Handheld Stabilized Day Observation Device

Sources Sought The United States Army Special Operations Command is seeking information regarding industry capabilities and best practices for the development of a handheld stabilized device for observing areas of interest during daylight hours. These services include the development of a stabilized, high magnification power, day handheld observation device for use in detecting and identifying targets at extended ranges to maintain the ‘see first, target first' operational advantage. This device is intended to also complement long range weapon systems. This Request for Information (RFI) is to assist the Government in determining the capability of existing state-of-the-art technology to meet the requirements of a stabilized, high magnification power device during daylight hours. The Government places emphasis on the device's size, weight and its ability to achieve the stated requirements. This announcement is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). There is no solicitation available at this time. This notice is published for information purposes only and in no way obligates the Government to award any contract. The Government will not pay for information received as a result of this announcement. Requirement 2.0 Specifications The USSOCOM has identified the following required specifications of a prototype Handheld Stabilized Day Observation Device. 2.1 The device shall meet the following size and weight specifications 2.1.1 Length: Not to exceed 8 inches (T), 5 inches (O) 2.1.2 Width: Not to exceed 7 inches (T), 5 inches (O) 2.1.3 Height: Not to exceed 3.5 inches (T), 2 inches (O) 2.1.4 Weight: Not to exceed 2.5 lbs (T), <1.5 lbs (O) 2.2 Waterproofing: The device shall be functional when immersed in sea water at a depth of 1 meter for 2 hours (T) and at 1 atmosphere (depth 33 ft) for 2 hours (O). 2.3 Environmental: The device shall be capable of operation and storage under temperature conditions that range from: 2.3.1 Minimum Temperature: -25 degrees F operational (T) and -31 degrees F storage (T); -40 degrees F operational and -40 degrees F storage (O) 2.3.2 Maximum Temperature: 125 degrees F operational and 159 degrees F storage (T/O) 2.3.3 Operational Altitude: 15,000 ft (T); 50,000 ft (O) 2.3.4 Operational Humidity: 100% (T/O) 2.4 Power Source: The device shall operate on commercially available CR123 or AA batteries (T); the device shall be capable of operation on both commercially available CR123 and AA batteries (O). 2.5 The device shall have the ability to be mounted to a tri-pod system through a standard ¼"-20 mounting interface (T/O). 3.0 Performance Requirements The USSOCOM has identified the following performance requirements for the Handheld Stabilized Day Observation Device: 3.1 The device shall be bi-ocular (one objective lens providing the same image to both eyes) (T); binocular (two objective lenses, each presenting imagery to one eye) (O). 3.2 The device shall have an angular resolution of 0.0076 mils (T); less than 0.0051 mils (O). 3.3 Modulation Transfer Function (MTF): The device shall have an MTF of 10% at 0.0076 mils (T); 50% at 0.0051 mils (O). 3.4 The device shall operate in the visible light spectrum (T/O). 3.5 Range Determination: The device shall have an internal laser range finder capable of ranging to a minimum of 1,500m (T); 10,000m (O). 3.6 Range Accuracy: At the maximum effective range of the device's internal laser range finder the system shall have a range determination accuracy of 5m (T); <1m (O). 3.7 Laser Range Finder Stabilization: The device shall incorporate laser range finder stabilization through software, electro-mechanical, or mechanical apparatus that isolates the laser beam from vibrations of the housing due to hand tremor or other sources of system vibration (T/O). 3.8 Laser Range Finder Alignment: The device's laser range finder shall maintain optical alignment with the user's intended target and the system's reticle over the device's entire operating range. 3.9 The device shall have an internal Global Positioning System receiver capable of displaying the device's current location in MGRS and Lat/Long (T/O). 3.10 The device shall have an internal capability to determine azimuth/bearing to an accuracy of +/- 2 degrees and display the azimuth/bearing information to the operator in degrees (T); degrees and mils (O). 3.11 The device shall have a military ‘mil-based' reticle (T); Horus H32 reticle (O). 3.12 Stabilization, Output Amplitude: The device shall limit the output amplitude, over the operating temperature range, when subjected to inputs as specified in the following table: Frequency (Hz) Amplitude (Peak to Peak) Min. Compensation Req'd (%) 0.2 1.0 24 (15 below 320F) (T/O) 0.5 1.0 60 (50 below 320F) (T/O) 1 1.0 75 (T/O) 3 1.0 94 (T/O) 5 0.5 97 (T/O) 10 0.5 98 (T/O) 20 0.25 98 (T/O) 3.13 Stabilized Scan Rate: The device shall be capable of scanning at a rate up to 10 degrees per second (T); 15 degrees per second (O) The Government requests interested respondents provide the following: • A plan to achieve the Threshold/Objective (T/O) requirements in a concise manner which shall consist of no greater than 15 pages and composed in Times New Roman 12 pt font. • A schedule and compliance matrix detailing the plan's compliance to the stated specifications within a 9-18 month development effort. • A section which addresses those specific items/specifications that cannot be achieved during this effort due to technological constraints. • An estimated cost which shall consist of all design, development, non-recurring engineering and production costs for two prototype units. It is the Government's intent that the two prototype systems shall be used for testing and operational evaluation by the user. • A proposed production plan to meet future fabrication requirements of approximately 60 systems. • A section which answers the following: o Small Business Size (if applicable) o Respondent's Point of Contact Information o Respondent's Full Legal Address o Respondents CAGE Code 4.0 Submitted information will not be returned. All data received in response to this announcement marked, or designated, as corporate or proprietary information will be protected from release outside the Government in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act provisions. This RFI is for informational purposes only. This is not a request for proposal (RFP), invitation for bid (IFB), request for quotation (RFQ), or an announcement of a solicitation. No solicitation document exists. The submission of this information is for market research and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the government to procure these services, nor does USSOCOM intend to award on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for the information requested. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of submission of responses to this RFI and Government use of such information. 5.0 Point of Contact Please send your responses to: USSOCOM Contracting PO Box 70599 Ft Bragg, NC 28307