A -- RAMICS TEST RANGE SUPPORT

Notice Date

October 17, 2000

Contracting Office

Coastal Systems Station, Dahlgren Division, 6703 W. Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32407-7001

ZIP Code

32407-7001

Solicitation Number

N61331-01-R-0005

Response Due

November 10, 2000

Point of Contact

Contract Specialist, John Miller, (850) 235-5399; Contracting Officer, Carol Dreger, (850) 234-4863

E-Mail Address

Miller_John@ncsc.navy.mil (Miller_John@ncsc.navy.mil)

Description

The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Coastal Systems Station (NSWC/CSS), Panama City, Florida, intends to award a sole-source firm fixed price contract to the United Kingdom Defense Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), located at West Freugh in southern Scotland for test range support to conduct open ocean lethality tests against live sea mines. This acquisition is unsuitable for full and open competition for the following reasons. The Defense Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) facility is government-owned. Unlike similar U.S. test ranges (i.e. the NSWC/CSS Gulf Test Range), all permits necessary to accomplish live fire open-ocean testing of munitions are already in place. DERA capabilities include sea test ranges for government and industry testing. The location of the main complex along the shore of Luce Bay provides a uniqueness by having a direct view of the sea test range that is marked on maps as a danger area for restricted government testing. This restricted area is 360km2 with 16km2 of littoral land and 8km2 of beaches available for live fire testing or to support live fire testing at sea. Surrounding the bay are vantage points at which electro-optical tracking instruments (EOTI) can be placed with high-speed 5,000fps cine cameras to capture high-speed impacts and detonations. The bay has a water clarity that can usually allow for underwater videoing of subjects from a 25ft distance. Target and mooring points can be surveyed in with numerous observation points and data links to Range Control. Large hangars, control tower, and a 6,000-foot length runway are also available for use. Additionally, DERA offers a weapons preparation and munitions stores area for securing control and loading of explosives. Testing with explosives of up to 1,000 pounds underwater have been conducted recently. There are full-time engineers, analysts, technicians, and weapons officers available. Additionally, the Royal Navy at Crombie, U.K. can perform the minefield layout of explosive-filled mines as part of their mine-laying training. DERA is the only known source capable of obtaining live U.K. MK17 sea mines required for the lethality tests. NSWC/CSS Code A21 engineers have conducted an extensive market survey and literature search to determine which if any existing test ranges can meet these requirements. They have determined that only DERA has the necessary permits and facilities to support open ocean live fire testing of the RAMICS munitions. Therefore, DERA is the only known source capable of meeting this requirement. Note 22

Web Link

www.ncsc.navy.mil/contracts/synopsis/syntable.htm (www.ncsc.navy.mil)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001019/ASOL009.HTM (W-291 SN5044O1)