Request for Information for Tactical Signal Intelligence Payload (TSP)

Added: Nov 20, 2012 10:53 am Modified: Jun 24, 2015 11:32 amTrack Changes This is a market survey to update potential sources for the production and support of the Tactical SIGINT Payload (TSP) for the MQ-1C, Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) previously received in response to the 20 November 2012 Market Survey. The purpose of this market survey is two-fold: (1) Support the development of the Full Rate Production acquisition approach to provide a TSP capability to the field leveraging the TSP Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase and LRIP programs, and (2) Survey the market to assess potential competition to the OEM for non-recurring engineering (NRE) effort required to address hardware obsolescence issues with the current design. The intent of the survey is to identify potential sources for a system that is fully qualified to operate on the MQ-1C Gray Eagle, a system that DOES NOT require any design/development or integration activities, and the ability of the hardware to be software upgradable to the software being developed under the current TSP LRIP contract. Potential sources shall also provide an acceptable mitigation plan for any hardware obsolescence issues for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) items if they occur.

The TSP system improves the situational awareness of the supported Commander. The system provides the supported unit with a comprehensive picture of electronic emitter within the operating environment and the ability to detect, identify, locate and copy emitters, including High Value Targets (HVTs). The TSP consists of a SIGINT system in an airborne pod controlled via an Operational-Intelligence Ground Workstation (OGS) or via a surrogate Ground Workstation (GWS). The pod will be mounted on the inner pylon mount of the right wing of the Gray Eagle, and the OGS/GWS will be located in a secured location separated from the Gray Eagle Universal Ground Control Station (UGCS). The airborne pod perform electronic emitter detection, identification, direction finding, and copy; tunneling data encrypted via Gray Eagle through UGCS to the OGS/GWS. The OGS/GWS provides warfighter machine interface (WMI) for payload command and control, performs emitter mapping and geolocation, displays data to the operator and interfaces to external networks for external consumption. TSP system capabilities and requirements can be found in the unclassified and classified TS/SCI portions of the TSP Performance Baseline Specifications (PBS) documents. The current TSP system hardware design is documented in a draft unclassified Technical Data Package (TDP). These documents are available upon request to appropriately cleared contractors.

The system delivery requirements for Full Rate Production (FRP) are to commence one (1) month after receipt of order with delivery completed 16 months after first delivery. The total estimated quantity of 39 systems is spread over three (3) lots with an FRP contract award anticipated in 3rd Qtr FY16. The delivery requirements for NRE efforts required to address hardware obsolescence issues with the current TSP design anticipate a contract award 3rd Qtr. FY15, and a period of performance of no greater than nine (9) months to complete the NRE work and required qualification testing of the revised TSP design. Once NRE is complete, and revised design qualification tested, there is also a requirement to begin retrofitting the thirty (30) TSP systems currently in LRIP production, schedule to be determined based on available funding.

All potential sources will require a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) properly accredited facilities with adequate TS/SCI cleared personnel to manage and produce TSP systems. The facilities shall be Army accredited or have an ability to get a co-use utilization agreement in place with existing accreditor.

Questions of an UNCLASSIFIED technical nature or requests to obtain the Performance Baseline Specifications (PBS) documents and Draft Technical Data Package (TDP) documents should be directed to the technical points of contact (POC) regarding this Market Research: Mr. Peter W. Morel, e-mail peter.w.morel.civ@mail.mil or Mr. Kahraman (KC) Koseoglu, email: kahraman.c.koseoglu.civ@mail.mil

uppliers capable of providing the required production system and support services must indicate in writing to:

PM SAI
ATTN: SFAE-IEW-AU
6006 Combat Drive (Bldg. 6006)
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005
The responses must include documentation such as drawings, qualification test results and other technical information clearly demonstrating that the supplier can provide the required hardware, software and services. The deadline for responses is 10 July 2015. This sources sought notice shall not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for any information solicited.

Added: Nov 20, 2012 10:53 am This is a market survey to update potential sources for the production and support of the Tactical Signal Payload (TSP) for the MQ-1C, Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) received in response to the 16 Apr 12 Market Survey. The purpose of this market survey is to support the development of the Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) acquisition approach to provide a TSP capability to the field leveraging the T-Pod Quick Reaction Capability and the TSP EMD programs. The intent of this survey is to identify potential sources for a system that is fully qualified to operate on the MQ-1C, Gray Eagle, a system that DOES NOT require any design/development or integration activities, except for modification of the pod interface to the Gray Eagle, and the ability of the hardware (airborne pod and Ground Workstation) to be software upgradable to the software being developed under the current TSP EMD Contract. The Government does not possess a technical data package for the T-Pod QRC or the TSP EMD programs.

The TSP system improves the situational awareness of the supported Commander. The system provides the supported unit with a comprehensive picture of electronic emitter within the operating environment and the ability to detect, identify, locate, and copy emitters, including High Value Targets (HVTs). The TSP consists of a SIGINT system in an airborne pod and a Ground Workstation (GWS). The pod will be mounted on the right inner pylon mount on the right wing of the Gray Eagle, and the GWS will be located in a secured location separated from the Gray Eagle One System Ground Control Station (OSGCS). The airborne pod performs electronic emitter detection, identification, direction finding, and copy; transmitting encrypted via Gray Eagle through OSGCS to the GWS. The GWS provides warfighter machine interface (WMI) for payload command and control, performs emitter mapping and geo-location, displays data to the operator and interfaces to external networks for external consumption. TSP system capabilities can be found in the TSP Technical Capability Document.

The system delivery requirements are to commence 12 months after receipt of order with delivery completed 12 months after first delivery. The total estimated quantity of 28 systems is spread over 2 lots with contract award anticipated in the 3rd Qtr FY13:
Lot 1: 12
Lot 2: 16

Any potential sources will require a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) properly accredited facilities with adequate TS/SCI cleared personnel to manage and produce TSP systems. The facilities shall be Army accredited or have an ability to get a co-use utilization agreement in place with existing accreditor.

Suppliers capable of providing the required production system and support services must indicate in writing to:
PM ARES
ATTN: Paul Yao (Paul.Yao@us.army.mil)
Building 6006
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005

The responses must include documentation such as drawings, qualification test results and other technical information demonstrating that the supplier can provide the required hardware, software and services. The deadline for responses is Dec 07, 2012.

The TSP Technical Capabilities Document can be obtained from Mr. Kahraman Koseoglu, 443-861-0722, Kahraman.Koseoglu@us.army.mil.

Unclassified/FOUO responses can be sent to Mr. Kahraman Koseoglu, I2WD, Attn: RDER-IWG-IF / Kahraman Koseoglu, 6003 Combat Drive, APG, MD 21005.
Please do not send classified information through unclassified email system. Please note that certain capabilities that are unclassified with some programs may become classified when associated with the TSP program. Documents containing classified information must be properly marked. Responses up to TS/SCI can be faxed, but please coordinate with Mr. Koseoglu before for submission. Responses must include company name, address, point of contact, telephone number and email address.

This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as an invitation for bid, request for quotation, request for proposal, or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. Your response to this RFI will be treated as information only. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect charges to the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this announcement or the Government use of such information. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contain in their response. There is no page limit for the responses. All responses should be submitted in the English language.