Navy asks industry to upgrade integrated submarine communications system software

SAN DIEGO, 9 Dec. 2012. U.S. Navy submarine communications experts are reaching out to industry for companies to develop and maintain a common integrated communications architecture for voice and data communications systems aboard U.S. Navy fast-attack and ballistic-missile submarines.

The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in San Diego last week issued a request for proposal (N00039-13-R-0001) for the Design And Maintenance Of Common Submarine Radio Room (CSRR) Control And Management (C&M) Software program, which asks for continued development, maintenance, and sustainment of the Common Submarine Radio Room (CSRR) Control and Management (C&M) software for submarines.

The Navy developed the CSRR as a replacement for the existing Ohio Class submarine Integrated Radio Room (IRR), and has installed CSRR equipment aboard Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines, as well as on Virginia-, Seawolf-, and Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines.

The Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors (MS2) segment in Washington, is the original contractor for the CSRR program, and should be considered the incumbent in this competition.

Lockheed Martin already has made its interest known for this program, but is expected to face stiff competition. Other potential bidders include BAE Systems; General Dynamics Electric Boat; L-3 Communications; Northrop Grumman Corp.; ViaSat Inc.; Scientific Research Corp.; and Battelle.

The CSRR integrates components of the Navy's Automated Digital Network System (ADNS), Digital Modular Radio (DMR), Extremely High Frequency/Follow-On Terminal (EHF/FOT), Global Broadcast Service (GBS), Super High Frequency (SHF), Submarine Single Messaging System (SubSMS), and ancillary equipment into a common architecture.

The system's control and management software manages these components to control, process, and disseminate command, control communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) information to provide the submarine fleet with secure and covert communications.

The technical approach to this effort is based on a common open-systems architecture, common software, common technical documentation, and one software support activity (SSA).

The common software configuration will include the structure of the code; the databases that track requirements, software source files, baseline documentation, host equipment and processors, and verification and validation.

Navy experts are asking the winning contractor to maintain and upgrade the existing CSRR control and management software, and say they expect to award a five-year cost plus incentive fee (CPIF) type contract. Companies interested should respond no later than 15 Jan. 2013.

For questions or concerns contact SPAWAR's Patricia Ponce-Feliu by phone at 619-524-7196, or by email at [email protected].

More information is online at https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DON/SPAWAR/SPAWARHQ/N00039-13-R-0001/listing.html.