SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- Thunderstorm Spiral 16-2: Multi-Service Demonstration for Arctic Challenges - RFI - Thunderstorm Spiral 16-2
- Notice Date
- 9/9/2015
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Other Defense Agencies, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Rapid Reaction Technology Office, 5611 Columbia Pike, Suite 04C20, Falls Church, Virginia, 22041, United States
- ZIP Code
- 22041
- Solicitation Number
- RRTO-2015-09-09-RFI-SPIRAL-16-2
- Archive Date
- 11/17/2015
- Point of Contact
- RRTO Thunderstorm, Phone: 814-865-6058
- E-Mail Address
-
thunderstorm-arctic@arl.psu.edu
(thunderstorm-arctic@arl.psu.edu)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Thunderstorm Spiral 16-2 THUNDERSTORM TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM Request for Information Pursuant to FAR Part 15.201(e) TITLE: Thunderstorm Spiral 16-2: Multi-Service Demonstration for Arctic Challenges SYNOPSIS: Technology Demonstration Collaboration A. INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to solicit technology demonstration candidates from private industry, Government Research and Development (R&D) organizations and academia for inclusion in future Capability Demonstration events conducted by the Thunderstorm Technology Demonstration Program. The intent is to accelerate the delivery of innovative capabilities to the warfighter by demonstrating the capability and technology in an operationally relevant environment. The application deadline is no later than 5:00 PM EST on 2 November 2015. 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 on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. Thunderstorm is a series of technology demonstrations and other activities sponsored by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Emerging Capability & Prototyping, Rapid Reaction Technology Office (RRTO). This RFI focuses on systems that address various challenges in the Arctic region. Interested parties are welcome to submit their applications to participate. Technologies at all classification levels will be considered. This RFI is for Thunderstorm Spiral 16-2, with demonstrations planned for the 1-12 February 2016 at the US Army Fort Wainwright and nearby facilities in and around Fairbanks, Alaska. This is planned to be performed in conjunction with the US Army Pacific Arctic Equipment Symposium. B. OBJECTIVE: Thunderstorm provides an opportunity for technology developers to demonstrate new and evolving technological capabilities in an operationally relevant environment, as well as to obtain insight into Federal technology gaps and emerging needs. The demonstration environment facilitates a collaborative working relationship between Government, academia, and industry. This promotes the identification and assessment of emerging needs and mature technologies with the primary goal of accelerating the delivery of technology discoveries to interagency partners. This event facilitates the identification of potential technology solutions to meet technical objectives. Thunderstorm provides a realistic demonstration environment for technology developers to interact with operational personnel, which provides feedback on how their systems may support their needs. Materiel solutions brought to the event are at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4 or greater. The Thunderstorm Technology Demonstration involves individual or multiple technologies and is conducted with interagency partners. The technology developer provides the capability for demonstration and personnel for installation and integration into the overall demonstration. The technology developer operates the system during the demonstration and uninstalls the system upon completion. The Thunderstorm staff plans, coordinates and assists with the associated logistics of the technology demonstration and provides limited assistance for the installation and integration efforts. The Thunderstorm staff will not assist with engineering the demonstrated technology or system. Thunderstorm Spiral 16-2 field demonstration events will be conducted over a two week timeframe in conjunction with the US Army Pacific Arctic Equipment Symposium. THE DEADLINES FOR APPLICATION PACKAGES is no later than 5:00 PM EST on 2 November 2015. Thunderstorm Spiral 16-2 Field Demonstration will be conducted from 1-12 February 2016, in and around Fort Wainwright, AK. Participation will not require the demonstrator to be present the entire period. Under the direction of RRTO, the Applied Research Laboratory at Pennsylvania State University (ARL/PSU) will act as the demonstration director for the FY-16 demonstrations and host the receipt of the application packages. Respondents are invited to submit technology demonstration applications related to but not limited to the following capabilities as they apply to operations in the Arctic Region: • Persistent Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capable of supporting domain awareness and information sharing in the Arctic region. • Low signature (acoustic, thermal, visual) small unit mobility platforms capable of prolonged operations in Arctic conditions (at minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit) with a minimum of maintenance and logistics support. • Technologies that would enhance the capability to conduct non-compliant Visit, Boarding, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations in Arctic waters. • Expeditionary mobile power and energy supplies capable of prolonged operations in Arctic conditions (at minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit) with a minimum of maintenance and logistics support. • Capabilities that provide or enhance surface and airborne navigation in the Arctic region. • Sensors providing surface penetration and Arctic mapping. Note: Not all technologies demonstrated are required to be constantly resistant to extreme cold weather but will require weather hardening for outdoor operations. After review of the demonstration applications, the Government may invite candidates to demonstrate their technologies during Thunderstorm with the intent to accelerate the delivery of innovative capabilities. Industry participation in demonstration activities does not suggest or imply that the Government will endorse, procure, or purchase equipment. DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED INFORMATION in the demonstration application. DO NOT SUBMIT ACQUISITION PROPOSALS. Submit Demonstration Applications and white papers only. Thunderstorm Technology Demonstration Applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM EST on 2 November 2015. No contracts will be awarded based solely on this announcement. Submission of a demonstration application does not guarantee an invitation to demonstrate. C. