R&D Contracting Directorate, Bldg 7, 2530 C Street, WPAFB, OH 45433-7607

A -- ENHANCED RECOGNITION AND SENSING LADAR (ERASER) FLIGHT DEMONSTRATION SOL PRDA #97-17-AAK DUE 060697 POC Contact Edward J. Caulfield, Contract Negotiator, (937) 255-2976 or Nancy F.I. Stormer, Contracting Officer at (937) 255-3379 INTRODUCTION: ENHANCED RECOGNITION AND SENSING LADAR (ERASER) FLIGHT DEMONSTRATION. Wright Laboratory (WL) is interested in receiving proposals (technical and cost) on the research effort described in Section B. Proposals in response to this PRDA shall be received by 9 Jun 97, 1500 hours Eastern Standard Time, addressed to Attn: Mr. Edward Caulfield, WL/AAKE, Building 7, 2530 C Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7607. Proposals shall not be submitted via facsimile transmission. This is an unrestricted solicitation. Small businesses are encouraged to propose on all or any part of this solicitation. Proposals submitted shall be in accordance with this announcement. Proposal receipt after the cutoff date and time specified herein shall be treated in accordance with restrictions of FAR 52.215-10; a copy of this provision may be obtained from the contracting point of contact cited in Section F. There will be no other solicitation issued in regard to this requirement. Offerors should be alert for any amendments to this solicitation that may be published. This PRDA may be amended to allow subsequent submission of proposal dates. Offerors should obtain a copy of the WL Guide entitled, "PRDA and BAA Guide for Industry". This guide was specifically designed to assist offerors in understanding the PRDA/BAA proposal process. Copies may be requested from the contracting point of contact or obtained via the world wide web site: www.wl.wpafb.af.mil/contract. B -- Requirements: (1) Technical Description: (a) SCOPE/BACKGROUND -- The United States Air Force wishes to develop and flight demonstrate a Non-Cooperative Target Identification (NCTI) ERASER Combat Identification (CID) system. The primary objective is to provide the pilot with positive, timely, and reliable target identification (ID). An ERASER system will consist of a designator laser modified to perform an area floodlight illumination function and a gated short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera system (sensitive from 1.0 to 1.6 microns) to generate a high resolution laser reflectivity image. This image is then displayed to the pilot for unaided visual ID and/or transmitted to an automatic target recognition (ATR) system. The modified laser designator may illuminate at the conventional designation wavelength of 1.06 microns, but it is desired that the laser system operate at both 1.06 microns and eyesafe (greater than 1.4 microns). However, the modified laser must always maintain the conventional designator function at 1.06 microns. The ERASER system is intended to operate from a manned platform, and as such, must have the necessary performance to enhance targeting capability and increase aircrew/aircraft survivability while reducing lifecycle costs. A program performance goal is that the ERASER system accomplish target ID at the same standoff range operational Forward Looking Infrared systems (FLIRs) provide target detection. The range performance of the system should be commensurate with conventional munition systems as well as new generations of standoff weapons currently under development. The ERASER sensor will be used for the final target recognition/identification function in an NCTI mode. Non-Cooperative implies no communications or "handshaking" occurs between the airborne platform and the potential target. This is distinguished from Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) modes where the aircraft interrogates the potential target and the target responds appropriately (if friendly). Wide area search, target detection, cueing, tracking, and accepting target coordinate handoff from outside sources are not ERASER functions. The ERASER hardware would be integrated with existing or emerging common aperture FLIR/designator targeting systems. In an operational configuration and concept of operation, a potential target is detected by radar, FLIR, or other source, and the FLIR tracker is engaged. The laser designator is boresighted to the center of the FLIR field-of-view, ensuring a constant laser lock on the potential target being tracked. The ERASER system fires a ranging pulse to set the appropriate range gates, followed by illumination pulse(s) to generate a magnified high resolution image of the central portion of the FLIR narrow field-of-view. Positive target ID is made by the pilot and/or an ATR subsystem. The target set under consideration includes tactical and/or strategic targets both unobscured and camouflaged/obscured, theater ballistic missile launch systems and their support vehicles, and surface-to-air missile systems. This PRDA effort will develop a non-cooperative ERASER Combat ID system which will culminate in an airborne demonstration on a contractor-furnished aircraft. It will explore sensor design trades to quantify the effects of design decisions on sensor performance, cost, complexity, and risk. This PRDA will define the performance requirements necessary for ERASER to accomplish the highest confidence target recognition/identification with the lowest false alarm rates feasible. The cockpit display requirements to fully exploit ERASER imagery will be defined. Existing ATR algorithm/processors will be investigated to determine their compatibility, applicability, and potential ID performance enhancements to overall mission performance. Lowering system life cycle cost will be emphasized throughout the program. (b)TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS -- The contractor shall relate United States Air Force requirements and mission needs to the contractor's