Request for Information (RFI) W911SR-25-RFI-VIPER.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

JOINT PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICE CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL RADIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR DEFENSE (JPEO CBRND) JOINT PRODUCT LEAD VEHICLE INTEGRATED POINT ENHANCED RADIAC (VIPER)

W911SR-25-RFI-VIPER

1. DISCLAIMER

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. Solicitations are not available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. All information submitted in response to this RFI is voluntary; the United States Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the United States Government. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement. The results of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement if a requirement materializes.

The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Government and will not be returned. Proprietary, confidential, privileged commercial or financial information submitted in the RFI response should be marked accordingly to ensure appropriate handling and disposition by the Government. No classified information shall be submitted in the RFI response. Only Government personnel will have access to information marked as proprietary.

2. INTRODUCTION & PURPOSE

Ionization radiation occurs naturally and is increasingly used in civilian applications. The possibility of a nuclear battlefield increases the possibility of Service Members receiving total doses of radiation above public health guidelines. Managing total dose is a part of the commander’s responsibility for force protection. As part of the risk management process, applying radiation safety mitigation measures should act in concert with other risk mitigation measures to minimize the overall risk. The highest risk of significant casualties will usually occur from the conventional weapons threat.

Manned platforms currently lack the capability to communicate crew exposure data to a common operational picture (COP). Fielding a networked crew monitor to general purpose mounted forces would enable the Army to identify and penetrate areas on the battlefield with the least amount of radiological contamination. Commanders will use this information to enable platforms and their crews to maintain freedom of maneuver and exploit, as safely as possible, areas the enemy has purposefully contaminated. The joint force could then use compiled crew exposure data to shape re-compete operations and inform potential avoidance maneuvers for follow-up surge and re-supply forces.

Joint Product Lead, Radiological Nuclear Defense (JPdL RND) under Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) is conducting a market survey to identify potential industry sources capable of providing Vehicle Integrated Platform Enhanced RADIAC (VIPER) development, testing and platform integration support.

VIPER provides rapid and accurate monitoring of platform crew exposure to radiological and nuclear hazards. It modernizes the platform mounted monitoring capabilities used across the U.S. Army’s currently fielded manned ground and aviation platforms. VIPER replaces the current AN/VDR-2 and AN/UDR-13 systems. The Army developed these systems in the 1970’s and 1980’s with the primary focus on fallout produced following detonation of a nuclear weapon. These legacy systems are no longer in production, increasingly difficult to maintain and provide limited to no networking capabilities. Additionally, platforms must use both AN/VDR-2 and AN/UDR-13 legacy systems to provide a complete understanding of radiation exposure, as in full-range dose-rate and residual dose data. Neither the VDR-2, nor the UDR-13 have the capability to measure prompt dose.

This is a standalone capability designed to integrate into various Army ground-based and aviation platforms including Stryker Family of Vehicles (FoV); Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV) Sensor Suite; Abrams Tank; Bradley Fighting Vehicle; Army Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle; Joint Light Tactical Vehicle; M10 Booker Light Tank, Chinook, Black Hawk, and Apache. VIPER Provides network capable, integrated gamma dose rate, total dose and prompt dose detection and monitoring both inside and outside of platforms.

The Vehicle Integrated Radiac system is envisioned to provide integrated gamma dose rate, residual dose, prompt dose detection and monitoring within military vehicles, and approximate environmental radiation levels outside the platform. As such, it supports dismounted crew operations by approximating radiation levels in the environment outside the platform. This information is provided to commanders via dedicated data port(s) with networking capabilities enabling it to send crew exposure data to the host platform for immediate personnel protection actions, and dissemination to Army mission command software systems.

The system will calculate outside dose using attenuation factors based on materials used in platform construction. It provides a dedicated data port and networking capabilities, allowing it to send crew exposure data to the host platform for immediate personnel protection actions and dissemination to Army mission command software systems. The consolidated readings from vehicles outfitted with VIPER can develop the COP on the location and intensity of radiation across the battlefield allowing commanders to make informed decisions.

