Stiletto APNT CD - RFI 10-30-24.docx

Request for Information Pursuant to FAR Part 15.201(e)

Technologies Sought for Capability Discovery Event Hosted by the Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program

Assured — Positioning, Navigation, & Timing (A-PNT)

Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Assured - Position Navigation and Timing

SYNOPSIS: Assured - Positioning, Navigation, & Timing (A-PNT)

A. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to identify technologies from private industry, government Research and Development (R&D) organizations, and academia for Assured - Positioning, Navigation, & Timing (A-PNT) to be integrated with Combatant Craft and Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs). Desired technologies can quickly adapt and maintain A-PNT in the absence of reliable GPS/GNSS signals. Technologies will be showcased during a Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program (Stiletto) Capability Discovery (CD) event.

The Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S. interagency partners use the Stiletto to discover new technologies, enhance collaboration, and provide developers with immediate feedback to accelerate maturation of innovative capabilities with DoD-wide applicability. This A-PNT CD event will focus on systems that can be coupled with or replace current GPS technology on combatant craft and Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs). Capabilities and characteristics of selected systems will be showcased during on the water trials. The results will inform decision makers of emerging or available solutions that may enhance or improve maritime operations in GPS/GNSS contested environments.

This event will be conducted for stakeholders from across the DoD joint maritime craft community, such as the Navy, Army, and Marine Corps, as well as USCG. This effort is co-sponsored by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Combatant Craft Division (NSWCCD) and by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) Innovation and Modernization (I&M) office. The Stiletto team will plan and execute the CD event.

This event is planned for March 2025, in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean off the Joint Expeditionary Base - Little Creek/Ft. Story, Virginia Beach, VA.

To participate in this CD, interested parties are invited to submit an application in accordance with Section D, describing the A-PNT system capabilities. Systems of interest may be equipped/or integrated with multiple inputs from GPS/GNSS, GPS/GNSS enhancements, INS, and can be capable of accepting additional sensor inputs for INS updates.

The application deadline is 5:00 PM EST on Friday 10 January 2025.

This RFI is NOT a solicitation for procurement or other acquisition proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The government does not intend to award a contract based on this RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited.

B. BACKGROUND

The Stiletto conducts maritime technology demonstration events that support the first maritime look at innovative technologies. The program supports joint forces and interagency users in exploring the military utility of innovative technologies and enables a collaborative working relationship between government organizations, academia, and industry. The demonstration events encourage system developers to engage directly with the warfighter in the maritime environment and rapidly adapt technologies around operational needs. This informs and accelerates the delivery of future capabilities needed by the Department of Defense and U.S. interagency partners. The results of this effort will advance learning and innovation to develop technologies and techniques to improve warfighting capability and assist in quicker leadership decision making.

Participation and attendance at the Stiletto CD event is by invitation only. This event will take place at the unclassified level. Participating in CD events may lead to follow-on collaboration, support for further development, and/or opportunities for fielding of matured capabilities.

C. DESCRIPTION

A-PNT is a near-term capability need, addressing both integrity and availability gaps created by threats in a denied environment. Military maritime platforms need reliable and accurate navigation information for mission accomplishment. Interference is becoming increasingly threatening as jamming, spoofing, cyber and direct attacks continue to evolve. A-PNT systems must provide a reliable counterpart to Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) that will ensure accurate navigation under all conditions. GPS/GNSS A-PNT systems can provide warfighters with the reliability, availability and integrity needed for navigation in a denied environment.

The DoD is interested in developments and state of the art for A-PNT that directly enables positioning of forces for: communication networks; situational awareness applications; force protection, surveillance, targeting, and navigation across the operational environment.

The technologies of interest include the following:

· Enhanced GPS/GNSS receivers

· GPS Anti-Jam Technology (GAJT) antennas.

· Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) that detect acceleration and rotation changes to measure and provide position, velocity, and attitude in INS systems.

· INS systems that accept additional inputs from external sensors, such as radars, optical, RF signals and speed logs, when available to enhance A-PNT.

· Alternative GPS/GNSS A-PNT solutions.

