SOURCES SOUGHT
59 -- Military Freefall Parachute Navigation System
- Notice Date
- 9/25/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- ACC-APG - Natick (SPS), ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5011
- ZIP Code
- 01760-5011
- Solicitation Number
- W911QY-FY12-A2
- Response Due
- 10/25/2012
- Archive Date
- 12/24/2012
- Point of Contact
- Brian Huffman, 508-233-4098
- E-Mail Address
-
ACC-APG - Natick (SPS)
(brian.g.huffman3.civ@mail.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Military Freefall (MFF) Parachute Navigation System (PARANAVSYS) BACKGROUND: Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PM SCIE), Personnel Parachutes Team, Fort Belvoir, VA, is conducting a market survey to locate potential manufacturers or suppliers of a Parachute Navigation System (PARANAVSYS) for use during MFF operations. The PARANAVSYS is a multipurpose navigational device for use prior to the mission, on the aircraft and throughout infiltration. It will deliver a new capability to the US Army (USA) Airborne and Special Forces communities, providing a reliable and easy to use GPS navigation device that will allow for accurate, automated mission planning, precise determination of the release point (RP) in the aircraft with the ability to update the mission profile as required, and real time navigation information during infiltration to multiple impact points (IPs). The system will allow for enhanced mission capabilities due to the elimination of environmental and visual limitations of the current MFF doctrine. It will increase the operational capability of Commanders to infiltrate parachutists by air surreptitiously into enemy held or denied territory, maintaining unit integrity and maximizing Force Protection at multiple IPs with near simultaneous landings, during all weather and light conditions. DESCRIPTION: The PARANAVSYS shall consist of: (1) a Navigation device (Nav); (2) Navigation and Jumpmaster (JM) software (SW); (3) a Mission Planner (MP); (4) MP SW; (5) Mounting Hardware (MH); and (6) a GPS Retransmission Kit (GPS RTK or RTK) for use on the aircraft. A description of each component is below. (1) Navigation device. The Nav is a mobile hardware (HW) platform which runs the navigation, JM and MP SW, providing visual instruction to the user. The Nav shall be a man wearable, durable, ruggedized design with a display that is directly readable by the user, and capable of operation and storage in a harsh, military environment. The Nav shall acquire and process GPS data, which the navigation SW will use to display mission critical information to the parachutist, and communicate via a data link (both wireless and hardwired) to a separate MP laptop computer. The Nav must also support MP SW and be able to send updates to other Navs. Although durability is a major concern, the Nav should be as small and light as possible to reduce the burden placed on the parachutist by additional weight and reduced space for securing other equipment, while still allowing for a user-friendly, intuitive system design. There are no preferred hardware configurations; however the use of innovative smartphone, tablet, or small netbook devices is encouraged. COTS equipment should be used to the maximum extent possible to reduce the system cost, and to increase the maintainability and availability of replacement parts. The display should be readily accessible and require minimal time and effort to activate once under canopy. To be effective, the Nav must be operational during all phases and be usable in all weather and environmental conditions of the MFF mission to include extreme temperatures, high altitude and high g shock during canopy opening; it must be operable with all extreme temperature gear such as face shields, goggles, gloves, etc. (2) Navigation and Jumpmaster Software. The navigation SW is the primary display under canopy, and shall use GPS data to display mission critical information to the parachutist in an easy-to-understand and intuitive manner. To reduce the cognitive load and prevent unnecessary distractions, the display should present the minimum amount of information to direct the parachutist to their desired target. Any additional information (e.g. SA screens, personnel/cargo deconfliction screens, etc.) that is available to the parachutist should have the ability to be defeated (turned-off), located on additional screens or only presented to the parachutist under specific circumstances. The ability for users to create custom GUIs or displays may also be incorporated. The JM SW should, at a minimum, indicate the location of the aircraft in relation to the primary High Altitude Release Point (HARP) and any mission critical information (e.g. time/distance to HARP, heading); a more advanced JM display including a probability (a simple "go" or "no go," at a minimum) of reaching the primary IP and each of the alternate IPs according to current aircraft location and/or alternate HARPs is preferred. The JM SW should be available on all systems, regardless of if the particular user is a JM or not, to increase the SA of the parachutists while still aboard the aircraft. The JM display is the primary display for use aboard the aircraft; it is preferable for the system to automatically detect the transition from aircraft to freefall and/or canopy deployment, and change the display to the navigation mode. (3) Mission Planner. The MP HW shall be a durable, ruggedized device such as a smartphone, tablet, or other small netbook/laptop which will accept input of all data required to plan a High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) or High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) mission using the MP SW. Although