1. DESCRIPTION. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is seeking industry feedback on current and future advanced display technologies. The purpose of the RFI is to gather industry-wide feedback on current and upcoming display technologies that can view flicker-free stereoscopic imagery and exhibit smooth and continuous, blur-free roam capabilities. 2. NOTICE. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes, it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, the Government is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested parties? expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in a future RFP, if one is issued. 3. BACKGROUND. NGA provides timely, relevant, and accurate geospatial-intelligence in support of national security objectives. Geospatial-intelligence is the exploitation and analysis of imagery and geospatial information to describe, assess, and visually depict physical features and geographically referenced activities on the Earth. The NGA mission requires the display of softcopy geospatial data in both monoscopic and stereoscopic viewing modes with high resolution and image quality. NGA currently utilizes high-resolution Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) monitors to provide continuous blur-free motion roam functionality and view stereoscopic image pairs. Monochrome CRT displays have historically been used for panchromatic imagery exploitation owing to their excellent sharpness and high dynamic range, enabling the observer to distinguish details in the imagery. Color CRT displays have historically been used for color imagery exploitation and presentation of color text and graphics. Geospatial-intelligence analysts use specialized COTS image viewer applications such as RemoteView, SOCET SET/GXP, ERDAS Imagine, ENVI, and Image Scout while exploiting and analyzing imagery in stereo and in roaming the image. CRT monitors perform exceptionally well in the area of image roam performance. CRT roam is a smooth and continuous panning motion directed by the geospatial-intelligence analyst through large-area images. Blur-free image motion enables the analyst to detect faint target objects of interest while searching through the image. The addition of an active polarizing filter and passive polarized glasses allows analysts to resolve two images from a stereo pair into a true stereoscopic image. 4. INFORMATION REQUEST. NGA is requesting information on desktop display technologies that can exhibit capabilities of smooth continuous, blur-free motion roam and/or flicker-free stereoscopic image pairs. NGA is interested in what technologies that meet or exceed these capabilities are currently available, what technologies that meet or exceed these capabilities are being planned, and the timeframe when technologies that meet or exceed these capabilities are planned to be available. Interested parties are requested to submit the following information for each display technology on the provided Display Technology Submission Form, attached to a cover letter with points of contact (POCs). Single or Multiple screen display In/Near Production or Prototype Display Type (IPS or PVA LCD, Plasma, etc.) Color or Grayscale (color gamut or whitepoint) Luminance Response Calibration (Integrated photo sensors, 10-bit look-up tables, user-defined aim, remote access) Pixel response time (msec) Pixel density (pixels per inch) Pixel format (Minimum of 1920 x 1200) Refresh rate (Minimum 60 Hz per eye for flicker-free stereo) Roam rate (Minimum 750 pixels/second) Display Size (Minimum 20 inches diagonal) Dimensions (W x H x D) Power consumption (watts) Lifetime (Minimum 25,000 hours) Mean Time Before Failure (MTBF) Projected price per unit ($) Projected availability (currently available, 1-3 months, etc.) Available for Demo (yes/no) NGA recognizes that vendors can provide other pertinent information to distinguish their products, and are encouraged to do so. For example, a minimum of 60Hz refresh rate (per image) is considered necessary for Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) to display flicker-free stereoscopic image pairs, though other means may be used in flat panels to achieve the desired result while having a refresh rate less than 60 Hz. 5. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS. Interested parties are requested to complete the display technology information submission form no later than 02 February 2007 to
[email protected] or fax it to 703-755-5601. The submission form and the softcopy exploitation display hardware performance standard guidelines will be posted on www.nga.mil under Business Opportunities. 6. POINT OF CONTACT. Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to Robert Crain,
[email protected], and Arthur Cobb,
[email protected]. 7. SUMMARY. This RFI is to obtain useful market information concerning desktop flat panel display technology currently in production, in R&D or in future plans.