Centralized Power Source
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY for a main power source and radio wedge technologies which are capable of meeting the basic requirements described below. This is not a Request for Quotati... THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY for a main power source and radio wedge technologies which are capable of meeting the basic requirements described below. This is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP) or an Invitation for Bid (IFB). It is a market research tool being used to determine the availability and adequacy of potential sources for planning purposes only. Responses to this notice are not considered as offers. This request does include the need for cables but as a support item and would be more formally requested as part of a future RFQ/RFP/IFB. The Government shall not pay for the preparation of any information presented or the use of any such information. The Government requests comments to be provided on these requirements to provide the best set of solutions to the operator. Comments can include tradeoffs in metrics to provide an alternate solution. DESCRIPTION The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Soldier Center, Program Manager Special Operations Forces, Natick, MA is seeking information of available Centralized Power Sources, hereby also referred to as “Centralized Power Source” in this document that is capable of meeting the following Key Performance Parameters (KPP’s): KEY PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS (KPP’s) – Centralized Power Source If the offeror’s solution cannot meet all KPPs below, they will not be removed from consideration, but will be used to improve the KPP requirements to better reflect current limits of solutions. Please provide a response to each KPP, whether capable of meeting it or with suggested changes. These suggestions may impact future procurement opportunities. Centralized Power Sources form factors will include but not be limited to those in the following table: Form Factor Energy Density (Wh/Kg)* Volume Total Weight** Threshold Objective Threshold Objective Conformal or Conformable Battery – Large >175 Wh/kg >250 Wh/kg No larger than Medium TSA Gen V plate 12in x 9.5in (Insertable into current issue BAV plate carriers) 1kg <.75kg Conformal or Conformable Battery – Swimmer/Large >175 Wh/kg >250 Wh/kg No larger than Medium TSA Gen V plate, Swimmer’s cut 12in x 9.5in (Insertable into current issue BAV plate carriers) 1kg <.75kg Conformal or Conformable Battery – Small >175 Wh/kg >250 Wh/kg No larger than MSAP Side plate, 6in x 6in 0.5 kg <0.35kg Magazine Pouch Battery >175 Wh/kg >250 Wh/kg Magazine Pouch Volume, N/A N/A “Battle Belt” Battery*** >175 Wh/kg >250 Wh/kg Mountable/insertable into standard issue battle belts N/A N/A Low Visibility Battery**** >175 Wh/kg >250 Wh/kg N/A N/A N/A Other***** >175 Wh/kg >250 Wh/kg N/A N/A N/A (Table 1) *All Centralized Power Sources shall meet the listed energy densities listed, regardless of form factor. The listed energy density metrics are for the complete battery pack, not individual cell performance. **Weight shall include main battery pack without pouches or cabling. ***The “Battle Belt” concept is to house the battery pack(s) in a common battle belt such as the Crye Precision AVS low profile belt system or other similar options. Concept takes advantage of the ergonomics of carrying weight at the waist area. ****Form factor of Low Visibility battery is TBD, SSES is open to options and ideas. Intent is for use in clandestine operation. *****Alternative form factors are acceptable provided they can serve an operational use case and survive in relevant environments. KPP* Threshold Objective Battery Characteristics Batteries shall not provide ballistic protection but may be closely integrated with ballistic protection. T=O Batteries shall provide a voltage range of 10V – 16.8V Batteries shall provide a voltage range of 10V-16.8V AND/OR militarized USB-C/USB-PD power Batteries shall support standard battery connector pinouts, i.e. standard XX-2590, Nett Warrior compatible, ATAK, or other standard battery connectors. State your connector in response. Batteries shall support standard battery connector pinouts, i.e. standard XX-2590, Nett Warrior compatible, ATAK,, or other standard battery connectors AND/OR militarized USB-C connector. State your connector in response. Batteries shall provide power without interruption during system startup or during other current in-rush. In-rush currents include up to 36A for 25ms. T=O Integration Batteries shall integrate with current body armor vest (BAV), plate carriers, and protective plates: