United States - SAURON'S EYE LAIRCM Camera Utilization Optical Device Prototype

Description

Added: Apr 30, 2019 10:48 am

This Request for White Paper (RFWP) is issued to request Industry response in support of the acquisition of a Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) camera utilization optical device prototype, or "SAURONS EYE."

Other Transaction Agreement (OTA). The Government will utilize OTA procedures for this solicitation with the intention of negotiating and awarding one (1) Other Transaction for Prototype (OTP) Agreement, in accordance with 10 U.S. Code § 2371b.
Eligibility. Respondents to this request must be a small business concern under the criteria and size standards in Title 13, Code of Federal Regulations, part 121 (13 CFR 121), or meet the definition of a Non-traditional Defense Contractor (NDC) in order to be eligible to submit a whitepaper. An NDC, as defined in section 2302(9) of title 10, U.S.C, is an entity that is not currently performing and has not performed, for at least the one-year period preceding the solicitation, any contract or subcontract for the Department of Defense (DoD) that is subject to full coverage under the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) prescribed pursuant to section 1502 of title 41 and the regulations implementing such section.
The United States Air Force (USAF) ("The Government") is seeking a technology solution to provide increased situational awareness (SA) onboard the Special Operations and Personnel Recovery (SOF/PR) HC-130J aircraft utilizing pre-existing LAIRCM sensors. The solution will provide crew members the ability to view and scan the exterior of the aircraft through virtual reality (VR) optical devices. The current LAIRCM system has five sensors installed on the aircraft which are capable of providing infrared (IR) video display in overlapping 360° views around the aircraft; however, it lacks the ability to "stitch" them together. Air-to-air threat engagements normally result in a stern convert, high and aft of the aircraft where, currently, scanning is impossible; the HC-130J aircraft configuration, as it stands today, physically limits crew scanning capabilities to the paratroop door windows and the front windows of the aircraft. To meet current mission requirements, additional SA devices are required to provide HC-130J crew members significantly enhanced capabilities to scan for factor threats around the aircraft as well as to assist with personnel recovery.
Adding this capability is critical to improving visual scanning and aircraft survivability in air-to-air and surface-to-air threat environments. Identifying Air Defense Artillery (ADA) engagements even against threats not using tracers would be possible utilizing the IR spectrum. Surface-to-air missiles and maneuverable-portable air defense systems (SAM/MANPADS) engagements from beyond unassisted visual range, and/or from aft of the aircraft could be identified and reacted to, increasing aircraft survivability. Additionally, this system would reduce crew workload by allowing both visual and electronic scanning to be accomplished simultaneously, thereby reducing the number of aircrew visual scanners required to be posted in windows.
See attached Request for White Papers.

Notice:  Respondents are required to submit an approved DD Form 2345 with the white paper submission.  Instructions are located here: https://www.dla.mil/HQ/LogisticsOperations/Services/JCP/SpecificDD2345Instructions/

Opportunity closing date

20 May 2019

Value of contract

to be confirmed