N61331-24-SN-Q36.pdf

NSWC-PCD Code S30 RFI July 2024 Page 1/9

N61331-24-SN-Q36

Underwater Buried Object Detection Technologies

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS

Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division 110 Vernon Avenue Panama City Beach, Florida 32407

ADDITIONAL GENERAL INFORMATION

This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as an obligation on the part of the Government. This is NOT a Request for Quotations or Proposals. No solicitation document exists, and the Government may or may not issue a formal solicitation as a result of the responses received to this RFI.

The Government will not pay for any response or demonstration expenses. All costs incurred responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Failure to respond to this RFI will not preclude participation in any future solicitation. Any information received will become the property of the Government and will not be returned to the submitter. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or sensitive information. Government technical experts drawn from staff within DoN and other Federal agencies may review responses.

NOTE: If late information is received, it may be considered by the Government Evaluation Team, depending on agency time constraints.

GENERAL INTENT

The Navy provides this REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) inviting industry to provide information on potential technologies for Underwater Buried Object Detection (i.e. detection of objects buried below the water-sediment interface). Industry responses to the RFI will be assessed and may assist in identifying potential future actions (2025- 2030).

The NAICS Code for this RFI is 334511. The Size Standard is 1,350 employees. The product Services Code is 6665.

Note: There is no guarantee that any submitted topic will be funded and responders to this RFI will have no competitive advantage in receiving awards related to the submitted response(s). The information submitted in all responses may be utilized to help the Government further define its requirements. If the Government develops a project that addresses any submitted or similar topic, the resulting procurement will address

Page 2/9 technology and business specific requirements as defined by the Government to achieve project objectives.

BACKGROUND

The Government is seeking acoustic or magnetic sensors and systems suitable for performing detection, classification, identification, and/or localization of underwater buried objects in multiple sediment types. NSWC PCD is analyzing multiple technologies for their suitability in the application of buried object detection (to include buried minehunting) and is interested in learning about the availability of additional technologies. Candidate technologies with sufficient maturity, Technology Readiness Level (TRL), Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL), availability, and suitability for addressing buried object detection may be invited to participate in a future demonstration planned for the fall of 2025.

RFI SCOPE

a. Overview. Describe the system/sensor/technology at a high level including:

Image or Operational Viewpoint

Size/class/type

Expected capabilities and limitations

Assessed TRL and MRL with cited evidence (assess using Appendix A)

Development milestones achieved

Reference relevant field tests, demonstrations, publications, etc.

b. Integrated System Specifications. This section should be considered applicable if the sensor/technology is integrated into a vehicle, tow-body, or other system. Include as much of the requested information below, as applicable.

Purchase Cost ($) – clarify if this includes or excludes sensor

Maintenance Cost ($) (yearly) Training Cost ($) Size (m) e.g. (L x W x H) Weight in Air (lbs) Weight in Water (lbs) Nominal transit speed (kts) Endurance @ transit speed (dd:hh:mm) Nominal search speed (kts) Endurance @ search speed (dd:hh:mm) Max speed (kts) Operational Depth Limit (m) Max/crush Depth Limit (m) Operational Availability (AO) *See Note1 Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) (hours) Operators Required - Pre-mission

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- Launch:

- Operate:

- Recover:

- Data processing:

- Maintenance:

Primary Energy Source Type e.g. Lithium-Ion Battery Primary Energy Source Voltage e.g. 28 VDC Primary Energy Source Capacity e.g. kWh, gallons

c. Acoustic Sensor Specifications. This section is applicable for acoustic sensors.

Purchase Cost ($) (of sensor(s) and associated hardware)

Estimated Life of sensor (years) Maintenance Cost ($, yearly) Training cost ($) Size (m) e.g. – Transducer L x W x H m

- Receiver L x W x H m

- Processor L x W x H m

Weight in Air (lbs) Weight in Water (lbs) Voltage (VAC or VDC) Power (W) Frequency Band(s) (kHz) e.g. – Low: 10-20 kHz

- Mid: 50-100 kHz Max Acoustic Source Level(s) (dB) e.g. – Low: 180 dB

- Mid: 180 dB Nominal Acoustic Source Level(s) across frequency band (dB) e.g. – Low: 160 dB

