Airborne Tactical Laser Technology RFI
Added: Apr 11, 2017 10:59 am
Airborne Tactical Laser Technology RFI1.0 Description1.1 The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Armament Systems Development Division (XZW), is conducting a technology survey to determine the current state of laser weapon system (LWS) technology suitable for near-term application in a prototype airborne tactical LWS. The AFLCMC seeks to better understand industry's state-of-the-art laser capabilities, along with their costs to assess various technical and business solutions. This information will be used to support weapon system integration studies sponsored by AFLCMC, as well as identify industry participants in potential future LWS system procurement activities.1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service. Moreover, the AFLCMC is not seeking proposals at this time, and it will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the respondent party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if issued.1.3 Requests for the classified addendum to the RFI. Industry members desiring the classified addendum to this announcement shall provide their CAGE Code, an appropriate mailing address, and a secure fax number to AFLCMC/XZW Security via Ms. Christine Wicker, christine.wicker.1@us.af.mil, (850)-883-2300, and Ms. Candace Tilley, candace.tilley.ctr@us.af.mil , (850) 882-0070.2.0 BackgroundThe Air Force desires to build the knowledge base required for eventual fielding of airborne laser weapon systems. One course of action under consideration is the development of a fieldable airborne prototype system to be used for extensive testing to learn about real world effectiveness and supportability. Additional background information describing desired uses for the prototype will be made available to qualified vendors. Information collected in this RFI will provide a basis to assess the feasibility, cost, schedule and risk associated with this course of action.3.0 Requested InformationThe AFLCMC is conducting a survey to determine available airborne LWS performance, with associated delivery schedules, costs, and risks, as well as potential partnership opportunities for utilizing industry-owned relevant aircraft platforms. The AFLCMC will use this information to aid in determining the scope and extent of future program plans. The NAICS Code assigned to this acquisition is 541712, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology), with a size standard of 1,000 persons. Respondents should indicate their size in relation to this size standard and indicate socio-economic status (i.e. SB, 8(a), HUBZone, EDWOSB, WOSB, or SDVOSB). Respondents are further requested to indicate their status as a Foreign-owned/Foreign-controlled firm and any contemplated use of foreign national employees on this effort. The Government reserves the right to consider a small business set-aside based upon responses hereto for any subsequent action. All prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DoD contract. No set-aside decision has been made. Note that a key factor in determining an acquisition to be a Small Business Set Aside is that small business prime contractors must perform at least 50% of the effort, as defined in FAR Clause 52.219-14.3.1 The AFLCMC is interested in understanding currently available technology in the areas of laser sources, electrical power, thermal management, beam control, battle management, and any other subsystems required for system operation. These subsystems must be able to operate in a flight environment. No platform has been selected, but minimum weight and volume is desired. The Government is interested in understanding 1) performance (e.g. irradiance at range, maximum run time, duty cycle (if applicable), etc.), 2) size & weight, 3) cost, 4) schedule, and 5) risk, for each concept submitted. Cost information is assumed to be in 2017 dollars unless indicated otherwise. The AFLCMC also requests industry's initial thoughts regarding potential CONOPS/CONEMP and any suggestions regarding the best approach to conducting a prototype LWS acquisition as a way to accelerate eventual fielding of tactical laser weapons.4.0 Responses4.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper to include images in Microsoft Word (Office 2010 compatible format, if available). White papers are due no later than 17 May 2017, 1700 CST. Unclassified responses shall be submitted via secure e-mail or secure website only to the Contracting Officer, Capt. Jonathan Esquivel (jonathan.esquivel.2@us.af.mil), the Contract Specialist, Mr. Todd Davis, todd.davis.16@us.af.mil, and the Project Manager, Dr. Charles Helms (charles.helms.1@us.af.mil). Interested parties shall follow the instructions below regarding how to deliver white paper response package content. White paper responses to this RFI shall be organized into (2) two separate sections as outlined below.4.1.1 Section 1 of the white paper response shall provide administrative information, and shall include the following as a minimum:4.1.1.a Company name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact. Respondents are further requested to indicate their status as a Foreign-owned/Foreign-controlled firm and any contemplated use of foreign national employees on this effort.4.1.1.b A statement stipulating the submitter's desired distribution of the white paper.4.1.2 Section 2 of the white paper shall address the information requested in Section 3.0 of this RFI. Proprietary information, if any, MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. Please be advised that all submissions become U.S. Government property and will not be returned. Only government employees will review submitted responses to this RFI. Respondents are advised that employees of commercial firms under contract with the Government may be used to administratively process submissions and perform other administrative duties requiring access to other contractor's proprietary information. These administrative support contractors include nondisclosure agreements prohibiting their contractor employees from disclosing any information submitted by other contractors or using such information for any purpose other than that for which it was furnished.4.2 Security Requirements: Industry members shall submit electronic copies of RFI responses up to the SECRET level to AFLCMC/XZW, Attn: Security Control, 207 West D Avenue, Suite 300, Eglin AFB, FL 32542 via disk. Disks shall be marked appropriately to address the security level and any proprietary information. Contact Ms. Candace Tilley, AFLCMC/XZW Security Specialist, 850-882-0070 or Ms. Christine Wicker, AFLCMC/XZW Security Manager, 850-883-2300 for any questions on these instructions.5.0 Industry DiscussionU.S. Government representatives may or may not choose to meet with respondents after white papers are submitted. Such discussions, if warranted, will only be intended to obtain further clarification of submitted materials.6.0 QuestionsAll questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing and marked appropriately as to whether they address any proprietary or classified information. Contractual questions shall be submitted via email to the Contracting Officer, Capt Jonathan Esquivel (AFLCMC/PZJ), jonathan.esquivel.2@us.af.mil , and the Contract Specialist, Mr. Todd Davis (AFLCMC/PZJ), todd.davis.16@us.af.mil. Technical questions shall be submitted to Dr. Charles Helms (AFLCMC/XZW) charles.helms.1@us.af.mil (for unclassified questions). Please contact Dr. Helms for instructions regarding submission of classified questions. Public-releasable Government responses will be shared via FedBizOps. The Government does not guarantee questions received after 9 May 2017, 1700 CST will be answered in time for white paper submittals.7.0 SummaryTHIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to understand industry's currently available LWS technology. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding upon the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur costs for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become U.S. Government property and will not be returned.Small businesses with only partial capabilities of this requirement are encouraged to submit their capabilities statement demonstrating the portion of the requirement they are capable of providing/performing. This information will allow the Government to identify areas of possible breakout or possible subcontracting opportunities.
FA8656-17-R-0005 Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Lifecycle Management Center Eglin Air Force Base
4/11/17, 10:59 AM