MARKET RESEARCH/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS. The Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA), United States Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM), calls on industry to provide concepts for inexpensive capabilities to locate an d/or track US military personnel that become isolated, missing, detained, or captured anywhere in the world. Advanced survival radios issued to aircrew and other specialized occupations are effective, but their expense and complexity preclude distribution to all personnel at risk of becoming isolated from friendly control. JPRA is particularly interested in industry concepts that trade features/complexity in exchange for very low cost. Ideally, a system to locate and/or track personnel would have a ll of the necessary characteristics to provide globally effective, near-real time awareness of an isolated persons location and status. However, given the many technical and operational challenges associated with that ideal, it is understood that certain concepts may provide only a partial capability and would likely need to be combined with other capabilities for a total solution. For example, a concept may provide promising capabilities but only within a limited geographical area and under certain spec ified conditions. Submission of either ideal or partial capability concepts is desired. Depending on the nature of the concept being proposed, some of the desired characteristics described below may not apply. Desired characteristics: - Very good accuracy for location information - Provides for frequent location updates - Enables location/tracking of personnel anywhere in the world at any time - Identity / Authentication - If an individual must carry a device, ideally i t would be: -- Small -- Inexpensive (Less Than $500 ea) -- Capable of duplex signaling (i.e. an isolated person would get a confirmation a distress signal was received on the other end). -- Provide for discreet transmissions that are not likely to be readily detected or exploitable by unintended recipients -- Able to provide useful location/tracking information for a day or more after it is activated -- Allows use of commercially available batteries that are replaceable by th e user -- Minimal training requirements If a concepts effectiveness depends upon the existence of other infrastructure (sensors, airborne or space systems, networks, etc.), it should describe those dependencies with as much specificity as poss ible. Please include the companys willingness to demonstrate products / concepts. JPRA will not pay for or provide reimbursement for any costs incurred in the preparation or delivery of the requested INFORMATION. Industry firms capable of providi ng the required systems are invited to submit a response to this notice. Firms should include literature, brochures, price lists, estimated production capacity, and capabilities summaries directly addressing their ability to meet the aforementioned needs. At a minimum, the capabilities summary should include the following: system description, performance parameters (e.g., weight, power, size, etc) and external dependencies. Interested firms are requested to respond NLT 20 April 2008. SEND RE SPONSES TO: Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA/J9, Bldg 334); ATTN Captain Thomas Martin; 10244 Burbeck Road; Fort Belvoir, VA 22060. Points of Contact THOMAS P. MARTIN JR., Capt, USAF Chief, Joint Radio Experimentation and Interoperability Joint Personnel Recovery Agency, United States Joint Forces Command DSN: 654-2379 Comm: 703-704-2379 Email:
[email protected] MARC DIPAOLO Chief, Joint Requirements Branch Joint Personnel Recovery Agency, United State s Joint Forces Command DSN: 654-1071 Comm: 703-704-1071 Email:
[email protected] THE SUBMISSION OF THIS INFORMATION IS FOR PLANNING PURP OSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCURE ANY ITEMS/SERVICES, NOR FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR THE INFORMATION RECEIVED.