Advanced Personal Alerting System (APAS)

Global Aircrew Strategic Network Terminal Sources Sought & Request for Information

1) Program Description The Air Force manages the Global Aircrew Strategic Network Terminal (GASNT) program and is seeking information from interested companies with the capability to support Command, Control and Communication (C3) modernization of the family of systems. GASNT is part of the Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network (MEECN) portfolio and represents a critical capability for the C3 architecture, specifically survivable communication in any period of conflict. The Government requires new Advanced Personal Alerting System (APAS) that will integrate GASNT Increment 2 Block 1 (GASNTi2b1) program that provides aircrew alerting communications with plans to enter production in 2027. A modern, secure, and deployable Emergency Aircrew Response System will provide USAF with significant capability. Improved aircrew/USAF readiness. As a result, this RFI seeks to obtain information regarding interested parties and identify qualified sources to support the GASNT Program Management Office in the APAS integration and upgrade.

2) THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. IAW FAR Part 10, this RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes in support of market research; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Air Force is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders 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 party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement. The Government anticipates using the responses to this RFI to identify a pool of qualified sources who may be invited to participate in a subsequent phase of the acquisition process. This subsequent phase may include a technical challenge and/or a formal Request for Proposal.

OVERVIEW/PURPOSE:

AFNWC/NCN is conducting market research to determine interest and potential solutions for an Advanced Personal Alerting System (APAS). APAS provides highly survivable direct audible and tactile notifications to members of the response crew via handheld/wearable devices. Major components include at least a base station with a user interface (UI), antenna(s), and handheld/wearable user devices. The system is unclassified. This system may be considered for integration into a larger communications system for aircrew alerting but are currently looking for responses for a standalone solution.

INFORMATION SOUGHT:

Limit responses to 15 pages not to include pictures in appendices.

Please provide responses to this RFI describing your company’s potential product solution(s). When possible, include visuals of solution. In doing so, please specifically address how it may meet the following:

• Functional capabilities

o Compliance with NTIA Manual of Regulations for systems within the United States and its territories (e.g., land mobile radios)

o Broadcast of real-time voice capability originating at a base station and ending at the user device

o Low latency o Voice audio alerting to at least 128 devices simultaneously

o Communication range of at least 5 statute miles from the transmit antenna to user device

o High probability of correct message receipt (PCMR) regardless of physical obstructions along known outdoor routes and areas (e.g., minimize outdoor dead zones)

o Operate in a US military controlled band

o Rechargeable batteries with method to recharge for user devices

o Battery life for user devices greater than 72 hours while active o Battery status of user device displayed locally and/or at base station

o Voice message recording & storage on user device

o Audible, tactile, and visual alerts on user device

o Simple and intuitive user interface/controls

o Devices can be configured and updated 

o Capable of adjusting radio frequencies within operational band in the field

o Commercial encryption to prevent monitoring of communications and control data  E.g., adapt Secure Socket Layer (SSL)/Transport Layer Security (TLS) or AES128/256 (FIPS validated)

o Ability for user devices disconnected from the network to receive missed voice messages originating from the base station upon rejoining   

                    Time-bound

o User device status/health monitoring

o Capable of time synchronization with internal time source

                    Potential connection to outside time source

• System level capabilities

o Nuclear Survivability (NSV)

     High-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) survivable 

     Radiation hardened when not collocated with people – e.g equipment permanently located outside such as antenna

o Mechanical (low size, weight, and power (SWaP); environmental qualifications e.g., MIL-STD-810H or equivalent; air and ground transport capable).

      End user device has small form factor and is wearable.

      Base station is rack mountable.

o High system reliability and availability

o Built-in-test (BIT) and fault detection

o EMI/EMC compliance

      APAS will be collocated with other systems in similar frequency bands (e.g., cosite considerations)

o Cybersecurity hardness

      Logging capabilities, prevents unauthorized access and system control, Risk Management Framework (RMF) compliance, role-based access (operator and maintainer at minimum at the base station UI)

o Human factors design (e.g., MIL-STD-1472H)

o Intrinsically safe Limited user training required

o Rapidly fieldable

o Minimize setup and deployment time

o Ease of maintainability

• Programmatic considerations

• Data rights

• Technology Readiness Level (TRL) - minimum of 6Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) - minimum of 6

• Open source (e.g., open radio source access network (Open RAN))

• Willingness to work with prime contractors

• Spectrum authority approval level obtained (e.g., 1494, JF-12)

• Supply Chain Risk Management Compliance