Desired A-PNT systems should be capable of providing navigation information to vessel operators throughout the event, including times when GPS/GNSS signal is compromised. System outputs connected to an electronic chart display to visualize system operations is required. The systems should also be capable of detecting and rejecting compromised GPS signals and continue to provide accurate navigation data. Equipment needs to be survivable in operationally relevant marine environments, and be capable of integrating on small craft with appropriate Size Weight and Power (SWaP). System must be integrated without significant modifications to hull and structural components. Interface port(s) that provide system status reports are desired.

Selected systems will explore their ability to navigate a craft over ranges of 25 NMI or more during times of intermittent GPS signals, no GPS signals and compromised GPS signals.

A focus of this CD is to collect data on the systems position accuracy while navigating without trusted GPS signals with regard to time and distance.

The Unique Mission Cell (UMC) Joint Vulnerability Assessment Branch (JVAB) is an Army Engineering and Systems Integration Directorate (ESID) entity that will provide Red Team support to this CD event. JVAB uses open-source and commercially available technology to replicate adversary-specific cyber and radio frequency (RF) threat and attack methodologies against developmental and fielded systems. Using analytical and repeatable tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), JVAB provides operators, developers, and program managers an accurate evaluation of their security posture to include mitigation techniques for vulnerabilities that are identified during each assessment. All findings and conclusions are based on a vulnerability analysis against the current configuration and capabilities represented during the assessment. JVAB is not a certified red team. JVAB should not be considered a certifying authority.

Data of interest includes:

· Display of systems operational data during the event

· Timestamp

· Velocity

· Heading

· Latitude and Longitude

· Confidence information In addition to a quantitative assessment of system operations with capability, other important considerations that will be assessed include:

1) Space, weight and power requirements

2) Additional installation and/or integration requirements

3) Available input/output interface(s) The Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program, with input and assistance from other government stakeholders, will plan and conduct the CD in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean off the Joint Expeditionary Base - Little Creek/Ft. Story, Virginia Beach, VA. The selected A-PNT systems will be installed on the M80 Stiletto or 11M rigid inflatable boat (RIB) craft. The systems will be operated to verify performance on preset routes when GPS signals are compromised or denied. Craft selection may vary based on the specific requirements of the system.

The Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program can provide an additional navigation solution on the test craft that can be used as ground truth. The ground truth will be used to assist with evaluation of A-PNT systems operated during the discovery event.

The Stiletto staff will oversee collection, analysis and dissemination of, at minimum, the following data:

· Ground Truth data on the test craft

· Timestamped GPS signal availability

· (If applicable) Independent Navigation data used by interested party on the test craft The Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program will coordinate use of the platforms and required integration for each selected technology as well as assist in identifying and integrating additional components required for system operation. The Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program will assist with access, coordination, engineering, installation, interface with regulatory bodies, operation, and data collection and processing.

The CD is anticipated to last approximately 2 weeks, starting in March 2025 with approximately 1-2 days allotted to each A-PNT system selected. When a system is selected, Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program personnel will work with the system provider to match the technology with an appropriate CD scenario, accounting for each party’s schedule and technical constraints. Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program will provide venues, supporting infrastructure, and operational and technical personnel, based on available resources. Costs specific to running the developer’s technology, as well as the technology developer’s travel costs, will be at the technology developer’s expense.

Technology developers are encouraged to describe fully all A-PNT system characteristics in their submissions, per Section E and Appendix I. Include all design considerations that may be relevant to integration and operations. All submissions will be considered and potentially selected based on strength of application and relevance to the CD goals.

Technologies beyond the scope of the primary topic areas described above will be considered on a case-by-case basis and potentially admitted based on strength of application and relevance to the mission area. Technologies brought to the event should be at a technology readiness level (TRL) of seven (7) or greater (https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/404585.pdf) although lower TRL capability will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Technology developers must provide the current technology readiness level of the proposed system.

