Scout Sniper Ballistic Computer (SSBC)

1. GENERAL INFORMATION. This Request for Information (RFI) initiates market research under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10.002(b)(2)(iii) for a Scout Sniper Ballistic Computer (SSBC). The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information requested except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in FAR Subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs. Although the term "offeror" is used in this RFI, your response will be treated as information only. This RFI is not a Request for Proposal, and no solicitation document exists at this time. Issuance of this notice does not constitute any obligation on the part of the Government to procure these items or to issue a solicitation. Responses to this notice cannot be accepted as offers. 2. PURPOSE. The Product Manager, Infantry Weapons (PdMIW), Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM), is conducting market research to refine a requirement. The SSBC should expeditiously calculate ballistic solutions for Scout Snipers to enhance first-round hit capability. This RFI solicits input from potential offerors in order to refine the SSBC requirement in line with current market technology. Any future solicitation will prefer a commercial or non-developmental approach. •3. KEY CHARACTERISTICS. The Government requests information on an SSBC with the below Key Characteristics: 3.1. Item Description. The Scout Sniper Ballistic Computer shall be a ballistic calculator, a weather station, and a compass, preferably integrated into a single device. The SSBC shall accurately calculate firing solutions for precision weapons in the Marine Corps inventory (i.e., , M40, M110, M107) with associated match ammunition) to the precision weapons' maximum effective range. 3.2. Atmospheric Measurements. The SSBC shall measure and display at least the current temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, and density altitude. Preferably, the SSBC should accept manual and automatic Atmospheric Measurements as inputs for computing firing solutions (continuous measurements provide automatic inputs for real-time firing solution updates). 3.3. Compass. The SSBC shall measure and display the Direction of Fire. 3.4. Anemometer. The SSBC should measure and display current wind direction. If the SSBC calculates wind measurements, the SSBC shall accept both manual and automatic wind measurement inputs for computing firing solutions. 3.5. Inclinometer. The SSBC should measure and display: •· The inclination angle for determining uphill and downhill target angles •· The cant angle for determining weapon cant left and right of vertical 3.6. The SSBC shall compute real-time, accurate firing solutions and at minimum shall: •· Support two wind inputs to bracket the wind •· Compute uphill and downhill firing solutions •· Allow Spin Drift and the Coriolis Effect corrections •· Support both English and Metric units 3.6.1. SSBCs requiring ballistic trajectory calibration (truing) based on shooter input (e.g., range, Ballistic Coefficient (BC), muzzle velocity) are acceptable. However, an SSBC is desired that does not require ballistic trajectory calibration based on shooter input ranges or adjustments to BC. 3.6.2. The SSBC should compute firing solutions: •· Compute requiring multiple wind inputs in complex wind environments, each with an associated range zone •· Through loopholes •· For weapon cant left and right of vertical 3.7. Data. The SSBC shall store gun/ammunition profile data retainablein memory in case of power loss. The SSBC should offer gun/ammunition profiles for precision weapons currently in the Marine Corps inventory (e.g., M40, M110, M107with associated match ammunition). The gun/ammunition profiles should be readily modifiable to accommodate future DoD precision weapons upgrades. in. 3.8. Integration with External Devices. To the greatest extent practicable, the SSBC should be universally able to receive data from other devices as necessary to assist firing solution computations (e.g., gun/ammunition profiles, range from range-finders, global positioning systems, and data from other SSBCs). Wireless solutions shall meet DoD data transfer certification and accreditation standards.. 3.9. Tactical Pouch. The SSBC should include a tactical pouch compatible with the Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS). 3.10. Environment. The SSBC shall be operable in tactical environments. The SSBC should possess the following characteristics: •· Operable in the rain •· Operable after fresh and salt-water immersion at a depth of one (1) meter for one (1) minute •· For a minimum of two (2) hours, capable to withstand low storage temperature and high storage temperature extremes (hot and cold) as defined in MIL-STD-810G •· Capable of withstanding transportation vibration •· Easily usable with bare and gloved hands •· Scratch-resistant display (peel and stick clear screen protectors may be used) •· Readable in sunlight and low-light conditions •· Viewable while user wears Night Vision Equipment (e.g., AN/PVS-14 Night Vision Device) •· Durable so to withstand prolonged exposure to small arms lubricants and cleaners, DEET, sunscreen, motor oil, diesel fuel, and activated charcoal •· Impact/drop resistant from 5' onto concrete (a protective case/shell may be used to meet this requirement) 3.11. Power Source. The SSCB should possess the following characteristics: •· Compatible with common batteries (AA, AAA, CR123 or their equivalents in form, fit, and function) or with rechargeable batteries •· Stand-by mode to conserve power •· Battery life indicator 3.12. External Finish. The SSBC body and Tactical Pouch should have a dull, matte surface finish and tactical color, preferably olive green, dark earth, or coyote brown. 