This is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Department of the Navy for CNO OpNav N6F and the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) soliciting information from industry on technologies either in development or proven that are supportive of unattended sensors, including ground (UGS) and/or maritime (buoys, UUVs) devices for collecting optical, acoustic, seismic, magnetic, tracking or environmental data  with special interest but not limited to  Maritime Domain (MDA) Awareness sensors.

NRL is at the System Requirements Review phase of developing a space-based capability to interrogate and extract data in the Ultra High Frequency  band from unattended sensors, at low data rates (4.8-9.6Kbps).  Vendors currently developing unattended sensors that require, or will or could require, remote data extraction capability to meet their sponsor or customer needs are sought to inform NRL what their current capabilities, requirements and limitations are that would benefit from Government sponsored technology development.  It should be noted that sensors could pre-process or compress their collected data prior to remote data extraction.

Research/demonstrations are  expected to be funded by a variety of United States Government agencies between Fiscal Year 2009-2012.  NRL is specifically interested in leveraging efforts and technology of vendors that are currently under contract for unattended ground or maritime sensors by any United States Government agency. Vendors without current a current Government contract with existing capabilities may also submit information.  Vendors interested in participating in this research program should submit a letter of interest including the following information:

a) Name of current unattended maritime or ground sensor program

b) Government contract number (if applicable)

c) Government Program Manager contact information (if applicable)

d) Vendor Point of Contact

e) Summary of effort (four paragraph maximum).

f) Technical Specifications (size, weight, power, memory, bandwidth required etc)

g) Cost estimate

This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of the NRL to acquire any products or services. The NRL does not intend to award a contract based on this RFI or otherwise pay for the information requested. Submission of a response to this RFI is voluntary. The voluntary submission of a response to this RFI shall not obligate the NRL to pay or entitle the submitter. All information and data received in response to this RFI marked or designated as corporate or proprietary information will be fully protected and held in strict confidence. Responses to this RFI may be submitted in writing or by email no later than 03/23/2009. 

 Responses received after this date will not be reviewed.

Information may be submitted to:

Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook, Ave. S.W., ATTN: Mr. Jay Middour, Code 8120, Washington, D.C. 20375; Or UNCLASS email:  [email protected].    For Classified responses email:  [email protected]