This Request for Information (RFI) is for informational purposes only. It is not a request for proposal and does not constitute any obligation by the Government to award a contract based on the findings of this RFI. The Government will not reimburse interested sources or respondents to notice, for any costs incurred in association with this announcement or for subsequent exchanges of information. The U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) Belvoir Division is seeking sources on behalf of the RDECOM CERDEC Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) for a hostile fire detection system. The intent of this market research is to identify potential sensor capabilities and system solutions for the development of a Hostile Fire Detection (HFD) system suitable for vehicles and fixed sites. The Government seeks information about HFD systems capable of detecting a hostile-fire event, and determining the location of the event in an operationally useful timeframe. This RFI addresses standalone HFD systems without integration into an active protection system. However, HFD systems that provide additional situational awareness capabilities (such as an imaging system) are of interest, as are HFD capabilities that can be incorporated into existing systems. Sensors of all modes (such as acoustic, EOIR, or radar) are of interest, as are systems comprised of more than one sensor mode. The primary threats of interest for this RFI are small arms (.50 caliber and smaller), rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). Secondary threats include medium caliber arms (20 - 40mm) and recoilless rifles. The HFD system must be able to detect and locate shot events at ranges up to the maximum effective range and beyond of these weapons. Classification of the threat type as small arms, RPGs, or ATGMs is desired. The Government seeks information on a single technical approach suitable for both wheeled and tracked vehicles. At a minimum, the HFD system on a stationary platform should be able to display the azimuth and elevation to the location of the hostile fire event within seconds of the event. It is highly desired that the system should have this capability for moving platforms and that the range to target, or geo-location (such as latitude and longitude), of the hostile-fire event be provided by the system. In addition, the Government is interested in systems that can also be integrated with existing surveillance systems at fixed sites. A low false alarm rate is important to the overall effectiveness of the HFD system. Technical approaches to minimizing the false alarm rate, as well as any supporting analyses or data to quantitatively verify false alarm performance, should be provided. The Government is interested in integrated, system-level approaches that could be ready for a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5/6 demonstration in Fiscal Year 2015. An explanation of component and system maturity is required; if TRL levels are used, provide brief reasoning for choosing the listed level. Sources possessing potential solutions are invited to submit a White Paper not to exceed 15 pages in length describing their capabilities and system concepts. The White Paper must include, at a minimum, comprehensive descriptions supported by facts and rigorous scientific reasoning, that address the following considerations for all technologies proposed: a detailed discussion of potential sensor or software solutions, potential integrated system approaches, an estimation of system performance against both small arms and RPG / ATGM (including range performance for all sensors and algorithm performance including false alarms), a discussion of relevant experience with technologies for similar applications, current technology maturity, and cost. White Papers shall also include: 1. Point (s) of contact (email and phone numbers) for further Government inquiry should more information be desired, name and address of firm, Central Contractor Registration CAGE Code and current level of firm's facility clearance (Secret, Top Secret or No Clearance). 2. Statement as to whether or not your company is considered a small or large business. Please also indicate any socioeconomic classification (8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) Woman-Owned Small Business Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Veteran-Owned Small Business Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business) that applies. The small business size standard is 500 employees for the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 541712. Additionally, responders should include information if the company has performed this type of effort or similar type effort (to include size and complexity) before, if so provide Contract Number, Point of Contact (POC), e-mail address, phone number, and a brief description of your direct support of the effort? This information will help the Government form its acquisition strategy. Proprietary information submitted in response to this Sources Sought shall be marked accordingly and will be protected when clearly identified as proprietary. The ideas presented in the white paper will be discussed and assessed by U.S. Army RDECOM CERDEC Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD). Government support contractors will be involved in the review and assessment of responses submitted under this RFI. Response to this RFI should be received no later than 30 calendar days from the date of this notice. Acknowledgement of receipt will be issued. The subject of the email message shall be: Hostile Fire Detection RFI W909MY-13-R-C009 - Your Company's Name. Responses should be submitted via email to the following individuals: Contract Specialist: Paul Easton
[email protected] Contracting Officer: Raymond Jones
[email protected] Technical POC: Mr. Paul Sullivan
[email protected] Acknowledgement of receipt will be issued. The subject of the email message shall be: Hostile Fire Detection RFI - Your Company's Name. All requests for further information must be in writing and via email; telephonic requests for additional information will not be honored.