Navy considers small businesses for upcoming telemetry contract

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division wants to improve its real-time telemetry data processing and display, and also determine whether a potential three-year contract should be set aside for small businesses.

Through the contract, the division will focus on its integrated Network-Enhanced Telemetry (iNET) project, according to solicitation documents. The project’s two main aspects are the Real-Time Telemetry Processing System and Ground Service Equipment (GSE), which is used for preflight telemetry on test aircraft.

Officials are introducing new data source types and formats, as well as new time formats, new metadata formats, and new system control functions into iNET.

The Atlantic Test Range’s Telemetry Branch and the Airborne Instrumentation Division (AID) both require software modifications to the current suite to support Telemetry Network System (TmNS) integration and test and eventually to operations.

The iNET project is a multi-service funded effort to add ground-to-test-article wireless network connectivity to telemetry systems that are currently based on the existing, downlink-only architecture. The project has been working on prototype components to be integrated into a demonstration Telemetry Network System (TmNS).

As it stands, the Navy is planning for an indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contract. The work will be conducted on-site at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River Atlantic Test Range.

The Naval Air Warfare Center released the sources sought notice Aug. 30. Responses are due by Sept. 12.