CRYE JPC & AVS, Eagle MMAC 2012 & LCS, SPEAR Tactical Standalone GenV/V-B plate T=O Batteries shall be compatible with current generation of Operator powered radio and support equipment without degrading normal function. Radio equipment includes but is not limited to: AN/PRC-152A, AN/PRC-148, AN/PRC-163, AN/PRC-148C, MPU5, TacRover P/E, AN/PRC-161, TW900/950. Additional equipment devices in the TAK eco-system, End User Devices/ATAK, etc. Shall be compatible with current and future generation of Operator powered radio and support equipment. UN Testing** Batteries shall pass UN-Class 9 certification / section 38.3 the UN Transportation of Dangerous Goods Manual of Tests and Criteria for Lithium Metal and Lithium Ion Batteries T=O EMI/Enviro Testing Batteries shall pass all EMI/EMC and Environmental tests as listed below T=O EMI/EMC MIL-STD-461G CE102: Conducted emissions, radio frequency potential, power leads T=O MIL-STD-461G CS101: Conducted susceptibility, power leads T=O MIL-STD-461G CS114: Conducted susceptibility, bulk cable injection T=O MIL-STD-461G CS115: Conducted susceptibility, bulk cable injection, impulse excitation T=O MIL-STD-461G CS116: Conducted susceptibility, damped sinusoidal transients, cables and power leads T=O MIL-STD-461G RE102: Radiated emissions, electric field, Ground Limit – Army T=O MIL-STD-461G RS103: Radiated susceptibility, electric field, 80V/m RS103: Radiated susceptibility, electric field, 100V/m MIL-STD-461G IEC 61000-4-2, Level 4 (8kV Contact & 15kV Air) OR CS118: Personnel borne electrostatic discharge (8kV Contact & 15kV Air) T=O Environmental MIL-STD-810H Altitude Low Pressure: 500.6, Procedure I T=O MIL-STD-810H Altitude Low Pressure: 500.6, Procedure II T=O MIL-STD-810H High Temperature, Storage: 501.7, Procedure I T=O MIL-STD-810H High Temperature, Operational: 501.7, Procedure II T=O MIL-STD-810H Low Temperature, Storage: 502.7, Procedure I T=O MIL-STD-810H Low Temperature, Operational: 502.7, Procedure II T=O MIL-STD-810H Temperature Shock: 503.7, Procedure I-C T=O MIL-STD-810H Rain: 506.6, Procedure I T=O MIL-STD-810H Humidity: 507.6, Procedure II T=O MIL-STD-810H Fungus: 508.8 T=O MIL-STD-810H Salt Fog: 509.7 T=O MIL-STD-810H Blowing Dust: 510.7, Procedure I T=O MIL-STD-810H Blowing Sand: 510.7, Procedure II T=O MIL-STD-810H Explosive Atmosphere: 511.7, Procedure I T=O MIL-STD-810H Immersion: 512.6 T=O MIL-STD-810H Vibration: 514.8, Procedure I T=O MIL-STD-810H Shock and Drop: 516.8, Procedure I and IV T=O MIL-STD-810H Ice / Freezing Rain: 521.4 T=O MIL-STD-810H Water Jets (Salt Water): IP X6 T=O MIL-STD-810H Contamination by Fluids: 504.3, Test fluids: Seawater, Gasoline, Break-free, Rifle Bore Cleaning Compound T=O * In addition to this posting, a spreadsheet shall also be provided that lists all the above requirements. Offeror shall fill out the spreadsheet without modifying any categories with performance criteria. ** UN Testing – results of testing can be provided in datasheet if cell or battery pack has already passed these tests. Key System Attributes (KSA’s) Batteries and the submission shall address safety against projectiles, shrapnel, or other accidental damage. Designs may require differing levels of safety based on where a battery is mounted. A battery that is buried deep in a BAV would require a higher level of safety consideration compared to an externally mounted battery pack when considering ease of emergency doffing. Final batteries must have a State of Charge indicator but any initial prototypes are not required to. If a button is present to initiate a state of charge display, pressing it will only light up the display for no more than 3 seconds. Batteries must employ light discipline for night operation. Light discipline means that no visible or IR signature will be produced by the battery while it is being discharged in normal operation. Batteries shall be provided with a charger (Threshold) AND/OR be compatible with standard military chargers (Objective) including but not limited to the Thales UBC/UBCLite, Galvion SPM-612/SPM-622, Bren-Tronics SPC/ABC. Optionally batteries (Objective) shall also be compatible with USB-C/USB-PD based charging. Batteries shall be compatible when used in tandem with other SPEAR individual equipment by new equipment pouches (Threshold) or existing equipment pouches (Objective). The operator must be able to easily manipulate any connectors, release mechanisms, or buttons on the battery while wearing SPEAR issued Combat Gloves (Threshold) and the Insulated Glove (Objective). Must be air droppable, exposed, as part of the SOF Operator’s equipment. Static line and military freefall. In the opinion of the SOF Operator, batteries must be