BAO_Tactical_Radios_RFI_Sources_Sought.pdf

BATTLEFIELD AIR OPERATIONS (BAO) KIT

Communications - Tactical Radios

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT

1. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Battlefield Airmen Branch (WISN), Wright-Patterson AFB OH, is soliciting information to identify potential sources to purchase communications equipment for use in the battlefield. The currently fielded tactical radio for the Battlefield Air Operations Kit (BAO) is the AN/PRC-117G manpack radio. The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has a requirement to field a handheld radio that closely mirrors the capabilities of the currently fielded manpack radio. This RFI/Sources Sought is issued for informational purposes and market research only and does not constitute a solicitation or commit of the government to award a contract now or in the future. Submitting information in response to this posting is voluntary and participants will not be compensated for preparation costs.

2. The capabilities and features that are being explored for fielding would include :

a. A wideband networking radio that provides voice, high-speed networked data, and full-motion video services on the move.

b. Covering the 30 to 512 MHz frequency range the multiband radio should also include a high band enhancement that increases the radio’s frequency coverage to 30-520 MHz and 762-870 MHz for select waveforms.

c. The radio shall provide interoperability with traditional narrowband waveforms such as SINCGARS, Havequick II, HPW, HPW IP, IW and VHF/UHF AM and FM in the 30-512 MHz range.

d. Additionally, the radio should support wideband (e.g.1.2 MHz Bandwidth) networking waveforms from 225 to 450 MHz.

e. The handheld radio shall feature the Software Communications Architecture (SCA) operating environment, which provides the optimal transition to software defined radio technology. SCA architecture enables the upgrade to future waveforms supporting the evolution of communications from legacy narrowband to network centric wideband operations.

f. The handheld radio shall also provide high-speed networked data using the Adaptive

Networking Wideband Waveform (ANW2) and support SRW. ANW2 uses innovative intelligent protocols that do not require the presence of a designated network control station – allowing each radio to automatically discover and join an authorized network. Ad-hoc networking allows automatic and transparent relay through an available station. It also heals the network if a station leaves, ensuring network reliability. ANW2 provides situational awareness and data on demand, seamlessly linking dismounted soldiers with upper-echelon networks.

g. The radio shall quickly and efficiently transmit mission-critical voice, data and video in the most challenging urban communications environments. This shall be a wideband handheld radio that can deliver IP-based mobile ad-hoc networking to warfighters at the tactical edge.

3. The capabilities package should be brief and concise, yet clearly demonstrate an ability to meet the stated requirements and describe how the proposed systems can meet or exceed the specifications. Ensure responses are structured and clearly labeled. Recent, relevant experience in all areas should be provided. Teaming and/or subcontracting arrangements should be clearly delineated and previous experience in teaming must be provided.

4. Firms responding to this announcement should indicate whether they are an other than small business, small business, small disadvantaged business (SDB), woman-owned small business (WOSB), economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB), 8(a)-certified business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB), veteran-owned small business (VOSB), or Historically Underutilized Business Zone small business (HUBZone). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this action is 334220, size standard 750 employees. All prospective contractors must register in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DoD contract.

5. This notice is part of government market research, a continuous process for obtaining the latest information on the “art of the possible” and associated material procurement and approach risks from industry with respect to their current and near-term abilities. The information collected may be used by the Government to explore future strategies and implementation for the BAO kit. The acquisition strategy has not yet been determined.

Market research results will assist the Air Force in determining whether this requirement will be a full and open, a small business set aside, or a sole source acquisition. If it is determined to be a small business set-aside, FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting will apply.

Therefore, small businesses that want to be considered for a small business set-aside should demonstrate how they could comply. Potential sources are encouraged to submit recommended small business utilization requirements as a percentage of total contract value for consideration, in the event the acquisition is not set-aside for small business.

6. Information received as a result of this request will be considered as sensitive and will be protected as such. Any company proprietary information contained in the response should be clearly marked as such, by paragraph, such that ‘publicly-releasable’ and ‘proprietary’ information are clearly distinguished. Any material that is not marked proprietary will be considered publicly-releasable. Any proprietary information received 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 the capability and requirements for any future systems acquisition, so as to not inadvertently restrict competition.

7. When submitting a response, please be aware that the Air Force workforce is supplemented by contracted support personnel. Any proprietary data submitted may be handled by contract support services personnel who have signed the same Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) as organic AF personnel.

8. Responses are limited to 5 pages and should include technical and descriptive text to provide sufficient detail. The submitted documentation becomes the property of the U.S.

Government and will not be returned.

9. Broad industry participation for this RFI/Sources Sought is encouraged. U.S. and non-U.S.

firms are permitted to respond to this Communications - Tactical Radios RFI/Sources Sought. Responses to questions from interested parties will be promptly answered and posted on Fed Biz Ops (FBO), unless some release of proprietary information is involved or the answer addresses a question peculiar to a Company or that Company’s response. Post submittal one-on-one information sessions with respondents are not contemplated.

10. This notice may be updated as additional information becomes available. Please check the FBO site for updates to this announcement and register to receive e-mail notices of any updates to the FBO announcement. For more information on this RFI/Sources Sought, please contact the AF POCs below. E-mail communications are preferred.

11. Submissions are requested within 30 days of this announcement and may be submitted via e-mail or by mailing your response to:

Amanda Morris, Contracting Officer AFLCMC/WISK (Bldg 46) 1895 5th St Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7233 Contracting Officer, amanda.morris@wpafb.af.mil, Personnel hand-carrying responses should contact the Contracting Officer to arrange a mutually acceptable arrival time. E-mail communication is preferred.

Contractual: Amanda Morris, Contracting Officer, (937) 656-8141 Amanda.Morris@wpafb.af.mil.

Programmatic: Mr. Michael Longstreath, Project Manager (937) 656-8104 michael.longstreath.ctr@wpafb.af.mil