process for a Technology Insertion (TI) upgrade on an AEGIS ship is to remove the computing cabinets by cutting a hole in the side of the ship and replacing the equipment with new computing cabinets. This increases the Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) for AEGIS computing equipment. The Blind Mating Connector (BMC) addresses the development of the Computing Infrastructure (CI) solutions across all Navy surface ships to reduce cost and accelerate the development, integration, and installation of the CI common components. The universal BMC will be a component of the overall process used to address the need to reduce the MTTR by 20%, reduce life cycle and upgrade costs by 50%, and the ability to upgrade the next TI equipment suite from the current schedule of 40 weeks down to 10 weeks.

 

The current BMC technology is based on the component manufacturer design to an open standard BMC design (Ex. OPEN19, Versa Module Europa (VME), Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture (ATCA), etc.) This method limits the Navy�s options to only manufacturers that have adopted the open standards. The Navy seeks a BMC technology that is universal to the COTS datacenter components used in the CI. It will open the choices for the Navy to all manufacturers. Currently there are some individual BMCs in the market for power and copper data connectors but AEGIS CI electronic components include a connection for a multimode fiber, single mode fiber, RJ45, Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP), Quad SFP (QSFP), serial, USB, Audio, Display Port, HDMI, VGA, DVI, 115VAC, and 220VAC. The new BMC(s) will need to include all these connections and must be self-aligning.

 

The initial design of the BMC needs to take into account that the final product must pass the Environmental Quality Testing (EQT) referenced in the following documents: MIL-S-901D (Shock), MIL-STD-461 (EMI), MIL-STD-810 (Temperature), MIL-STD-167 (Vibration), MIL-STD-1399-300 (Power), DoD-STD-1399 (Ship Motion) which will be specified in Phase II.

 

The BMC must be component independent and able to accommodate all types of computing system connections needed in the AEGIS CI including, but not limited to, power, network (fiber and copper), USB, serial, video, and audio type. One portion of the BMC will reside in the back of a 19-inch EIA standard server rack while the other half will be attached to the back of the 19-inch rack mountable COTS component, similar to COTS components found in a commercial datacenter, to allow for easy removal and replacement. The AEGIS CI computing components include 1U servers, 3U servers, Ethernet SFP based switches (copper and fiber), storage devices, and power control devices. While the width of the components is a standard 19-inch, the depths vary from approximately 14 inches to a maximum of 22 inches. The BMC needs to be adaptable in order to accommodate different component depths and designs of the AEGIS CI with minimal change to the footprint of the component. It would be ideal to have one BMC design to accommodate all the different COTS components, which would allow a technician to interchange components within the rack with minimal rewiring.

 

The Phase II effort will likely require secure access, and NAVSEA will process the DD254 to support the contractor for personnel and facility certification for secure access. The Phase I effort will not require access to classified information. If need be, data of the same level of complexity as secured data will be provided to support Phase I work.

 

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. Owned and Operated with no Foreign Influence as defined by DOD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been be implemented and approved by the Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor and/or subcontractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances, in order to perform on advanced phases of this contract as set forth by DSS and NAVSEA in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material IAW DoD 5220.22-M during the advance phases of this contract.

 

PHASE I: Develop a concept for a universal BMC compatible with the 19-inch EIA standard server rack and computing system connections needed in the AEGIS CI. Demonstrate that the technology can feasibly meet the requirements of the Description. Demonstrate BMC feasibility through modeling. Develop a Phase II plan. The Phase I Option, if exercised, will include the initial design specifications and capabilities description to build a prototype solution in Phase II.