A -- AIRCRAFT DIRECTED ENERGY LASER APPLICATIONS (ADELA)

Notice Date

September 1, 2000

Contracting Office

Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL -- PL "Directed Energy Directorate", 2251 Maxwell Ave, Kirtland AFB, NM, 87117

ZIP Code

87117

Solicitation Number

Reference-Number-DE00-03

Point of Contact

Sandra Maes, Contract Specialist, Phone 505 846 4635, Fax 505 853 3398, Email Sandra.Maes@kirtland.af.mil -- Steve Young, Contracting Officer, Phone 505 846 4624, Fax 505 853 3398, Email Steven.Young@kirtland.af.mil

E-Mail Address

Sandra Maes (Sandra.Maes@kirtland.af.mil)

Description

A -- INTRODUCTION: Presolicitation Notice. This is an advance notice that the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) contemplates issuing a Program Research and Development Announcement (PRDA) to obtain innovative research and development and engineering efforts for Aircraft Directed Energy Laser Applications (ADELA). Funds are neither currently available nor reserved for this effort, and AFRL cannot provide assurance that it will issue the PRDA. This announcement is intended to give interested parties notice that this effort is being considered, provide information concerning the anticipated requirements of this effort, and to identify government points of contact (POCs). This announcement is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a Request for Proposals (RFP), call for white papers, or assurance that this requirement will remain valid. POCs: Contractual/Business issues: Sandra M. Maes, Det 8 AFRL/PKDP (Directorate of Contracting), 2251 Maxwell Avenue SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5773. Phone 505-846-4635, fax 505-853-3398, and e-mail Sandra.Maes@kirtland.af.mil. The contracting officer is Steve Young, phone 505-846-4624, fax 505-853-3398, and e-mail Steven.Young@kirtland.af.mil. Technical issues: Dr. William Page, Program Manager, AFRL/DEHA, 3550 Aberdeen Avenue SE, Bldg 413, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5776. Phone 505-846-0879, fax 505-846-9900, and e-mail William.Page@kirtland.af.mil. B -- EFFORT SUMMARY: This effort will provide AFRL/DEL with scientific and engineering capabilities to design and demonstrate aircraft mounted Infrared Countermeasures (IRCM) systems and related laser weapons systems. The Aircraft Directed Energy Laser Applications (ADELA) program is contemplating technical and engineering effort in three major topic areas, as follows: 1) Laser Effects Testing, Analysis and Threat Negation Performance Modeling: The development of engineering models relating observable external target characteristics, laser characteristics, and the characteristics of the damage and energy coupled into the target sensors, internal circuits, and other systems are of interest. Information about these characteristics will be made available from various data sources. The design of experiments that characterize the Laser Spark, D2, and other high-energy laser effects on imaging and IR seeking missile systems and incorporating the data into the models are of interest. The improvement of existing models by taking into account the Laser Spark and D2 effects are of interest. Models currently in use by the Tactical Lasers Branch (AFRL/DELS), include TRAP, DISAMS, and ISAMS. These improved models could further advances for comprehensive studies of effectiveness for various system designs and mission scenario options. Interested in studies for the utilization of aircraft lasers to assess battlefield conditions and defeat threat systems. Foster studies and models for requirements for laser source parameters and beam propagation performance. 2) Aircraft Laser Source and Beam Control System Design, Development and Testing: Assessment of the relative merits of approaches to aircraft mounted IRCM requires the understanding of constraints imposed by existing and near term laser beam control technology. Pursue technology regarding a vibration mitigating optical control system for the lasing optical cavity and for the optical beam transport on the aircraft. Conceptual designs and experiments to define an aircraft mounted laser and beam control system compatible with laser performance requirements defined from Task Area One are of interest as well as demonstrations that a laser can be designed, fabricated and fielded for a technology that will generate the required pulse format as defined from Task Area One. The goal is that the field laser subsystem shows a clear technology path to a full system implementation and exhibits that a reliable target tracking and laser pointing system can be deployed for a field test demonstration showing a feasible upgrade path for military utilization in an aircraft mounted configuration. Low cost, high reliability, leveraging off current designs, and effective integration are prime factors in the design of these subsystems. 3) System Level Design, Integration and Performance Trade Studies and Technology Demonstration Tests: Interested in the development of system level design trade studies for the application of this technology to aircraft mounted systems. The factors in these trade studies of great concern include cost, reliability, aircraft integration (size, weight, power, etc.), and mission effectiveness. As part of the conceptual design, the most suitable facilities for fabrication of the design elements considering cost, time required, and risk of non-performance are also important. Facilities to be considered include those controlled by the contractor(s), sub-contractor(s), and government; purchase of the elements from a qualified vendor is another consideration. Additionally, identifying those portions of the design contributing significantly to the developmental risk, and appropriate feasibility demonstrations and validation efforts for the most cost-effective risk mitigation. C -- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 1) If AFRL approves issuance of the PRDA, AFRL will publish a Commerce Business Daily (CBD) and Electronic Posting System (EPS) notice no sooner than 15 Sep 00. The following is information only and is subject to change. (a) This effort could be between $15 and $23 million over 5 years. AFRL anticipates awarding one or more Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract(s) under PRDA DE00-03. (b) AFRL is considering use of a two-step PRDA process. The first step would require an offeror to submit a brief, descriptive white paper that does not exceed ten pages per topic area. After evaluating all white papers, AFRL would identify the most promising white papers and invite proposals. The second step would require those invited offerors to submit full technical proposals, including a contractor statement of work, and the technical and cost proposals for contemplated task orders. After AFRL evaluates the full technical and cost proposals, it would negotiate with selected firm(s). AFRL will provide additional information and instructions regarding white papers in any future PRDA announcement published in the CBD and EPS. (c) Foreign owned firms are advised there may be restrictions to becoming the prime contractor. 2) An Ombudsman has been appointed to mediate concerns from offerors or potential offerors during the pre-proposal phase of competitive, negotiated acquisitions. The Ombudsman does not participate in proposal evaluation or contractor selection. The Ombudsman can induce responsible acquisition officials to respond to concerns, but cannot usurp the authorities of the Project Manager or Contracting Officer. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain the confidentiality of sources. The Ombudsman at Phillips Research Site is Lt Col Robert Gillette, Deputy Director of Contracting, Det 8 AFRL/PK, 2251 Maxwell Ave SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5773; (505) 846-4979. Before contacting the Ombudsman, potential offerors should first refer contracting concerns to the Contracting Officer, Steve Young, at 505-846-4624. Initial contact regarding technical issues should be made with the Project Manager, Dr. William Page, at 505-846-0879. See Numbered Note

Web Link

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Record

Loren Data Corp. 20000906/ASOL005.HTM (D-245 SN492654)