Consolidated RFI Responses_Review_12 Jan 2022.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 29 KB Posted
- Attached to
- EO/IR VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FOR THE BELL UH-1HII/UH-1ST and SIKORSKY UH-60 HELICOPTER
- Solicitation number
- 19AQMM22R0002
About this file
This document contains responses to industry questions regarding a federal contract opportunity for an electro-optical/infrared video surveillance system. The opportunity involves modifying Bell UH-1HII/UH-1ST and Sikorsky UH-60 helicopters for EO/IR sensors and sensor packages to provide real-time data and imagery to fixed and mobile ground stations in Central and South America. Key details include estimated requirements for A-kits for aircraft modification, B-kits including sensor turrets and operator stations, service plans, and installation options. Locations involve Patrick Space Force Base in Florida for initial testing and Costa Rica and Peru for production installations. The Department of State Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Office of Aviation seeks to publish a draft solicitation and is requesting any additional questions by November 8, 2021.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| 19AQMM22R0002 DRAFT.pdf | ||
| Draft EO-IR Evaluation factors.docx | DOCX document | |
| IDIQ CLIN Structure.pdf | ||
| EO-IR SOW draft 2-4-22.docx | DOCX document | |
| UH-60 and Heuy EO-IR V2.docx | DOCX document |
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Sheet1
| Column1 | Question | Response | |
| 1 | Is the requirement only for L3Harris to respond to the draft SoW with any questions by Nov 8? | All offerors need to respond. The Government is not interested in a particular brand name item. Prospective offerors may recommend changes to draft requirements in order to increase competition and participation. | |
| 2 | Is DoS expecting a preliminary response to the provided draft SoW? If so, what is the | ||
| proposal submission due date to the draft SoW | OBE. | ||
| 3 | When is the final SoW expected to be released? | The Department of State intends to post another draft of the SOW and RFP in the near future. | |
| 4 | Will there be an in person/on location and/or virtual industry day for this project? | No industry day is anticipated. However, DoS is interested in soliciting industry as to what drawings, pictures and tech data would be useful for offerors to have access through the SAM.GOV portal. | |
| 5 | Assumption is AAR would be Systems Integrator and L3Harris would provide training and | ||
| support to AAR. Can you confirm this assumption? | The winning offeror will install all units and provide O&M training to AAR and Partner Nation. | ||
| 6 | SoW states 2-yr and 3-yr extended warranty options, but solicitation referenced below states |
2-yr and 3-yr Service Plans. Please clarify requirement and also annual operating hours per
| system (per A4, A5) and annual operating hours for fleet per B4 below | Section B pricing will have a CLIN for Services Plan Pricing. Warranty should be inclusive of KIT A & B unit price. | ||
| 7 | Assumed Fixed Sites are US Embassies in Costa Rica and Peru, hence quantity 2. Please confirm? | No downlinks in the Embassies, just connecting to the TOCs. | |
| 8 | What is the quantity of Mobile Sites required? | No Mobile sites are required. The requirement is to communicate with mobile and fixed sites. | |
| 9 | L, S, and C bands have been indicated as the operational bands. Is operation in all 3 bands | ||
| required or is it ok to operate in one of those 3 bands only? Assumption is that one band can still accommodate multiple operating frequencies. Operation in multiple bands will likely require multiple sets of equipment. The chosen band has a large effect on expected ranges, equipment SWaP and cost, etc. Noting also the follow-on requirement for the receive station to have a multi-channel receiver, as opposed to multi-band. | S band will be the minimum required with the pending ground stations that are not install yet. | ||
| 10 | Is there a requirement on transmission ranges or a rough idea of the expected ranges desired between the aircraft to fixed-site, aircraft to mobile-site, and aircraft to handheld scenarios? | 50NM minimum is desired and a maximum of 150NM is ideal but not required. | |
| 11 | For the BLOS (i.e. SATCOM) is generally not cost effective. It might be possible to offer data | ||
| transmission over mobile networks in lieu of SATCOM, if this is acceptable? | yes | ||
| 12 | Also with respect to BLOS and the statement “US Embassy installed digital repeaters”: can they elaborate on these repeaters? In what frequency ranges do they operate? Do they work with a US Embassy SATCOM link, IP network link, LOS backhaul link, or through a mobile network link? | Mobile Network Link | |
