1.0 INTRODUCTION This publication constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(e), "Exchanges with Industry before receipt of Proposals, Request for Information". Respondents should note that no funding has been specifically reserved for this announcement. We are soliciting Requests for Information abstracts only. Do not submit a white paper or proposal at this time. 2.0 FEDERAL AGENCY NAME Department of Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL - Rome Research Site, AFRL/Information Directorate, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome, NY, 13441-4514 3.0 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) The RFI seeks to obtain technical concepts, approaches, and merits of the ideas of work pertaining to airborne communications systems and technologies designed for operation in nuclear environments. Further, it seeks to obtain information about pricing, delivery, and other market information or capabilities for possible use in a future Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). This announcement is not a request for proposals; therefore, responses to the RFI are not considered offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Classified information can be submitted using the appropriate procedures for submission. Refer to Section 6 of this announcement for instructions on submitting an RFI abstract. 3.1 RFI ABSTRACTS To help guide the RFI process the following questions would be appropriate and should be considered when responding to this request. 1. What are you trying to do? 2. How is it done today? 3. What is new or innovative in your approach? 4. If you are successful, what difference will it make? 5. What are the risks and payoffs? 6. How much will it cost? How long will it take? 7. What are the midterm and final "exams" to check for success? Abstracts should contain, in sufficient detail, information to enable the Government to determine whether the technical concept and/or capabilities should be reflected in a future BAA. 3.2 RFI SUBMISSIONS Submission of an abstract is voluntary and is not required to propose to subsequent Broad Agency Announcements (if any) on this topic. Respondents are advised that AFRL is under no obligation to provide feedback with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. RFI abstract due date is 14 Oct 2015. 4.0 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS: The Air Force is investigating airborne communication technologies that are robust (e.g., survivable and endurable) while utilizing frequencies that offer less competition for spectrum, high capacity, and resilience in nuclear environments. Furthermore, there is an interest in modeling, simulation and emulation (MS&E) systems that can accurately characterize the effects of existing and new airborne communications systems operating in atmospheric environments with electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and/or nuclear scintillation present. As such, the RFI is requesting information to better understand existing vendor offerings and the landscape of research and development (R&D) of airborne communications technologies designed to operate effectively in nuclear environments. 4.1 WIDEBAND NUCLEAR COMMUNICATIONS TRANSCEIVERS: Airborne communications in the higher frequency bands are expected to offer increased levels of spectral survivability, endurance and resilience in nuclear atmospheric environments. Transmissions in certain wideband frequencies exhibit attractive spectral characteristics that not only allow for higher data rates and robust anti-jam features but also offer high levels of resiliency in the presence of nuclear scintillation and high-altitude EMP. The AF seeks radio frequency (RF) wideband transceivers that incorporate innovative design techniques that provide efficient spectrum utilization, anti-jam features, low-probability of intercept/detection/exploitation, secure transmissions, and overall robust operation in nuclear environments. In addition, optical communications offers key benefits when considering its anti-scintillation capabilities and high data rates but is currently constrained by an inability to reliably operate in the presence of atmospheric obscurants such as rain, clouds and smoke. The AF also seeks optical transceivers which show promise in overcoming these constraints. 4.2 HARDENED ANTENNAS FOR NUCLEAR COMMUNICATIONS: Hardened antenna systems capable of operating in the presence of nuclear atmospheric effects are required to support the transmission and reception of radio frequency (RF) signals in nuclear environments. While such systems are necessary to support nuclear communications, the amount of usable space on the surface of airborne platforms remains limited and modifications can be cost-prohibitive or detrimental to airworthiness. The AF seeks new, hardened antenna systems that have the potential of preserving the connectivity of existing communications systems while addressing the physical needs for newly integrated nuclear communications transceivers. 4.3 SECURE SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE FOR NUCLEAR COMMUNICATIONS: The criticality of system functionality and situational understanding for nuclear operations demands higher reliability than conventional communications systems designed for more benign atmospheric environments. As such, there is a need for communications systems and software that are capable of offering higher levels of security, reliability and availability. The AF seeks secure systems and software to enhance the probability of mission success when monitoring, managing, and/or controlling airborne communications operating in the nuclear environment. 