MDSS High-Altitude Platform Deep Sensing HAP-DS RFI Amendment 0002.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Project Director Sensors-Aerial Intelligence (PD SAI) is seeking information from industry on small form factor sensors that can support MDSS HELIOS / HAP-DS microHAB platform SWaP constraints.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) NOTICE ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP). NO SOLICITATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

Overview/Purpose/Description of Procurement

The Multi-Domain Sensing System (MDSS) is a family of capabilities intended to address Army deep sensing requirements by providing airborne sensors that support Multi-Domain Operations (MDO), including Large Scale Ground Combat Operations (LSGCO), and fill sensing gaps for Indicators and Warnings, Long-Range Precision Fire (LRPF) targeting and Situational Understanding. MDSS requirements focus on six capability areas: Platforms; Sensors; Integrated Intelligence, Fires, Electronic Warfare, Cyber and Mission Command; Processing, Exploitations, and Dissemination (PED); Data Transport; and Cyber and Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) Resiliency.

The High-Altitude Extended-Range Long-Endurance Intelligence Observation System (HELIOS) is part of the overarching Army MDSS system of systems and will provide multiple sensing capabilities by developing and integrating sensor capabilities on different sized stratospheric platforms that, as a system will, comprise a survivable sensing suite in MDO. These will allow stand-off operations to detect, locate, identify, and track critical targets for the ground commander.

High-Altitude Platform – Deep Sensing (HAP-DS) is the experimentation and demonstration phase for HELIOS. Presently, sensor priorities for HAP-DS are focused on Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Communications Intelligence (COMINT), and Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR). This RFI is specifically looking for information on Small Form Factor (SFF) ELINT, COMINT, and RADAR sensor technologies for microHABs (High Altitude Balloons) weighing under 15 lbs with power and communication equipment provided by the platform. High altitude operations are defined as +60K ft in altitude for this RFI.

This RFI is intended purely for market research purposes.

The Government wishes to understand current operational state-of-the-art Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) sensor capabilities as outlined within this RFI. Additionally, the Government wishes to understand sensor capability maturity and the abilities of interested parties’ to execute either an anechoic/barometric chamber test or flight test in order to allow capability demonstration and maturity evaluation.

Scope of Effort/Request

In response to this RFI, PD SAI is seeking industry information on currently available/ Non-Developmental Item (NDI) SFF ELINT, COMINT and RADAR solutions (TRL 6+) in order to validate industry defined capabilities, sensor maturity, and development risk. Development timelines to upgrade or enhance existing sensors to address requirements would ideally not exceed a 36-month period and then lead to production. The intent of this RFI is to gather information on state-of-the art ELINT, COMINT, and/or RADAR sensor capabilities that can be integrated on a microHAB platform, weighing under 15 lbs with power and communication equipment provided by the platform.

This is not a platform evaluation.

The Government is particularly interested in Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) and Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) solutions that will provide standardized mounting, power, connections, software and electronic interfaces in addition to heating, ventilation, and cooling for High Altitude Platforms.

Requested Information

The Government requests that interested parties provide the following:

White Paper Response

1. Provide information on high altitude sensor performance/capabilities and an assessment of technology and integration readiness levels of currently available or NDI solution for ELINT, COMINT, RADAR, or multi-capability sensor hardware. This should include current sensor capabilities, planned/funded capability enhancements, and integration options.

a. Detail recommended sensor configuration will satisfy the Government requirements and objectives as noted in this RFI.

b. Define sensor Size Weight and Power - Cooling (SWaP - C) alignment with the following assumptions regarding SWaP-C variations for the microHAB high-altitude platforms.

i. Sensor provider power parameters/information desired by the Government:

1. Peak power demand

2. Sustained power demand

3. Sensor’s ability to have power turned on/off in support of persistent and sustained stratospheric operations and still operate without significant delay

4. Boot time

5. Low power mode availability

c. Show how proposed solution can be upgraded/enhanced to address deficiencies/deviations/gaps in meeting stated Government requirements and growth capability to meet emerging threats. Interested parties should propose engineering solutions with associated risk assessments (to include cost, schedule, and performance risk) for all deficiencies/deviations/gaps identified (ideally not to exceed a 36 month timeframe).

d. Provide a summary matrix that addresses sensor related performance parameters. The summary matrix should include:

i. Current sensor performance as tested in representative operational environments.

ii. Planned sensor performance with 36 months (three 12-month development cycles) of proposed upgrades to enhance sensor performance

iii. Summary of the upgrades proposed/required.

iv. Please include the following performance parameters as applicable to the proposed sensor(s) (this is not a comprehensive list, but at a minimum should include these performance parameters):

