A PRIMARY GOAL OF THIS RFI IS TO DETERMINE HOW NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY WILL PROCEED WITH A FORMAL REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) ANTICIPATED TO BE RELEASED IN MAY 2011.

NRL is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to determine the general availability of Off-Axis Parabolic Camera Performance System to characterize the performance of long focal length, large aperture (high definition) infrared and electro-optic (visible) sensors.  The system must be capable of generating a continuous parallel light ray bundle from a radiation source placed at an appropriate location. In addition, to accommodate the size of the high definition arrays in the sensor packages it is estimated that the beam of parallel light rays be at least 10 inch in diameter.  As this system needs to be designed to function with various non-commercial camera systems, it is required that the provider interact on a continual basis with NRL engineers during the development, build and test phases.  The offeror will provide schematics, engineering drawings and procedure for alignment of the completed system.  In addition, prior to delivery to the NRL the integrated system will be assembled and tested at the offeror’s facility and they shall provide test data verifying final system performance.  The final system should include:

1) An appropriate reflecting surface with a clear aperture of at least 12 inches, appropriately long focal length, 1/20 wave P-V or better finish, substrate with near zero thermal expansion, protected silver coating (coating should be optimized for required spectral performance)

2) Precision opto-mechanical alignment mount and flat for main reflecting surface

3) Any additional reflecting surfaces for beam steering

4) Alignment/test target mount

5) Test bed and/or base plate with fasteners. 

Any proprietary information submitted will be protected if appropriately marked.

All responses are to be provided on company letterhead and limited to fifteen pages and must contain the following information:  a capability statement which includes information on the type of technology used, pricing information, service history, Technological Readiness Level (TRL) if not a fielded system, and a delivery schedule.  In their response, vendors should clearly mark any information that is proprietary.  Offerors should have production representative systems that will be available for evaluation by May 2011 and for purchase no later than the fourth quarter of FY-2011.  Pricing and delivery information should be based on the assumption that a purchase will be made in the fourth quarter of FY-2011.  

Responses are due by April 15, 2011.  Both e-mail and mail submittals will be accepted and must be submitted in Microsoft Office format.   Please send email responses to the Contract Specialist, Marilyn Clark at [email protected] .  Mail responses should be sent to:  NRL Contracting Office, Code 3235,  Bldg 1008, Room 209, Attn:  Marilyn Clark, Stennis Space Center, MS  39529. 

All packages submitted electronically or by electronic media shall be free of any computer virus. If a virus is found, the package will be destroyed and a replacement will be requested, which must be provided within three days after notification.

NOTE:  This Request for Information is for planning purposes only and is issued in accordance with FAR Clause 52.215-3.  No solicitation document exists at this time.  Issuance of this Notice does not constitute any obligation on the part of the Government to procure these items or to issue a solicitation.  In addition, the Government is under no obligation to pay for information submitted in response to this RFI, and responses to this notice cannot be accepted as offers.  Any information that the vendor considers proprietary  should be clearly marked as such.

This solicitation and other business opportunities for NRL are available at our website http://heron.nrl.navy.mil/contracts/rfplist.htm.