| 13 | For connecting to the cockpit MFD, it is assumed that a typical analog/digital interface is | ||
| available. Is there a requirement that we have to use the 1553 bus for integrating? | Capability is there and would like to see it on the MFD for HH-60L. No MFDs on the Hueys. | ||
| 14 | With respect to “operable by sensor operator or pilot”: does this mean dual handcontroller |
operation whereby, control of the turret can be handed off between the operator and pilot during the mission? Or is it that only 1 person will operate per mission, but it may be a pilot in one mission and an operator in another mission? This affects whether we offer the dual
| handcontroller setup | One hand controller that can be used by either pilot or crew chief. Not required to be used by both on the same mission | ||
| 15 | With respect to “real-time chat capability between the sensor operator and the ground | ||
| receiving station”: is this meant to be a text-based chat or audio chat? Is the operator sending audio/text to the ground only (i.e. 1-way) or is the requirement that this is 2-way comms? | The requirement is text based chat only. No voice transmission. | ||
| 16 | Is the mobile site meant to be: 1) a stand-alone vehicle, 2) a receiving capability installed within a car or similar motorcade vehicle, 3) a kit for dismounted soldiers? | No Mobile sites are required. The requirement is to communicate with mobile and fixed sites. | |
| 17 | For the fixed site, can we assume that a shelter and tower or higher elevation platform is | ||
| already in place and that we are only providing the receiving and exploitation equipment? | Already in place. | ||
| 18 | The SOW seems to indicate that we are responsible for installation/integration: is this a correct assumption or will DoS utilize the AAR integration team? | The winning offeror will install all units and provide O&M training to AAR and Partner Nation personnel. | |
| 19 | Background section of SOW indicates “UH-60 M/L aircraft”: is this meant to be UH-60 A/L (typo)? Or is this meant to cover both UH-60 M AND UH-60 L variants? Note that paragraphs following this one in the SOW indicate UH-60 A/L. | HH-60L and Hueys | |
| 20 | Further to above: the proposed installation options for both Costa Rica and Peru only indicates UH-1 ST & UH-1HII installations. Please clarify which aircraft are being used and quantities for each. | The resulting contract will be an IDIQ contract. Offerors will include pricing for UH1ST, UH1II, and HH60s. Each task order will indicate the type, quantity and location of the aircraft. A draft Section B will be provided with the release of these responses. | |
| 21 | Per SOW 11.A.9: provide support for installations in Melbourne, FL. However, per Points 6.A. and 9.A.1: it indicates the initial integration, testing, and evaluations to occur at DoS INL/A facility in Central and South America. Please clarify where the first article and/or initial integration, testing, and evaluation is to occur. | The resulting contract will be an IDIQ contract. Offerors will include pricing for UH1ST, UH1II, and HH60s. Each task order will indicate the type, quantity and location of the aircraft. A draft Section B will be provided with the release of these responses. | |
| 22 | Further to the above, please indicate which aircraft will receive the initial installation and | ||
| whether there are 1 or 2 aircraft to be considered as initial/prototype (Section 9.A.1 indicates UH-1H ST/UH-1HII AND UH-60 A/L, the requirements sent in the solicitation only show UH-1H ST/UH-1HII) | The resulting contract will be an IDIQ contract. Offerors will include pricing for UH1ST, UH1II, and HH60s. Each task order will indicate the type, quantity and location of the aircraft. A draft Section B will be provided with the release of these responses. | ||
| 23 | What is the abbreviation “PACE” in reference to? | Patrick Space Force Base , Melbourne, FL = PACE | |
| 24 | Is the initial trial installation in Melbourne FL per SoW, a requirement for an additional A-Kit | ||
| and B-Kit? | one A and B kit per airframe. | ||