proposed demonstration concept/hardware and define a prioritized list of platforms, mission applications, transition paths, and program tasking. System, sensor, and subsystem level tradeoffs shall be accomplished to define and execute a technical program to accomplish a flight test demonstrating long range, high confidence target ID utilizing ERASER hardware integrated into a FLIR/designator targeting system. Areas of consideration include, but are not limited to: rules of engagement, weapon systems, threat laydown, standoff ranges, timelines, laser wavelength, laser power, new laser development options, aperture size, contrast assessment, probability of correct ID, probability of false alarms, system stabilization and pointing requirements, fields-of-view, camera sensitivity, pilot interface, automatic target recognition techniques, and system reliability and maintainability (R&M) goals. Critical technologies, long lead items, and high risk components shall be identified in a timely manner and a plan shall be developed to mitigate associated program risk. Possible commercial applications shall be identified as the ERASER sensor capabilities mature and are specifically defined. Due to the funding constraints and compressed time period of this effort, it would be expected that existing equipment would be used with modifications to demonstrate ERASER. The contractor shall generate and execute a plan to integrate newly developed ERASER hardware into their existing testbed. The plan shall address integration, ground testing, and flight demonstration of the ERASER system. An ERASER system shall be flight tested on a contractor-furnished aircraft. Realtime pilot-in-the-loop assessment of ERASER ID capability shall be accomplished. An off-line automatic target recognition (ATR) analysis shall be accomplished to quantify ID performance and potential performance improvements. The ERASER Flight Demonstration sensor shall be integrated with flight-ready contractor-owned hardware. This hardware shall include as a minimum a target detection FLIR, FLIR tracker, and laser designator/illuminator integrated into a rugged configuration. The hardware will incorporate common aperture active/passive receiver paths. The ERASER system shall perform target illumination and imagery collection at altitudes from 5,000 to 20,000 feet with 15 to 20 kilometer slant paths. A program goal of a 25 kilometer slant range is desired. (2) Deliverable Items: (a) The following deliverable data items shall be proposed: (i) Status Report, DI-MGMT-80368/T, monthly; (ii) Funds and Man-hour Expenditure Report, DI-FNCL-80331/T, monthly; (iii) Project Planning Chart, DI-MGMT-80507A/T, monthly; (iv) Contract Funds Status Report (CFSR), DI-MGMT-81468, quarterly; (v) Presentation Material, DI-ADMIN-81373/T, as required; (vi) Scientific and Technical Reports, Contractor's Billing Voucher, DI-MISC-80711/T, monthly; (vii) Scientific and Technical Reports, DI-MISC-80711/T, (Draft and Reproducible Final); (viii) Data Accession List (DAL), DI-MGMT-81543/T, semi-annually; (ix) Test Procedure, Lab and Field Demo, DI-NDTI-80603/T, as required; and, (x) Test Plan, Field Demo, DI-NDTI-80566/T. (b) The following additional deliverable items shall be proposed: None. (3) Security Requirements: A DD254 shall be accomplished at contract award. It is anticipated that work performed under this contract will be classified up to and including the SECRET level. Wright Laboratory's "Electro-Optical Targeting Sensors Security Classification Guide", dated 1 Sep 96 is the overall classification authority of these efforts. (4) Other Special Requirements: International Trade in Arms Restrictions apply. Public Law 98-94 applies to this acquisition. Offerors must submit approved DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement with their proposals. C -- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: (1) Anticipated Period of Performance: The total length of the technical effort is estimated to be 48 months. The contractor shall also provide for an additional 4 months for processing and completion of the final report. (2) Expected Award Date: 1997 August 21. (3) Air Force Estimate: The Air Force funding profile is: FY97/39K, FY98/681K, FY99/2240K, FY00/1850K, FY01/1000K. This funding profile is an estimate only and is not a promise for funding as all funding is subject to change due to Air Force discretion and availability. (4) Type of Instrument: Contract -- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (Completion). (5) Government Furnished Property: Government will provide access to White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, in the Feb -- May 2001 time period. (6) Size Status: For the purpose of this acquisition, the size standard is 500 employees (SIC 8731). (7) Notice to Foreign-Owned Firms: Such firms are not eligible to propose as prime contractors for this PRDA announcement. Such firms are asked to immediately notify the contracting point of contact if their intent is to support a U.S.-owned firm as a subcontractor. Foreign contractors should be aware that restrictions may apply which could preclude their participation in this acquisition. D-PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS: (1) General Instructions: Offerors should apply the restrictive notice prescribed in the provision at FAR 52.215-12, Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Data, to trade secrets or privileged commercial and financial information contained in their proposals. Proposal questions should be directed to one of the points of contact listed below. Offerors should refer to the instructions contained in the WL "PRDA and BAA Guide for Industry" referenced in Section A of this announcement. Separate technical and cost proposal volumes are required and must be valid for 180 days. Proposals must reference the above PRDA number. Proposals shall be submitted in an original and five (5) copies. