Sources Sought -Salient Characteristics - Tracking Ball.pdf

SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

Tracking Ball Controllers

These characteristics will satisfy the requirement of needs for the requested equipment.

Requirements:

The Government is seeking sources capable of performing the non-recurring engineering, design, fabrication, and integration of three (3) custom tracking ball controllers. The scope of work includes, but is not limited to:

• Custom Design and Engineering:

• Mechanical customization of an existing system or development of a new system to meet the Government's form factor and operational requirements.

• Electrical design modification and development of custom firmware/software to enable communication and control with the Government's legacy operating system.

• Development of a "re-flash" capability to allow for future firmware updates.

• Salient Characteristics: Three (3) Each Tracking Balls

• The final delivered system must meet the following minimum characteristics:

• X and Y-axis force proportional tracking ball functionality.

• USB interface with HID communication protocol. 10’ Minimum USB cable length.

• Must be Compatible with Microsoft Win 10 and 11.

• Able to update firmware post build and install.

• Provide operation and service manual. Include at minimum Microsoft Windows drivers, any recommended service, basic configuration and zeroing of stick, and procedure to update firmware. Vendor should include any other procedures or software needed to operate and configure the controller, not specifically called out.

• Tracking Ball will include a base to be operated on a desk. As well as being easily removable from base to be installed in a fixed station.

• No need to de-solder or disconnect USB cable to move from desktop base to fixed station.

• No specialty hardware. Use of standard Philips or Allen screws for removal.

• Physical design that allows for both desktop operation and easy removal for installation into a fixed station. Must include dimensioned drawing of mounting holes, thread pitch, and bellow mounting plate clearance needed for final station installation.

• The top hemisphere of the ball shall be approximately 3" in diameter if standard form factor is more than +/- ¼” from 3” diameter.

• Creation and delivery of comprehensive user manuals, interface documentation, and any software/drivers required for operation.

• Provision of limited post-delivery integration support and user training along with one set of firmware code flash interface hardware for code re-flash.

Requested Information from Industry:

Interested parties are requested to submit a capability statement that addresses the following areas. Please limit responses to no more than five (5) pages.

1. Company Information: Company name, address, point of contact (name, email, and phone number), CAGE code, and Unique Entity ID (UEI).

2. Business Size: Identify your business size (e.g., Small Business, Woman-Owned Small Business, 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, or Large Business) under the specified NAICS code 541330.

3. Technical Capability and Experience:

• Describe your company's experience in designing, fabricating, and delivering custom human-machine interface devices (e.g., joysticks, trackballs, hand controllers).

• Detail your experience with firmware and software development for interfacing non-standard or legacy operating systems.

• Provide examples of at least two (2) similar projects completed within the last five (5) years. Include a brief description of the project, its scope, and the customer.

4. Notional Approach: Briefly describe your company's potential technical approach to meeting the requirements outlined in this notice.