| 25 | In the requirements sent in the solicitation: under delivery quantity and requirements, point A indicates “initial A-kit installation, integration, test, technical data package for UH-1 ST at PACE”, followed by point 1. “4 x A-kit fabrication, delivery for UH-1 ST (Costa Rica)”: does this mean that 5 A-kits are required for this, made of 1x kit for the trial installation and then 4x kits for delivery? Or is this 4 total and the trial installation kit will be assumed to be 1 of 4 required for delivery? This is the same on the notes about UH-1II for Peru. | The resulting contract will be an IDIQ contract. Offerors will include pricing for UH1ST, UH1II, and HH60s. Each task order will indicate the type, quantity and location of the aircraft. A draft Section B will be provided with the release of these responses. However, it is anticipated that the immediate need is for 5 A-Kits are required, one at PACE and 4 in Costa Rica. Same for Peru, one A-Kit at PACE and 18 in Peru. | |
| 26 | The statement of work references a UH-60M/L while the solicitation references UH-60A/L. Which model is correct? | HH-60L, the SOW will be revised accordingly. | |
| 27 | Hyperspectral cameras are a different and costly additional system from what appear to be the basic EO/IR requirements. Is hyperspectral a threshold requirement, objective requirement, or desired option? | Not a requirement. | |
| 28 | What is the expected location for the flight test? Who will be conducting the test? | First article testing will be performed by the winning offeror at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. Subsequent production installs will be completed by the winning offeror at each Host Country location. | |
| 29 | What agency is the expected airworthiness authority? | US Department of State, INL/A | |
| 30 | Will contractors be able to conduct surveys of the helicopters prior to RFP to accurately assess configurations? | DoS is interested in soliciting industry as to what drawings, pictures and tech data would be useful for offerors to have access through the SAM.GOV portal. | |
| 31 | Who is responsible for the mobile ground stations? Do they already exist such that the contractor will need to develop connectivity solutions? Or are the ground stations intended to be part of the solicitation? | No longer a requirement. Removed from SOW. | |
| 32 | Please clarify who will do the actual aircraft installation of the production kits. AAR or is this an option for the solicitation? | First article testing will be performed by the winning offeror at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. Subsequent production installs will be completed by the winning offeror at each Host Country location. | |
| 33 | What method is intended to connect the mobile ground stations to the embassy, vessels, command center, etc.? SATCOM, datalinks? | Not a requirement at this time on the Hueys, only for HH-60L | |
| 34 | Is there existing front MFD for pilots, or cockpit display modification in needed in addition to AFT operator station (full control)? | No utilization of MFDs in the Hueys, there are MFDs in the HH-60L. | |
| 35 | Is there any intercom? | Yes. | |
| 36 | Is NVG adaptation is part of the cockpit modification? Or is the cockpit already NVG compatible? | All aircraft are NVG compatible, all additional equipment should be NVG compatible. | |
| 37 | What electrical power is available for these system upgrades in each aircraft? | ELAs are available. | |
| 38 | What are the “extreme temperatures” requirements (ground and air)? | No extreme temperature conditions, aircraft will operate in Central/South America. MIL Standard 810G. See Sikorsky Documents: SER-70534, Structural Design Criteria Report and SES-700700A, System Specification for the UH-60L Black Hawk Utility Helicopter. | |
| 39 | The SOW states the EO/IR system should be “Operable by Sensor Operator (primary) or Pilot.” Do they want one or two controllers in the aircraft? | One Controller Operable by either the Pilots or Crew Chiefs | |
| 40 | Do you expect to use government provided encryption or should contractor provide? Is AES-256 an acceptable standard? | Commercial standard is acceptable. | |
| 41 | Regarding to the DL system: | ||
| a | What is the maximum range that is needed? | Minimum range is 50nm. 150NM maximum range is optimum but not required | |
| b | What is the maximum data rate that is needed? | 2 - 4 Mbps | |
| c | The requirements are S/L/C Band? | Yes S/L/C Bands, S band would be the Minimum | |
| d | Video – digital or option for analog? | Digital (Analog only if already included in Transmitter package) | |
| e | The document mentions voice/audio. Please clarify. Audio between whom? Helo, mobile units, ground stations, embassy? | Not a requirement for the transmission of Video voice / audio with the EO/IR system. The Crew can communicate via existing radios. A chat capability is desired. | |
| f | Please define what is meant by “multichannel.” | Not in the requirements | |
| g | What are communications, radar and RF transmission systems are already onboard the aircraft? | KX165A VHF COM/NAV (2); KTR909 UHF Com |
