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Request for Information for the Known Distance Automated Scoring System •1 Description of This Document The Marine Corps Program Manager Training Systems (PM TRASYS) is seeking information on how inte... Request for Information for the Known Distance Automated Scoring System •1 Description of This Document The Marine Corps Program Manager Training Systems (PM TRASYS) is seeking information on how interested contractors could provide or already have provided a Known Distance Automated Scoring (KDAS) System for live fire ranges. This document describes the general use case and requirements for the system, as well as a description of the information interested parties may provide to the Government. This document is only a Request for Information (RFI). 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 RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Marine Corps is not, at this time, seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondents are advised that the U.S. 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 RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement. •2 Background The Government's expectation is for a contractors to provide information on a Known Distance Automated Scoring (KDAS) system that supports the USMC known distance rifle qualification. The Government's intent is to find a Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) product or a COTS product with minimal development required. •2.1 Summary of Existing Ranges and Systems This section (including its subsections) explains the general properties of KD ranges and how they are used for qualification. •2.1.1 Description of a Generic KD Range A KD range generally consists of a target range where: •· There is one line of targets. The targets are typically mounted to KD carriages which sit in a pit at the target end of the range. •o The KD carriages are operated by a target operator in the pit. The KD carriages use a counterweight system, where the target is given a counterweight that helps the target operator lift/lower it. •o When the target is raised, the shooter can engage it. When the KD carriage is lowered, the target is concealed from the shooter and the target operator is able to score the shots and repair the targets. •o Example KD carriages that are in use include the Patriot Products KDC84 and the Precision Products KDR 110. •· There are multiple firing lines present on the firing range typically 100 yards, 200 yards, 300 yards, and 500 yards. The shooters and instructors move from firing line to firing line throughout the training/qualification. •· Because the KD carriages are human-powered by the target operator, there typically isn't a shore power supply on the target line. Likewise, there is not typically a power source on the firing lines. This means that initial KDAS systems will need to operate without shore power. •· The current stage of fire for the KD rifle range qualification uses 3 target pictures, the Able target (A target) the dog target, (D target) and the modified B target. For the purposes of this RFI the system will require only a modified B target be used for the entire string of fire, and required to be displayed on the Shot Display Units (SDUs). •· KD ranges are typically outdoors with no protection from the elements. •2.1.2 Description of a KD Range Qualification Event The qualification event run on KD ranges is the Marine Corps' Course of Fire for Rifle Table 1 (COF Table 1). COF Table 1 is currently under revision, so the exact target silhouette, stages, and steps are currently unknown. For the purposes of this RFI, we are assuming a single target line with a single target silhouette (for this RFI we will use a modified B silhouette, picture attached). The following applies to COF Table 1: •· The shooters use the Marine Corps standard issue service rifles. •· COF Table 1 is broken into multiple stages. •· Shooters fire from multiple positions, including prone, sitting, kneeling and standing, from the 100m, 200m, 300m, and 500m firing lines (or 100 yards, 200 yards, 300 yards, and 500 yard lines). •· Shots are scored based on where they hit the target. Certain areas of the target are worth more points than other parts of the target. •· Events are timed in periods of 1 to 25 minutes. •· During pre-qualification and qualification events, a Marine may shoot up to 100 rounds/day and would require automated scoring for the entire string of fire without target repair. •· In some cases it is necessary to conduct an alibi. An alibi is a process where a shooter repeats a step in the training and the original score for that step is replaced. •· At the end of the event the shooter's performance is recorded on a score sheet (see Table 2, page 8 for an example score sheet). •2.2 The KDAS System •2.2.1 Expected Architecture For the purposes of this document KDAS system is expected to have the architecture delineated below. The Government is willing to consider other architectures under this RFI as well. •· Range Control System (RCS). Allows the range operator to control all KDAS on the range. •· Coach Display Unit (CDUs). Each Combat Marksmanship Coach is provided a CDU that allows them to see at minimum 4 target lanes at once to track shooters shots. •· Shot Display Units (SDUs). Each shooter is provided an SDU that allows them to see their shot locations on the target and score. •· Shot Detector. The target can detect where the round hits the target. •· Lane Discriminators. Ensures only the shots from the correct lane are scored. •2.3 The KDAS's Purpose The KDAS will be used both for qualification shooting as well as general marksmanship training. During marksmanship training the KDAS will be required to accurately show the shooter where they hit the target, to provide feedback that will assist the shooter in developing their shooting skills. The overall purpose of the KDAS System is to: •· Reduce the amount of labor necessary to conduct KD training/qualification. By eliminating the need for target operators in the pits, the labor overhead associated with KD training is greatly reduced. •· Increase the speed of training/qualification. This reduces the amount of time shooters need to spend on the range, freeing them up to perform other work. •3 Information Requested: Interested contractors are invited to provide a response to this RFI to the Program Manager for Marine Training Systems (PMM 130) for consideration. Contractor feedback provided in response to this RFI may be used to enhance and clarify the KDAS Performance Specification in preparation for a possible RFP. The information in the contractor's response shall be presented in white paper (contractors) format, and shall include: •3.1 General Information •· Pictures, drawings, and or illustrations of their KDAS system, including peripherals such as lane discriminators. •· A description of what technologies are being used •3.2 RCS Control/Network •· Ability to have a single RCS control all targets on the range. •· Ability