Seeking Enhanced White Papers (EWP) for the design, development, integration, and deployment of prototype technologies for Hardware-in-the-loop of Advanced Navigation & Guidance Sensors (HANGS).

Other / Unclassified

This document is a presentation providing an overview of the Guided Weapons Evaluation Facility (GWEF). It outlines the facility's primary mission, which is the evaluation of tactical guided munitions and countermeasure systems using Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) simulation. The presentation highlights the state-of-the-art resources and extensive expertise available at GWEF.

This document provides context for potential bidders regarding the capabilities and services offered by the GWEF. It details the full spectrum of test technologies employed, including various electromagnetic spectrums (GNSS, RF, MMW, VIS/EO, IR, UV, Laser, DE) and net-enabled weapons/datalink/radio systems. The facility supports countermeasure (CM) and counter-countermeasure (CCM) testing, incorporating actual weapon system hardware and software, flight motion simulators, target/scene stimulators, and real-time computational resources. This information may be relevant for understanding the environment and capabilities related to opportunities involving weapon system testing and evaluation.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the Hardware-In-The-Loop of Advanced Navigation and Guidance Sensors (HANGS) Request for Enhanced White Papers (REWP).

• Page Limit: There is no page limit for the Enhanced White Paper.
• Due Date: The REWP is an open announcement with no due date. White papers will be reviewed and evaluated as received. The announcement will remain open for one year from its SAM.gov posting date, after which it may be reassessed, terminated, or extended without further notice.
• Evaluation Process: White papers will be evaluated on a rolling basis. If an Enhanced White Paper (EWP) is selected, a full proposal may be requested based on the EWP's merit.
• Proposal Timeline: If an EWP is selected, the Government anticipates requesting a full proposal within a couple of weeks, providing offerors up to 30 days to submit.
• Procurement Scope: The Government plans to procure Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) camera systems that may be integrated into a projection system designed and built by the Government.
• M-Code Requirement: M-Code for GNSS receiver technologies may be an option, requiring offerors to have the capability to procure/develop to this requirement if requested.
• Incumbent Contracts: While other contract vehicles fund similar test technologies and HITL development activities, this specific contract will fulfill several HITL capabilities funded through AFTC I&M and TRMC CTEIP to address test gaps.
• Award Value: The anticipated award value is unknown, but there is an $80M ceiling associated with this opportunity.

This Q&A sheet clarifies key aspects of the REWP, including the open-ended submission process, rolling evaluation, and potential proposal timelines. It also provides insight into the scope of procurement and potential technical requirements, such as M-Code.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Request for Enhanced White Papers (REWP) for Hardware-in-the-loop of Advanced Navigation & Guidance Sensors (HANGS). The 96th Test Wing (TW) / 782d Test Squadron (TS) at the Guided Weapons Evaluation Facility (GWEF) is seeking prototype technologies to improve Air Force capabilities in testing and evaluating weapon systems performance in realistic, synthetic environments. The goal is to enhance the development, testing, and evaluation of current and future weapon systems.

• The effort focuses on prototype technologies for HANGS, including design, development, integration, and deployment.

• Offerors must demonstrate an understanding of the project scope and potential solutions.

• Solutions should address at least two (2) of the following four (4) Technology Areas:

  • TA #1: Dynamic real-time multispectral scene generation and projection/injection systems.
  • TA #2: Midcourse and navigation environment emulation/simulation (PNT, GNSS).
  • TA #3: Datalink and radio communication emulation/simulation.
  • TA #4: High frame rate real-time simulation execution.

• Deliverables include a functional HANGS prototype technology, Modeling & Simulation (M&S) and Testing & Evaluation (T&E) plan/report, Interface control document, Acceptance and Verification & Validation (V&V) plan/report, Software/Hardware/Firmware documentation, and meeting materials.

• Awards will be made under Other Transactions for Prototype authority (10 U.S.C. § 4022).

• Anticipated duration of the agreement is 36 months, with Year 1 for design/development, Year 2 for procurement/fabrication/integration, and Year 3 for integration/testing.

• The Government may award multiple agreements.

• Follow-on production work is anticipated, with the possibility of a non-competitive production OTA.

• This is an open announcement with no due date; white papers will be reviewed and evaluated as received.

• EWPs must be UNCLASSIFIED and submitted electronically.

• Required components include a Cover Sheet, Enhanced White Paper, and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Cost Estimate.

• Evaluation will be based on technical merit, clarity of approach, schedule adherence, resource adequacy, data rights assertions, conformance to requirements, and affordability.

• Submissions will be rated as "OUTSTANDING," "ACCEPTABLE," or "UNACCEPTABLE."

• Prototype projects must meet at least one of the following conditions:

  • At least one non-traditional defense contractor (NDC) participates significantly.
  • All significant participants are small businesses or NDCs.
  • At least one-third of the total cost is paid by non-Federal sources.
  • Exceptional circumstances justify the use of OTA for innovative business arrangements or to expand the defense supply base.

• Certain aspects of work may require SECRET level clearance and access to a DoD Installation.

• Offerors bear all costs to prepare and submit responses.

• Submission of a response indicates agreement to the Government's use of the information for evaluation purposes.

• The Government may request full technical and cost proposals from selected Offerors.

• Registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) and Wide Area Workflow (WAWF) is required.