Ideally any proposed solution would incorporate designs based on mature proven technologies, such as products considered Commercial-Off-The-Shelf solutions (COTS). However, since the VIPER Radiac must operate in a complex environment, it’s acknowledged that development efforts will likely be required, at minimum to meet military environmental stand specifications, such as listed in MIL STD 810H and/or MIL STD 461G and/or MIL STD 464.

It is reminded that any final design needs to be sufficiently robust to survive continuous use and operation on a wide range of platforms. Some being platforms which create significant vibration levels and others which create significant EMI fields within which the designed system must continue to operate.

Following review of the RFI responses, the Government will make determinations regarding next steps to take in this VIPER program.

Potential NAICS Code: 334519 Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing PSC Code: 6665 Hazard-Detecting Instruments and Apparatus

3. DESCRIPTION OF TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

The program office is seeking systems and designs that will calculate outside dose using attenuation factors representative of platform shielding of crew areas. Dedicated data port and networking capabilities are desired, allowing VIPER to send crew exposure data to the host platform for immediate personnel protection actions and dissemination to Army mission command software systems. The consolidated readings from vehicles outfitted with VIPER can develop the COP on the location and intensity of radiation across the battlefield allowing commanders to make informed decisions. Ideally, the designed system provides:

· Technological solutions that provide secure data transfer (LAN and wireless) and real-time readout and perform self-diagnostics during startup prior to use.

· A unit that is “re-settable”, has adjustable alarms, provides both audible and visual feedback to the user, is near-maintenance-free, and has a function that restricts users to only authorized personnel and ideally has imbedded anti-tamper hardware features.

· System designs are unconstrained. Selection priority is to be given to systems considered Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS)). However, designs considered to be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 to 9, which incorporate use of mature proven technologies will be considered. (Refer to DoD Technology Readiness Assessment Guidebook, ed. June 2023)

· The designed system should be hardened to minimize any Cyber Attack. As such, any unauthorized ports, protocols and services should be disabled.

· The designed VIPER system shall provide both total dose and dose rate measurements, to allow monitoring for exposure to both residual sources (i.e., gamma radiation persistent in the environment) and prompt radiation (gamma and neutron radiation from a nuclear burst). This data can be stored within the VIPER system, provides the capability to send data from the sensor to vehicle computer systems and communicated to commanders through use of secure networks. It reminded that data must not be stored on removable storage devices. Ideally, the system capability includes auto-population of Department of the Army (DOA) standard CBRN reports.

· Calibrate using existing and planned USA Test, Measurement, and Diagnostic Equipment Activity (USATA) radiological calibration equipment and infrastructure of Cs-137 as the calibration energy.

· Proposed solution shall follow a Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) to accommodate new technologies, changes in requirements and the possible development of future increments.

The final design is envisioned to have capabilities, as listed below:

Required Capability: [T=Threshold; O=Objective]

a. Start up and be fully mission capable within 5 minutes (T), 2 Minutes (O). Also, the system should be capable to switch between normal operations and maintenance mode within 1 Minute (T) 30 seconds or less (O).

b. The system will undergo a “self-diagnostic” routine at startup. Preferably this routine includes an internal calibration check. As such, the system needs incorporate a Built-In Test (BIT) to identify internal errors and defective line replaceable units (LRUs) (T), parts/sub-components (O), with 90% (T) 98% (O). Provide a unique audio and visual notification for faults (T). The formal calibration using Cs-137 as the calibration energy maintains dose rate accuracy and residual dose accuracy for 3 years (T), 5 years (O).

c. Monitor hardware processing performance and alert users via sensor fault of significant performance degradations that may indicate a cyber-event (O).

d. Display dose rate and total dose measurements in International System of Units (SI) (T). VIPER will clearly display readings with common prefixes used for each scale used i.e., microgray (µGy), centigray (cGy), and gray (Gy) (T).

e. Provide audio and visual hazard alarms for dose rate, total dose, and prompt events. VIPER’s internal annunciator for audio alarms shall not exceed 115 dB at the ear of the listener (T=O).

f. Detect gamma radiation in the energy range from 60 kilo-electron volts (keV) to 1.3 mega electron volts (MeV) (T), 40 keV – 6 MeV (O), from 0.01 centigray per hour (cGy/hr.) to 1000 cGy/hr. (0.0001 cGy/hr. or less to 3,000 cGy/hr. or more [O]).

