SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Common Control System (CCS) Software Approach for Unmanned Systems Capabilities
- Notice Date
- 12/8/2011
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Navy, Naval Air Systems Command, NAVAIR HQ, Building 2272, 47123 Buse Road Unit IPT, Patuxent River, Maryland, 20670, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20670
- Solicitation Number
- N00019-12-P7-ZD054
- Archive Date
- 2/14/2012
- Point of Contact
- Maureen H Bernard, Phone: (301) 757-5899
- E-Mail Address
-
maureen.bernard@navy.mil
(maureen.bernard@navy.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Subject: Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Common Control System (CCS) Software Approach for Unmanned Systems Capabilities REF: N00019-12-P7-ZD054 ENCLOSURES: 1. PMA-281 RFI Overview, Release Date 30 Nov 2011 2. DRAFT CCS Software Performance Specification, Version 0.57, dtd December 2011 3. DRAFT CCS Software COTS Framework, Version 2.1, dtd 10 August, 2011 4. CCS Middleware Suitability Analysis, Version 2.0, dtd 19 Oct 2011 (See Section V below for instructions on obtaining these enclosures) DUE: 30 JAN 2012 POC: Ms. Maureen Bernard, Procuring Contracting Officer THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY AS A MARKET SURVEY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN INVITATION FOR BIDS, A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, A SOLICITATION, A REQUEST FOR QUOTES, OR AN INDICATION THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTRACT FOR ITEMS CONTAINED IN THIS NOTICE. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT REIMBURSE RESPONDENTS FOR ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SUBMISSION OF THE INFORMATION BEING REQUESTED OR REIMBURSE EXPENSES INCURRED TO INTERESTED PARTIES FOR RESPONSES. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. I. SUMMARY PEO(U&W) PMA-281 is seeking industry input in the form of comments and products that will inform future development efforts to address commonality in Control Systems (CS) for unmanned vehicles. PMA-281's intent is to field CCS software that will support PEO(U&W) developmental and existing Unmanned Air Systems (UAS). PMA-281 therefore is providing information and products for industry review in order to better apprise industry of our intended acquisition and technical approach. PMA-281 will utilize products provided by industry to support our near-term CCS Risk Reduction efforts that will inform specific architectural approaches, integration documentation and products, and overall understanding of industry approaches to open service oriented software development. This review will provide the Government an overall understanding of industry approaches to open service oriented architecture software development and will inform, and may be utilized in, the near-term risk reduction efforts. This RFI will initiate an open dialogue between PMA-281 and industry. PMA-281 will establish a secure web accessible site for Government and industry respondents to share information during the course of this dialogue. This site will be used to inform RFI respondents of updates to CCS artifacts and plans. II. CONSTRAINTS Industry should be aware that the government intent is to use all information gathered and learned through this RFI to better inform the community as a whole. The submission of industry proprietary information and products is HIGHLY DISCOURAGED, and will limit the government's ability to utilize such information and products. As PMA-281 releases information based on interactions with specific industry comments/products, it will protect the identity of the specific company/products, but the generalized information gathered from the review and use of industry products may be made equally available to all respondents to this RFI. III. RFI INITIAL RELEASE CONTENTS 1. Updated PMA-281 CCS Overview (Enclosure 1). This overview is provided to give industry insight into the CCS Concept, the current acquisition strategy, the products released with this RFI and expected future products, the existing Risk Reduction efforts ongoing, and the planned next phase of Risk Reduction efforts. 2. DRAFT CCS Software Performance Specification (Enclosure 2). This is the top level performance specification describing the intended functionality and requirements of the software. The document is provided in draft form, and work is ongoing to resolve outstanding comments and align with the 2.1 version of the UCS Architecture. 3. DRAFT CCS Software COTS Framework (Enclosure 3). This document is currently established as the list of COTS products base-lined in the CCS Risk Reduction prototype (efforts described in the CCS Overview brief provided herein). This is the baseline Framework that is anticipated to be used in a later production version of CCS. 4. CCS Middleware Suitability Analysis (Enclosure 4). This report is to provide Industry insight into the existing Government analysis on the COTS Framework. The Navy is continuing to revise and update this analysis. 