| 42 | Does the aft operator console/control panel needed to be remove/install according to the mission configuration? | Yes. The crew aft operator station should be capable of being removed/installed with minimal impact on mission. | |
| 43 | Should the pilot be able to control the EO/IR (regardless the operation console)? | Yes, if possible | |
| 44 | Will local partner companies be used in Peru and Costa Rica? | The winning offeror will install all units and provide O&M training to AAR and Partner Nation. | |
| 45 | For the pilot and maintenance training, will this be conducted in English or Spanish? Who are these personnel – US or host nation? | English and Spanish. Personnel will be both US and Partner Nation. | |
| 46 | Please clarify… Will the installations be in Melbourne FL or in Central/South America? | First article testing will be performed by the winning offeror at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. Subsequent production installs will be completed by the winning offeror at each Host Country location. | |
| 47 | What EO/IR performance parameters (day / night detection, recognition and identification (DRI)) are required? | Off the Shelf Capability. Commercially available. | |
| 48 | Has DoS INL/A developed specific Detection, Recognition, and Identification (DRI)requirements? Currently the documentation states, "from a distance of 500 meters and beyond per current host nation agreements" The "beyond" is a very broad statement. | The answer is no DRI requirements. The 500 meter distance is the minimum, maximum is what is commercially available | |
| 49 | What is DoS INL/A’s desired max standoff slant range? | None Defined at this point. Pending answer from site. | |
| 50 | Are there specified requirements for the ground station to look like? | No | |
| 51 | Is it to provide video feed only? Or remote operation of the gimbal on the airframe? | Video feed only | |
| 52 | Can INL/A provide vibration data for preferred mounting location? | Yes, we can provide it for the Huey aircraft. See Sikorsky Documents: SER-70534, Structural Design Criteria Report and SES-700700A, System Specification for the UH-60L Black Hawk Utility Helicopter. | |
| 53 | Does DoS INL/A have a preferred mounting location on each airframe? | The crew aft operator station should be mounted on the cabin floor at the same location for all aircraft. | |
| 54 | Are electrical and mechanical Interface Control Documents available for each airframe? | DoS is interested in soliciting industry as to what drawings, pictures and tech data would be useful for offerors to have access through the SAM.GOV portal. | |
| 55 | Is there a need for laser range finder, laser illuminator or laser designator? | Laser range finder. | |
| 56 | Is there a need for Moving Target Indicators (MTI)? | No. | |
| 57 | Is the desire for the crew station to be roll on roll off? | The crew aft operator station should be capable of being removed/installed with minimal impact on mission. Two hour configuration. | |
| 58 | Can DoS INL/A provide preferred mounting locations, cabin space mechanical drawings and load limits for each airframe? | Mounting for the crew aft operator station should only be through the cabin floor tie down locations. Crash load cases and load limits for floor tiedown locations are given in Sikorsky Documents: SER-70534, Structural Design Criteria Report and SES-700700A, System Specification for the UH-60L Black Hawk Utility Helicopter. | |
| 59 | Request more detail on aircraft and ground system interface such as ICDs, network | ||
| protocols, power requirements, etc. What is the estimated price range? | Can provide ELA for power requirements. | ||
| 60 | What is the location of the work? The solicitation mentions Melbourne, FL while SOW states Central and South America. What are the tentative dates for issuing invitations, opening bids, and completing contract performance? Can we expect an RFI or RFP as the next step? | The resulting contract will be an IDIQ contract. Offerors will include pricing for UH1ST, UH1II, and HH60s. Each task order will indicate the type, quantity and location of the aircraft. A draft Section B will be provided with the release of these responses. First article testing will be performed by the winning offeror at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. Subsequent production installs will be completed by the winning offeror at each Host Country location. | |
| 61 | At what location and time will the aircraft and/or relevant information that supports both aircraft and ground system integration be available for inspection? | DoS is interested in soliciting industry as to what drawings, pictures and tech data would be useful for offerors to have access through the SAM.GOV portal. | |
