AFDTC/PKZA, 205 West D Avenue, Suite 428, Eglin AFB FL 32542

A -- AUTOMATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEM DUE 122098 POC Vicky Dawson, Contracting Officer, (850) 882-4141 Market Survey/Request for Information. The safe escape/safe separation analysis team, in support of the Air Force Seek Eagle Office at Eglin AFB FL, seeks sources and information related to a program to establish the capability of providing an automated measurement system that can determine the average presented area of irregular shaped objects. In an effort to continue to enhance this analysis support, the safe escape/safe separation analysis team has a continuing need to determine the average presented area of irregularly shaped fragments in support of point-mass trajectory calculations used in the present analytical solution. The safe escape/safe separation model presently uses the Uniform Orientation Hypothesis which assumes fragments are tumbling objects with every possible orientation of the fragment occurring an equal number of times. Previous attempts at developing measuring devices for the average presented area of these fragments have had difficulties due to severe limitations on fragment size, ability to orient the fragment on a stable platform for multiple orientation measurements, physical size of the measuring device and fragment-background contrast for those devices using external lighting and computer digitizing. Our present method is to approximate the scale geometry of the fragment from different aspects onto hard copy and then measure the area with the use of a planimeter. The present process is to time consuming and has accuracy limitations. A more viable solution is needed which is less labor intensive and is more accurate while satisfying physical dimension constraints, maintenance constraints, and ease of operation requirements. Specific requirements are as follows: a. Physical Size: Desirable system be no greater than approximately 5 feet high, 2.5 feet wide, and 5 feet in length. b. Measurement Capabilities: The system must be capable of measuring fragments in the range of 20 inches long by 5 inches wide to 0.5 inches by 0.25 inches with an accuracy of +/- 5 percent relative to apredetermined actual value. A calibration process must be provided as part of the proposed system. c. Computer System: The desired computer for this system is a PC. Other systems may be proposed for discussion. d. Maintenance: To facilitate maintenance, the system components are desired to be commercial off-the-shelf to the extent possible. e. Time required to measure a fragment should be no greater than 5 minutes. f. Specific Software Requirements: If unique software is developed for this system, it must be written in a high order, object oriented, language. The source code and executable must become property of the government with rights to modify as desired. g. Inputs: File name, fragment number, mass, desired measurement unit -- - grains or grams. h. Outputs: As a minimum, it should contain: (1) fragment identification number, (2) mass in grains, (3) fragment average presented area in square inches, (4) gamma, and (5) shape factor of each fragment. Computational methods for shape factor and gamma will be provided. i. Training: Operation of the proposed system should not require special skills with lengthy training programs. Government operators will be engineers and analysts with general computer skills. Offeror should propose a training program for technology transfer to the Air Force SEEK EAGLE office. Questions concerning this market survey/request for information should be directed to Ms. Vicky M. Dawson, Contracting Officer, (850) 882-4141, email address dawsonv@eglin.af.mil. This market survey/request for information is for planning purposes only, and shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any follow-on acquisitions. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this market survey/request for information or otherwise pay for the information solicited. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of the submission of responses to this market survey/request for information. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part any industry input as a result of this market survey/request for information. This market survey/request for information does not constitute the solicitation of any proposals and authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract has not been authorized. Information provided may be used by the United States Air Force in developing its acquisition approach and its Statement of Objectives (SOO). Technical documentation concerning this program will be posted in the future on the Eglin AFB Contracting Opportunities Internet Web Page at http://eglinpk.eglin.af.mil or provided upon special request. Information collected from this market survey/request for information may be released to industry as updates to program documentation during the RFP stage; therefore, it is required that the data received must be received with unlimited rights to the Government. Please respond within 30 days of the posting of thisRFI. Firms responding to this synopsis should state if they are a large, small, or small disadvantaged business. The appropriate SIC code is 8731 with a size standard of 500 employees. An ombudsman has been established for this acquisition. The only purpose of the ombudsman is to receive and communicate serious concerns from potential offerors, when an offeror prefers not to use established channels to communicate his/her concern during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. Potential offerors should use established channels to request information, pose questions, and voice concerns, before resorting to the use of the Ombudsman. Potential offerors are invited to contact AAC's Ombudsman Col. Christopher Caravello, Department of the Air Force, AAC/CV, 101 West D Ave, Suite 116, Eglin AFB FL 32542-5495, (850) 882-0662, e-mail address caravell@eglin.af.mil, for serious concerns only. For routine communications concerning this acquisition, potential offerors are invited to contact Ms Vicky M. Dawson,Contracting Officer, (850) 882-4141, email address dawsonv@eglin.af.mil, for contractual information or LT Doug Harrison (850) 882 9811 ext 3212, email harrisod@eglin.af.mil for programmatic information. Collect calls will not be accepted. Posted 11/20/98 (W-SN273620). (0324)

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