SLAAD Request for Project Proposal.pdf

DEVCOM SC-BOTAA 22-01 REQUEST FOR PROJECT PROPOSAL (RPP)

Area of Interest: Soldier Sustainment Directorate, Aerial Delivery Division Prototype: Static Line Automatic Activation Device (SLAAD) Preliminary Design

Objective This Request for Project Proposal (RPP) is issued to request preproposals (white papers) in accordance with Section III, B, 1 of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM SC) Broad Other Transaction Authority Announcement (BOTAA) 22- 01 competitive announcement and is being issued for planning purposes only. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to award an agreement, nor will the Government pay for the information solicited. Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PdM SCIE) is seeking information on the capabilities and willingness of private entities (non-profit and commercial) to develop a preliminary Static Line Automatic Activation Device (SLAAD) design that will support a prototype project, as defined on page 5 of the

BOTAA.

Background The SLAAD system is planned to be developed to support the U.S. Army’s Static Line Airborne Community by addressing a capability gap to automatically initiate the reserve parachute deployment sequence if an incident or malfunction prevents a safe landing with the main canopy. The system shall not activate the reserve deployment sequence while a Parachutist is inside an aircraft or if they become towed by the aircraft. The SLAAD capability will be developed for integration with the T-11 Reserve Single Pin (T-11R-SP) used on the T-11 and MC-6 personnel parachute systems.

PdM SCIE is executing a project to develop an automatic activation device (AAD) capability that will support all static line airborne operations. The SLAAD capability is intended to be single materiel solution that is suitable for operations utilizing the T-11 and MC-6 from rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft. Integration of the SLAAD with the T-11R-SP shall not interfere with the parachutist’s ability to manually deploy the reserve parachute.

Information on the conduct of static line airborne operations can be found in U.S. Army Training Circular Static Line Parachuting Techniques and Training (TC 3-21.220). Information on the parachute systems can be found in Field Maintenance Manual for T-11 Personnel Parachute System (TM 10-1670-326-23&P) and Field Maintenance Manual for MC-6 Personnel Parachute System (TM 10-1670-327-23&P).

The drawings for the SLAAD pockets installed on the T-11R-SP pack tray are provided as attachments to the RPP. Also included is a Non-traditional Defense Contractor Certification form to be filled out.

Requirements The purpose of this RPP is to request preproposals to conduct system development, testing, and evaluation of a preliminary design for a SLAAD capability. The preliminary design may be based on reusing, modifying, or enhancing existing designs.

The preproposals shall address the full requirements of this RPP for a technology that is at or above Technology Readiness Level (TRL) six (6) as defined in the attached Technology Readiness Assessment Guidebook. Proposed solutions shall be fully compliant with the Berry

Prototype: Static Line Automatic Activation Device (SLAAD) Preliminary Design

Amendment, Defense Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.225-7012, and the Buy American Act, DFARS 252.225-7001.

The objective of initial system development (Phase I) is for the vendor to generate a preliminary design that will be ready for detailed design, prototype fabrication, and Government Developmental Testing (DT) in a potential follow-on Phase II. Completion of DT activities in Phase II will support Operational Testing (OT) in a potential follow-on Phase III. Phase I will consist of Functional Testing (FT) and Design Validation Testing (DVT) with a desired duration of fourteen (14) months and not to exceed eighteen (18) months. Execution and funding of Phase II will depend on successful completion of Phase I, availability of funds, and response to a follow-on Phase II RPP.

FT is planned to be conducted to validate basic functionality of the proposed system and share data with the vendor to ensure systems are ready for DVT. DVT is planned to be conducted as the final test event of Phase I to collect data supporting a final down select to one solution for Phase II. FT and DVT will include mannequin airdrop testing using T-11 and MC-6 parachute systems in normal deployment, high-speed malfunction, and towed jumper scenarios.

