Request for Information: Dismounted Assured Position, Navigation, and Timing System (DAPS) Generation III

***Thank you for your interest in the DAPS GEN III RFI. PM PNT has analyzed the responses and used those responses as well as other external factors to reevaluate the PM long term strategy. No award is planned at this time. Any additional market research or contracting opportunities will be posted as separate entries.***

1. Introduction

Project Manager Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PM PNT) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) as a means of conducting market research to identify potential sources having an interest in and having the ability to provide industry technologies to support the next generation of Dismounted Assured PNT System(s) (DAPS).

The result of this market research will contribute to the decision which determines the method of procurement, if a requirement materializes for next generation DAPS. Based on the responses to this market research, future requirement(s) may be set-aside for small businesses (in full or in part) or procured through full and open competition. Multiple awards may be made. All small business set-aside categories will be considered. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding submissions.

2. Background

In FY18, the Dismounted Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) Program began development of the Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) Dismounted APNT System (DAPS) to meet a Directed Requirement. Using lessons learned from the development and testing of the QRC DAPS, the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) approved a DAPS Capabilities Development Document (CDD). The Dismounted APNT program conducted a materiel solution selection decision for the DAPS Gen 1.2 using data collected from the QRC DAPS testing. The Dismounted APNT program initiated a maturation effort of the DAPS Gen 1.2 to meet the DAPS Capability Development Document (CDD) requirements and to enter as a Program of Record (Por) at Milestone C in 1QFY23. The Dismounted APNT program is conducting market research for the next generation system with a planned contract award in 2/3QFY25 to expand modularity and openness, to incorporate MGUE INC 2, and to improve complementary PNT capability with a focus on non-Spaced Based (non-Radio Frequency).

3. Purpose

The purpose of this RFI is to conduct market research which will help shape the strategy for the future of Dismounted Assured PNT material solutions. PM PNT wants to understand industry concepts, technologies and capabilities, and the trade space between performance, cost, modularity, openness, and Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP).

4. Problem Statement

The use of GPS-reliant navigation devices creates vulnerabilities due to adversary jamming, spoofing, and other denial efforts. Ground units require the ability to effectively operate and navigate through a wide variety of challenging environments, to include dense vegetation, urban, mountainous, subterranean, and in the presence of electromagnetic interference or enemy jamming and spoofing efforts.

The ever-changing threat and advancement of capabilities and technologies requires an adaptive acquisition approach with a design that aligns to rapid incorporation of new technology and capability. Because PNT information is used across the Army, the next generation DAPS needs to meet the requirements of multiple platform and mission sets while ensuring maximum commonality to improve sustainment.

5. High Level Requirements

1. Ability to adapt to multiple mission sets (e.g., personal navigation, targeting, and fires missions) and platforms (e.g., dismounted, small robotic platforms, ground vehicle mounted, tower mounted, etc.).
2. Implementation of internal and external hardware and software open standards to incorporate and compete new capabilities and new subsystems with minimal to no non-recurring engineering (NRE).
3. Modernized human systems integration design (i.e., GUI) with the ability to adapt to mission requirements (e.g., provide personal navigation capability with maps, display dismounted fires applications, 3-D rendering of mission space, etc.).
4. The core system for dismounted mission sets shall be limited to 16 oz. including housing, internal antennas, and batteries.
5. The core system for dismounted mission sets including housing, internal antennas, and batteries, shall be limited to the following dimensions:
   1. Height (7 (T), <6.35 (O))
   2. Width (3.58 (T), <3.25 (O))
   3. Depth (1.75 (T), <1.6 (O))
6. Continuous operational time of >19 hours
7. Complies with IS-GPS-200M
8. Has a generic AJ Interface

6. Eligibility Requirements

1. This RFI is voluntary and open to all eligible entities.
2. Each eligible entity may not be a United States (U.S.) Federal government entity or employ a U.S. Federal employee acting within the scope of their employment.
3. Each eligible entity will be required to register in System for Award Management (SAM) and have or obtain an active CAGE code, DUNS number, and not be on the exclusions lists (debarred or suspended).
4. Future efforts, if any, are anticipated to have a security classification level of Secret. NAICS code for any anticipated contract is expected to be 334511 with a Small Business Size Standard of 1,250 employees.

7. RFI Submission Process

Interested businesses should submit a brief capabilities statement package, no more than 3 pages, demonstrating ability to provide the products/systems that address challenges listed in the Problem Statement (section IV) and can meet the High Level Requirements (section V) of this RFI. The capabilities statement should include information regarding any data right restrictions (e.g., commercial technology, third-party license restrictions, etc.) on the proposed technical solution. See Submission Requirements (VIII) for details of the package.

Your response to this RFI, including any capabilities statement, shall be electronically submitted through the Open Innovation Lab website at https://apntoil.army.mil/. All entities must first register for an account. To register for an account and respond to the RFI, follow the below steps:

1. Go to the OIL website and select Registration
2. Sign up for an account
3. Log in
4. Select Registration
5. Select DAPS GEN III RFI
6. Complete the form in its entirety, check acknowledge box and select Submit

The RFI submission window will open on 15 JUNE 2022 and close 15 JULY 2022.

8. Submission Requirements

Submissions must include the following information:

1. Organization name
2. Address
3. Primary point of contact (POC) to include email address, phone number, and type of ownership of the company
4. Company web site address
5. Company address
6. CAGE Code
7. DUNS Number
8. Company Security Classification Level
9. Tailored capability statement package addressing the requirements of this notice, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability. Provide anticipated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for each component of the capability with explanation. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated in order to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements. Please submit documentation via Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF), limited to 3 pages. Information and materials submitted in response to this request WILL NOT be returned. DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED MATERIAL.

9. Disclaimer

This RFI is for informational purposes only. This is not a request for proposal (RFP). It does not constitute a solicitation and shall not be construed as a commitment by the government. Responses in any form are not offers and the government is under no obligation to award a contract as a result of this announcement. No funds are available to pay for preparation of responses to this announcement. Any information submitted by respondents to this technical description is strictly voluntary.

10. Industry Day

Product Manager Dismounted Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing will hold an Industry Day on 03 August 2022, to provide an update on the RFI Submissions. One-on-ones will be scheduled with selected companies based on their RFI submissions, on either 03 or 04 AUGUST 2022. More information will be provided via email once the RFI submission window closes.

11. Intellectual Property and Data Rights

All data received in response to this RFI are treated as company proprietary information and contents are disclosed to United States Government (USG) employees or designated support contractors only for the purpose of evaluation and program support. All data received is fully protected from any release outside the Government.

12. Point of Contact

Kristin Riesett, APM Next Gen PNT

Kristin.m.riesett.civ@army.mil