able to integrate on the Operator’s kit in an acceptable manner without hindering normal movements or operations. Compatibility Range of motion must not be significantly hindered in torso and / or limb movement/rotation. Must not hinder two handed pistol shooting (full extension of both arms) while wearing with or without body armor. Batteries and cabling will not create snag hazards while worn properly. Don (on) and Doffing (Removing) One operator can don the battery pack on the front or side of his/her kit while standing or lying on the back, and not interfering with the any worn equipment in less than 1 minute. If back mounted, a second operator can don or doff the battery while not interfering with any worn equipment in less than 30 seconds. If meant to be intertable into current issue BAV or LCS plate carriers, there is no intention to modify existing BAVs or protective plates. If punctured or damaged, the battery and supporting equipment must be capable of being emergency jettisoned, in under 10 seconds, and not cause harm to the operator during jettison maneuvers. KEY PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS (KPP’s) Each Universal Power Wedge submission must meet the following KPP’s. Failure to meet a KPP will eliminate the product for further consideration. Universal Power Wedge will adhere to the following table: Universal Power Wedge KPPs Threshold Objective Weight (without cables or accessories) Weight = <6 oz Weight = <4 oz Volume Volume = <7 in^3 Volume = <4.5 in^3 Radio Compatibility Wedge shall be compatible with SOF radios such as: AN/PRC-152A, AN/PRC-148, AN/PRC-163, AN/PRC-148C, MPU5, TacRover P/E, AN/PRC-161, TW900/950, without degrading normal function of the radio and connected support equipment. Wedge shall be compatible with all current and future radios. Input Power Wedge shall support 9V-32VDC Wedge shall support 5V-32VDC and Militarized USB-C/USB-PD compatible Power Conversion Efficiency Wedge shall be >85% efficient in normal use case of 10-16.8V Wedge shall be >95% efficient in normal use case of 10-16.8V Hot-Swap Capable While also employing a conventional radio battery, connected radios shall not shutdown when an external power source dies or is hot-swapped. T=O Connector Wedge shall support standard connector pinouts, i.e. Nett Warrior compatible, ATAK, or other standard connectors. State your connector in response. Wedge shall support standard connector pinouts, i.e. Nett Warrior compatible, ATAK, or other standard connectors AND/OR militarized USB-C connector. State your connector in response. Data Connectivity Wedge shall support the transfer of USB 3.X radio data via standard Army/SOF power and data connections when used with ATAK systems Wedge will support the transfer of radio data via standard Army/SOF power and data connection when used with ATAK systems AND/OR through Militarized USB-C/USB-PD compatible connections. Power & Data Connectivity Wedge shall support power only The wedge shall support transfer of radio and radio battery data via standard messaging supporting ATAK AND/OR Militarized USB-C/USB-PD. EMI/Enviro Testing Wedge shall pass all EMI/EMC and Environmental tests as listed below T=O EMI/EMC MIL-STD-461G CE102: Conducted emissions, radio frequency potential, power leads T=O MIL-STD-461G CS101: Conducted susceptibility, power leads T=O MIL-STD-461G CS114: Conducted susceptibility, bulk cable injection T=O MIL-STD-461G CS115: Conducted susceptibility, bulk cable injection, impulse excitation T=O MIL-STD-461G CS116: Conducted susceptibility, damped sinusoidal transients, cables and power leads T=O MIL-STD-461G RE102: Radiated emissions, electric field T=O MIL-STD-461G RS103: Radiated susceptibility, electric field, 80V/m RS103: Radiated susceptibility, electric field, 100V/m MIL-STD-461G IEC 61000-4-2, Level 4 (8kV Contact & 15kV Air) OR CS118: Personnel borne electrostatic discharge T=O Environmental MIL-STD-810H Altitude Low Pressure: 500.6, Procedure I T=O MIL-STD-810H Altitude Low Pressure: 500.6, Procedure II T=O MIL-STD-810H High Temperature, Storage: 501.7, Procedure I T=O MIL-STD-810H High Temperature, Operational: 501.7, Procedure II T=O MIL-STD-810H Low Temperature, Storage: 502.7, Procedure I T=O MIL-STD-810H Low Temperature, Operational: 502.7, Procedure II T=O MIL-STD-810H Temperature Shock: 503.7, Procedure I-C T=O MIL-STD-810H Rain: 506.6, Procedure I T=O MIL-STD-810H Humidity: 507.6, Procedure II T=O MIL-STD-810H Fungus: 508.8 T=O MIL-STD-810H Salt Fog: 509.7 T=O MIL-STD-810H Blowing Dust: 510.7, Procedure I T=O MIL-STD-810H Blowing Sand: 510.7, Procedure II T=O MIL-STD-810H Explosive Atmosphere: 511.7, Procedure I T=O MIL-STD-810H Immersion: 