US Army ARDEC, AMSTA-AR-PC, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey 07806-5000

12 -- CONSOLIDATED FIRE CONTROL FOR MORTARS (CONFIRE) SOL DAAE30-00-R-0301 DUE 122099 POC Mark Lovelace, OPM-Mortars, 973-724-2494 WEB: US ARMY TACOM-ARDEC Procurement Network, http://procnet.pica.army.mil/cbd/SRCSgt/112419992/112419992.htm. E-MAIL: Mark Lovelace, lovelace@pica.army.mil. The Product Manager for Mortar Systems is conducting a market survey to identify potential sources for the execution of a consolidated mortar fire control system acquisition. This consolidated approach will bundle several mortar fire control systems and their technologies into a single contract in order to integrate program synergies, optimize commonality, and reduce technology overlap and coordinate logistic support. This performance- based acquisition, formally known as CONFIRE, will require a system integrator with extensive domain experience in fire control as well as the capability to develop and execute an integrated evolutionary plan. The CONFIRE acquisition will include multiple statements of objectives for the development and production of the various fire control systems, to include contractor logistics support and post deployment software support. An incrementally funded contract encompassing various contract types is being contemplated. The initial effort will include a hardware and software effort to upgrade an Improved Mortar Ballistic Computer starting in FY00, and may include production requirements ranging from 1 to 150 units in FY01 and FY02. The second effort will consist of a base production build of 120mm Carrier Mounted XM95 Mortar Fire Control Systems starting in FY01, and may include production requirements ranging from 1 to 130 in FY02 and FY03. The third effort will consist of a development program for a light forces (81mm, 120mm towed) Mortar Fire Control System starting in FY02, and may include production requirements ranging from 1 to 250 in FY04. Given these future program profiles, concurrent development and production of the various systems will be required. The Improved Mortar Ballistic Computer (MBC) is a handheld terminal unit which functions as a Mortar Fire Direction Center (FDC) computer. The existing capabilities include digital receipt of calls for fire using Tactical Fire Frequency Shift Key (TACFIRE FSK) Package 10 messaging along with computation and displaying mortar ballistic solutions for all 60mm, 81mm and 120mm US Mortar weapon systems and their family of ammunition. The current operating system is DOS based. It has a relatively small software application (5.7Mb) which is written in Ada and runs on a X486/50Mhz/32Mb platform using a modified PC-104 Tactical Communications Interface Modem (TCIM) to provide its digital interface with SINCGARS. In looking to the future, an Improved software upgrade is required to add a Variable Message Format (VMF), Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) Fires Support Package 11 capability. This effort is required in order to maintain digital connectivity with an ever evolving Tactical Internet. Commensurately, a new computer platform will be evaluated in order to replace the current X486/50MHz platform with a device which will provide a MBC capability at the Company level (60mm mortars) and an MFCS capability (e.g. Gunner s Display or Commander s Interface) at the light Battalion level (81mm mortars). This software and hardware update will begin the process of integrating the identified mortar fire control systems and allow future product updates and improvements to be developed once and spread across the spectrum of mortar systems. The XM95 is a Heavy 120mm Mortar Fire Control System (MFCS) which is an add-on system to an already fielded 120mm M121 Carrier Mounted Mortar System along with its M577 Fire Direction Center vehicle. It provides mortar platoon commanders with accurate, digitally integrated, and responsive indirect fire system capabilities. System required capabilities include position/navigation, weapon pointing (weapon applications only), ballistic computation, and the ability to digitally communicate with the fire support AFATDS and with the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade-and-Below (FBCB2) Embedded Battle Command (EBC) Situational Awareness networks. This digital connectivity is transferred via the use of EPLRS and SINCGARS radios. Production of the XM95 will leverage the achievements obtained from a previous Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) program. The primary effort will involve the acquisition, test and delivery of the system and its components. System components include a weapon-pointing device, commander s interface, driver s display, gunner s display, cables and brackets. Previously developed system software and source code will be provided by the Government as basis for integration. The provided software will be Windows NT based and is written in a C++ language. The Light Mortar Fire Control System is almost identical to the XM95 120mm, M121 Carrier Mounted Mortar System in the fact that it will be an add-on system to two already fielded mortar systems, the 120mm, M120 Towed Mortar System and the 81mm, M252 Mortar System along with their HMMWV Fire Direction Center (FDC) vehicles. It will also serve as a platoon level digitally integrated fire control system consisting of position/navigation, weapon pointing (weapon applications only), ballistic computation, digitally communicate along with providing situational awareness capabilities. The primary differences between the light MFCS and the heavy MFCS are based on their base vehicle platforms, power requirements, and need for certain components to be man-portable. Deliverables under the development phase will include system and component performance specifications, performance data, test hardware, and software. The Government is interested only in those potential offerors who have specific knowledge in this subject matter and have experience and the ability, either independently or through responsive outsourcing, to plan for system integration/support, technology advancements and avoid component obsolescence which will confront the future operational life cycle costs of these systems. Responses must indicate the potential offeror s capability to perform any, all or a combination of the efforts described above. This is a sources sought notice for planning purposes only. This is not a solicitation and does not obligate the Government to issue a solicitation. The Government will not pay for any information submitted under this announcement. All responses are requested not later than 20 December 1999 to: e-mail lovelace@pica.army.mil, or Commander, U.S. Army TACOM-ARDEC, ATTN: AMSTA- LC-AM, Bldg. 162, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000 Attn: Mark Lovelace. See Note 25. Posted 11/24/99 (D-SN403605). (0328)

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