g. Detect and measure residual gamma absorbed dose from 0.5 cGy to 1000 cGy hr. 0.001 cGy to 3,000 cGy hr. [O]). Residual dose excludes prompt radiation caused by detonation of a nuclear weapon.

h. Automatically estimate the gamma dose rate present in the environment external to the vehicle, given a platform’s previously established transmission/attenuation factor (T). Measure the gamma dose rate accurately to within +/- 30% (T), +/- 10% (O) in a laboratory environment regardless of gamma radiation energy range, dose rate, or temperature. Meets angular dependencies per American National Standard for Performance Specifications (ANSI) N42.17AC) (O).

i. The system shall provide the capability to detect and measure the dose from prompt gamma and prompt neutron radiation from 75 cGy to 1000 cGy hr. (T), 0.5 cGy to 3,000 cGy hr. (O)

j. Respond to changes in dose rate within two minutes for dose rates under the lower threshold requirement of 0.01 cGy/hr and 30 seconds above that level (T).

k. Total Dose Accuracy Measurement of residual gamma dose and prompt gamma/neutron dose to within +/- 30% (T), 10% (O).

l. Meet residual dose accuracy levels within 1 minute of changes in residual exposure (T) 30 seconds (O). Meet prompt dose accuracy levels within 5 minutes (T), 2 minutes (O).

m. Proposed technical solution should be able to measure gamma dose, gamma dose rate, prompt neutron and gamma dose in a single enclosure.

n. Enable operators to dim and brighten (T), and blackout (O) the embedded display.

o. VIPER must quickly notify crews of radiological and nuclear hazards. Alarm settings and integrated detectors shall enable platforms to monitor and compare current radiation levels to pre-established turn-back dose and dose rate limits based on the commander’s Operational Exposure Guide (OEG).

p. Mounts within Army ground and aviation platforms using installation kits that have a minimal amount of mounting hardware. Common components must be used across all ground and aviation platform families and use standard military connectors for all cabling. Should be capable of reusing the existing RADIAC mount location, if desired by the host platform. Operators should be able to remove and install the VIPER Radiac within 15 (T) and 5 (O) minutes.

q. VIPER shall receive platform-supplied 28-volt DC power from the host vehicle, without negatively impacting the overall capability of the host platform. The sensor will have a minimal power draw that should have a negligible impact on the host platform’s operational reach and energy supply chain.

r. Ideally the design should be such that it will mount onto platforms using the existing brackets which were designed to fit the AN/VDR-2 Radiac, with minimal adaptation. This unit having a footprint of 8.5(l) x 4.5(w) x 3.5(h) inches.

s. Total electrical power consumed should be no more than 10-watts (T), under 5-watts) (O)on standard military vehicle power.

t. Reliability - VIPER will have at least a 0.94 (T), 0.96 (O) probability of completing a 72-hour operational mission without experiencing a system abort (SA).

u. Vehicle Data Integration – VIPER shall provide the capability to send data from the sensor to vehicle computer systems (T). Integrate sensor data output into platform computing system (O)

v. Mechanical Survivability- Meet vibration survivability requirements as dictated by each platform’s vibration profile IAW Automotive ATPD-2404B. Meet shock profile requirements listed in ATPD-2404B for subsystems or equipment. Meet aviation-specific shock profiles as dictated by each platform family (T=O)

w. The Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) for VIPER must not exceed 30 minutes (T), 15 minutes (O) at the field level. Operational Mode selection between normal and maintenance modes is within 1 minute (T), 30 seconds (O).

x. VIPER shall use RMF throughout its lifecycle in accordance with DoD Instruction 8510.01; Risk Management Framework (RMF) for DoD Information Technology (IT), to ensure the sensor induces no mission critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities to the host platform.

4. REQUESTED INFORMATION OF INTEREST

The Program Office is interested in parties who have the capability and technology to meet the requirements set forth in Section 3 above.

If your organization has the potential capability to provide the required products/services, please provide the following information:

1. Organization name, address, primary points of contact (POCs) and their email address, Web site address, telephone number, type of ownership for the organization and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and the unique Identity ID (Created in SAM.gov).

