SPECIAL NOTICE
66 -- Request For Information ~ Automatic Testing Hardware and Software to Evaluate both Copper and Fiber Optic Cables.
- Notice Date
- 12/1/2010
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 334515
— Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals
- Contracting Office
- ATTN CODE SPN, Strategic Systems Programs, Arlington, Virginia, 22202-3930, United States
- ZIP Code
- 22202-3930
- Solicitation Number
- N00030-RFI-1001
- Archive Date
- 2/12/2011
- Point of Contact
- Virginia S. Hennings, Phone: 703-601-9447
- E-Mail Address
-
virginia.hennings@ssp.navy.mil
(virginia.hennings@ssp.navy.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- 1.0 Description 1.1 The Department of the Navy, Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) is seeking information on how an interested party could provide automatic testing hardware and software to evaluate both copper and fiber optic cables. 1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. 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 request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Government is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. The RFI 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 party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFPs, if any are issued. 2.0 Background SSP oversees the development and deployment of the TRIDENT II Fleet Ballistic Missile Strategic Weapons System (SWS) onboard the Navy's SSBN submarines. The subsystems of the SWS are connected by various cables comprised of copper conductors and fiber optics, which need to be tested and certified to Navy, Shipyard, and SSP standards. Hardware with both copper conductor and fiber optic testing capabilities in a single unit is the goal, but alternatives will be considered. 2.1 Planned Production: The projected need is for twelve identical units initially. 2.2 Delivery Period: All twelve units and user documentation would be required to be delivered to SSP approximately one year after a procurement contract is awarded. 2.3 Limitations: Options may be exercised to procure additional units should the need arise. 2.4 Security Requirements: No classified data will be processed on this system. Hardware and software would need to demonstrably comply with SSP Information Assurance (IA) requirements standards, as described in Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 8500.2, generally for Platform Information Technology (PIT) equipment. 3.0 Requested Information The following sections list a number of capabilities that are particular to automatic cable testing in the SSBN environment. Where general requirements are given, they should not be construed as absolute constraints or specifications. The responses to the areas listed below should not only address the specific capabilities but list alternatives, improvements, exceptions, and the context in which the capabilities may be evaluated. With any hardware and software, there are functional and performance trade-offs to be made and these should be explained concisely with a detailed description of possible product non-compliance. 3.1 General Overall physical parameters determine the ability of the tester to be used efficiently in a submarine environment. The unit will generally be used in a shipyard environment. The following capabilities should be addressed: - Copper conductor and fiber optic cable testing capabilities in a single enclosure - Compact design without connecting cables (except external power) or protuberances - Compactness - Weight - Portability - Maintainability - Environmental (temperature, humidity, etc.) constraints - Ruggedness - Ease of use - User Interface - Primary power and back-up power - Military-style connectors - Use of Off-the-Shelf equipment - Techniques to help extend the useful life of the tester - Time for test setup and execution - EMI 3.2 Copper Conductor Testing This portion of the tester's capabilities may include: - Resistance measurement / Continuity checks - Leakage current using high-voltage DC - Measurements referenced to and isolated from ship's ground - Number of test points - Single-ended testing (far end of a cable not easily accessible to the tester) - Use of loop-back plugs, test plugs, or similar at the far end - Determining which end of the cable has a short, open, or misswire - Capacitance and other electrical/test parameters 3.3 Fiber Optic Testing This portion of the tester's capabilities may include: - Multi-mode and Single-mode fibers - Frequency/Wavelength selection - End-to-end attenuation and evaluated to allocated loss analysis - Insertion loss in both directions - Simultaneous multiple-fiber testing - Single-ended testing (far end of a cable not easily accessible to the tester) - Requirements of MIL-STD-2042, Revision B, specifically Coupled Power Ratio (CPR) - Anticipation of future requirements of MIL-STD-2042, Revision C - Identification of fault location 3.4 Software The software generally controls the tester hardware and supports the user interface. Considerations include: - Type and availability of Operating System - Ease of bug fixes and feature upgrades - Control of the sequencing of test functions - Multiplexing of test points - Measuring the test parameters - Flexibility (ability of the user to program the sequencing of measurements and test points) - Operational speed - Interface to existing comprehensive databases of parameters - Providing essential data to the user, including guidance and prompts - Archival of test data - Built-in Tests - Calibration interface - Data mining applications - Source code availability 3.5 User Interfaces This may address the "ease of use" issue above: - Use with a gloved hand(s) - Small printer for quick verification records - External data retrieval 3.6 Proposed Capabilities Any additional features that might be useful should be listed, including potential future upgrades. The economic and technological trade-offs may be examined to help decide which features may add value to the system. 4.0 Responses 4.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. 4.2 White papers in Microsoft Word for Office 2003 compatible format are due no later than 28 January, 2011, 2:00 PM local time. Responses shall be limited to 10 pages for Section 2 and submitted on transportable media to the SSP Point of Contact. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To ensure proper handling, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. 4.3. Section 1 of the white paper shall provide administrative information, and shall include the following as a minimum: 4.3.1. Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact. 4.3.2. Recommended contracting strategy. 4.3.3. Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334515, Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals. Please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 19 for additional detailed information on Small Business Size Standards. The FAR is available at http ://www.arnet.gov. The number of pages in Section 1 of the white paper shall not be included in the 10 page limitation, i.e., the 10 page limitation applies only to Section 2 of the white paper. Section 2 of the white paper shall answer the issues addressed in Section 3 of this RFI. 5.0 Industry Discussions SSP representatives may or may not choose to meet with potential vendors. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements, especially any development and certification risks. 6.0 Questions Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the SSP Point of Contact, Ms. Virginia Hennings/SPN10 Strategic Systems Programs, 2521 South Clark St. Suite 1000, Arlington, VA 22302-3930.. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered via email; accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 7 January 2011 will be answered. 6.1 Contact Information: RFI responses should be delivered to Ms. Virginia Hennings/SPN10 Strategic Systems Programs, 1250 10th Street SE, Suite 3600, Washington Navy Yard DC 20374-5127. Questions regarding the interpretation of the information requested should also be directed to Ms. Virginia Hennings/SPN10 at email: Virginia.hennings@ssp.navy.mil. 7.0 Summary THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide an automatic cable testing hardware and software for copper conductors and fiber optics. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Navy has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.
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