5. UAS Control Segment (UCS) Architecture. PMA-281 fully intends to have CCS align with the UCS Architecture. This architecture is being developed under direction from the OSD/AT&L UAS Task Force by the UCS Working Group (an Industry consortium). It is understood this is an evolving architecture. The public website, as well as the site open to industry participants, is listed below. For respondents not currently associated with the organization, the contact page on the public site provides information on participation. Public website for industry: http://www.ucsarchitecture.org/page/participant Controlled website for UCS members: https://fusion.dynetics.com/project/UCSWG/default.aspx 6. Reference to Open Business Model (OBM). PMA-281 fully intends to procure all developmental CCS products in accordance with the OBM. Open business model is available through the controlled UCS portal (see item 5 above), under the Reference Library section. 7. Request for software products and supporting documentation. PMA-281 intends to take industry software products and integrate them into its CCS Risk Reduction activities as described in the PMA-281 CCS Overview (Enclosure 1). Intent of this section of the RFI is to allow for industry to provide to the government the non-proprietary software products and supporting documentation/tools they have developed for Unmanned Control Systems. The goal of this effort is to better inform both industry and the government on the state of Open Service Oriented Software Development as it related to UAS Control Systems. PMA-281 does not intend to purchase, or in any other way reimburse, respondents for provided products or information. Use of products provided will be limited to support of the activities described herein and will not be further distributed or used outside this effort. IV. CONTENT FOR INITIAL RFI RESPONSE As stated, the intent of this RFI is to establish an open dialogue with industry. With each release of information, PMA-281 will establish guidelines for the content and timeline allowed for responses. For this release of information, the government is looking for general comments on items 1-6, as listed in Section III of this document, conforming to the page limitations and due dates in Section V of this document. Specific instructions per item are listed below. The Government will not accept responses that do not follow these guidelines. 1. PMA-281 is seeking comments on the CCS concept and acquisition strategy as described in the overview. The Government is also providing clarification on the current risk reduction activities, and future activities as pertains to the request for industry products (as listed in item 7, Section III of this document). The Government encourages industry comments on these activities, especially with regards to how these activities might be improved to increase alignment with industry. 2. Comments on the CCS Software Performance Specification should be general in nature and not be in regard to each individual requirement in the specification, (as there are over 1,000) but directed to the overall content, organization, and intent of the document. 3. The CCS COTS Framework. PMA-281 requests industry comments on the exact COTS products the Navy is currently using on the CCS software prototype. PMA-281 requests industry provide feedback and comparisons to existing comparable Frameworks in their own products; information regarding compatibility of the CCS Framework with existing Industry products; comments on the suitability of the listed products, recommendations for modified or additional products, and supporting rationale for those recommendations. 4. The CCS Middleware Suitability Analysis. PMA-281 welcomes industry comments on this analysis. 5. UAS Control Segment (UCS) Architecture. PMA-281 would like to solicit industry comments in regards to the adoption of the architecture for CCS and industry's current approach to building conformant products 6. Reference to Open Business Model (OBM). Industry is invited to provide feedback to the approach. 7. PMA-281 requests that industry provide non-proprietary software products, associated documentation and tools, and any needed simulation/stimulation products that respondents would like to provide to PMA-281 in support of its ongoing CCS risk reduction activities. For software products identified, respondents should provide supporting summary information regarding the underlying architecture, whether corresponding source code is provided, what level of support documentation, tools, and simulation/drivers are being provided to assist in the risk reduction goals of integrating products into a Government prototype. For every product listed, respondents should indicate any associated restrictions with its use, such as proprietary disclosures, as the Government does not intend to utilize proprietary products during the risk reduction activity. Respondents should be aware that feedback from the use of respondents' products is intended to be provided back to industry as a whole in order to better inform the community. PMA-281 will protect the identity of the specific company/products, but the generalized information gathered