ARCS RFI 28Oct2024.docx

Request for Information Pursuant to FAR Part 15.201(e)

Technologies Sought for Capability Discovery Event

Active Ride Control System (ARCS)

Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

RFI Active Ride Control System (ARCS)

SYNOPSIS: Active Ride Control System (ARCS)

A. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to identify technologies from industry for an Active Ride Control System (ARCS) demonstration event to be conducted by the U.S. Navy Boats & Craft Program (PMS300G) in support of Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (COMNAVSURFLANT). Candidate systems should demonstrate ride stabilization systems for small boats to assist the Government with assessing commercial technologies that stabilize the ride (minimize excessive pitch, roll, yaw, and pounding) in U.S. Navy Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RIBs). This technology is intended to reduce the risk of death, injuries, and long-term disabilities from the heavy pounding and harsh six degrees of freedom forces that USN boats experience. ARCS is intended to evaluate technologies that stabilize the ride for small boats to reduce injuries and provide more efficient boat operations.

Capabilities and characteristics of candidate systems will be tested during on-water events. The results will inform decision makers of emerging or available solutions that may enhance or improve operations.

This event will be conducted for stakeholders from PMS300G and COMNAVSURFLANT. Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock, Combatant Craft Division (NSWCCD CCD) shall support the execution of the event.

This event is planned for the period January 2025 through June 2025 at NSWCCD CCD.

To participate in this demonstration, interested parties are invited to submit an application and the quad chart in Section D, describing their ARCS technologies’ capabilities.

The application deadline is 5:00 PM EDT 27 November 2024 This RFI is NOT a solicitation for procurement or other acquisition proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on this RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited.

B. BACKGROUND

U.S. Navy boats & craft operations are inherently dangerous because of excessive pounding, pitch, roll, and yaw. These dynamics have resulted in sailor deaths, injuries, and long-term disabilities from the heavy pounding and harsh dynamic forces that U.S. Navy boats & craft experience.

Participation in the ARCS event is by invitation only. This event will be unclassified. Participation could lead to follow-on collaboration, support for further development, experimentation opportunities, and/or opportunities for fielding matured capabilities.

C. DESCRIPTION

This event is planned for January 2025 to June 2025 at NSWCCD CCD. The objective of this event is to evaluate hydrodynamic planar technologies that stabilize the ride for small boats, primarily to reduce the likelihood of injuries to sailors, and secondarily provide more efficient operations for boat operators. The intent is to observe and assess the technology readiness of commercially available ARCS systems. Companies with technologies that provide an ARCS are invited to participate in a Government-sponsored demonstration that will consist of the following:

1. Deliver and install one system on a 7M and/or 11M U.S. Navy Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB).

2. Day One will be for pre-event installation of the commercial system with readiness checks. Day Two will be a pre-test run for system checks and maneuver scheme familiarity. Day Three will be an instrumented test drive of the RIB with the commercially installed system. Days Four and Five will be back-up weather days.

3. Remove the system.

COMNAVSURFLANT will provide a 7m and/or 11m RIB(s). NSWCCD CCD will provide waterborne infrastructure for ARCS technology installation and removal.

The Government will select Respondents based on the ability of their technologies to meet the objectives. The Government anticipates a partnering arrangement with selected respondents in the form of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), in which the respondents provide the equipment required to implement a solution for demonstration. The Government will use the CRADAs to assess the feasibility and observe the feasibility of ARCS technologies. This effort is intended to foster collaborative engagement with interested technology providers to give the U.S. Navy new insight into viable ARCS technologies and enable industry to better understand the Navy’s needs towards evaluating their technology.

The effort is anticipated to last at most six (6) weeks, giving each respondent the five-day schedule discussed above. COMNAVSURFLANT will provide boats. NSWCCD will provide infrastructure, an instrumentation package, and qualified boat operators. Equipment must be configured for easy bolt-on installation and removal using a standard K-bracket configuration; however, alternatives will be considered. Vendors should specify if equipment is optimized for a 7m and/or 11m RIB. Vendors will fund their own travel and install and remove the hardware.

Industry participation in ARCS activities does not suggest or imply that NSWCCD or any other Government activity will endorse, procure, or purchase equipment.

Technology developers are encouraged to describe fully all ARCS characteristics in their submissions, per Section D and Appendix I. Include all design considerations that may be relevant for integration and operations. All submissions will be considered and potentially selected based on strength of application and relevance to ARCS goals.

Technologies beyond the scope of the primary topic areas described above will be considered on a case-by-case basis and potentially admitted based on strength of application and relevance to the mission.

D. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Submit applications and quad charts to the Joint Prototyping and Experimentation Maritime (JPEM) program electronically via Michael.e.rossik.civ@us.navy.mil. Please use the templates provided in Appendix I and Appendix II. Contact Michael.e.rossik.civ@us.navy.mil if you have any questions.

All applications must include the following information:

a. Subject: Active Ride Control System (ARCS) Technology Demonstration

b. Company name/business division/address:

c. Capability name:

d. Primary POC: name, email, and phone number

e. System description:

You will receive an email within two business days verifying your application was received. Any application not meeting the criteria of this RFI will not be considered.

Each application and quad chart must address only one technology solution; multiple applications/quad charts addressing multiple systems may be submitted. If you have questions regarding the submittal, please contact: nswccdjpem@us.navy.mil DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED INFORMATION IN THE APPLICATION. The ARCS event is unclassified. Capabilities may contain Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and may be subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) restrictions. It is incumbent on the technology developers to ensure that these restrictions are outlined in their application and adhered to during the ARCS event.

DO NOT SUBMIT ACQUISITION PROPOSALS. The Government does not award contracts based solely on this announcement. Submission of an application does not guarantee an invitation to participate in future events. ARCS technology applications and quad charts must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM EDT 27 November 2024.