2. Company ownership (public, private, joint venture) and NAICS code (334519) with associated business classification.

3. System Capabilities and Shortfalls:

· Directly address each capability detailed in the previous paragraphs. Clearly state whether your organization possesses a currently available system or technology that meets each requirement.

· Provide a detailed gap analysis. For each capability, identify if your current system:

· Fully Meets the requirement.

· Partially Meets the requirement (explain limitations).

· Does Not Meet the requirement.

4. Proposed System Design and Technology:

· Explain how it’s expected to “build” this system?

· Describe your proposed system design to address ALL stated requirements, including those not met by existing solutions. Include:

· Key system components and their functions.

· Proposed technologies and their maturity levels.

· Rationale for technology selections.

· Provide a tentative system design (if possible).

5. Maintenance and Calibration Support Concept:

· Detail your proposed Maintenance and Calibration Support Concept for the proposed VIPER technical solution. Address:

· Planned maintenance intervals and procedures.

· Calibration requirements and procedures.

· Logistics and support infrastructure.

· Training and documentation for maintenance personnel.

6. Human-Centered Design (HCD):

· Describe your approach to incorporating Human-Centered Design (HCD) principles throughout the development, testing, and fielding process.

· Explain how you will gather and integrate continuous user feedback as the system is developed, tested and fielded.

· Detail specific HCD methods and activities you will employ.

7. Relevant Experience and Test Data:

· Disclose any previous experience developing similar systems like VIPER.

· Do you possess, or have access to Government test data on any prototyping or production effort that you have undertaken, like VIPER? If applicable, please provide access to any available Government test data from previous prototyping or production efforts. Include:

· Test reports (including independent third-party, government, and internal tests) with:

· Test date, location, and system configuration/version.

· Test plans, data, and results.

· Test facility qualifications (certifications, accreditations).

8. Licensing, Data Rights, and Intellectual Property:

· Detail any anticipated licensing requirements for procurement, operation, and renewal of the VIPER system.

· Clarify data rights and intellectual property ownership related to the system and its software.

9. Other Relevant Information:

· Include any additional information you deem beneficial to this RFI and relevant to the development and deployment of the VIPER Radiac system.

10. Existing capability to manufacture VIPER systems. If this manufacturing capability has been funded in the past by the federal government, including Small Business Innovations Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, please indicate year awarded, Federal Agencies participating, phase, and project title.

11. Sales Information. Specifically, is this solution (or one very similar to this specification) routinely sold to commercial customers and/or other government entities. Name of contract vehicle participation as a prime or subcontractor if any.

12. The estimated Department of Defense Hardware/Software Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the candidate technology (Refer to DoD Technology Readiness Assessment Guidebook, ed. June 2023).

5. SUBMISSION, PAGE LIMITATION AND DUE DATES

The Government is requesting responses not exceeding 12 pages to be submitted in either WORD or PDF format using Arial 12-point font. The Cover Sheet does not count against the 12-page limit. Marketing brochures will not be considered adequate information in response to this RFI. All questions to this RFI must be submitted no later than close of business (COB) on 28 April 2025. An unattributed list of questions and answers will be posted at the same location of this RFI on SAM.gov.

Primary Point of Contact for Questions, written submissions, and notification of shipment and tracking number shall be emailed as follows:

Kevin Rohe, Contracting Specialist Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) Edgewood Division APG (Edgewood), MD 21010-5401 email: kevin.t.rohe.civ@army.mil

Submissions are due via email as one complete document to the Contracting Specialist, no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 12 May 2025. Please reference “W911SR-25-RFI-VIPER” RFI in the subject line of the email and on all enclosed documents.

6. INDUSTRY DAY

JPdL-RND plans to conduct a Radiation Detection Industry Day, scheduled for a one-day session in June 2025 at Aberdeen Proving Ground-Edgewood, Maryland. Although the central intent of this event is not to focus on this RFI, it will be an opportunity to interface with the JPdL-RND Program Office. All interested vendors are encouraged to participate. Please note that attendees will not be reimbursed for any costs associated with traveling to this event. This Industry Day is invitation-only. To request an invitation to this event please submit a request with response to this RFI.