. 4. Operation and Configuration System must be capable of stand-alone operations (autonomous) and support collaboration with all other sites that have the modeling and simulation systems.  Hardware and software must be under configuration management program.  Identify Network interface, both LAN and WAN requirements and interfaces associated with your approach.  All systems must have the same baseline software and drawings/models. 5. System External Interface Requirements Video and Displays  The interface between the local processor and local display, keyboard and mouse shall allow these local control devices to be at least 25 feet from the processor.  Ability to produce/view multiple simulated scenes on a single or multiple display.  Ability to produce/view multiple scenes on multiple display.  Display information in high-resolution at least 1024X1268els pixels per inch.  Support SVGA, XGVA, RGB (HV), NTSC, Super 8, and firewire interfaces.  Ability to record real-time modeling activities in video formats. Hard and Soft Copy Outputs  Hard copy of the data collected during modeling or simulation shall be available via printer at remote and local locations.  Ability to produce presentation quality pictures and videos to include Concept of Operations documents, presentations and procedures. 6. Computer Security The system needs to be capable of operating in a classified environment. Therefore, it is necessary that the system comply with AISM 200 and DCID 6-2. 7. Computer Hardware and Software  Identify the equipment you would recommend for each location. For the purpose of this RFI let us assume that 80 percent of the locations in each of the five metropolitan areas will require full functionality at an engineering, development and analysis level, ten percent will be engineering support users and the last 10 percent will be management support.  The operating system software as a goal will be a standard commercial product in current widespread use.  Implementing your recommendations -- -what type of unique code must be written to integrate system/software capabilities. 8. Engineering and Professional Support Professional and engineering services are key in our planning and it would be extremely beneficial if you could provide some reference information in this area.  What is the expected time to deploy your recommendation in an operational configuration with all the described capabilities.  All hardware must be maintainable at each of the locations. Some instances will require immediate support should problems occur, others might not need priority support.  What level of engineering services would be required to support recurring system maintenance/configuration management? This would include adding and/or upgrading new facilities and equipment, performing accuracy validation, and providing assistance with scenarios/assessment production. All information received will be safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure. Please ensure any sensitive or proprietary information is clearly marked as such. This is not a solicitation announcement for proposals and no contract will be awarded from this announcement. No reimbursements will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement and/or any follow-up information requests. We wish to use this as an open forum for assisting us in developing our strategic vision. As such product demonstration can be coordinated and telephone conferences can be arranged. Lastly, we wish to reiterate this is not a formal solicitation under FAR Part 14 or 15; however, it is anticipated that only those firms responding to this RFI will be invited to participate in any acquisition that may result from this RFI. Our Technology point of contact is Bill Schupp, (321) 730-6239. Send all information to his attention at 740 Central Control Rd. Bldg. 34705, CCAFS PAFB, FL 32925-2105 Posted 05/01/00 (W-SN450226). (0122)

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