Inactive

Request for Information (RFI) SCOPE: This is a Request for Information (RFI), as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(e). The Government is issuing this RFI in an effort to understan... Request for Information (RFI) SCOPE: This is a Request for Information (RFI), as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(e). The Government is issuing this RFI in an effort to understand market availability, technical characteristics, cost, and functionality of Information Technology (IT) tools, applications or products capable of satisfying the life-cycle technical, functional, operational, and/or capabilities described in this RFI. Any information submitted by respondents to this request is strictly voluntary. This is not a request for proposal, request for quotation, or invitation for bid, nor does its issuance obligate or restrict the Government to an eventual acquisition approach. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses from this RFI or pay for the preparation of any information submitted or for the use of such information. All information received from this RFI will be used for planning and market research purposes only. To the maximum extent possible, please submit non-proprietary information. Any proprietary information submitted should be identified as such and will be properly protected from disclosure. The Government shall not be liable for damages related to proprietary information that is not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. BACKGROUND: Future Special Operations may be conducted in complex, shallow-water, cluttered littoral environments. Communication, understanding and reacting to threats that pose significant risk to the warfighter and other assets is critical to mission success. As enhanced resources are deployed, underwater communication devices that provide greater situational awareness are paramount to minimize risk and accomplish the mission. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport (NUWCDIVNPT) is seeking white papers from industry, academia, individuals and government organizations capable of providing research, design, and testing of the objectives described below. The Goal of this RFI is to research, discover and evaluate technologies that will accelerate the delivery of advanced capabilities to enhance communications and that will provide an asymmetrical warfare advantage during Diving operations. PURPOSE: The purpose of this RFI is to gather information on best practices, technology solutions and cost estimates for Underwater Diver communication modular payloads and enhancements specific to the two objectives stated below. NUWCDIVNPT is interested in information for the following objectives. Objective 1: Investigate Diver communication payloads that can be integrated and worn by a diver, to facilitate and enhance reliable communications between divers which can include diver to diver, and diver to platform communication. The communication technology must be able to be worn by a diver, portable, maximize Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) and if possible provide ease of operation switching from underwater environment to shore. It is desired for the proposed capabilities to achieve maximum situational awareness from the smallest possible devices to improve decision making across multiple communication modalities. The ability of the Diver to effectively communicate between divers is paramount as is the capability to establish communications between multiple deployed communication systems in the operational environment. Objective 2: Investigate commercial or developmental underwater communication capability enhancements that will result in increased Diver capabilities and positional/placement accuracy and enhanced situational awareness. The ease with which these capability enhancements are compatible and can be integrated into commercial or other government underwater network is of interest. Submittals that suggest a developmental technology, vehicle or other method to deliver the enhanced communications from an underwater platform will be accepted and reviewed in the study. Vulnerability to the diver and of the underwater capability should be provided as well. REQUESTED INFORMATION: The government is seeking white papers on the objectives stated above. White papers can address either objective, or both of the objectives. At a minimum, white papers should include the technical solution addressing these objectives and the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the solution(s). The government is also interested in the cost for procurement of off the shelf solutions and developmental costs (if applicable) for solutions that require further development. Provide the following business information: Company name, address, phone number Company website link Company cage code Point of Contact name, email, and phone number, for further clarification or questions. QUESTIONS: Questions in regards to this RFI are to be submitted by email to: Primary: Christopher Patty Email: christopher.t.patty.civ@ us.navy.mil Secure Email: christopher.patty@navy.smil.mil Alternate: Everett Collins Email: everett.j.collins5.civ@us.navy.mil Secure Email: Everett.j.collins@navy.smil.mil RESPONSES: Responses to this RFI are to be submitted by email to both: Christopher Patty, Email: christopher.patty@navy.mil Secure Email: christopher.patty@navy.smil.mil and Everett Collins Email: everett.j.collins5.civ@us.navy.mil Secure Email: Everett.j.collins@navy.smil.mil Responses due via email no later than June 30, 2022. Response should be single-spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font, with a total page count not to exceed (35) thirty-five pages. Please note that some email systems may block file types such as .zip or other macro-enabled extensions; respondents should verify receipt. Any response submitted to this request constitutes consent for that submission to be reviewed by government personnel. The responses may be forwarded to other government entities in consideration for applicability to other programs. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to provide feedback with respect to any information submitted. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. This RFI is issued solely for information purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue a RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service in any manner. 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 parties’ expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP(s), if any are issued.