E. BASIS FOR SELECTION TO PARTICIPATE

Submissions will be reviewed by the Government.

Selection of respondents to participate shall be based on the extent to which the technology represents the capability that is desired by the Government. Other considerations include:

a. Relevance to the capability discovery event focus area and desired capabilities

b. Completeness of the application and supporting information

c. Relevance to the objectives to current or future operational needs

F. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Technology developers shall ensure that all proprietary information, documentation, and equipment are clearly marked. Be advised that lessons learned from the ARCS events may be broadly disseminated through official channels within the Government. If selected for participation, technology developers may be requested to provide additional information that will be used in preparation for the event.

G. USE OF INFORMATION

The purpose of this notice is to gain information for potential future use and/or collaboration for development of technology capabilities. All proprietary information contained in the response shall be clearly marked. Any proprietary information contained in response to this request will be properly protected from any unauthorized disclosure. The Government will not use proprietary information submitted from any one firm to establish future capability requirements.

Participants shall agree to confer and consult with COMNAVSURFLANT before the publication of any press release directly or indirectly related to an ARCS event. COMNAVSURFLANT will confer and consult with any participants prior to the publication of any press release that directly includes a written or visual reference to the name of their organization, employees, or technology. Participants will not use the name, logo, or images of any U.S. Government organization, employee, or contractor without prior approval from the Government.

H. FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) 52.215-3

Per FAR 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997):

a. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on this RFI notice or to pay for the information.

Appendix I Application to Participate in the Active Ride Control System Capability Demonstration Full name of Company & Name of Technology

Technology Description Please provide a description of your capability. The following information is recommended for the executive summary:

· Describe why the technology is needed and the problem you are solving.

· Describe the “so what” or what is new or advanced in your approach and why it will meet ARCS goals.

· Describe the maturity of your technology and if applicable what is needed to take your technology to the next level (e.g., R&D funding, procurement, etc.).

· Describe anticipated performance and any other pertinent details about your technology.

Primary POC: Provide name of person who will serve as Primary POC for this effort. This POC will be responsible for all deliverables and RFI(s) leading up to event.

Team: Include names, email addresses, phone numbers, and complete addresses of key persons and identify if any are foreign nationals. Include no more than two persons in addition to the Primary POC.

Company / Organization:

· Provide full names, mailing addresses, and other pertinent contact information for your organization. Include specific division if applicable.

· Provide a brief company description that addresses company capabilities relevant to this RFI.

· State if your company is designated as a “Small Business” and/or is “Foreign-Owned.”

Objective/Scenarios: Describe objectives and goals. In addition, include a brief description of the scenario or mission that would best highlight your capabilities strengths.

Capability Technical Specifications/Description: Technical description should include, at a minimum, the following information:

· Describe the capabilities that you plan to highlight.

· Describe the ARCS capabilities and specifications (i.e., size, weight, optimal installation location, etc.), as applicable.

· Describe past performance, present and future uses – and predicted performance.

· Describe the design outcome of the capability and its intended value to the user.

· Describe the problem that you will solve with your capability.

· Describe the capability application for the U.S. Navy.

· Describe installation, integration, and operating requirements to include installation and removal time.

· Briefly describe testing conducted with the prototype or mature technology (i.e., whether prototype or mature technology was previously tested, the test conductor, location(s), scenario(s), and the environment). Has the technology been independently tested?

· Detail the shock and vibration ratings for all system components, if applicable.

· Include Specification Sheets, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and technical drawings.

· Include a basic system diagram including major components and interfaces (one-line diagram) Capability Classification: Provide the classification level of the capability (Unclassified, Confidential, Secret, Top Secret). Note: the ARCS demonstration will be at the UNCLASSIFIED level.

Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): Identify what (if any) parts of your capability have FAR and/or ITAR restrictions.

Set-up Requirements: Briefly describe, as appropriate, the details of the proposed capability set-up for the CD event.

· Major System Component Dimensions and Weights:

· Power Requirement:

· Network Connections (if needed):

· Data Requirement (if needed):

· Special Handling: (crane, forklift, etc.)

· Restrictions: (cable length, conditioned space, environmental constraints, etc.)

· Anticipated Number of Personnel for Event: (not to exceed 3 unless otherwise approved)

· Set up time to install/uninstall.

· Hazardous Materials:

· On-site Storage:

Government Contracts (if applicable): Identify any Government contracts and the supporting agencies that have or are expected to support the system and/or its components.

Appendix II Quad Template for Active Ride Control System (ARCS) Capability Demonstration image2.png image3.png image4.svg UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED Company name Technology Name T ECHNOLOGY S HOWCASE O BJECTIVES • D ESCRIBE YOUR TECHNOLOGY VALIDATION GOALS • Describe your technology objectives/scenarios for this event. • What is needed to take your technology to the next level? • What is the next critical step in development? Or, is this ready for procurement? A DDITIONAL I NFORMATION (A DDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT YOUR TECHNOLOGY ) D EMONSTRATOR POC I NFORMATION : Company / Organization: POC: ( N AME , E MAIL , P HONE ) Demonstration Lead: ___________________________________ Technical Lead: ________________________________________ P ROJECT P HOTO T ECHNOLOGY C APABILITY : B RIEFLY DESCRIBE THE ANTICIPATED CAPABILITY THAT THE SYSTEM PROVIDES TO THE NAVY . A DDITIONALLY , DESCRIBE WHY OR HOW IT IS BETTER THAN CURRENTLY FIELDED SYSTEMS ( I . E . LIGHTER , CHEAPER , FASTER , ETC .). I F THE CAPABILITY DOES NOT EXIST IN A FIELDED SYSTEM , EXPLAIN WHY IT IS NEEDED .

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