| 62 | Do you expect export licensing requirements? | Yes, if applicable for OCONUS installs. | |
| 63 | Will hyperspectral image processing be on-board or off-board the aircraft? SOW para 1.B.III | There is no hyperspectral requirement. | |
| 64 | SOW paragraph 1.C.I and 1.C.II as well as 8.B and 8.D are fragments. What is the missing text? | please refer to updated draft SOW. | |
| 65 | Request clarity on the role of AAR for this contract. The SOW implies the sensor contractor |
will perform aircraft modification (para 2), but the pre-solicitation notices states “it is anticipated that the production units procured through this acquisition will be installed by INL/A’s Aviation O&M contractor AAR, however, INL/A may have the offeror install the kits
| if feasible.” Do you anticipate the offeror needing to enter a contractual relationship with AAR? | We do not anticipate the offeror needing to enter into a contractual relationship with AAR. First article testing will be performed by the winning offeror at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. Subsequent production installs will be completed by the winning offeror at each Host Country location. | |
| 66 | The SOW directs monthly progress reports (para. 4.C). Will these reports include | |
| operations information or will they be limited in scope (ie maintenance actions)? Likewise, if they include operations information, how will that information come to the contractor? Or will the contractor provide the sensor operator onboard the aircraft? | Progress report for the testing, development and installation only. Once installation is complete, no further progress reports needed. | |
| 67 | SOW paragraph 4.E states “existing wiring and controls should be used to the maximum |
extent possible, but if newer technology could result in better performance/reliability or lower life-cycle cost then other options will be considered.” Similar to question 4, when will the offerors have access to information that will facilitate this? When will offerors
| have access to power and communications interfaces? SOW para 4.E, 4.G, and 4.I | DoS is interested in soliciting industry as to what drawings, pictures and tech data would be useful for offerors to have access through the SAM.GOV portal. | ||
| 68 | Is there an electro-optical system currently on the aircraft? If so, what are the | ||
| interfaces for mission specific systems? SOW para 4.E | No for the Hueys and previously installed systems on the HH-60Ls. | ||
| 69 | Will the sensor contractor provide the system operator? SOW para 4.H | Will need an Operator during the Testing phase of system installation. | |
| 70 | What document will dictate crash survivability requirements/specifications? SOW para 4.H | Hueys will be FAA Crash allowable. See Sikorsky Documents: SER-70534, Structural Design Criteria Report and SES-700700A, System Specification for the UH-60L Black Hawk Utility Helicopter. | |
| 71 | Is the NVG compatible requirement for both aircraft and ground systems? SOW para 4.K | All aircraft are NVG compatible, all additional equipment should be NVG compatible. | |
| 72 | When will the government provide information inform on airframe vibrations and | ||
| stability? Optimally we would like actual vibration measures on-site from specific installations. SOW para 4.L | See Sikorsky Documents: SER-70534, Structural Design Criteria Report and SES-700700A, System Specification for the UH-60L Black Hawk Utility Helicopter. DoS is interested in soliciting industry as to what drawings, pictures and tech data would be useful for offerors to have access through the SAM.GOV portal. | ||
| 73 | Which MIL-STD does SOW paragraph 4.M refer to? | MIL Standard 810G | |
| 74 | Do you want separate unit hand controllers for both the pilot and sensor operator? | ||
| SOW 7.A.2 | One hand controller for use by either Pilot or Crew Chief | ||
| 75 | When will the RSO(s) be available to coordinate specific RF considerations? | ||
| SOW para. 7.A.3.f | DoS is interested in soliciting industry as to what drawings, pictures and tech data would be useful for offerors to have access through the SAM.GOV portal. | ||
| 76 | Will the offeror need to integrate the video feed to the RSO into and existing system? Is a | ||
| stand-alone solution acceptable or preferred? SOW para. 7.A.6 | either solution is acceptable. | ||
| 77 | We would request an opportunity to do an aircraft survey prior to proposal submission. | ||
| SOW para. 9.A.3 | DoS is interested in soliciting industry as to what drawings, pictures and tech data would be useful for offerors to have access through the SAM.GOV portal. |
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