58 -- UNATTENDED GROUND MICRO SENSORS

Notice Date

September 28, 2000

Contracting Office

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

ZIP Code

22134-5010

Solicitation Number

M67854-00-R-2204

Response Due

December 1, 2000

Point of Contact

Vicki Whiteman, (703) 784-5822 x256; FAX (703) 784-5826; Alt FAX (253) 484-4991

E-Mail Address

Contract Specialist: (WhitemanVL@mcsc.usmc.mil)

Description

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) is interested in obtaining information on unattended ground sensor systems that are capable of identifying threat vehicles using a networked array of passive acoustic, infrared, magnetic, electromagnetic, optical, low frequency, and seismic detectors which can autonomously and indiscriminately identify multiple targets, track and report the speed, azimuth, bearing, and target's ID, (i.e type of vehicle, type of tracked vehicle, type of helo, etc.). Other system requirements include the ability of the sensors to self adjust to the ambient environment and intra-network with a central "node" sensor at the site where they are emplaced. Additionally, the system must be able to accommodate the autonomous imaging of ground targets in both day and night conditions. Finally, the system must be able to communicate to distant sensor monitoring sites using the communications paths resident in the USMC Tactical Remote Sensor Systems (TRSS) communications architecture. The complete system employed at each sensor site must be "drop and play" within 100 meters of a sub-system device that will communicate to the TRSS monitoring site(s). The total sensor system must be manpackable by one person and represent a significant decrease in size/weight when compared to the 4-5 lb legacy sensor sets currently being used at each sensor site. Electronic reports from the system must be concise and not require further analysis to determine the identity, direction, or speed of the detected target. Imagery sensors must be passive and able to provide graphical representations between 160 x 120 and 320 x 240 pixels that depict the presence of moving targets at ranges up to 500 feet in sunlight or complete darkness. Autonomous capture of operator-selectable targets is required. However, the Government is also seeking information on systems, which provide remotely controllable pan tilt, and zoom capabilities, which will enhance the systems imaging/optical operational effectiveness. The system should also include hand-held devices that can be used to validate operation of numerous emplaced sensors, record the sensors GPS position while at the emplacement site, and set/reset the system's operational parameters. The system requirement to provide continuous, unattended surveillance requires the systems to employ state-of-the-art, low-power electronics and power-management techniques. Therefore, systems recommended should be capable of operating for at least 30 days on integral power sources and not induce contrary power consumption requirements on the supporting retransmission systems. Remote system controls such as data storage/retrieval, sleep/awake, status, mode, and target selectivity are needed to ensure operational flexibility. Operator-selectable parameters should allow for the maximum use of weather, topographic, and enemy data that is available at the sensor-monitoring site. The communications architecture employed at the sensor site should be based on a completely wireless (NO cables) nonproprietary technology that is in widespread commercial use and is LPD/LPI in nature. At least one device at the sensor site must be capable of interfacing with the TRSS communications architecture defined in USMC Drawing 87001A0005. This specification defines VHF paths at 1200 and 9600 bps for near-real-time communications and UHF paths at 9600-56K bps for stored data communications. The operation of any recommended systems should not compromise the low-power, LPD/LPI nature of the current communications architecture. The USMC Tactical Remote Sensor Systems family of equipment supports field commander's requirement remote, wide area surveillance of distant areas of the battlefield by using hand and air-emplaced sensors to detect and report enemy activity. Functional elements of TRSS include sensor systems, retransmission systems, and monitoring systems. Evolutionary system upgrades allow the Marine Corps to ensure that the fielded systems provide a state-of-the-art sensor surveillance capability for the Marine Corps. An information package on the current TRSS can be obtained on line at http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/mcscctq/ugms.htm . A strong demonstration of corporate knowledge on target identification, sensor technology, acoustic signature detections, and electro-magnetic detection algorithm management in remote applications is foreseen as critical in meeting the objective of this program. Industry firms capable of accomplishing the requirement, in whole, or by teamed effort are invited to submit an affirmative response to this notice. Firms should include literature, brochures, specification sheets, prior experience in this type of effort, and capability summaries directly addressing their ability to meet the aforementioned needs. Responses shall be limited to 30 pages for the technical information. Potential sources are requested to send a letter of interest, previous business experience with similar efforts, business size and a corporate point of contact to the Marine Corps Systems Command by 01 December 2000. THE MARINE CORPS DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION OR OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. Please submit all information to Commander, Marine Corps Systems Command, Attn: CTQ2VW/Ms. Vicki Whiteman, 2033 Barnett Ave., Suite 315, Quantico, VA 22134-5010.

Web Link

Click Here: (http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/mcscctq/ugms.htm)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001002/58SOL004.HTM (W-272 SN501785)