Air Force seeks airborne tagging technology

http://fcw.com/articles/2009/01/26/air-force-seeks-airborne-tagging-tech
nology.aspx

Air Force seeks airborne tagging technology
By Doug Beizer
Jan 26, 2009

Air Force officials want to learn about technology that makes it
possible for aircraft to remotely tag and track vehicles on the ground,
according to a  solicitation  posted on FedBizOpps.gov today.

The Air Force’s Air Armament Center Capabilities Integration Directorate
Division wants information from industry about developing the technology
and wants mature technology so it can be implemented quickly.

The technology should make it possible to apply tags to a variety of
vehicles from aircraft that are 3 kilometers or more away from a target,
and the tags should be capable of being sensed and tracked for at least
a few hours. Eventually, Air Force officials want the tags to last for a
few days, according to the announcement. 

Ideally the tags would be inconspicuous, but could be readily detected
with a sensor. “In general, less obvious tags are better,” the
solicitation states.

The ideal tags would let trackers distinguish among multiple similar
vehicles with tags, and the tags should include a time stamp or
expiration feature, making it possible to know the age of a tag under
observation.

The tagging system must also be capable of being installed on a
propeller-driven unmanned aerial vehicle.

Those submitting information should indicate if the technology will be
available in the next few months for a ground demonstration, the Air
Force said.
-------------------------------------
https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity
&mode=form&id=ee0830f21d33b0b7336d7e5ce6
4b1e6e&tab=core&_cview=0&cck=1&au=&ck=

Solicitation Number: AAC-PKEXR-01-2609
Notice Type: Sources Sought

Synopsis:
Added: Jan 26, 2009 10:56 am

I. Description

The Air Armament Center Capabilities Integration Directorate Division
AAC/XR is requesting information and/or concepts for developing an
airborne capability to remotely mark vehicles for identification
purposes. A near-term technology is sought for fast implementation;
therefore, mature technologies are preferred. Respondent information
will be used by the Government to determine the most promising
approaches to standoff (line of sight) "tagging," how operational
sensing and tracking of the tag marker could be accomplished, and the
art of the possible in meeting further desired qualities described
below. Responses to this RFI will be used by the Government to determine
corporate interest in demonstrating such systems. From the responses to
this RFI, the Air Force will determine the feasibility of hosting
demonstrations at Eglin Air Force Base and developing an acquisition
strategy.

Tagging technologies are sought which satisfy the following criteria:

1. Effectiveness: Tags should be readily applied to a variety of
commercial or other vehicles, from a host aircraft at a distance of
approx. 3 km or greater, and be easily recognized from similar
distances. Commercial paint, trim, tires, upholstery, etc. can be
assumed for the target vehicles.

2. Persistence: Tags should be capable of being sensed and tracked for
at least a few hours duration, with a goal of a few days. Tags may be
permanent or ephemeral.

3. Inconspicuous: An ideal tag will be unobservable to the unaided eye,
but readily detected with a sensor. Visible tags that are not readily
identifiable as intentionally marked will also be considered. In
general, less obvious tags are better.

4. Unique ID: An ideal tag will allow the user to distinguish among
multiple similar vehicles with tags, i.e. a different identifiable tag
for each.

5. Date/Time: An ideal tag will include a time stamp or expiration
feature which will allow some idea of the age of a tag under
observation, to allow the observer to easily recognize and disregard an
old tag which has outlived its usefulness. Alternatively, the tag may
simply disappear over time.

6. Platform Compatibility: The tagging system must be compatible with
carriage on relatively slow-moving (propeller-driven) aircraft or UAV's.
Respondents should provide some estimate of the size and weight of
proposed systems. Consideration should be given as to how the system
would be integrated so that the air/flightworthiness and safety of the
original airframe are not compromised.

7. Maturity: Any level of maturity will be considered; however, please
indicate if the system is available within the next few months for a
ground demonstration. Indicate when the technology would be available
for military use.

