SC Mounted Radio RFI final (rev1).docx

RFI Title:

Single Channel Mounted Radio RFI Introduction:

** This RFI introduces a new product for industry review and comments.** Soldier feedback of current radio requirements, particularly in convoy operations, coupled with FIX OPT emphasis on dispersed and highly mobile operations, and the need for simultaneous assured voice and messaging for Position Location Information (PLI) and automated systems, have led Project Manager Tactical Radios (PM-TR) to identify a potential capability gap with the Army’s current suite of mounted radios.

Currently, the Army relies heavily on SINCGARS and has a plan to implement ANWf as part of modernization through HMS radios such as the 2 Channel Manpack and 2 Channel Leader radios.

Typical convoy operations require communications internal to the convoy (1-3km distance) and communications back to higher headquarters (5-10km distance). The current Army plan is to use a combination of High Assurance SINCGARS and ANWf in vehicles using mounted SINCGARS, Handheld Manpack Small Form Fit (HMS) Manpacks, and HMS Leader Radios. Vehicle platforms with HMS radios are planned to provide ANWf such as WREN, TSM, WREN-Narrow-Band, or Katana waveforms.

PM TR is requesting information from industry to identify Commercial radio solutions that are readily available, or near production, which would provide a low-cost vehicle mounted networking waveform with capability to provide assured voice, enable the COP, and support digital fires while maintaining interoperability with ANWf at ranges sufficient to communicate up and down one echelon (~5-10km without external amplification) in challenging operational environments (urban and dense foliage), resistant to threat jamming, detection, and direction finding capabilities, managed emissions control, global spectrum availability, and secured to level of information needed (e.g. SBU-E at Battalion and below). A “jerk and run” capability is also desired for this mounted radio to support.

RFI response will provide PM TR with data to inform future architecture design components.

Responses must:

1. Provide a 10-page maximum (title page/acronym lists are not included in this page count) SC Mounted Radio solution White Paper. Since White Papers will be shared outside the Government with multiple FFRDCs and support contractor organizations, submissions should confirm there is no issue with the release of any proprietary documentation provided to individuals or organizations covered under a PM TR Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

1. White papers should include, at a minimum:

1. Detailed information on hardware solutions available on the market today or being actively developed and near ready for production. Details must include: frequency band ranges; waveform(s) employed; required (if any) radio configuration software; physical hardware required to include amplifiers, antennas, cables, and mounts; Size, Weight, Power and Cost (SWaP-C) of all components.

1. If the proposed waveform application does not rely on SINCGARS, TSM, WREN-Narrow-Band, or Katana the white paper should include details on how the proposed waveform can integrate into the current communications infrastructure.

1. If the proposed solution relies on waveform(s) and radio(s) that the Army is currently fielding and has in the inventory, please provide additional information on how these existing waveform(s)/radio(s) could be integrated into a vehicular mounted platform. Provide the existing, planned, or proposed ancillaries required for integration. To include SWaP-C. Also provide delta cost to acquire ancillaries (assuming the Army already has the RTs. Additionally provide proposed methods for getting the cost down for subsequent RT buys (i.e volume buys, and/or reduced software capability etc).

1. Costing/Budgetary (not included in above page count)- Because of the budgetary importance of current cost estimates, it is again requested that vendors provide anticipated unit costs for relevant products that provide the capabilities described above, including any licensing fees.

RFI Feedback:

After the Government reviews all vendor submissions there may be additional need for further follow-on questions. If so, the Government will contact each vendor to ask these follow-on questions on an individual one-on-one basis.

All information must be submitted and received within 30 days of RFI release. ***EDIT: Please send RFI Responses to jennifer.d.anderson57.civ@army.mil and william.h.wimbury2.civ@army.mil, instead of utilizing DoD SAFE.*** This is a market survey requesting information only. The submission of this information is for planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to procure any items/services, or for the Government to pay for the information received. No solicitation will be issued against this notice.