SYNOPSIS:  The US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (CCDC SC), Natick, MA is conducting a market investigation to identify domestic, concept and advanced development suppliers of technologies and solutions that provide covert, secure, verifiable Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) capabilities which can worn by the Dismounted Soldier.  Technology components and/or system shall minimize size, weight, and power usage.  Key IFF performance attributes shall be:  covert, authenticated, integrated or detachable, compatible with Military clothing electromagnetic spectral range. 

The Government request that responses be submitted electronically to [email protected] and [email protected] by 7 June 2020 by 5pm EST.

Background:

The US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (CCDC SC), Natick, MA is conducting a market investigation to identify domestic, concept and advanced development suppliers of technologies and solutions that provide covert, secure, verifiable Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) capabilities which can worn by the Dismounted Soldier.  Responses from recent Soldier surveys acknowledged a need for enhanced IFF performance that provide covert authenticated detection, technology integrated into clothing and individual equipment (CIE), and greater detection ranges.    

Scope:

Technology concept or advanced development shall minimize component/system size, weight, and power burden to Soldier.  The IFF materials and design shall provide a component and/or system which is integrated into or removable from the clothing and individual equipment (CIE) of the Dismounted Soldier.  Whether technology is incorporated into or configured as removable components on CIE, it shall have a military relevant visual color for camouflage.  The maximum size for an individual component shall be no greater than 9 square inches (58 sq. cm).  The components/system shall primarily be located on CIE areas associated with the head and upper torso.  A complete system, an individual component or multiple components shall provide a minimum of 270 degrees of detectable coverage.  The technology must minimize detection by common Night Vision Goggles (NVGs).  If any elements are added, integrated, or connected to NVGs for viewing IFF technology, this element shall minimize reduction in light transmission.  Operational use of IFF components or system shall not reveal location of friendly forces during scanning or detection. The technology shall have peak performance from sunset nautical twilight through the night to sunrise nautical twilight.  The minimum detection distance from the detection source to Dismounted Soldier shall be 300 meters (328 yards).

Market Investigation Submission:

Submission shall comprise a Concept Paper no longer than 5 single-sided 8 ½ x 11 inch typed pages (including charts, graphs, photographs, etc.) and shall include the following:

1. Brief technical explanation that addresses description of IFF advanced technology, deliverables, proposed approach, and military relevance
2. Description of key personnel and experiences associated with development of advanced IFF technology
3. Any past performance with development of similar technologies
4. Estimated project cost and unit price of technology
5. Performance schedule for work

Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Announcement. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY

This Sources Sought Announcement is issued solely for information and planning purposes and to identify interested sources. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. This Sources Sought does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. It is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Further, unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. Funding is not available at this time. The United States Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this Sources Sought Announcement should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Response to this Sources Sought Announcement is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this and any follow-on information requests. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Not responding to this Sources Sought Announcement does not preclude participation in any future RFP if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the Sam.gov website. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject.

RESPONSES:
Interested parties may identify their interest and capability by sending responses regarding this requirement to CCDC Soldier Center via e-mail ONLY to [email protected] and [email protected] no later than 7 June 2020 by 5:00 p.m. EST. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this Notice. All costs associated with responding to this Notice will be solely at the expense of the interested party.

Please provide business size (indicate your socioeconomic status), applicable NAICS code, and CAGE code. If you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, please identify your contract number.

QUESTIONS:
Any questions for clarification may be emailed to [email protected] and [email protected]  no later than 31 May 2020 by 5:00 p.m. EST. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. An unattributed list of questions and answers will be published at the same web location of this Sources Sought Announcement.

Amendment 0001:

Question 1: Is the subject effort is a new requirement or a follow-on to an existing contract?

Answer 1: The subject IFF effort, W911QY20IFFDEVSOLUTIONS, is a new requirement and not associated with any existing contracts.