SLAAD Performance Requirements The system performance requirements are given in Tables 1, 2, and 3 below. These tables provide both Threshold (T) and Objective (O) levels. The objective level is the performance goal, whereas the threshold level is the minimum acceptable level. PdM SCIE strongly prefers a solution that can meet objective levels of the SLAAD performance requirements.

Table 1: Key Performance Parameters

Key Performance Parameter (KPP) Production Threshold Production Objective KPP 1 – Device Reliability

The SLAAD shall meet reliability of .99 at .90 confidence level.

The SLAAD shall meet reliability of .995 at .90 confidence level.

KPP 2 –

Activation

The SLAAD shall operate by severing closing loop. The system shall not interfere with manual deployment method of the reserve.

The SLAAD shall provide an auditory alert to the jumper prior to firing.

KPP 3 – Total System Weight

The SLAAD shall weigh no more than 16 ounces. The SLAAD shall weigh 8 ounces or less.

KPP 4 –

Operation

The SLAAD shall not require jumper to input settings for the airborne operation and will provide visual indicator of system’s armed status.

The SLAAD shall allow jumpmaster to turn on all jumpers’ systems, not require jumper to input settings for the airborne operation,and will verify armed status of all jumpers.

Table 2: Key System Attributes

Key System Attribute (KSA) Production Threshold Production Objective

KSA 1 – Parachute Compatibility

The SLAAD shall be compatible with approved Army static line parachute systems.

The SLAAD can be modified to accommodate future parachute system designs.

KSA 2 – Aircraft Compatibility

The SLAAD shall be compatible with primary jump platforms C-130, C-17, UH-60, and CH-47.

The SLAAD shall be compatible with all authorized jump platforms.

Key System Attribute (KSA) Production Threshold Production Objective

KSA 3 – Flight Data

The SLAAD shall record flight data during airborne operation from aircraft exit to landing including jumper’s altitude, descent rate, and 3-axis acceleration.

The SLAAD shall record flight data during airborne operation from aircraft exit to landing including jumper’s altitude, descent rate, 3-axis acceleration, 3-axis rotation rates, and jumper orientation.

KSA 4 – Flight Data Retrieval

The flight data from the SLAAD can be downloaded at unit level using a cable.

The flight data from the SLAAD can be wirelessly downloaded from multiple units simultaneously.

KSA 5 – System Status Monitoring

The SLAAD shall provide a method for reporting status, last jump date, remaining battery life, total number of jumps, last flight data download date, and next maintenance cycle date.

The SLAAD shall provide a remote method for reporting status, last jump date, remaining battery life, total number of jumps, last flight data download date, and next maintenance cycle date.

KSA 6 – Data storage

The SLAAD shall maintain flight data for 365 days and/or 165 jumps.

The SLAAD shall maintain all flight data for lifecycle assuming 165 jumps per year.

KSA 7 – Battery Life The SLAAD shall have a minimum of 2-year battery life.

The SLAAD shall have a minimum 14-year battery life.

KSA 8 –

Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3)

The SLAAD shall not be subject to premature or inadvertent activation from E3 effects when subjected to the testing requirements in Table V in MIL-STD- 461G for Aircraft, Army, Including Flight Line, the electrical bonding, and the external grounding requirements in MIL-

STD-464D.

The SLAAD shall have a maximum no-fire current of 180 mA with a resistance between

1.2 and 1.8 ohms.

KSA 9 –

Airworthiness

The SLAAD shall be compliant with requirements of the following test standards:

• MIL-STD-461G, RE102

Radiated Emissions, Electric Fields, 2 MHz to 18 GHz

• MIL-STD-810H, Method 500.6, Procedure III

• MIL-STD-810H, Method 511.7, Procedure I

T=O

KSA 10 – Self-Test The SLAAD will automatically conduct a self-test upon turning on to verify unit is ready for mission or provide error codes/alerts indicating specific issue.

The SLAAD will conduct a self-test in storage and provide an early notification of errors/issues.

