THIS IS A NOTICE OF SOURCES SOUGHT. The U. S. Navy is seeking sources to provide nineteen Interim Message Processing Systems (IMPS) for E-6B aircraft and associated facilities. The hardware and software of the current message processing system, the Mission Computer Set (MCS), are expected to become unsupportable by 2007. A Fully Deployed, Mission Ready IMPS is required by 2007 to bridge the gap between MCS obsolescence and final fielding of the Mission Avionics Processing System (MAPS) as part of the Block I Modification (Block I) program in 2014. IMPS hardware and software must be compatible with both the E-6 Automatic Data Processing / Demand Assigned Multiple Access / Weight Savings (ADWS) modification, and to the greatest extent possible, Block I. Offerors should be prepared to enter into an Associate Contractor Agreement with the Block I contractor, Rockwell Collins Inc. The IMPS must perform the message processing functions of the MCS using digital communications processing applications to provide the proper release authority for efficient reception and transmission of nuclear command and control and Emergency Action Messages (EAMs). The applications provided will include existing functions such as the transmission, reception, processing, storage, and retrieval of communications messages using a graphical user interface. This upgrade consists of replacing current hardware and software components in the MCS processor unit, with Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) hardware and new mission applications software. This must be accomplished while maintaining all current MCS operations and functionality. The successful offeror will design and develop a high level-system architecture and perform the engineering research and analysis necessary to proceed with nonrecurring engineering development. The developed system architecture will address current supportability and stability issues including obsolescence of current hardware and software. The IMPS design must, to the maximum extent possible, be common with MAPS software and hardware architecture to minimize rework during the Block I installation. Offerors must be prepared to discuss their unique qualifications to provide an IMPS that can process EAMs and nuclear command and control messages; interface with existing and planned E-6 communications equipment including the Nuclear Planning and Execution System; and process Top Secret (TS) and TS Single Integrated Operations Plan information. Offerors should be prepared to discuss the provision of one Systems Integration Lab kit and its installation in FY05, sixteen aircraft and two trainer kits in FY06 and installation of aircraft and trainer kits in FY07. IMPS installations in E-6B aircraft must be completed no later than September 2007. A draft IMPS specification and STATEMENT OF WORK WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. Unless otherwise stated herein, no additional written information is available, and no formal requests for proposal (RFP) or other solicitation regarding this announcement are currently available. Interested parties are requested to submit a brief statement of interest/capabilities no later than 4:00PM Eastern Standard Time on 4 November 2004. Electronic responses are preferred. This Sources Sought announcement is not a contract, or a requested proposal, or a promise to contract, or a commitment of any kind. The Navy will NOT assume liability for costs incurred by any offeror for any data offered for examination; therefore, the cost of preparing information in response to this notice is not considered an allowable direct charge to the Government. Submitted documentation, upon delivery, becomes the property of the U.S. Government. Submissions will not be returned. Please send two copies of your Statement of Capability in accordance with Note 25 to: Department of the Navy, Naval Air Systems Command (Attn: Jeffrey L. O’Neil, AIR-2.3.1.4.2), 47123 Buse Road, Unit #IPT, Building 2272 (Suite 155), Patuxent River, MD 20670-1547. Numbered note 25 applies.EMAILDESC: mailto:
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