Non-Pyrotechnic Acoustic Weapon Simulators

THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF SOLICITATION ISSUANCE, BUT RATHER A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) from industry that will allow the Government to identify commercial capabilities. The information sought herein is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a request for quote (RFQ), request for proposal (RFP), invitation for bid (IFB), or as an obligation or commitment on the part of the Government to acquire any product or service. There shall be no basis for claims against the Government as a result of information submitted in response to the RFI. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI, or otherwise pay for any information submitted by respondents to this request. This notice is for market research purposes only and is not indicative of a full requirement.

Any proposed items must meet or exceed the following specifications:

Non-Pyrotechnic Acoustic Weapon Simulators

Introduction & Objective

The Government is conducting market research to identify training solutions capable of replicating the physical presence and high-fidelity acoustic signatures of live firearms. The objective is to identify weapon simulators that provide realistic battlefield acoustics and appearance characteristics without the logistical and safety burdens associated with traditional blank ammunition (BFA) or pyrotechnics.

Training requires realistic sensory immersion. Systems must be entirely standalone; they will not integrate with external virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), or fixed-facility simulation systems.

Technical Requirements & Capabilities

To meet the requirements of this RFI, proposed systems must satisfy the following criteria:

1 Operational Independence (Standalone Functionality)

• The system must operate independently in field environments without requiring tethering to a central computer, external virtual simulator, or fixed augmented reality infrastructure.
• The system must generate its own acoustic signature onboard or via a closely paired, man-portable/mounted mechanism.

2 Ammunition & Pyrotechnic Free

• The system must not fire or require traditional blank cartridges, primers, or any projectile-based ammunition.
• The technology utilized to generate the acoustic signature is left to the vendor’s discretion (e.g., electro-acoustic, pneumatic, mechanical, etc.), provided it is safe.

3 Acoustic & Visual Fidelity

• Acoustics: The system must generate a high-decibel acoustic signature that realistically mimics the sound of a live firearm being discharged (matching the cyclic rate and acoustic profile of the respective weapon platform).

4 Form, Fit, and Function (Form Factor)

• The simulators must look similar to a real-world weapon systems they represent in general appearance.

5 Required System Variants
      Provide solutions for the following categories:

• Crew-Served Automatic Weapon: Mounted weapon simulators equivalent in size and acoustic cyclic rate to an M240 machine gun. These must be capable of sustained simulated automatic fire.
• Individual Man-Portable Weapons: Semi-automatic and/or automatic weapon simulators equivalent to standard issue rifles/carbines (AK-47). These must be fully portable and carriable by an individual operator.

Information Requested from Industry

Interested vendors are requested to submit white papers or product data sheets detailing:

1. An overview of the underlying technology used to generate the acoustic signature
2. Maximum decibel (dB) output and cyclic rate capabilities
3. Power source, logistical requirements, and estimated operational duration per charge/refill
4. Appearance

Documentation provided must address all required elements listed herein. Providing only a reference to a website is unacceptable for purposes of this announcement and will not be considered. All proprietary or corporate data received must be clearly identified. Do NOT submit classified material.

Contractors interested in providing these supplies shall be registered in the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov). Contractors responding to this Request for Information are asked to provide the following information:

1. Company’s full name and address, and Point of Contact information

2. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and Cage Code

3. Business size (whether large, small, small-disadvantaged, 8(a), HUB Zone, women-owned, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, historically black college or university, and/or minority service institute)

- Please also advise the Government of pending changes in the business size status, if applicable.

4. A brief description and summary of the supplies meeting the salient characteristics listed in this request (no more than 6 pages).

The Government makes no commitment to respond to questions submitted in response to this notice. No requests for capability briefings will be honored as a result of this notice. Information provided will not be used as a part of any subsequent solicitation requirement. No reimbursements will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement and/or any follow-up information requests.

Failure to respond to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future associated requests for quotations that may be issued. Respondents will NOT be individually notified of the results. However, if the final determination results in the verification of a sole-source negotiation, a Notice of Intent to Sole Source and the redacted Justification and Approval will be posted to www.sam.gov.