for all equipment to work wirelessly. •· Ability to have up to 100KDAS-equipped targets on a range simultaneously. •· Ability to communicate wirelessly to target systems. •· RCS visibility in sunlight/low light conditions. •3.3 Accuracy and Calibration •· Accuracy of KDAS system with a service rifle, including: •o Average error radius (millimeters) •o Median error radius (millimeters) •o 95% radius of error (e.g. R95) (millimeters). •o Error radius standard deviation •o Any other relevant accuracy information, such as accuracy test results •o The conditions of the test should be provided. It is preferred that test data is taken from an outdoor environment rather than an enclosed structure/wind tunnel. •· Changes in accuracy at the 100m, 200m, 300m, and 500m (or 100yd, 200yd, 300yd, and 500yd) line •· Ability to change from yards to meters. •· Accuracy of the system in adverse weather conditions (e.g. wind, rain, snow, mist, fog) •· Ability to register multiple shots within .25 seconds of one another. •· Calibrations •o What calibrations are necessary •o How often calibrations need to be performed. •o Difficulty of calibration. •3.4 Ability to Automatically Score Future KD Qualification Tables (see 2.1.1, 2.1.2) •3.4.1 Execute Stages/Steps of Scenario •· Ability for RCS Operator to choose the stage of fire •· Ability for Marine shooters to choose the step of fire (step is a sub-set of the stage where the Marine changes stance) •· Ability to time the stages of fire, so that shots outside of the time window are disregarded •3.4.2 Automatically Score and Produce Scoresheet •· Ability to score target hits/misses. •· Ability to delineate different scoring zones on the target. •· Ability to automatically fill out scorecards during the qualification. •· Ability to show the RCS Operator the scorecards in process, throughout the qualification. •· Ability to show the shooter their scorecard in process, throughout the qualification. •3.4.3 Alibis •· Ability for the RCS Operator to select shooters for alibi and the step to be alibied. •· Ability to perform alibis. •· Ability to fill out scorecard correctly showing alibis performed and steps of fire that were alibied. •· Ability to manually modify alibis on scorecards, with password protection and the name of the person inserting the modified scores. •3.4.4 Export/Print Qualification Results •· Ability to digitally export data at the end of a qualification. •· Ability to print all scorecards out at the end of the qualification for record-keeping and provision of a duplicate copy to the shooters. •3.5 Ability to Interface with Existing KD Range Infrastructure •· Ability to mount KDAS targets to KD Carriages and/or the ground. •· Ability and methodology to protect critical components from gunfire with existing infrastructure. •· Ability of the system to operate without shore power (e.g. operate off of batteries). •o Battery lifespans. Government prefers at least 12 to 24hrs of battery life prior to swapping batteries. •o (Optional) Ability to implement solar battery charging instead of manually charging the batteries •3.6 SDU/CDU Ability to provide shooter a visualization that shows where their round hit on the target. •· Ability to show shooters their scorecard during the scenario. •· Ability to turn off shooter's scorecard access during the scenario. •· Ability to move the SDU/CDU between the firing lanes during training/qualification. •· Providing a stand or other solution to allow the shooter to see the SDU from the prone, sitting, kneeling and standing positions. •· SDU/CDU visibility in sunlight/low light conditions. •· SDU/CDU usability with gloves. •· Ability for CDU to observe a minimum of 4 target points simultaneously and change targets in stride. •3.7 Ability to Implement Open Architecture •· (Optional) Ability to interface with Range Instrumentation Systems Controller - Targetry (RISCon-T). RISCon-T is a variant of the Targetry Range Automated Control and Recording (TRACR) software, and uses the Future Army System of Integrated Targets (FASIT) protocol. •3.8 Lane Discriminators •· Ability to discriminate crossfire and ensure only shots fired from the correct lane are scored. •· Ability to work properly when the shooter is in the prone, sitting, kneeling and standing positions. •· Ability to move the Lane Discriminators between the firing lines during training/qualification. •3.9 Lifespan and Estimated Costs •· Estimated costs of their components (including interface cables) for a firm-fixed type contract (lot pricing: 1 unit, 10 units, 100 units, and 500 units). •· Identification of consumable items (e.g. target silhouettes), along with the lifespan of those items (e.g. number of shots that the target can take prior to replacement). •· The target itself shall be able to score at a minimum 200 hits before target repairs are required. •3.10 Ruggedization/Toughness/Outdoor Considerations •· Ability to survive being left perpetually outdoors. •· Overall system usability and performance in adverse weather conditions (e.g. wind, rain, snow, mist, fog, salt air). •· Overall system usability with gloves. •· Ingress protection rating of equipment (or equivalent ratings). •· MIL-STD-810 test results for equipment (or equivalent ratings). •3.11 Other Information •· Whether the contractor is able to demonstrate the operation of their system during the Shot Show around January 21-25, 2019. •4 Responses Submission formats are limited to MS Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Adobe PDF. The data must be submitted to the contracting office POCs via email to Mr. Cory Pfenning, cory.pfenning@usmc.mil no later than 1000, local time Orlando on 11 January 2019. The submission email subject line should be titled "KD RFI- (Insert Contractors Name). Responses shall be limited to 20 pages Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned or distributed to outside contractor competitors. DO NOT SUBMIT ANY CLASSIFIED INFORMATION. Interested parties are solely responsible for all costs and expenses associated with their respective response to this request. The Government will not reimburse interested parties for any direct and/or indirect costs and/or expenses associated with this request. •4.1 Follow-On Based on a contractor's response, the Government may request follow-on demonstrations of the contractor's product to include integration and operation with the KDAS system. The Government intends to have representatives present at the Shot Show in Las Vegas, NV from January 21-25, 2019 to execute follow-on demonstrations with interested contractors. If you are attending, please provide your location at the show and point of contract. •5 Summary THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide KDAS Systems. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Marine Corps 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. •Appendix A - Example Scorecard Please note that this scorecard is expected to change, and is provided here for conceptual purposes only. Table 2- Example Scorecard