1. Overall frequency range

2. Direction Finding (DF) /geolocation frequency range

3. DF / geolocation approaches and accuracy

4. Signal sets processed

5. RF performance (bandwidth, sensitivity, dynamic range, resolution)

6. Pulse and signal density processed

7. Field of View (FOV) in Azimuth and elevation

8. Method of dealing with signal separation and co-channel interference

9. System architecture standards and configuration

10. Antenna element and array designs

11. SWAP-C

12. Payload environmental specifications

13. Previous HAP and airborne applications

e. Define current SOSA/MOSA standards sensor supports today and/or what SOSA/MOSA standards sensor could support with minimal Government investment.

f. Additional information requested for currently available / NDI sensor proposed:

i. Number of systems built and deployed

ii. System lead time and production rates

iii. First Article Test (FAT) Reports, Development Test (DT) Reports, Production Test Reports, Mil Std 810 (or Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests), Mil Std 461 Test Reports, etc.

iv. Independent test reports

v. Current platforms sensor has been integrated on

vi. List of flight tested platforms and any reports

vii. Existing government customers

viii. Demo unit availability

ix. Interface Control Document (ICD) / Application Programming Interface (API) availability

x. Second party plugs-ins or software development supported

xi. BIT, diagnostics and status monitoring

xii. Maintenance philosophy

xiii. Security accreditation and features

xiv. Cross cue and integration with other INTs

xv. System and LRU weights

xvi. Blanking and Electronic Protection (EP) controls

xvii. Operational Availability (AO), Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) and Mean Time to Recovery, Repair, Respond, or Resolve (MTTR) data or predictions

2. Provide projected cost estimates (Rough Orders of Magnitude (ROM)) for any sensor (this should include all sensor components required to operate sensor at altitude (power supply provided by platform)) and/or data transport methods proposed. Provide current sensor costs as applicable, any Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) costs to develop sensors to close any technical gaps in requirements, end state per unit cost after 36-month development period to close deficiencies/deviations/gaps, and integration costs on microHAB.

3. Document manufacturing capabilities for all sensors specifically discussing manufacturing facilities, line rates, and lead times.

4. The Government is interested in Industry’s ability to execute sensor performance verification via chamber, lab and/or flight test. The actual testing itself is not part of the RFI response, but should be provided for informational purposes in support of the future release of an RFP. Please provide the following:

a. Provide information on availability and ability to provide a contractor owned sensor(s), as proposed in whitepaper response, in support of chamber and or lab testing. Interested parties should assume any chamber testing will occur at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD in FY25.

b. Provide information on availability and ability to provide a contractor owned sensor(s), as proposed in whitepaper response, in support of micro balloon flight testing. Interested parties should assume flight testing in FY25 flight testing. Locations are TBD. Interested parties should also assume the Government will furnish the platform while the sensor provider will work with the platform provider for sensor integration. The USG will not be liable for any sensor(s) loss or damage during testing.

White Paper Response Collaboration (Discussions)

If the Government finds after White Paper responses there is a need for discussions and/or hardware demonstration, PM SAI representatives may meet with potential interested parties and/or request one-on-one sample hardware demonstrations. Such discussions are only intended to obtain further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements and demonstration of product capabilities.

Response Guidelines:

Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with an Unclassified white paper. White paper submissions cannot exceed 7 pages, single spaced, 12-point type with at least one-inch margins on 8 1/2”x11” page size. The response should not exceed a 10 MB e-mail limit for all items associated with the RFI response. Responses must specifically describe the interested party’s capability to meet the requirements outlined in this RFI. Oral communications are not permissible. Sam.gov will be the sole repository for all information related to this RFI.

Interested parties who wish to respond to this RFI shall do so no later than Monday, 05 August 2024 at 1600 EST via the email addresses provided above.

To: Stephanie Lawrence, stephanie.t.lawrence.civ@army.mil, 410.652.0072 Jacqueline Bailey, jacqueline.bailey34.ctr@army.mil, 443.861.1917 Abram Sedhom, abram.sedhom2.ctr@army.mil, 443-787-5360

Questions/Disclaimers:

The Government will not entertain and will not address any questions from Industry at this time. The Government will not reimburse companies for any costs associated with the submissions of their responses or the participation in demonstrations.

Disclaimer:

This RFI is not a RFP and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals, nor will any award be made as a result of this synopsis.

All information contained in the RFI is preliminary as well as subject to modification and is in no way binding on the Government. FAR clause 52.215-3, “Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes”, is incorporated by reference in this RFI. The Government does not intend to pay for information received in response to this RFI. Responders to this invitation are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. This RFI will be the basis for collecting information on capabilities available. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received in this RFI that is marked “Proprietary” will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all paper submissions become Government property and will not be returned nor will receipt be confirmed. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.