FA8629-21-RFI-5004 Q-A 10Mar2021.pdf

SSS/RFI FA8629-21-RFI-5004

Questions & Answers 10 Mar 2021

General

What is driving this RFI? Response: The purpose of this RFI is to collect market data which will inform an acquisition strategy for a potential competitive acquisition to establish one or more contracts to fulfill VDL requirements for the USAF and foreign allies (i.e. Foreign Military Sales

(FMS)).

Which system/systems is/are currently in use? Response: Sniper and LITENING targeting pods, ROVER 6 variants, TacROVERp and e, TNR variants, and VORTEX.

What works well – Response: Not relevant to this RFI What doesn’t work well – Response: Not relevant to this RFI Why is it being replaced – Response: Newly mandated USD (A&S) guidance has opened up the competitive market (Bandwidth Efficient Common Data links: BE‐

CDL).

Particulars of the opportunity: Response: Currently, the USAF is conducting market research;

particulars such as period of performance are undetermined.

Timeline – Response: Not releasable Budget – Response: Not releasable Scope – Number of kits, aircraft, systems, etc. Response: Quantities are not determined; also, see response to technical questions below.

USAF / FMS

Expected countries – Response: Potentially any country approved for U.S. Foreign Military Sales.

Policy

How to obtain access to Tactical Radio Application Program Interfaces (APIs) versions mandated in DISR 14‐3.0 or later; available from the Defense Standardization Program at: https://www.dsp.dla.mil/Specs‐Standards/List‐of‐DISR‐documents/ (Common Access Card (CAC) or Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificate required to access). Response: Go to link above, down select SPECS & STANDARDS/List of DSR capabilities and download it.

How to ensure the following compliance requirements will include new mandated BE‐CDL US/international data rates and waveforms: 1. Bandwidth Efficient CDL Revision C (BE CDL Rev. C). Specify specific modes and/or associated data rates for proposed solution. 2. CDL Executive Agency (EA) designated BE‐CDL Minimum Implementation (MINIMP) 3. Common Control interface for data link management as defined in the CDL Capstone Revision A specification or later. 4. Cryptographic Core Modernization modular encryption 5. Joint Interoperability Test Command CDL compliance.

Response: Copies of the CDL Specifications may be requested by submitting a completed CDL Form 5 to the Contracting Officer for each individual requiring access to the specifications.

Note: Para 2 of the Sources Sought Notice states that prospective sources will provide existing and future production/sustainment capabilities for non‐developmental (NDI) Video Data Link (VDL) systems that have transmit and/or receive capability either as a stand‐alone radio, attached to a multi‐channel radio in the form of a mission module (MM), or as selectable waveforms in a software defined multi‐channel radio.

SSS/RFI FA8629-21-RFI-5004

Questions & Answers 10 Mar 2021

Technical: Video Down link, Airborne, Mounted, Dismounted

Type or types of aircraft to be equipped:

Manned / Unmanned Rotary / Fixed wing Fast movers / Tactical Transport

Response: Aircraft requiring VDL capabilities. The proposed solution/system will be integrated into pressurized & unpressurized air vehicles operating at various altitude ranges.

o Method of aircraft integration (Permanent Install, Carry On / Carry Off,): Response: Current legacy modems being used are permanent; however, the Government is seeking information from this RFI to determine what solutions are available in the market. Responses should address the integration methods available in a solution.

o Are antennas, cabling, mounting and other hardware for aircraft and vehicles to be included in response? Response: RFI responses should address the ancillaries/accessories/hardware, etc.

needed to provide the VDL solution/capability.

o Video sensors to be integrated with: Response: The Government is seeking information on available solutions that receive, transmit, and display secure and unsecure full motion video, annotated images, and data to and from C4I nodes via a lightweight, ruggedized and reliable transceiver.

o Is the video sensor expected to always be airborne or is there need for networking ground sensors to operators: Response: See response immediately above.

o Range of aircraft from ground receiver. Response: The Government is conducting market research to explore what new technologies are available/emerging. Specifications and capabilities such as range should be included in the RFI response.

o Types of vehicles to be equipped:

Large “MRAP” size Lightweight Tactical ATV None Standard / Low Vis

Response: Potentially any mounted position that requires VDL capability.

o Expected number of end user/video consumers receiving video link. Response: This will vary dependent on mission set.

o Expected / preferred end user device. Response: RFI responses should identify any optional displays for PCs/tablets, and other compatible displays with applicable software.

o Is ATAK or other TAK services compatibility required? Response: Not at this time.

o Duration of mission. Response: Not relevant to this RFI.

o Expected mission environment:

Open terrain Dense urban

Response: Potentially all of the above.