512.6 T=O MIL-STD-810H Vibration: 514.8, Procedure I T=O MIL-STD-810H Shock and Drop: 516.8, Procedure I and IV T=O MIL-STD-810H Ice / Freezing Rain: 521.4 T=O MIL-STD-810H Water Jets (Salt Water): IP X6 T=O MIL-STD-810H Contamination by Fluids: 504.3, Test fluids: Seawater, Gasoline, Break-free, Rifle Bore Cleaning Compound T=O Key System Attributes (KSA’s) The universal power wedge must employ light discipline for night operation. Light discipline means that no visible or IR signature will be produced by the battery while it is being discharged in normal operation. The wedge and connected radio shall be compatible when used in tandem with other SPEAR individual equipment by new equipment pouches (Threshold) or existing equipment pouches (Objective). The operator must be able to easily manipulate any connectors, release mechanisms, or buttons on the wedge while wearing SPEAR issued Combat Gloves (Threshold) and the Insulated Glove (Objective). Must be air droppable, exposed, as part of the SOF operator’s equipment. Static line and military freefall. In the opinion of the SOF Operator, the universal wedge must be able to integrate on the Operator’s kit in an acceptable manner without hindering normal movements or operations. Compatibility Range of motion must not significantly hinder torso and / or limb movement/rotation. Must not hinder two handed pistol shooting (full extension of both arms) or rifle with or without body armor. Universal power wedge and cabling will not create snag hazards while worn properly. The system must be compatible with all the individual airborne equipment items and rigging Don (on) and Doffing (Removing) One operator can don the universal wedge on the front or side of his/her kit while standing or lying on the back, and not interfering with the any worn equipment in less than 1 minute. If back mounted, a second operator can don or doff the universal wedge while not interfering with any worn equipment in less than 1 minute. REQUESTED INFORMATION Vendors who believe they have product(s) capable of meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a short (no more than 15 pages total) white paper, including description, performance information, pictures and website (if available) for each Central Battery and/or Universal Radio Wedge submitted. Each vendor is invited to submit a max of 3 total white papers containing individual or both concepts. The white paper must include Company name and address, point of contact with phone number, DUNS number, Cage Code, and a statement regarding any small business designation (if applicable), by 4:00 pm EDT, March 15th, 2021 to the address noted below. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 335911 and 335311. Please advise if your product is proprietary and or classified. Any classified information will be protected as denoted with submission. Parties having a system meeting these constraints should contact Frank Ashe at the below listed contact via email. If available, please provide pricing over five years on an annual basis with price breaks. Material Samples: Respondents that believe they can provide materials that meet the Government's performance requirements are invited to submit completed Central Batteries and/or Universal Radio Wedges no later than 4:00 pm EDT, March 15th, 2021. If submitting a Central Battery and/or Universal Radio Wedge, please do so in its entirety with appropriate cabling and a standalone charger/standard charger option. The sample suite may be degraded or destroyed during evaluation and will not be returned to the respondent. In addition, the respondent must provide the following information with the submitted samples: Performance criteria of the sample(s) Safety testing results on concept SDS if applicable General functional information and CONOP of device ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- This notice is for market survey only. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement and may impact it. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this survey or results of testing and evaluation on any samples submitted. Point of Contact (POC): Frank Ashe Interested parties shall submit responses to this RFI to: U.S. Army Natick Soldier Center ATTN: RDNS-SEW-PI (F. Ashe) Bldg. 4 Room D017 General Greene Avenue Natick, MA 01760-5019 Phone: (508) 206-3730 Email: frank.j.ashe2.civ@mail.mil Additional Information All information received in response to this RFI that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Responses to this RFI are not offers for contract and will not be used by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.
Data sourced from SAM.gov.
View Official Posting »