KSA 11 – Automatic Turn Off

The SLAAD will automatically turn off after reaching ground at conclusion of jump or 12 hours after turning on.

The SLAAD shall provide an auditory alert during automatic shutoff after reaching ground at conclusion of jump or 12 hours after turning on.

KSA 12 – Size

The control and/or display unit of the SLAAD shall fit into pocket as shown in government drawing number 11-1-9605.

Processing unit shall fit into pocket as shown in government drawing number 11-1-7558.

T=O

KSA 13 – Ambient Temperature

The SLAAD shall function when installed in parachute system exposed to temperatures from -30 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

The SLAAD shall function when installed in parachute system exposed to temperatures from -65 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

KSA 14 – Operating Safety

The SLAAD must have a method of turning on and off that prevents accidental power cycling.

The SLAAD must have a method of being turned on and off remotely that prevents accidental power cycling.

Table 3: Additional Performance Attributes

Additional Performance Attribute

(APA)

Production Threshold Production Objective

APA 1 – Spare Components

The control unit and cutter of the SLAAD must be replaceable at the unit level. T=O

APA 2 –

Lifecycle

The SLAAD will have a lifecycle of 14 years from date of manufacture.

The SLAAD will have a lifecycle of 20 years from date of manufacture.

APA 3 –

System Data Hardware

The SLAAD shall allow wired flight data retrieval and system status monitoring at the unit level by maintainer utilizing Army fielded equipment.

The SLAAD shall allow wireless flight data retrieval and system status monitoring at the unit level by maintainer utilizing Army fielded equipment.

APA 4 – Cutter Compatibility

The SLAAD must be compatible with an AAD cutter available in Army inventory.

The SLAAD must be compatible with multiple-use cutter with form factor similar to AAD cutters available in Army inventory.

APA 5 – Water Immersion

The SLAAD shall be compliant with IP68 testing in saltwater and able to be restored to normal operation at unit level.

The SLAAD shall be compliant with IP68 testing in saltwater and able to be returned to service without maintenance.

Government testing of the SLAAD system for compliance with KSA 8 is anticipated to consist of the following:

• CS114, conducted susceptibility

• CS115, conducted susceptibility

• CS116, conducted susceptibility

• CS118, personnel borne electrostatic discharge

• RE101, radiated emissions, magnetic field

• RE102, radiated emissions, electric field

• RS101, radiated susceptibility, magnetic field

• RS103, radiated susceptibility, electric field

Compliance for KSA 9 shall be demonstrated with test data provided by an independent laboratory with ISO 17025:2017 accreditation.

The U.S. Army currently has two AAD cutters that are authorized for use on personnel parachute systems. Cutter compatibility for APA 4 is defined as the SLAAD system using one of the following parts as the cutter component that initiates reserve parachute deployment:

• CYPRES 1-Pin Field Replaceable Cutter o SSK Military Industries Part Number AADCC1FRG

• VIGIL Cutter, Cartridge, Actuated (Single) o Vigil America Part Number 1-PIN CUT/MIL/+US

Prototype: Static Line Automatic Activation Device (SLAAD) Preliminary Design

DEVCOM SC, PdM SCIE, and Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) personnel will be available to provide clarification and explanation behind performance requirements as needed during development.

Deliverables Planned deliverables for the SLAAD Phase I preliminary design development are listed below.

• An initial user manual that is suitable for conducting mannequin airdrop testing and user evaluations of prototype systems with delivery within 45 days after OTA award

• Participation in a virtual meeting to conduct a FT Test Readiness Review (TRR) scheduled approximately 60 days after OTA award

• Test assets to support FT with delivery within 120 days after OTA award o 25 SLAAD systems o 4 sets of any aircraft/support equipment if applicable o 75 cutters o Any additional components needed for testing

• Providing New Equipment Training (NET) to test and evaluation personnel at Yuma Test Center (YTC) within 30 days after delivery of FT assets o Vendor participation anticipated to consist of no more than three (3) personnel onsite in Yuma, AZ for two (2) working days