Additionally, the following information is requested (if available) to
enable the Government to better evaluate the maturity and effectiveness
of the proposed tagging technology:

1. Military Utility: Any weaponization analysis/studies of the tagging
technology and potential concepts of employment to show performance,
effectiveness, and military utility.

2. Reliability/Maintainability: Any data on tagging technology
reliability and maintainability issues and their potential solutions.

II. Government Information

THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS
RFI OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. This RFI is for
planning purposes only, and shall not be considered as a Request for
Proposal (RFP), or as an obligation on the part of the Government to
acquire any products or services. No entitlement to payment of direct or
indirect costs of charges by the Government will arise due to contractor
submission of responses to this RFI or the Government's use of such
information.

AAC/XR uses service contractors in fulfilling its mission requirements,
including the review of the technology capabilities solicited in this
RFI. Service contracts contain an organizational conflict of interest
clause that requires service contractors to protect the data, and
prohibits them from using the data for any other purpose than for which
it was presented.

The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any
contractor's input resulting from this RFI. This RFI does not constitute
a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations
to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or
received for this contemplated effort. The information you provide may
be utilized by the Department of Defense in developing its acquisition
strategy, including creation of Initial Capabilities Documents.

Industry is encouraged to respond with information not constrained by
proprietary data rights. However, if proprietary data is included in
your reply, please mark it appropriately. Any subsequent actions
resulting from the evaluation of the information provided because of
this RFI, may be synopsized at a future date. If synopsized, information
detailing the specific requirements of this procurement(s) will be
included.

Responses to this RFI may be classified at the TOP SECRET level or
below. Classified responses should be properly marked and packaged. For
instructions on submitting classified information contact: Ms Christine
Wicker at Christine.Wicker@eglin.af.mil or (850) 883-4925.

This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only. It does not
constitute a formal Request for Proposal (RFP), and should not be
construed as such a commitment by the U.S. Government. All information
contained in this RFI is preliminary, and subject to modification.

III. Responses

Responses should include information about all relevant and applicable
unclassified technologies available within the aforementioned timeframes
and based on requested criteria. They should include information about
the type of material, hazard classification, physical properties, etc.,
as described in requirement criteria.

Responses should be single-spaced, 12-point font, with numbered pages,
and should not exceed 15 pages in length, including cover page,
appendices, tables, and figures. Responses should use the following
subject heading: Airborne Tagging Technology. For electronic
submissions, please use either Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.
Submissions must be properly marked and hand-carried or mailed to the
following address:

AAC/XR
Attention: John Cserep
207 West D. Ave, Bldg. 349, Suite 303
Eglin AFB, FL 32542

Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Respondents are advised that
AAC/XR is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information
received, or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any
information submitted under this RFI.

IV. Points of Contact

For technical questions, please contact:

Major Kevin Anchor at kevin.anchor@eglin.af.mil or (850) 883-3274
John Cserep at john.cserep@eglin.af.mil or (850) 883-3223, or
Robert Wilson at Robert.Wilson@eglin.af.mil or (850) 882-4108.

For contractual questions, please contact:

Dana Alexander at dana.alexander@eglin.af.mil or (850)882-0185
Lorna Hendrix at lorna.hendrix@eglin.af.mil or (850)882-0171

Contracting Office Address:
AAC/PK
205 West D Avenue, Suite 433
Eglin AFB, Florida 32542-6864

Place of Performance:
Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AAC-Air
Armament Center, AAC 205 West D Avenue, Suite 433
Eglin AFB, Florida 32542
United States

Primary Point of Contact.:
Lorna Hendrix,
Contract Specialist
lorna.hendrix@eglin.af.mil
Phone: 850-882-0171
Fax: 850-882-4561

Secondary Point of Contact:
Dana L Alexander,
Contracting Officer
dana.alexander@eglin.af.mil
Phone: 850-882-0185
Fax: 850-882-4561

Advertisement