After reviewing developer applications, the government may contact candidates to invite them to the CD event or request additional details of their technology to support the selection process. The Government may contact technology developers to participate in additional discussions or events with the Government beyond the CD event to support future development and DoD acquisition activities. Industry participation in CD event, and communications with the Government or its event contractors associated with the event, does not suggest or imply that the Government will endorse, procure, or purchase selected technology solutions.

Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program anticipates utilizing Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA) with private industry partners selected for this CD event.

D. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Submit applications and quad charts to the JPEM program electronically via Michael.e.rossik.civ@us.navy.mil. Please use the templates provided in Appendix I and Appendix II. Contact Michael.e.rossik.civ@us.navy.mil if you have any questions.

All applications must include the following information:

Subject: Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program Assured - Positioning, Navigation, & Timing (A-PNT) Capabilities Discovery.

Company name/business division/address:

Capability name:

Primary POC: name, email, and phone number System description:

You will receive an email within two business days verifying your application was received. Any application not meeting the criteria outlined above will not be considered.

Each application must address only one technology solution; multiple applications addressing multiple systems may be submitted. If you have questions regarding the submittal, please contact: Michael.e.rossik.civ@us.navy.mil.

DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED INFORMATION IN THE APPLICATION. Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program Assured - Positioning, Navigation, & Timing (A-PNT) Capabilities Discovery event will be held at the unclassified level. Capabilities may be or contain Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and may be subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions. It is incumbent on the technology developers to ensure that these restrictions are outlined in their application and adhered to during the CD event.

DO NOT SUBMIT ACQUISITION PROPOSALS. The Government does not award contracts based solely on this announcement. Submission of an application does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the Stiletto CD event or any other DoD event.

Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program technology applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM EST 10 January 2025. No contracts will be awarded based solely on this announcement. Submission of an application does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the CD event.

E. BASIS FOR SELECTION TO PARTICIPATE

Submissions will be reviewed by the supporting government organizations.

Selection of respondents to participate shall be based on the extent to which the technology represents a particular class or level of capability that can be provided to interested commands or interagency partners. Other considerations include:

· Relevance to discovery event focus area and desired capabilities

· Completeness of application and supporting information

· Technical maturity

· Relevance of or adaptability to Department of Defense or interagency partner operations/missions

F. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Technology developers shall assure that all proprietary information, documentation, and equipment are clearly marked. Be advised that lessons learned from these CD events may be broadly disseminated through official channels within the Federal government and partner government agencies associated with the Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program. If selected for participation, technology developers may be requested to provide additional information that will be used in preparation for the event.

G. USE OF INFORMATION

The purpose of this notice is to gain information for potential future use and/or collaboration for development of technology capabilities. All proprietary information contained in the response shall be clearly marked. Any proprietary information contained 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 future capability requirements.

H. SPECIAL NOTICE

University affiliated research centers (UARCs), federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), and/or contractor consultant/advisors to the government will review and provide support during evaluation of submittals. When appropriate, non-government advisors may be used to objectively review a particular functional area and provide comments and recommendations to the government. All advisors shall comply with procurement integrity laws and shall sign non-disclosure and rules of conduct/conflict of interest statements. The government shall take into consideration requirements for avoiding conflicts of interest and ensure advisors comply with safeguarding proprietary data. Submission in response to this RFI constitutes approval to release the submittal to government support contractors.

I. FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) 52.215-3

Per FAR 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997):

Appendix I Application to Participate at Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program Assured - Positioning, Navigation, & Timing (A-PNT) Capability Discovery Event Full name of Company & Name of Technology

Technology Description Please provide a description of your capability. The following information is recommended for the executive summary:

· Describe why the technology is needed and describe the problem you are solving.

· Describe the “so what” or what is new or advanced in your approach and why it will meet CD goals.

· Describe the maturity of your technology and if applicable what is needed to take your technology to the next level (e.g., R&D funding, procurement, etc.).

· Describe anticipated performance and any other pertinent details about your technology.

Primary POC: Provide name of person who will serve as Primary POC for this effort. This POC will be responsible for all deliverables and RFI(s) leading up to event.

Team: Include name, email, phone number, and complete address of key stakeholders / focal point and identify if any are foreign nationals. May include up 2 in addition to Primary POC. (Team is capped at 3 personnel unless appropriate justification for additional support is provided to the Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program team).