5.0 TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS: There are several technical objectives that must be balanced to create future, nuclear communications technologies including, but not limited to: • Hardened antennas, power amplifiers, and subsystems for wideband communications • Radio implementations that facilitate agile control and management • Multiple, independent systems to offer path-diverse, airborne communications in nuclear environments • Real-time atmospheric sensing to dynamically enhance operation of airborne communications • Secure airborne transmission techniques that are resilient to nuclear scintillation and high-altitude EMP effects • High assurance software to protect the integrity of nuclear communications systems • Nodal connectivity and mission mapping tools to manage nuclear communications system architectures For each proposed technology, the respondent should indicate its current Technology Readiness Level (TRL). For the to-be-designed technologies, the respondent should provide the timeframe and rough cost estimate (non-binding) needed to reach TRL-6 with an implementation on hardware. 6.0 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ABSTRACTS 6.1 CONTENT All abstracts shall state that they are submitted in response to this announcement. RFI responses shall include the company name, address and the title, telephone number, mail and e-mail addresses of the point of contact having the authority and knowledge to discuss the RFI submission. In addition, RFI responses shall include the technical area from Section 4 (e.g., "Technical Area: 4.1") in which their nuclear communications technologies most closely align. The Government is assessing the current state-of-the-art and future directional networking solutions. The RFI responses should describe the product solution proposed, addressed coverage of the requirements stated in this RFI by the proposed solution, explain the potential advantage to the Air Force, and provide a rough order of magnitude for the cost of the proposed solution. 6.2 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS Multiple abstracts within the purview of this RFI announcement may be submitted by each responder. 6.3 SUBMISSION RFI abstract due date is 14 Oct 2015. 6.4 CLASSIFIED SUBMISSIONS AFRL/RITF will accept classified responses to this RFI when the classification is mandated by classification guidance provided by an Original Classification Authority of the U.S. Government, or when the offeror believes the work, if successful, would merit classification. Security classification guidance in the form of a DD Form 254 (DoD Contract Security Classification Specification) will not be provided at this time since AFRL is soliciting ideas only. Offerors that intend to include classified information or data in their white paper submission or who are unsure about the appropriate classification of their white papers should contact the technical point of contact listed in Section 7 for guidance and direction in advance of preparation. All classified responses to this announcement must be sent U.S. Postal Service, registered mail and addressed to AFRL/RITF, 525 Brooks Road, Rome NY 13441-4505, and reference RFI-RIK-15-04. Use classification and marking guidance provided by previously issued security classification guides, the Information Security Regulation (DoD 5200.1-R), and the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (DoD 5220.22-M) when marking and transmitting information previously classified by another original classification authority. Classified information at the Confidential and Secret level may be mailed via U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Registered Mail. For proposals of higher classification levels or for alternate submission mechanisms please contact the technical POC listed in Section 7. When mailing, ensure the response is appropriately marked, sealed, and mailed in accordance with the classified material handling procedures. The classified mailing address is: AFRL/RITF 525 Brooks Road Rome NY 13441-4505 Reference RFI-RIK-15-04 6.5 FORMAT The abstracts will be formatted as follows: Section A: Title, Technical Area, Period of Performance (if applicable), Estimated Cost, Name/Address of Company, Technical and Contracting Points of Contact (phone, fax, and email) (This section is Not included in the page count.); Section B: Technical Summary. The abstracts shall be limited to 8 pages. All abstracts shall be double spaced in no smaller than 12 font size. In addition, respondents are requested to provide their Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) number, their Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, a fax number, an e-mail address, and reference this RFI with their submission. All responses to this announcement must be addressed to the Technical POC listed in Section 7 of this announcement. Respondents are required to submit at least one electronic copy to the Government technical point of contact (TPOC) in Microsoft Office Word. AFRL/RI is not responsible for undelivered emails. Please confirm receipt of all submission with the TPOC. 7.0 AGENCY CONTACTS Verification of government receipt or questions of a technical nature can also be directed to the cognizant TPOCs. Primary TPOC Secondary TPOC Robert Riley Paul Gilgallon Telephone: 315-330-4326 Telephone: 315-330-4409 Email:
[email protected] Email:
[email protected] Questions of a contractual/business nature shall be directed to the cognizant Contracting Officer, as specified below: Gail Marsh Telephone: (315) 330-7518 Email:
[email protected]