A -- GPS USER EQUIPMENT MODERNIZATION -- INDUSTRY CAPABILITIES ASSESSMENT

Notice Date

July 18, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, SMC -- Space & Missiles System Center, 2420 Vela Way, Suite 2420, El Segundo, CA, 90245-4659

ZIP Code

90245-4659

Description

The Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) Joint Program Office (JPO) is requesting information from industry concerning GPS User Equipment (UE) modernization. The government seeks information on your company's capabilities and interest in building UE that includes Analog/RF design, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Kalman filters, Adaptive Narrow-band filters, Application Scientific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) design, open industry standard bus architectures, open-standard real time operating systems, high speed digital signal processors, and qualified software development facilities. Responses should be submitted electronically at http://63.207.191.234/survey. This initial request=20 for information is made for purposes of assessing market conditions regarding availability and experience in the area of Open System Architectures and GPS UE. A second, more detailed, request for information will be issued in Oct 2001. GPS is a simplex Satcom system operating in the L-band (1-1.5 GHz), providing a CDMA/spread spectrum Signal-in-Space (SIS). The UE acquires, tracks, and processes several satellite signals (channels) simultaneously to produce low-latency position, velocity, and time (PVT) estimates using ASIC and other analog/digital high-speed electronics. A number of signal conditioning technologies are employed to remove ambient/unfriendly broad/narrow-band noise. The GPS UE modernization team is currently conducting a Requirements Analysis (RA) for the next generation security module and receivers. The RA effort will culminate with UE requirements, candidate technologies, receiver architectures, an acquisition strategy for the M-Code (new military code) receivers and security devices, and a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for the subsequent Component Advanced Development (CAD) Phase. The design, production, and integration of these receivers into selected user platforms is necessary to begin utilizing the new signals being transmitted by the GPS Block IIR-M and Block IIF satellites and, subsequently, the GPS III satellites. In addition to broadcasting the current signals, the satellites will also broadcast M-code, a new civil signal (CS) on L2, and, beginning with the Block IIF satellites, a new civil code and messages on L5. The M-Code UE requirements analysis will deliver a preliminary specification of security and navigation requirements by July 2002 leading to a source selection and start of CAD in January 2003. The government is planning to award multiple contracts for the CAD (Component Advanced Development) phase, which will include the development of prototype M-code receiver cards. The delivery of LRIP (Low-Rate Initial Production) receivers is planned for early FY08. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for transmission of M-code is also planned for FY08. The inception of M-code poses significant receiver implementation challenges if all of its capabilities and requirements are to be met. Respondents to this announcement may contact the designated POCs for obtaining further clarification and/or access to additional information. OMBUDSMAN: An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from potential offerors. The purpose of the Ombudsman is to receive and communicate 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. The Ombudsman will communicate certain offeror issues, disagreements, and recommendations on this acquisition into the proper channels. The Ombudsman's role is not to diminish the authority of the program director or the contracting officer but to advocate an offeror's concern on a non-attribution basis. The Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern when requested by the offeror. The Ombudsman will not participate in the evaluation of proposals or the source selection process for this acquisition. The Ombudsman is Mr. Bill Orzech, Phone Number (310) 363-0588. DECLARATION: This publication is for information only and does not constitute a Request For Proposal (RFP), government sponsorship of contractor charges against any government contract for proposal efforts, or a government promise to pay for any information received in response to this announcement. =20

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/SMCSMSC/Reference-Number-65/listin g.html)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010720/SPMSC009.HTM (D-199 SN50S2R1)