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be evaluated against the criteria set forth below in Section E -- Basis of Award. Offerors are advised that only contracting officers are legally authorized to contractually bind or otherwise commit the Air Force. (2) Technical Proposal: The technical proposal shall include a discussion of the nature and scope of the research and the technical approach. Specific instructions regarding the content and page count of the technical proposal are provided below Section (4) -- Page Limitations. The technical proposal shall include a Statement of Work (SOW) detailing the technical tasks/phases proposed to be accomplished under the proposed effort and be suitable for instrument incorporation. Offerors should refer to the WL Guide to assist in SOW preparation. Any questions concerning the technical proposal or SOW preparation should be referred tothe technical point of contact cited below. (3) Cost Proposal: Adequate price competition is anticipated. Therefore, to permit a cost realism analysis, the submission of a SF1448, available from the contracting point of contact, is required in lieu of a SF1411. A suggested format for submission of cost information is available from the contracting point of contact. Contractors are urged to use this format (which may be tailored as needed) in the submission of cost proposals. The accompanying cost proposal/price breakdown shall be furnished with supporting schedules and shall contain a person-hour breakdown per task. (4) Page Limitations: The technical proposal shall be differentiated from the appendix to the technical proposal. The technical proposal shall be limited to ninety (90) pages, (12 pitch or larger type), double-spaced, single-sided, 8.5 by 11 inches page size. This ninety (90) page limitation includes all information, i.e., indexes, photographs, fold-outs, graphs, schedule charts, etc., other thanthe specific exceptions stated below, which are included in the appendix. The appendix shall contain additional information on prior work in this area, descriptions of available equipment, data and facilities, and resumes of personnel who will be participating in this effort. This appendix is limited to twenty-five (25) pages and is subject to the identical page format conditions stated above. It is not a separate document. Pages in excess of either of these limitations will be removed from the proposal and will not be evaluated by the Air Force. Cost proposals have no page limitation, however, offerors are requested to limit cost proposals to 30 pages as a goal. (5) Preparation Cost: This announcement does not commit the Air Force to pay for any proposal preparation cost. The cost of preparing proposals in response to this is not an allowable direct charge to any resulting award, or any other procurement instrument. However, it may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost as specified in FAR 31.205-18. E -- BASIS FOR AWARD: The selection of one or more sources for award will be based on an evaluation of an offeror's proposal (both technical and cost) to determine the overall merit of the proposal in response to the announcement. The technical aspect, which is ranked as the first order of priority, shall be evaluated based on the following criteria which are ranked of equal importance: (a) new and creative methods to reduce life cycle cost and program risks of integrating ERASER sensor hardware into FLIR/designator systems; (b) the offeror's understanding of the scientific and technical objectives of the effort; (c) soundness, reliability, and simplicity of the offeror's approach to accomplish the scientific and technical objectives; (d) the availability of qualified technical personnel and their experience with applicable technologies; (e) the offeror's past experience with active, gated camera systems, passive thermal imaging systems, automatic target cueing/recognition techniques, hardware integration, and airframe integration; and (f) organization, clarity, and thoroughness of the proposed SOW. Cost and/or price, which includes consideration of proposed budgets and funding profiles is a substantial factor, but, ranked as the second order of priority. No other evaluation criteria will be used. The technical and cost proposals will be evaluated at the same time. The Air Force reserves the right to select for award any, all, part, or none of the proposal(s) received. F -- POINTS OF CONTACT: (1) An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from offerors and potential offerors during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the contracting officer, but to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements and recommendations to the appropriate Air Force personnel. All potential offerors should use established channels to voice concerns before resorting to use the Ombudsman. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection. The Ombudsman should only be contacted with issues or problems that have been previously brought to the attention of the contracting officer and could not be satisfactorily resolved at that level. These serious concerns only may be directed to the Ombudsman, Mr. Mike S. Coalson, ASC/SYI, Bldg. 52, Room 136, 2475 K Street, Wright- Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7642, E-Mail: coalsoms@sy.wpafb.af.mil, phone (937) 255-5535x232. (2) Technical Point of Contact: Mr. Robert M. Zumrick, WL/AAJS, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base OH 45433-7700, (937) 255-9614, ext 241.(3) Contracting/Cost Point of Contact: Mr. Edward Caulfield, WL/AAKE, Bldg 7, 2530 C Street, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433-7607, (937) 255-3379. See note Number 26. (0111)

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