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Submit Thunderstorm 16-2 Field Demonstration applications to the Thunderstorm Technology Demonstration Program electronically at thunderstorm-arctic@arl.psu.edu. Submissions must be in the form of the application provided in Appendix 1. The application submitted under this RFI shall be limited to 5 (five) pages. Applications shall be clearly marked with Thunderstorm 16-2. The application shall be formatted to print as typewritten on single-sided paper with one-inch margins on all sides and 1.5-spaced text. 10-point font or larger with normal (uncondensed) spacing shall be used. All applications shall be submitted in the Microsoft-Word or Portable Document Format (PDF) file format. See the Thunderstorm Application in Appendix 1. All applications will be submitted via email to thunderstorm-arctic@arl.psu.edu and will include the following information: Subject: Thunderstorm 16-2 Application Company Name/Business Division/Address Capability Name Primary POC info for the application: Name, email & phone number Date the application was uploaded to your directory. You will receive an email verifying your application was received. Multiple applications addressing different capabilities may be submitted. Each application must address only one capability. The submission of proprietary information is strongly discouraged. Applications that desire to submit classified material must first submit an unclassified application and request instructions on that application for submission of classified materials in support of their application. Thunderstorm will provide venues, supporting infrastructure, and personnel for assessment (operational and technical), based on availability of resources. Costs specific to running the technology developer's technology, as well as the technology developer's travel costs will be at the technology developer's expense. Invited technology developers must be prepared to be self-sufficient during the execution of their demonstration and not dependent on venue resources. If you have questions regarding the submittal, please contact primary 814-865-6058, or secondary 814-865-1811. D. BASIS FOR SELECTION TO PARTICIPATE: Submissions will be reviewed by the RRTO and appropriate supporting Government organizations and support contractors. The RRTO will determine whether a demonstration submission will be accepted for invitation. 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 Event Focus Area - Technical maturity - Relevance of or adaptability to military operations/missions - Relevance to current operational needs E. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Technology developers shall assure that all proprietary information, documentation, and equipment are appropriately and clearly marked. Be advised that lessons learned from these demonstrations may be broadly disseminated within the Government. If selected for participation, technology developers may be requested to provide additional information that will be used in preparation for the demonstration. F. 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. G. FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) 52.215-3: Per FAR 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997): 1. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI notice or to otherwise pay for the information. 2. Although "proposal" and "technology developer" are used in this RFI, your responses will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. 3. In accordance with FAR Clause 52.209(c), the purpose of this RFI is to solicit technology demonstration candidates from R&D organizations, private industry, and academia for inclusion in future Thunderstorm technology demonstration events sponsored by RRTO.   Appendix 1 Application to Demonstrate at Thunderstorm 16-2 Company / Organization: Provide full name of company / organization POC: Provide name of person submitting application; office and mobile telephone numbers and email address(es). Note: This application should be limited to five pages maximum including the cover page. Technology and/or Capability Name: Commonly referred to name [INSERT PICTURE OF PROPOSED SYSTEM HERE] Company / Organization: Provide full name, address and other contact information for your organization. Include specific division if applicable. Please note if your company is designated as a "Small Business" and/or is "Foreign Owned". Objective: Briefly describe demonstration objectives and goals. Capability Description: Clearly describe the capability that you plan to demonstrate. Please identify if this technology is new, emerging, or legacy/existing and if you plan to demonstrate it as a transformational capability. Also indicate its Technology Readiness Level (TRL). Capability Classification: Provide the classification level of the capability proposed for demonstration. (Unclassified, Confidential, Secret, Top Secret) Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): Identify what (if any) part of your capability have EAR and/or ITAR restrictions. Benefit to the Warfighter/Government Stakeholder: Briefly describe the anticipated capability that the system provides to the warfighter and/or other users. 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. Specify if the system is a Program of Record or competing for an acquisition program. Baseline Demonstration Plan: Describe how you would like to demonstrate your capability. Include specific items such as location, environmental conditions, day / night, etc. This can be revised as the planning matures. Describe any support equipment, test equipment, spares, and associated items needed to support the handling, installation and operations of the capability and if there is a request for any support (crane, fork lift, etc.) Also include any hazardous material handling requirements such as fuel, oil, chemicals, etc. Set-up Requirements: Briefly describe the details of the proposed capability set-up for the demonstration. • Major System Dimensions: • Estimated Total Weight: • Power Requirement: • Network Connections: • Data Requirement: • Special Handling: (crane, forklift, etc.) • Restrictions: (i.e. cable length, conditioned space, environmental constraints, etc.) • Anticipated Number of Personnel for Demonstration: • Hazardous Materials: • On-site Storage: Transmitter / Receivers: Please provide all pertinent information about any transmitter or receiver that you intend to operate as part of this demonstration. Frequency, transmit power, antenna information, required separation from other emitters, etc. Please include a basic system diagram and answer the questions below. • Was a DD Form 1494 submitted? • If approved, what is the JF 12#? • Who was coordination made with? • Serial number of frequency assignment? • Modulation Type (info will be on the JF-12 or DD Form 1494) If your application is approved and you have never received a JF12 #, you will need to provide a DD Form 1494 within 5 days of notification of approval. Airborne Systems: If applicable, describe the type of airborne system (for example, manned aircraft typically flying at an altitude of... with loiter time of...; Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)...; Aerostat..., etc. Provide copy of FAA paperwork certifying approval to fly. For UAS, provide Special Airworthiness Certificate-Experimental Category (SAC-EC) or Certificate of Waiver of Authorization (COA). Program of Record (PoR): Describe relationship of system and/or system components that are part of an existing PoR or in support of developing DoD PoR. If so list what command it is supporting? Demonstration Team: Include name, email, phone number, and complete address of key stakeholders / focal point and identify if any are foreign nationals, including: a. Demonstration Lead: b. Technical Lead: c. Team Members:
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