durability is a major concern, the MP should be as small and light as possible to allow for easy transport to and from the aircraft, and for ease of use onboard the aircraft. The goal of the MP is to provide an easy to use device that allows for quick entry of mission parameters into the MP SW to generate a mission profile with a minimum number of steps; if this capability can be achieved through intelligent design of the interface on the Nav device, a separate MP is not necessarily required. (4) Mission Planner Software. MP SW shall allow the user to input mission information and generate a mission profile in a simple, intuitive and quick process. It shall mimic (replicate) the current MFF Jumpmaster Calculation (MFF JMC) procedures such that the mission profile may be confirmed by using standard, manual MFF JMC procedures. If the system design includes an advanced JM display with probability based release regions, the MP should allow for the standard MFF JMC computed release point to be plotted in addition for comparison and/or verification. Input data shall include, but not be limited to: exit altitude, environmental wind data covering all altitudes from aircraft exit to mission IP, IP coordinates, and parachute system specifications such as glide ratio and descent rate. The MP interface must avoid needless complexity and allow for fast and easy transfer of a completed mission profile to each Nav via a data link (wireless with a hardwired backup capability) with a confirmation of the transfer/update on both the sending and receiving system(s). The ability to plan for combination drops of both personnel and cargo in the same mission is a desirable capability. The MP SW (or an alternate version) shall also run on the Navs so that each system has equivalent functionality. (5) Mounting Hardware. The Nav shall mount to the parachutist in a secure fashion either through the use of a semi-rigid MH platform or by securing the Nav in a protective case that is mounted to or worn by the parachutist. The MH should interface directly with the MOLLE vest and additional support belt(s) (if required) and shall not interfere in any way with standard MFF equipment, or the parachutist's ability to operate their canopy or any other standard MFF equipment. (6) GPS Retransmission Kit. The PARANAVSYS will require a GPS RTK for use on all training and operational aircraft to take full advantage of the capabilities of the system during MFF operations. Rebroadcast of L1 and L2 GPS signals prior to exit allows the JM to identify the HARP based on target information and weather data entered during the MP phase. It will also allow the Nav to have the latest ephemeris data, which will greatly reduce the time required for reacquisition of GPS signal following parachutist exit. The GPS RTK system must be easily transported on and off all fixed and rotary wing aircraft used to support MFF operations, including (but not limited to) CASA 212, C-17, C-130, CH/MH-47, CH-53, UH/MH-60, and CV/MV-22. The GPS RTK (or any other component of the system) must not interfere with the operation, safety or performance of the supporting aircraft (mechanically or electronically). REQUIREMENTS: General Software Requirements. If additional parameter units are available (e.g. speed in knots or kph/mph), the threshold value should be the default, and the system should be able to convert from one unit to any other for that parameter, and display the converted value; the system should also support multiple coordinate systems (DMS, DD, MGRS, etc.). When transmissions from one system to another of a mission profile occur, each system must display a confirmation of the transfer including user ID, though additional confirmation information such as an unique mission ID or profile information is preferred; upon transmission of a mission file, all units should be reset to the same primary IP (as selected by the JM). The software should also be easy to maintain and update to facilitate the application of patches in the field by the maintainers (e.g. though a software wizard or other automatic update process). Technical Requirements. The PARANAVSYS shall meet, at a minimum, all draft threshold requirements listed in the attachment. RESPONSES: All interested firms and manufacturers, regardless of size, are encouraged to respond to this request for information. Information submissions should include available technology, product literature and illustrations, and relevant company background/experience. Available product pricing will also be provided as part of the information submission. Information submissions must be received by 25 October 2012. Responses to this notice should be directed to: Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment, Personnel Parachutes Team, ATTN: Brian Huffman, Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5057 or e-mail to Brian.G.Huffman3.civ@mail.mil. All information supplied will be considered confidential, unless otherwise specified by the firm or available from other sources without restriction. This market survey is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute an Invitation for Bid (IFB) or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not to be taken as a future commitment by PM SCIE or NSRDEC.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/afbe930424421b68fc9cfda246c26291)
- Place of Performance
- Address: ACC-APG - Natick (SPS) ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street Natick MA
- Zip Code: 01760-5011
- Zip Code: 01760-5011
- Record
- SN02898751-W 20120927/120926003905-afbe930424421b68fc9cfda246c26291 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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