- Mid: 160 dB

*Transducer TVR (dB rel 1µPa / Volt @ 1m) **Receiver FFVS (dB rel 1 Volt / µPa @ 1m) Pulse Length (ms) Pulse Rate (Hz) Duty Cycle (%) Vertical Resolution(s) (cm) Along Track Resolution(s) (cm) Across Track Resolution(s) (cm) Field of View (degrees) – Across Track Field of View (degrees) – Along Track Height above bottom (m) while achieving stated resolution

Speed over bottom (kts) while achieving stated resolution

In-situ Area Coverage Rate achieved with above parameters

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Max Speed (kts) Depth Limit (m) Max/crush Depth Limit (m) Operational Temperature Range (⁰F) Max. Estimated sand sediment penetration depth (m)

Max. Estimated mud sediment penetration depth

Max. Estimated clay sediment penetration depth

Height above bottom for sediment penetration depth (m)

Data File Format (e.g. GeoTiff, XTF, etc.)

TRL (1 – 9) See Appendix A MRL (1 – 10) See Appendix A

d. Magnetic Sensor Specifications. This section is applicable for magnetic sensors. Include as much of the information below, as applicable.

Type of Sensor e.g. Total Field, Vector, etc Mode of Operation e.g. Differential, Gradiometer Purchase Cost ($) (of sensor(s) and associated hardware)

Size (m) Voltage (VAC or VDC) Power (W) Weight in Air (lbs) Weight in Water (lbs) Sensitivity (nT / √Hz) Resolution (nT) Operating Range (nT) Dynamic Range (dB) Bandwidth (Hz) Sample Rate (Hz) Noise (nT / √Hz) Water Depth limit (ft) Operational Temperature Range (⁰F) Expected detection range of test target(s) (m) e.g.- x.x m for 2 ft long Steel 2:1 solid cylinder Data File Format (e.g. GeoTiff, etc.)

TRL (1 – 9) See Appendix A MRL (1 – 10) See Appendix A

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e. Software

Describe software used or recommended for use to provide any data processing, Automatic Target Recognition (ATR), data fusion, target pose estimation, and/or visualization for operator identification of buried objects. Include expected outputs of software with their respective file type/format (e.g. GeoTiff, XTF, etc).

Describe computer and/or graphical processing requirements for embedded computing.

f. Concept of Employment. Use this section to address the current or recommended concept of employment to include:

Pre-mission

i. Any required calibration and/or use of calibration targets

ii. Required pre-mission data such as bottom sediment type, bottom hardness, clutter, bottom profile, etc.

iii. Any Inertial Navigation System (INS) alignment or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) fix

iv. Environmental GO / NO-GO criteria

Launch & Transit

i. Estimated constraints for sea state, speed, use of davit crane, etc.

Sortie Execution

i. Single or multiple passes, any autonomous behaviors required, any operator actions required during sortie, Automatic Target Recognition (ATR), in-situ data processing, etc.

Return Transit & Recovery

i. Estimated constraints for sea state, speed, use of davit crane, etc.

Post Mission & Maintenance

i. Post mission analysis and associated software required to include any operator visualization aids or target pose estimation, system/sensor required cleanup or expected maintenance, etc.

REQUIRED RESPONSES

Limit RFI responses to 8 pages. Responses must be unclassified and contain no proprietary information. Note: See Format and Page Limitations and Submission of Documentation paragraphs for additional instructions. Responses are preferred in the following format:

a. Title

Name of the recommended System/Sensor/Technology.

b. Submitter Information

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Responses should include the company name, location, and the name, title, telephone number, mail, and e-mail addresses of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss the submission.

c. Government Customers / Interested Organizations

Identify any government customer organizations or suggested other government organizations cognizant of the technology/production issues and challenges. This should be the organizations/agencies that have the technical or programmatic expertise for assessing the values of the project to potential government customers. Identify the appropriate government programs (and/or point of contact), including organization, mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone numbers. Points of contact that can provide additional information useful to the project review should be included in an Appendix. (Pages in the Appendix do not count in the page limitation.)

d. Overview

See RFI Scope section, above

e. Integrated System Specifications

See RFI Scope section, above

f. Acoustic Sensor Specifications

See RFI Scope section, above

g. Magnetic Sensor Specifications

See RFI Scope section, above

h. Software

See RFI Scope section, above

i. Concept of Employment

See RFI Scope section, above

REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATION / POINTS OF CONTACT:

