A. INTRODUCTION: This is a Request for Information (RFI). This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this RFI is to gain information to inform the future program of record. Since its inception in 2002, Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier has provided U.S. Soldiers with capabilities to ensure they remain decisive and dominant through the full spectrum of military actions. Ensuring that Soldiers have the most advanced equipment, from protective equipment such as helmets and body armor, to weapons, power solutions and sensors and lasers, means keeping ahead of scientific and engineering innovation. One such effort is bringing small-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) technology, also known to the Army as Soldier Borne Sensors (SBS), solutions to the individual Soldier on the battlefield. However to do this right and stay ahead of technological innovation in the marketplace we are seeking your engineering expertise. Product Manager Soldier Maneuver Sensors (PM SMS) invites industry, academia, individuals, and labs to submit questions in reference to the requirements below and within two weeks after the virtual industry day, the PM encourages participants to submit an Information Paper that addresses how their system meets the requirements below and any other system attributes that support the ability of the squad to obtain real-time actionable information out of the range of contact. PM SMS will hold a virtual Industry Day on April 12, 2016 from 1300-1700, which will provide a forum for innovators to hear about the SBS program directly from the Army and allow the PM to answer questions submitted as a result of this RFI. B. DRAFT REQUIREMENTS: Here's a snap-shot of what PM SMS is looking for: • The system will be complete and stand-alone containing all necessary hardware, software, radio equipment, batteries and a tactical carrying pouch and is to be flown by a single operator. • The system will display incoming video and telemetry data in near real time to the operator. • System sensors will support day and night imaging. • Full system weight (air element, ground element and display): 3.0 lbs. • Air vehicle: 150 grams. • The system must be operable in light precipitation. • The system will have the ability to return to a predetermined location for loss-of-radio link. • Must operate in a Federally (DoD) Allocated Radio Frequency - Examples (vendors are not limited to these examples): CONUS 355-380MHz or 1780-1850 MHz or 2025-2110 MHz, OCONUS 1625-1725MHz. • The display will be visible in day or night and backlit with brightness and contrast controls. • The system will accept a standard interoperable charging configuration with Military Standard and widely commercially available chargers. • Air vehicle must operate in manual mode and operate in waypoint navigation mode. • Air vehicle's operating radius: Line of Sight: 500m • Air vehicle's mission endurance: 15 mins • Air vehicle shall have, at range of 100 meters day (50 meters night), sufficient resolution for a trained operator to detect a man-sized target with a 90% probability. • Air vehicle shall have, at range of 20 meters during the day, sufficient resolution for a trained operator to recognize a man-sized target and determine if armed with a rifle or not with a 90% probability. • Air vehicle will have the ability to be hand launched and recovered, without exposing the operator, while in the prone position and while from cover & concealment, a hide site, confined area and alleyway type locations. • Air vehicle's launch time from stored to operational is less than 60 seconds. • Air vehicle must be operable in constant winds up to 10 knots and gusts to 15 knots. C. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: 1) DO NOT SUBMIT PROPOSALS. SUBMIT INFORMATION PAPERS AND INITIAL QUESTIONS ONLY. No contracts will be awarded based on this announcement. 2) If you require a separate session to discuss your questions, please email the POC in Section F of the RFI and they will schedule a separate discussion. 3) The purpose of question and Information Paper submission prior to the virtual industry day is to allow the PM team time to prepare responses to the questions in a PowerPoint briefing that will either be presented during the industry day or during the separate discussion (per the vendors request) and review the Information Papers. The email from the vendor will also be the initiation of contact to allow the PM POC to provide them with the information to attend the virtual industry day. 4) Information Papers shall not exceed two (2) pages in length using a PDF format and no less than 10-point font. Information Papers not meeting these requirements may not be reviewed. 5) Proprietary Information: All Respondents shall clearly identify and mark in writing all proprietary information provided on all documents. 6) Information Paper Submission Format: Section A: Respondent Name, Point of Contact, Title, Date, Email Address, Phone Number, Fax Number, Organization/Office Symbol, and Address. Section B: Capability description - Address solution's ability to meet Requirements in Section B of RFI. What is the intended purpose of the technology? How will the capability enhance mission effectiveness? Describe limits of environment in which this solution can operate. Section C: Please note related federal contracts to include point of contact and current telephone number and address. 7) Information Paper and Question Submission date: 18 March 2016 8) Submission email shall be sent to POC in Section F of the RFI with the subject line: RESPONSE_for SBS RFI. D. USE OF INFORMATION: The purpose of this notice is to gain information to inform the future program of record. All proprietary information contained in the response shall be separately identified and marked. Any proprietary information contained in response to this request will be properly protected from any unauthorized disclosure. E. FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR): Per Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997): 1) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI Notice or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. 2) Although "proposal" and "respondent" are used in this RFI, your responses will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. F. POINTS OF CONTACT: Questions on the objectives should be addressed to:
[email protected], and the Subject Line must be titled: QUESTION(s)_for SBS RFI. Contracting Office Address: ACC-APG, 4401 Boothby Hill Road, Bay 2, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005 Contracting Point of Contact(s): Vicky Dorsey, 410-278-1239 PM Point of Contact(s): MAJ Alexander Gonzales, 703-704-1570 Sarah Coleman, 703-704-0991 Roy Trimble, 703-704-4781 Frank Herbst, 703-704-3056