Dahlgren Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, 17320 Dahlgren Road, Dahlgren, VA 22448-5100

A -- DEFENSE ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT SOL N00178-00-Q-3011 DUE 061900 POC sd13 (540) 653-7765 WEB: Dahlgren Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, http://www.nswc.navy.mil/supply. E-MAIL: Dahlgren Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, sd13@nswc.navy.mil. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) is soliciting white papers for an Advanced Shipboard Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system. The Advanced Shipboard IRST is the next generation IRST system that will support future U. S. Navy surface ships such as DD 21 and CG 21. The Advanced Shipboard IRST is primarily a self-defense system that will be used for autonomous detection, declaration, and track of sea-skimming Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles (ASCM) and other air vehicles. The system will also provide detection, declaration and track of surface objects. The system will provide passive 360 degree, day/night video to the ship for situational awareness, navigation and covert operation support. The Advanced Shipboard IRST will operate in concert with other shipboard sensor systems to provide a robust, multi-spectral, ship self-defense capability. Proposed concepts must meet high operational availability requirements and strict affordability requirements. To support the future Navy combatants, the Advanced Shipboard IRST will be designed so that it is conformal with the outer skin of the ship for minimal radar cross-section. In addition, the space volume for placement of the sensor or multiple distributed sensors is limited. The system must be capable of operating/surviving within the temperature, shock, and vibration environments of the ship. The system must also operate in the variety of environmental conditions that can exist in all areas where U. S. Navy ships operate. The system must be stabilized (mechanically, electronically or both) for ship movements of pitch, roll and yaw. Offeror's must understand and have experience with the shipboard operational environment including the transmission, refraction, turbulence, and clutter effects of infrared propagation at low elevation relative to the sea surface. Additionally, the offeror must be familiar with IRST unique signal and track processing algorithms and the system technical requirements needed to support the Navy's shipboard self-defense capabilities. The offeror must have secure facilities for working with classified information and fabricating classified hardware and software up to the secret level. The classified appendix to this BAA lists the general performance goals of the Advanced Shipboard IRST system. Applications for the classified appendix may be sent to the contracting office at the addresses listed below and must contain a CAGE Code, a classified mailing address, and a POC for receiving classified material. In addition, include a classified fax number if available. OPNAVINST S5513.3C for Infrared Search and Track (IRST) systems, updated 23 February 1998, is the security classification guide for the Advanced Shipboard IRST program. It is anticipated that awards from this BAA will provide for a feasibility study (first task) with an option for a prototype (second task). The first task will be an eight-month (approximately) feasibility study to focus on refining the offeror's design concept for the Advanced Shipboard IRST. Trade studies will be conducted to optimize performance of the concept, identify and reduce risk, and work out design details to the point where a good estimate can be made of system size, weight, cost, risk, and performance. In addition, a plan and schedule will be developed for follow-on work. It is anticipated that several awards in the approximate range of $100-250K will be made for this study phase (first task awards will not exceed $250K). At the end of the first task, it is planned that a "down selection" will be made, and only one option will be exercised without further competition for the contractor/team with the best concept (based on the results of the first task and the evaluation factors identified below). The second task under this BAA will be a large demonstration effort. The selected contractor/team will design an Advanced Shipboard IRST system and build a prototype Advanced Shipboard IRST to be tested in FY 04 under the Navy's Future Naval Capability (FNC) Program. The prototype will demonstrate the capabilities of the full system with primary focus on reducing key risk areas for the full system. WHITE PAPER SUBMISSION: Offerors shall submit white papers summarizing the proposed concept, including a rough order of magnitude cost (Non-recurring Engineering (NRE) and Recurring) for an Advanced Shipboard IRST system. Offerors may submit multiple concepts but must submit a separate white paper for each concept. The submitted white paper shall address the physical and performance characteristics of the system including electrical interface requirements. Offerors shall provide sufficient information to demonstrate their understanding of the operational shipboard environment and shipboard IRST requirements. Offerors shall state the level of testing and/or analyses that has been conducted to support their concepts. All proprietary portions of the white paper shall be clearly identified and will be treated in the strictest confidence. White papers shall be submitted in an original and four copies to Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Attn: N00178-00-Q-3011, Code SD13, Building 183, Room 106, 17320 Dahlgren Road, Dahlgren, VA 22448-5100. White papers shall be no longer than ten (10) pages in length (not including cover page) and shall be identified as responses to BAA Number N00178-00-Q-3011. The paper shall identify the technical points of contact (including telephone, fax, and e-mail information), and the administrative Point of Contact. White paper responses to this BAA are required no later than 2:00 P.M, June 19, 2000. White Papers received after the designated time shall be considered only to the extent that funding remains available beyond the initial selection. The Government reserves the right to award on all, some, or none of the proposals received. Awards from this BAA may take the form of contracts or other transactions (OT). Offerors shall identify proposed award type (contract and OT) in their white paper submission with rationale for selection and expected benefits of the type proposed. PROPOSAL EVALUATION: White papers will be reviewed and further information may be requested for technical clarification. Formal Technical and Cost Proposals will be required approximately three (3) weeks after notification that NSWCDD has decided to further consider the offeror's approach as identified in their white paper submission. An invitation to submit a proposal does not assure subsequent award. White Papers and Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria in descending order of importance: (A) Overall scientific or technical merit; (B) Past and present performance on related photonic programs for the U. S. Navy; (C) The offerors capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques or unique combinations of these which are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives; (D) Risk identification and mitigation; (E) Affordability and reliability of the proposed sensor system; (F) Proposed cost and realism of proposed cost. Any general questions regarding this announcement may be submitted to the NSWCDD contracting office at FAX (540) 653-6810 or via e-mail at sd13@nswc.navy.mil. This notice constitutes a BAA for NSWCDD as authorized by FAR 6.102(d)(2). Although no portion of this announcement is set aside, proposals are invited from all sources. This BAA should not be construed as commitment or authorization to incur costs in anticipation of a resultant award. Information provided herein is subject to modification and in no way binds the Government to make an award. This CBD notice and the associated classified appendix constitutes the solicitation. This synopsis will be available on the World Wide Web at http://www.nswc.navy.mil/supply. Posted 05/22/00 (W-SN457188). (0143)

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