A. INTRODUCTION This is a Request for Information (RFI). This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this RFI is to gain information about and accelerate the development of technologies that will enable interoperable long-distance communications of Homeland Security Enterprise operators in austere environments. B. BACKGROUND When federal and civil agencies respond to natural or manmade disasters, the ability to communicate is paramount. In some case, normal communication mediums are not available. Destruction of terrestrial backhaul communications systems in designated disaster zones compounds the problem. Responders need resilient communications capabilities that are easily transportable and provide reliable communications over various distances, sometimes hundreds of miles. Responders must be connected and fully aware to make informed decisions in order to ensure the safety and survivability needed to accomplish their mission. This RFI is intended to identify technologies that are interested in being part of a scenario-based assessment of High Frequency (HF), high band width communications antennas and systems. The assessment is for The Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD), Unique Mission Cell (UMC), supports vulnerability and system limitation analysis of emerging capabilities in an operationally relevant environments. Results of this activity are intended to aid and inform advanced technology development, increase first responder agencies awareness' of these capabilities, and will not be used for an acquisition decision. These events are conducted with representatives from Government Research and Development organizations, academia, and industry. The events provide an opportunity for technology developers to demonstrate their technologies with operational personnel and determine how their efforts might support first responder capability gaps and high priority mission deficiencies. The environment facilitates a collaborative working relationship between academia, Government, and industry and supports identification, assessment, and dissemination of emerging and mature technology information and the acceleration of delivering capabilities to the Homeland Security Enterprise. Technology demonstration papers submitted for consideration must have prototypes (Technology Readiness Level 6 or higher) ready for User assessment that address areas presented within the Request for Information (RFI). The prototypes will be put in the hands of operators to use while in operationally relevant scenarios. C. INTENT CERDEC NVESD UMC will assess capabilities that are designed to be: portable, high bandwidth, high frequency radio, antennas, and communication systems within a small footprint to provide reliable and interoperable communications. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI Notice or to otherwise pay for the information solicited D. EXPERIMENT OBJECTIVES o Assess long-haul HF capability o Assess capabilities transmitting at 50 miles, 100 miles, and 250+ miles. o Assess atmospheric impacts to the capabilities o Assess impacts of environmental factors, mountains, forests, water. o Assess ease of use of capabilities by operators with various levels of training. E: DEFINITIONS: • High Bandwidth: For specifically meeting the mandate of this RFI, high bandwidth is a relative term as no standard quantifiable baseline has been established to perform measurements for comparison. • Portable: For specifically meeting the mandate of this RFI, portable means man-portable. The complete communication system can be moved/setup and ready to operate by 2-personnel or less. • High Frequency (HF) Radio: Designation for the high frequency range of radio frequency electromagnetic waves between 3MHz - 30MHz. Other frequency ranges for this activity shall not be considered. • Antennas: Only HF antennas of various configurations will be considered. • Communication Systems: For this activity, in the simplest of systems, a HF communication system is considered to be a transceiver, tuner, and antenna. • Interoperable Communications: The ability of first responders to communicate and share voice and data information seamlessly with little to no setup time required. F. TIMELINE The key milestones for DHS S&T HF Comms Experiment 2018 Technology Selection are outlined below. All dates are tentative: 23 August 2018: Technology submissions deadline 29-30 August 2018: Technology submissions reviewed 07 September 2018: Technology selections released 15-19 October 2018: Execution of event G. ELGIBLE SOURCES Responses submitted for this RFI will be considered from the following U.S. and Foreign Enterprises: • Industrial/commercial concerns including small businesses. • Accredited Degree granting colleges and universities. • Not-for-profit organizations. • Other Non-U.S. sources. • DoD-sponsored Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) specified in DFARS 235.017-1. • University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), provided that it is permitted by the UARC's DoD sponsor. H. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS The submittal process under this RFI is intended to be as streamlined as possible. Respondents should not submit classified information in the technology demonstration papers and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions should be clearly listed. I. OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS DO NOT SUBMIT PROPOSALS. SUBMIT TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION PAPERS ONLY. Instructions and templates can be found at https//uniquemissioncell.org. No contracts will be awarded based on this announcement. J. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Responses shall be addressed to: usarmy.belvoir.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.nvesd-art-tsoa-submissions@mail.mil (1) General Information: Technology demonstration papers shall not exceed two (2) pages using a PDF format and no less than 10-point font. The Respondent shall prepare an additional unclassified, non-proprietary title and summary page at the beginning of the document and an unclassified quad chart, which do not count toward the page limit. Technology demonstration papers in excess of two (2) pages may not be evaluated. Multiple concept papers addressing different technology demonstrations may be submitted by each respondent. Papers will be reviewed by Government Personnel and contractors on contracts that directly support the Government. Each technology demonstration paper must address only the DHS S&T HF Comms concept. Selected Respondents will be invited to participate in the DHS S&T HF Comms Experiment. The UMC will provide venues, supporting infrastructure, and assessment (operational and technical) personnel at no cost to the selected respondent. The respondent's travel and shipping will be at the respondent's expense. (2) Submission Format: Section A: Respondent Name, Point of Contact, Title, Date, E-Mail Address, Phone #, Fax #, Organization/Office Symbol, and Address. Section B: Capability Description--What is the capability you are proposing for the assessment? What is the intended purpose of this technology? How will the capability enhance mission effectiveness? Describe limits of environment in which this solution can operate. Section C: Technology Demonstration--How do you envision execution of the technology demonstration? What is the proposed demonstration methodology? Section D: Support Components--What additional support is required for the demonstration including hardware, software, data, facilities, and training? Section E: Please note related federal contracts to include point of contact and current telephone number and address. K. BASIS FOR SELECTION TO PARTICIPATE Selection of Respondents to participate will be based on the extent to which the technology represents a particular class or level of capability that can be provided to the HSE. Other considerations include but not limited to the following: • Relevance of or adaptability to operations/missions • Relevance to current operational needs • Breadth of application • Technical maturity • Available time • Government funding • Integration into a Common Operating Picture Selected and Non-Selected Respondents will be notified in writing based on the timeline in section D. L. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION All Respondents shall clearly identify and mark in writing all proprietary information provided on all documents. Technical lessons learned may be broadly disseminated within the Government and Government support contractors. Respondents must provide information that clearly asserts rights in technical data if developed exclusively or partially at private expense in order to claim any restrictions. Developed exclusively at private expense means development was accomplished entirely with costs charged to indirect cost pools, cost not allocated to a government contract, or any combination thereof. Identification of the data or software must have enough specificity to support the respondent's assertion is important for the parties to avoid misunderstanding during the information gathering assessment activities. M. USE OF INFORMATION The purpose of this notice is to gain information on possible Government/Industry collaboration for development of HF communication technologies and capabilities, and to accelerate the delivery of these capabilities to the end user. All proprietary information contained in the response shall be separately identified and marked. Any proprietary information contained in response to this request will be properly protected from any unauthorized disclosure. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI Notice or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. N. POINTS OF CONTACT Questions on the objectives or preparation of technical demonstration papers should be addressed to: usarmy.belvoir.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.nvesd-art-tsoa-submissions@mail.mil, and the Subject Line must be titled: QUESTION(s)_for DHS S&T HF Comms Experiment. Contracting Office Address PO BOX 12211 RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, North Carolina 27709-2211 United States Primary Point of Contact John Klopfenstein;
[email protected]; (813) 839-0750