A -- MULTI-PLATFORM COMMON DATA LINK

Notice Date

March 15, 2001

Contracting Office

ASC/RAJD (Prgm Mgr) 2640 Loop Rd. West RM 213, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7106; ASC/RAKP(Cntr Off), 45433-7106

ZIP Code

45433-7106

Solicitation Number

MP-CDL

Response Due

April 30, 2001

Point of Contact

Major Joseph Lask ( Program Manager) ; John G. Meyer (Contracting Officer); Patricia L. Kendrick (Buyer)Bruce Hill (Contr DRC),(937) 255-3009 (PM); (937) 255-9249 (CO); (937)255-3063(Buyer);(937) 255-2497 (Contr DRC)

E-Mail Address

Joseph.Lask@wpafb.af.mil; John.Meyer@wpafb.af.mil; (Joseph.Lask@wpafb.af.mil; John.Meyer@wpafb.af.mil; Patricia.Kendrick@wpafb.af.mil;Bruce.Hill@wpafb.af.mil)

Description

Background " MP-CDL Client Terminal Sources Sought Synopsis The Data Links Branch of the Reconnaissance System Program Office, ASC/RAJD is seeking potential sources for the development of a Multi-Platform Common Data Link (MP- CDL) system. This synopsis does not constitute a Request for Proposal, nor is it to be construed as a commitment by the government to acquire the services or products cited herein for which information may be submitted. The objective is to identify contractors having the potential capability to develop MP-CDL and to begin a dialogue to assist the government in refining technical requirements. The envisioned 4-year program will award separate contracts to develop the central airborne and surface client prototype terminals. This synopsis gives an overview of the system and covers the anticipated threshold and objective requirements notated by (T) and (O) for the MP- CDL surface client terminal. MP-CDL will provide a network-centric data link between airborne and surface intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets. MP-CDL is currently envisioned to meet the need for a number of network clients (airborne or surface) to interact with a centrally located airborne terminal as well as other clients. The central airborne terminal may function primarily as a source of ISR data, a correlation node of ISR data, or mixed operation of the two modes. All terminals are to support gateway connectivity to other links external to the MP-CDL network in order to extend access into or out of the network to additional ISR collection platforms, exploitation nodes, or other users. These links may be either in-theater line of sight links or beyond line of sight SATCOM links. Initial application of MP-CDL, to provide Army surface units command/control access to surveillance products from the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP- RTIP) platform, necessitates the use of jam-resistant technologies to protect network operations from a specified jamming threat against both surface and airborne assets. Due to limited spectrum availability, as well as other factors which place practical limits on achievable jam resistance at higher data rates, only communications from the surface client terminals to the central airborne terminal and a relatively narrowband component of the MP- RTIP data that is broadcast from the central airborne terminal to the surface client terminals require jam resistance. The architecture will need to address non- uniform/bursty communications from the surface client terminals to the central airborne terminal and minimize latency in the transfer of time critical data. The size of the network, in terms of number of clients actively communicating with the central airborne terminal, should be scalable in order to address varying mission applications. In addition to network operations, which implies deviation from the conventional CDL point-point waveform, MP-CDL terminals are to support capability for point-point interoperability with CDL surface and/or airborne terminals. The anticipated requirement for the surface client terminal is to provide a single point-to-point data link operating simultaneously with an independent multi-user network. The point-to-point link must be interoperable with existing CDL platform communication equipment (PCE) at data rates of 10.71/45(T)/137/274 (O) Mb/s. The multi-user network will connect up to 32(T)/50+(O) users on a COTS-based network architecture. The broadcast data transmission rate capability from the central airborne terminal to client terminals will be 45(T)/137(O) Mb/s (including a 2.2Mb/s (T) jam resistant channel). The data transmission rate capability from the clients to the central airborne terminal is 0.059(T)/45(O) Mb/s. The aggregate throughput bandwidth to the central airborne terminal will be 0.5(T)/45(O) Mb/s. The contractors that develop the central airborne terminal and surface client terminals will jointly define the network-mode waveform and frequency plan. The MP-CDL system will have an open/scalable architecture to allow additional linkages, scalable bandwidths, and multiple configurations. Potential future applications include relays that extend the network, central airborne terminal hardware that is reconfigurable to act as a client terminal, airborne client terminals, central surface terminals, and multiple simultaneous links on MP-CDL terminals. Range will be dependent on size, weight and power requirements and mission geometries to be defined later, but is initially estimated to be nominal maximum line-of-sight from an altitude of 40,000 feet. The MP-CDL system will be able to operate in Ku band (T) and should support future growth capability to operate in one or more alternative RF bands (i.e. X, Ku, Ka) to allow multiple simultaneous links (O). We anticipate contract award during the second quarter of FY02 with delivery of two prototype surface client terminals in the fourth quarter of FY05. In response to this synopsis, contractors should state certification against CDL Spec 7681990, Rev E. dated 18 Feb 1999 and experience with the following: CDL family of systems, encryption, anti-jam communication, networked wireless communication, high rate (over 30 Mb/s) digital communication, and RF signal processing. All respondents shall indicate whether they are small, or small disadvantaged businesses in relation to NAIC Code 334220, size standard 750 employees. Additionally, contractors are welcome to submit any additional information desired, including technical abstracts for proposed solutions (notional waveform characteristics, communications and network architectures, and frequency plans) as well as any areas of concern regarding the requirements. ASC/RAJD anticipates holding an MP-CDL industry day in April to solicit feedback from potential bidders. Request your reply by 13 April 2001 via electronic correspondence only. Send your response to John.Meyer@wpafb.af.mil or Patricia.Kendrick@wpafb.af.mil. This sources sought synopsis is also on PIXS and can be accessed as follows: http://www.pixs.wpafb.af.mil/pixslibr/mp%2Dcdl/mp% 2Dcdl.asp . Mr. Stephen J. Plaisted has been appointed as Ombudsman to hear concerns from offerors, or potential offerors, during the proposal development. The purposes of the Ombudsman is to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel. Existence of an Ombudsman does not diminish the authority of the program director or the contracting officer. Accordingly, the Ombudsman does not participate in the preparation of solicitations, the evaluation of proposals or the source selection process and, therefore, for routine matters on individual solicitations, please contact the buyer at the telephone number listed above. When requested the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. Should you desire to contact the Ombudsman, Mr. Plaisted can be reached at (937) 255-9095, DSN 785-9095. His address is 1790 10th Street, Room 208, Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433. THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT TO AWARD A CONTRACT NOR DOES THE GOVERNMENT INTEND TO DIRECTLY PAY FOR ANY INFORMATION OR RESPONSES SUBMITTED AS A RESULT OF THIS SOLICITATION. "

Web Link

MP-CDL-Multi-Platform Common Data Link (http://www.pixs.wpafb.af.mil/pixslibr/MP-CDL/MP-CDL.asp)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010319/ASOL022.HTM (D-074 SN50G3E1)