3.13. Weight. The SSBC shall weigh less than 12 ounces under a full battery load. The total weight shall also include any protective casings or shells included with the system. 3.14. Maintenance. Marine Corps personnel shall be able to maintain the SSBC using existing Marine Corps manpower, personnel, and facilities. Maintenance for purposes of this paragraph also includes software updates and calibration. 3.15. Calibration. The offeror shall include unique accessories including software required for calibration.. 4. FORM OF SUBMISSION. The Government requests a written capabilities document (hereinafter White Paper) from potential offerors capable of addressing the feasibility of the Key Characteristics detailed in this RFI, which express the preferred solution for a SSBC. If such a solution is impractical, the White Paper should address the specification challenges, alternative solutions (if any), and performance tradeoffs. White Papers should also address the following: •· Feasibility of performance characteristics •· Measurement ranges and response time for Atmospheric, Anemometer, Compass and Inclinometer Measurements, if offered •· Ballistic engine accuracy and speed •· Ballistic engine features (e.g., wind bracketing, loophole calculation) •· Whether the SSBC supports precision weapons with associated ammunition in the Marine Corps inventory and whether it is capable of adapting to support future additions to the inventory •· The SSBC's ability to maintain high-functioning operability in a tactical environment •· Methodologies and results of environmental testing upon the SSBC •· Battery type •· Battery lifetime in high and low temperature extremes •· Production capability, quality assurance, and delivery schedules •· Maintenance, warranty, and calibration requirements •· Whether the SSBC is available on the GSA schedule or under another DOD contract •· Pricing/ROM and availability/schedule 5. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION. Offerors should not submit any competition-sensitive or proprietary information. Offerors that elect to submit competition-sensitive or proprietary information, however, bear sole responsibility for appropriately marking said information to best ensure Government safeguarding. 5.1. Written responses shall include an original document marked "ORIGINAL" and one copy marked "COPY." Deliver all responsive documents no later than 5 Sept 2014, 4:00 p.m. Local Time (Quantico, VA) to the following address: Marine Corps Systems Command Attn: Marian Beeman PM Infantry Weapons PGD-13, 2203 Sherwood Drive Quantico, VA 22134-6050 5.2. Offerors without a readily available commercial SSBC s may submit a statement of capability as well as any commercial brochures, non-developmental brochures, or any other responsive literature. Responses must include corporate business size and whether the company is 8(a) certified, disabled veteran-owned, veteran owned, woman owned, HUB Zone, Native American, or other Small Business Administration approved designations. MARCORSYSCOM will use responses to this RFI to determine capabilities existing in the marketplace and fulfill a potential requirement as outlined above. Submit questions regarding this RFI, in writing, to [email protected]. 5.3. MARCORSYSCOM encourages interested offerors to demonstrate their products at a PdM IW sponsored industry day from 23-25 September 2014 at MARCORSYSCOM, Quantico, VA. Email Theodore Roach at [email protected] for scheduling details. 5.4. Notice: Government supported contractors and non-Government personnel will assist the Government in collecting and reviewing market information. Subsection 27 of the Office of Procurement Policy Act, as amended (41 U.S.C. § 423, hereinafter "the Act") as implemented in the FAR, protects proprietary information responsive to this RFI from unauthorized disclosure.. Support contractors in this instance include Patricio Enterprises, Inc. and Old Breed, LLC. Organizational Conflict of Interest and disclosure clauses contractually bind these companies with respect to any third-party proprietary information they may learn while performing contractual obligations for the Government. Support contractor employees are procurement officials within the meaning of the Act and are bound to take all necessary actions to preclude unauthorized use or disclosure of proprietary data. Offerors may also provide supplemental non-disclosure agreements with the support contractor for further assurances.