from the review and use of industry products may be made equally available to all respondents to this RFI. Respondents should provide any additional information regarding products that are leveraged from past or existing DoD programs or commercial products. Respondents should review guidelines provided in PMA-281 CCS Overview (Enclosure 1) in order to appropriately tailor supporting documentation. V. SECURITY AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION In order to receive the enclosures listed above, please submit your CAGE code (or an approved DD Form 2345) to the Procuring Contracting Officer, Ms. Maureen Bernard via email to maureen.bernard@navy.mil. It will be verified for certification as a DoD contractor capable of receiving unclassified technical data/information. The link below addresses the common questions concerning this certification and how to obtain it. https://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp/faq.aspx#Q6 The Government anticipates responses to this RFI to be UNCLASSIFIED. To the maximum extent possible all responses to this RFI should be unclassified and for general access by the Government, other evaluators, and other respondents. As PMA-281 releases information based on material provided (responses, discussions, questions/answers, and other data) that is non-proprietary, it will protect the identity of the specific company/products, but the generalized information gathered from the review and use of industry products may be provided (without attribution) to other respondents. Any material provided may be used in development of future solicitations. Any proprietary information submitted must be clearly and separately identified and marked and will be appropriately protected. The Government will NOT be responsible for any proprietary information not clearly marked. Responses on each item 1-6 (as listed in Section III of this document) to be no more than 2 pages single sided (courier new, 10 point), in PDF document format (PDF) or Microsoft Word format, single line spaced, and utilizing 1 inch margins. The Government is looking for general comments at this time and will not accept responses that do not follow these guidelines. Responses on this initial information will be accepted no later than the due date listed. Responses are due NLT 30 JAN 2012. One-on-One Discussions: Subsequent to the review of submitted responses, PMA-281 may hold one-on-one discussions if needed. It is the intent for PMA-281 to share information learned from Government/Industry interactions with all respondents, therefore discussions of proprietary nature will be highly discouraged. Proprietary information will not be considered at this time. Unclassified data submissions shall include electronic media and three hard copies (where applicable) to: Commander, Naval Air Systems Command ATTN: Ms. Maureen Bernard (AIR 2.4.2.) Bldg 2272, Room 256 47123 Buse Road Patuxent River, MD 20670-1547 Ms. Bernard's telephone is (301) 757-5899 and her email is: maureen.bernard@navy.mil. As stated above, this is NOT a request for Proposal. THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT, NOR WILL THE GOVERNMENT PAY FOR ANY INFORMATION SOLICITED OR PROVIDED. VI. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This RFI is an exchange of information between government and industry. It is the first step of an iterative process aimed at understanding the existence of products and processes that can deliver increased capabilities under constrained timelines to the Navy's Fleet of Unmanned Systems. Additional information will be provided under this RFI to continue PMA-281's informational exchange with industry. The submission of industry proprietary information and products is HIGHLY DISCOURAGED. Any proprietary information received in response to this request will be properly protected from any unauthorized disclosures; however it is incumbent upon the respondent to appropriately mark all submissions. In order to complete its review, PMA-281 must be able to share the information within the Government and any responses marked in a manner that will not permit such internal Government review may be returned without being assessed/considered. Proprietary products as referenced in Section IV, Item #7 will be returned to the contractor without Government review. VII. POINTS OF CONTACT Questions may be directed to the Procuring Contracting Officer, Ms. Maureen Bernard at (301) 757-5899 or via email to maureen.bernard@navy.mil. Responses to questions from interested parties will be answered as applicable. Disclaimers and Notes: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a program or contractual solicitation. PEO(U&W) PMA-281 is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of submissions or of the information received, or to provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. In accordance with FAR l5.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DON/NAVAIR/N00019/N00019-12-P7-ZD054/listing.html)
- Record
- SN02635709-W 20111210/111208234056-1385173de9ba89d35b55f62eaa7491b6 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |