MARKET RESEARCH/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS. The Marine Corps System Command (MCSC) is conducting a market survey to determine the availability of commercial or Non-Developmental Item (NDI) radio equipment to be procured as a follow-on augmentation of the currently fielded AN/PRC-117F Multi-Band Radio (MBR) systems. The U.S. Marine Corps has a requirement for approximately 5,000 Manpack radio kits and 11,000 vehicular mounted radio kits. The Government intends to issue a solicitation and award a five-year Indefinite Delivery Vehicle /Blanket Purchase Agreement to procure these systems. The following minimum requirements apply to MBR: An operational MBR Manpack system will consist of a secure programmable transceiver, antenna, rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries, and accessory pack. The Manpack MBR power output range shall be up to 20 watts variable power output without external power amplifier. The components for the Manpack Multi-Band Radio are as follows: Multi-Band Radio Transceiver w/factory warranty UHF Manpack, 225-512 MHz Antenna, not to exceed 14 inches VHF Antenna, 30 – 90 MHz Manpack Whip Antenna VHF Antenna, 30 – 90 MHz Manpack Tape Antenna Battery Box Antenna/Accessory Bag Handset (H250 or equivalent) Operator and Technical Manuals All required cables and accessories necessary to perform VHF/UHF communications All data and remote software necessary to perform MBR functions An operational MBR vehicle system will consist of a vehicle adapter containing the same secure programmable transceiver and a power amplifier, vehicle mount antenna, and mounting assembly. The MBR vehicular variant power output range shall be incrementally selectable to 50 Watts and below power output. The components for the Vehicle Installation Kit are as follows: High Powered Amplifier (incrementally selectable to 50 Watts and below) Speaker Shock Vibration Mount Mount power adapters Vehicular Antenna and Mount (30 – 512 MHz) All necessary cables and equipment to perform vehicular radio communications The MBR will integrate the capabilities of VHF-FM for combat net radio; VHF-AM for public safety and ground-to-air; and UHF-AM for military ground-to-air and UHF Tactical Satellite Communications (SATCOM). The MBR will cover the 30 megahertz (MHz) to 512 MHz frequency range while offering embedded NSA Type 1 Communications Security (COMSEC), Transmission Security (TRANSEC), Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) SATCOM, and Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM) capabilities. The MBR will provide embedded encryption KG-84C with both narrowband cipher text and wideband cipher text. The MBR will provide secure interoperability with Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS), HAVEQUICK I and HAVEQUICK II. The MBR will have the capability to perform simplex, half-duplex, synchronous and asynchronous transmissions. The MBR will have the capability to perform retransmit operation and have external Global Positioning System capabilities. The MBR will provide embedded Internet Protocol (IP) capability to provide tactical networking over UHF SATCOM and Line of Site (LOS) communication through simple and flexible system configurations and shall be capable of a high-speed transfer rate of up to 56 kbps. The MBR will provide voice priority over data automatic switching without operator assistance. The MBR will also include a Built-In-Test to allow troubleshooting down to functional level. The MBR will possess Joint Interoperability Test Command certification of MIL-STD 188-183A to allow for the 5 kilohertz (KHz) and 25 KHz Demand Assigned M! ultiple Access (DAMA) operations. The Government anticipates a 2-month production and administrative lead-time with a delivery rate of 500 Manpack radios and 250 vehicular mounted systems per month commencing 60 days after receipt of a delivery order. The Marine Corps will use the results of this announcement to determine what capabilities exist in the marketplace to fulfill the Government's requirements outlined above. MARCORSYSCOM will not pay or provide reimbursement for any costs incurred in the preparation or delivery of the request for information. Interested firms are requested to submit a response, not to exceed 10 pages, outlining their ability to meet or exceed the requirements identified above no later than 2:00pm EDT, 1 October 2007 to include the required delivery schedule and identifying a corporate point of contact. MARCORSYSCOM anticipates using the GSA schedule for this opportunity although interested parties not on the GSA schedule are encouraged to participate. Firms should identify/submit their GSA contract number and schedule, if applicable. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Submissions will be in a Microsoft Office compatible format. Interested sources shall send responses via email to
[email protected]. THE SUBMISSION OF THIS INFORMATION IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCURE ANY I! TEMS/SERVICES, NOR FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR THE INFORMATION RECEIVED. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS.