SOURCES SOUGHT
59 -- Request for Information (RFI) for Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning approaches, algorithms, and systems in Support of Electronic Warfare; and Alternative Means of Positioning, Navigation and Timing
- Notice Date
- 7/6/2017
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 334220
— Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Army, Army Contracting Command, ACC - APG (W56JSR) Division E, 6001 COMBAT DRIVE, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, 21005-1846, United States
- ZIP Code
- 21005-1846
- Solicitation Number
- Amy_RCO_RFI_07_06_17
- Archive Date
- 8/12/2017
- Point of Contact
- Army RCO,
- E-Mail Address
-
rapidcapabilitiesoffice@mail.mil
(rapidcapabilitiesoffice@mail.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Request for Information (RFI) for Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning approaches, algorithms, and systems in Support of Electronic Warfare; and Alternative Means of Positioning, Navigation and Timing Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition Logistics and Technology ASA (ALT) Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) Summary: The Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) is considering the development of one or more capabilities as described below: CAPABILITY DESCRIPTIONS 1. Electronic Warfare (EW): The Army must meet the challenges of fighting in an increasingly dense electromagnetic environment against adversaries with well-developed electronic warfare capabilities or those that are becoming increasingly agile. U.S. Army soldiers are responsible for understanding a vast amount of information presented to them. Compounding the issue is the source and location information of, potentially, infinite number of electronic signals through various sensing means, coordinating defensive and offensive operations to defend against electronic attack, and blunt the electronic means of the threat. Machine Learning solutions of interest cover both supervised and unsupervised learning systems, to include deep learning systems and reinforced learning systems. Electronic Support (ES) and Electronic Attack (EA) targeting solutions are within the scope of this capability. Solutions capable of increasing the accuracy, efficiency, and throughput of the current Army Electronic Support systems and experienced/novice operators are within scope of this capability. Solutions capable of using machine learning techniques on monitoring and assessing threat Radio Frequency emissions, to establish normal and abnormal patterns of life, and to characterize emitter types and signal structures are within scope of this capability. Solutions capable of integrating with and analyzing Army data, both tactical network and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), to include electro optical sensors and Electronic Support Radio Frequency Electronic Warfare sensors, are also within the scope of this capability. Specifically, answers are sought to the following questions: a. Is there analysis, testing, demonstrations, or operational usage available showing the utility of potential EW capability/concepts in relevant scenarios? b. Are there capabilities available, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, to assist in understanding local Electromagnetic spectrum usage and performing Command and Control (C2) of available EW assets? c. What auxiliary systems, or infrastructure, are required to implement and maintain this solution? d. What computer environment(s) is this capability able to operate in? e. What is the maturity of the capability you have developed, or is it under development? Describe any testing or demonstrations conducted to date. f. What is your ability to bring this capability to a demonstrable product or prototype stage? 2. Alternative Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT): The Army relies heavily on Global Positioning System (GPS) services to conduct many aspects of military operations. There exist today increasingly sophisticated capabilities to deny access to GPS services or spoof existing signals. Additionally, the Army is asked to conduct military operations in environments where GPS signals are not always reliably available such as in urban canyons, under dense canopy or in subterranean environments. The Army is interested in understanding alternative means of providing trusted Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) information to operators for ground/air maneuver, precision location, and timing. Specifically, answers are sought to the following questions: a. Are there capabilities available to provide ground units, Army aviation, or munitions with alternative means of establishing PNT information? 1. Which of those systems is your solution envisioned to provide capability for? 2. Does your solution provide full PNT or just a subcomponent (ie. just positioning, just navigation, just timing, or any combination)? b. What auxiliary systems are required to implement and maintain this solution? c. How robust and resilient is the capability, e.g., radio frequency interference, weather changes, environmental effects, etc.? d. What is the maturity of the capability you have developed or is under development? Describe any testing or demonstrations conducted to date. e. What is your ability to bring this capability to a demonstrable product or prototype stage? PURPOSE The RCO intends to use the results of this RFI to assist in the assessment of on-going industry efforts within the identified focus areas. The finding will also help to shape the path forward for potential acquisitions to include determination of contractual mechanisms to potentially pursue capabilities. DISCLAIMER THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A SOLICITATION ANNOUNCEMENT, INVITATION FOR BID, REQUEST FOR QUOTATION, REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, OR AN OBLIGATION ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT TO ACQUIRE ANY PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. NO REIMBURSEMENT WILL BE MADE FOR ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE OR ANY FOLLOW UP INFORMATION REQUEST. RESPONDENTS WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED OF THE RESULTS OF THE EVALUATION OF THE INFORMATION THEY PROVIDE. NO QUESTIONS WILL BE TAKEN REGARDING THIS NOTICE. NO FUNDS HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED, APPROPRIATED OR RECEIVED FOR THIS EFFORT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. THE INFORMATION WILL BE USED IN A MARKET RESEARCH REPORT ASSESSMENT OF SOURCES CAPABLE OF PROVIDING CAPABILITIES INDICATED IN THE CAPABILITIES DESCRIPTION. NOT RESPONDING TO THIS NOTICE DOES NOT PRECLUDE PARTICIPATION IN ANY FUTURE RFQ, IFB, OR RFP IF ANY ARE ISSUED. IF A SOLICITATION IS RELEASED, IT WILL BE SYNOPSIZED ON THE GOVERNMENT-WIDE POINT OF ENTRY (GPE). IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF POTENTIAL OFFERORS TO MONITOR THE GPE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THIS REQUIREMENT. BASED ON THE RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE AND MARKET RESEARCH, THIS REQUIREMENT MAY BE SET ASIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESS (IN FULL OR IN PART), PROCURED THROUGH FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION OR THROUGH OTHER TRANSACTION (OT) AGREEMENT FOR PROTOTYPE PROJECTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH 10 USC § 2371B. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES Each submission is to contain the following: A cover page labeled with the heading, "RCO EW RFI RESPONSE" or "RCO PNT RFI RESPONSE" (as appropriate), name of company, name of corporate point of contact (POC), name of technical POC, telephone number for each POC, full mailing address, e-mail addresses for each POC, CAGE Code, and any other pertinent information. No more than five (5) pages including responses to the following questions and requested information: (Note: Pages in excess of the five (5) page limitation will not be read by RCO.) Provide a narrative describing your capability and experience with respect to the topic areas included in this announcement as well as where your organization believes it could contribute to the future advancement of capabilities in those areas. What barriers do you see in working with the RCO under a procurement contract or in an OT agreement strategy and what are your recommendations to address such barriers? (e.g. legal, intellectual property rights, royalties, cost accounting and auditing rules and principles?) Please identify your company's small business size or Non-traditional Defense Contractor Qualifications, and any proposed significant partnerships. Submit all pages as a single (.doc or.pdf) file. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. Responses can be encrypted using MS Word or PDF password protection. An email to RCO at address: rapidcapabilitiesoffice@mail.mil must also be submitted separately with the encryption password at the time of abstract submission. Note the words "RFI EW PASSWORD" or "RFI PNT PASSWORD" (as appropriate) followed by your company name, must be the first words in the subject line of the above email. Failure to provide the encryption password may result in the response not being reviewed. Be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response. No sensitive or classified information will be discussed. SUBMISSION Submission Deadline: Responses to this RFI must be received by the Government no later than 10:00 AM local Eastern Daylight time, 28 JULY 2017 If a late submittal is received, acceptance of such will be at the discretion of the Government if it's determined to be in the Government's best interest. Responses must be submitted by email to rapidcapabilitiesoffice@mail.mil. Note the words "RCO EW RFI RESPONSE" or "RCO PNT RFI RESPONSE" (as appropriate) followed by your company name, must be the first words in the subject line of the email. Responses sent by any other means (e.g., submitted to other email addresses, hand-carried, postal service mail, commercial carrier or fax) will NOT be considered or read.
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