Contracting POC: Trivia Massaline, trivia.s.massaline.civ@us.navy.mil Technical POC: Tyler Moak, tyler.c.moak.civ@us.navy.mil Technical Manager POC: Dr. Jermaine Kennedy, jermaine.l.kennedy.civ@us.navy.mil

FORMAT & PAGE LIMITATION

Your submittal should be provided on standard letter size 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper, limited to a maximum of 8 single sided, double-spaced pages. The font for text should be Times New Roman 12-point or larger. The Responder may use oversize pages (including “foldouts”) where appropriate to contain graphic presentations. Oversize pages do not count as extra pages within the page limitations. Submitted responses should be in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat format. Existing commercial documentation and product literature can also be

Page 7/9 submitted and is not subject to a page limitation. Note: No proprietary data should be provided.

SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTATION

Responses to this RFI are due by or before 4:00 pm (central time) 13August 2024. If late information is received, it may be considered by the Government Evaluation Team, depending on agency time constraints. Documentation shall be delivered to the Contracting Office via the provided POC emails with Technical and Manager POCs on copy, addressed to the Contracting

POC.

INFORMATION APPROACH

The Program may or may not select any of the submitted technologies for demonstration nor future projects. Projects developed from these topics, as with all projects, may be competed in a full and open competition. The Navy, as the DoD Executive Agent for the Program, is not required to provide feedback to responders.

NSWC-PCD utilizes the RFI process to identify potential technologies. Upon receipt of RFI responses, NSWC-PCD reviews the submissions to determine whether or not they are appropriate.

In the pursuit of a program, the Government will determine the acquisition process and contract vehicle based on this information in the applicable Government-Wide Point of Entry. A definitive timeframe cannot be determined because the process is contingent upon a number of different variables.

If market research indicates there are competitive sources in the applicable technology area, a competitive acquisition would be advertised on SAM.gov opportunities through a sources sought announcement.

DISCLAIMER

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only, as defined in FAR 15.201 (e), to obtain information about pricing, delivery, and other market information or capabilities for planning purposes. This RFI is not a request for competitive proposals; therefore, responses to this notice are not considered offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Companies that respond will not be paid for the information submitted.

No telephone calls will be accepted requesting a bid package or solicitation. There is no bid package or solicitation at this time.

All information received shall be safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure. Please do not submit any proprietary or classified information.

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Appendix A – TRL’s & MRL’s

For additional details refer to:

TRL’s: https://www.cto.mil/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/TRA-Guide-Jun2023.pdf

MRL’s: https://www.dodmrl.com/MRL_Deskbook_2022__20221001_Final.pdf

TRL’s TRL Definition

1 Basic principles observed and reported

2 Technology concept and/or applications formulated

3 Analytical and experimental function and/or characteristic proof of concept

4 Component and/or breadboard validation in a laboratory environment

5 Component and/or breadboard validation in a relevant environment

6 System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment

7 System prototype demonstrated in an operational environment

8 Actual system completed and qualified through test and demonstration

9 Actual system proven through successful mission operations

MRL's

MRL Description

1 Basic manufacturing implications identified

2 Manufacturing concepts identified

3 Manufacturing proof of concept developed

4 Capability to produce the technology prototype in a laboratory environment

5 Capability to produce prototype components in a production-relevant environment

6 Capability to produce a prototype system or subsystem in a production-relevant environment

7 Capability to produce systems, subsystems, or components in a production-representative environment

8 Pilot line capability demonstrated; ready to begin LRIP

9 LRIP demonstrated; capability in-place to begin FRP

10 FRP demonstrated and lean production practices in-place

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Appendix B – Acronyms

AO Operational Availability ATR Automatic Target Recognition AUV Autonomous Undersea Vehicle CONEMP Concept of Employment CUI Controlled Unclassified Information CTI Controlled Technical Information dB Decibel F Fahrenheit FFVS Free-Field Voltage Sensitivity ft Feet GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System Hrs Hours Hz Hertz in Inches INS Inertial Navigation System kg Kilogram kHz Kilohertz kts Knots lbs Pounds m Meters MRL Manufacturing Readiness Level MTBF Mean Time Between Failure nmi Nautical Mile nT Nanotesla ONR Office of Naval Research OV Operational Viewpoint TRL Technology Readiness Level µPa Micro-Pascal USV Uncrewed Surface Vessel UUV Uncrewed Undersea Vehicle V Volt VAC Volts of Alternating Current VDC Volts of Direct Current W Watts