Company / Organization:

· Provide full name, address, and other contact information for your organization. Include specific division if applicable.

· Provide brief company description, discussion of company capabilities with respect to the purpose and objective described in this RFI.

· Note if your company is designated as a “Small Business” and/or is “Foreign Owned.”

Objective/Scenarios: Describe objectives and goals. In addition, include a brief description of the scenario or mission that would best highlight your capabilities strengths.

Capability Technical Specifications/Description: Technical description should include, at a minimum, the following information:

· Describe the capabilities of the A-PNT system that you plan to highlight.

· Describe the system capabilities and specifications (i.e. GPS Anti-Jam Technology, Inertial Measurement Units, etc.), as applicable.

· Describe how the planned capability differs from a fully realized implementation, e.g. will additional external equipment, or simulated inputs, be utilized and why.

· Describe past performance, present and future uses – and predicted performance.

· Describe the design outcome of the capability and its intended value to the user.

· Describe the problem that you are solving (current / future) with your capability.

· Describe the capability application for the Department of Defense.

· Describe installation, integration, and operating requirements to include set up, tear down time.

· Describe the level of product maturity. Is it in the commercial marketplace or still under development? If under development, please describe status. Indicate Technical Readiness Level (TRL).

· Define the classification ontology, if applicable.

· Describe any functionality available via an Application Programming Interface (API).

· Describe the outputs, input interface(s), and update rate.

· Detail the Ingress Protection (IP) rating for all system components.

· Detail the shock and vibration ratings for all system components.

· Include / Attach Specification Sheets and Interface Control Documents (ICDs).

· Include a basic system diagram including major components and interfaces (one-line diagram) Capability Classification: Provide the classification level of the capability proposed for highlighting. (Unclassified, Confidential, Secret, Top Secret). Note: Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program Assured - Positioning, Navigation, & Timing (A-PNT) CD will be at the UNCLASSIFIED level.

Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): Identify what (if any) parts of your capability have FAR and/or ITAR restrictions.

Set-up Requirements: Briefly describe, as appropriate, the details of the proposed capability set-up for the CD event.

· Major System Component Dimensions and Weights:

· Power Requirement:

· Network Connections: (if needed)

· Data Requirement:

· Special Handling: (crane, forklift, etc.)

· Restrictions: (cable length, conditioned space, environmental constraints, etc.)

· Anticipated Number of Personnel for Event: (not to exceed 3 total personnel, unless approved by Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program team)

· Set up time to install/uninstall.

· Hazardous Materials:

· On-site Storage:

Government Contracts (if applicable): Identify any government contracts and the supporting agencies that have or are expected to support the system and/or system components.

Appendix II Quad Template for Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program Assured - Positioning, Navigation, & Timing (A-PNT) Capability Discovery Event image1.jpeg image2.png image3.png image4.emf

STILETTO QUAD CHART LINK

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

Company Name Technology/Project Name

TECHNOLOGY OBJECTIVES

DESCRIBE YOUR TECHNOLOGY GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

· Describe your technology objective/scenario for this event

· What is needed to take your technology to the next level?

· What is the next critical step in development? OR, is this ready for procurement?

· TRL Level

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT YOUR TECHNOLOGY.

DEMONSTRATOR POC INFORMATION:

Company / Organization:

POC: (NAME, EMAIL, PHONE)

Demonstration Lead:

Technical Lead:

PROJECT PHOTO

TECHNOLOGY CAPABILITY:

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE ANTICIPATED CAPABILITY THAT THE SYSTEM PROVIDES TO THE WARFIGHTER

ADDITIONALLY, DESCRIBE WHY OR HOW IT IS BETTER THAN CURRENTLY FIELDED SYSTEMS (I.E LIGHTER, CHEAPER, FASTER, ETC) IF THE CAPABILITY DOES NOT CURRENTLY EXIST IN A FIELDED SYSTEM, EXPLAIN WHY THE CAPABILITY IS NEEDED image1.png image2.png