• Participation in FT at YTC as scheduled according to availability of required personnel and resources o Vendor participation anticipated to consist of no more than three (3) personnel onsite in Yuma, AZ for five (5) working days

• Vendor modification of existing test assets to address FT results in preparation for DVT with delivery of final test assets within 90 days after completion of FT o The scope of modification is restricted to changes that will not affect the applicability of test results provided demonstrating airworthiness compliance for

KSA 9

• Participation in a virtual meeting to conduct a DVT TRR scheduled approximately 60 days after completion of FT.

o Vendor will provide updated training information if vendor’s modification of test assets for DVT result in any changes to the previously completed NET

• Participation in DVT at YTC as scheduled according to availability of required personnel and resources o Vendor participation anticipated to consist of no more than three (3) personnel onsite in Yuma, AZ for seven (7) working days

• Final design report summarizing the proposed system to include:

o Operational concept to include usage by jumpers, jumpmasters, and riggers o Breakdown of hardware and software components o Description of the operating algorithm for reserve deployment and recording flight data o Anticipated scope of development needed for Phase II o Risks associated with Phase II

• Participation in a virtual meeting to conduct a final culminating Phase I Preliminary Design Review approximately 90 days after completion of DVT

• Participation in monthly Interim Project Reviews (via virtual meeting) to discuss status updates and other topics relevant to the development effort

Prototype: Static Line Automatic Activation Device (SLAAD) Preliminary Design

Performance Objectives Preproposals should be limited to three pages and include a description of the relevant technology including supporting data, the scope of the proposed effort including a high-level Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and a description of the proposer’s research, development, manufacturing, past performance, or other special qualifications. The preproposal should indicate the TRL of the proposed design per the TRL definitions found in the attached Technology Readiness Assessment Guidebook. The preproposal shall also include an anticipated cost for the efforts described in the preproposal. Preproposals shall be submitted to michael.j.quinlan3.civ@army.mil.

Brochures or other descriptions of general organizational or individual capabilities will not be accepted as a preproposal. All preproposals will be assigned an identification number, and an email will acknowledge receipt of a preproposal. Usually, the Project Manager of the submitting organization should receive a decision letter or email regarding the preproposal within 60-90 days of submission.

Vendor(s) that receive a Request for Full Proposal (RFFP) shall provide supporting information within the full proposal on the following topics in addition to what is specified in DEVCOM SC BOTAA Section III, B, 2:

Technical Section

• Test data associated with the hardware and software being proposed to meet SLAAD requirements

• Test data provided by an independent laboratory with ISO 17025:2017 accreditation that demonstrates compliance with KSA 9

• Production, quality assurance, and quality control plans for manufacturing FT and DVT test assets

• Vendor’s processes associated with configuration management, validation and verification of safety critical software, and cybersecurity Project Management

• Analysis of any opportunities and/or benefits associated with the vendor’s proposal that would reduce cost, schedule, and performance risks in Phase II

Pricing

• Firm fixed pricing for each deliverable, in the vendor’s own format/template

• Substantiating information on costs for each deliverable

Subcontractor Management

• Opportunities for development of organic U.S. Army capabilities in support of the system’s production and sustainment

Administration The Government will retain comments and information received in response to this RPP.

Proprietary information should be identified as Company Proprietary. Do not use Government security classification markings. All written responses must be received by COB on 10 May 2024. Responses should be sent by e-mail to michael.j.quinlan3.civ@army.mil with Subject Line of Responding Organization and RPP Title. Material that is advertisement only in nature is not

Prototype: Static Line Automatic Activation Device (SLAAD) Preliminary Design desired. Respondents may review the DEVCOM SC BOTAA at https://sam.gov/opp/126eaf3a78d847f69b7c94b606877f92/view for additional areas of interest and/or preproposal submission instructions and representative POCs.

https://sam.gov/opp/126eaf3a78d847f69b7c94b606877f92/view

Administration