Ship Deployed Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) - Market Research

THIS UPDATE IS ISSUED FOR THE PURPOSE OF CLARIFYING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RFI: 1) WE ARE ACCEPTING ALL RESPONSES THAT MEET AT LEAST ONE OF THE SIX CRITERIA LISTED IN THIS RFI. 2) AS PREVIOUSLY STATED, THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT ACCEPT PHONE CALLS OR REPLY TO VOICEMAIL MESSAGES REGARDING THIS RFI. IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT RESPOND TO EMAIL MESSAGES. This Request for Information (RFI) is part of a market research effort to assess industry capabilities that will best address the United States Coast Guard’s needs. The Coast Guard Research and Development Center (R&DC) is tasked by Congress to determine the most effective Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) to operate off the National Security Cutter (NSC). The project was initiated with a study of the environmental, Concept of Operation (CONOP) and physical constraints associated with operation of a UAS from the NSC. The project is now at a point where it needs to solicit feedback from Government, industry and academia to identify potential sources of suitable UASs. The Coast Guard is currently building new NSCs which are flight deck equipped cutters (FDECs). The NSCs will conduct most of the Coast Guard’s missions, including counter drug law enforcement, migrant interdiction, living marine resources (aka fisheries enforcement), and defense readiness. The NSCs will often operate independently, relying on their own sensors to surveil, detect, classify, identify, and prosecute (SDCIP) targets of interest. Through multiple analyses previously conducted, the R&DC has shown that properly configured UASs may offer significant benefit to USCG mission execution. The USCG R&DC intends to use the information collected from this RFI to conduct detailed analysis that reflects “State of the Technology” capabilities. These capabilities will be assessed by the R&DC in terms of contribution to NSC Mission performance metrics. Information obtained through this RFI may also be used to identify systems for Advanced Technology Demonstrations (ATDs) currently planned for mid 2009. Notional Operational Profiles (1) UASs will perform surveillance to support the NSCs in the detection, classification, identification and tracking of surface targets while providing near real-time data to the NSC. (2) UASs will loiter over targets of interest while providing near real-time data to the NSCs. (3) UASs will relocate previously detected targets and perform a classification and identification. You are invited to respond with information to assist the Coast Guard R&DC with its market research to identify potential sources of cutter-deployed UASs (including platform, payloads, Ground Control Station (GCS), and control and data links). For purposes of this RFI, UASs are the aerial vehicles, payloads (i.e., radars, Electrical Optical/Infra-Red, Automatic Identification System, Directional Finder, etc.), and control and communications capabilities. The Coast Guard is interested in technology that can be operated and maintained on NSCs operating anywhere in the worldwide maritime environment. Attachment A is provided to assist you in responding to this RFI. Attachment A consists of one worksheet provided for informational purposes only (NSC_Constraints) and three worksheets to be submitted in response to this RFI (RFI Data Parameters, EO IR Data Sheet and Radar Data Sheet). It is essential to complete the RFI Data Parameters and EO IR Data Sheet and Radar Data Sheet, if applicable. The Coast Guard R&DC intends to conduct a rigorous analysis of all potential platforms and payloads. Therefore, we request that you (1) provide detailed information on your products that meet or exceed the criteria listed below and (2) complete the data sheets provided as Attachment A Worksheets (RFI Data Parameters, EO IR Data Sheet and Radar Data Sheet). Criteria (Not in Any Particular Order) (1) UAS shall be able to be launched and recovered, operated, maintained, and hangared on the NSC (see Attachment A Worksheet NSC Constraints for general information) (2) UAS platform shall be capable of carrying and supporting mission applicable payloads that include sensors and C2 systems (3) UAS sensor payloads shall be capable of detecting, classifying, identifying and tracking targets in the maritime environment (4) UAS command and control payloads shall be capable of permitting the NSC to maintain positive control of the platform, and providing for the near real-time transmission of data (radar, EO/IR, etc.) (5) UAS platform shall use fuels compatible with the NSC shipboard environment (MOGAS and AVGAS is prohibited for shipboard use) (6) UAS (platform, payloads, and full fuel load) shall be able to be handled on deck by ship’s personnel, and operated and maintained by Coast Guard personnel under all expected operational conditions Responding to This Market Survey When responding to this market survey, please include the following information: (1) Detailed description of the potential UAS (platform, payloads, GCS, and control links) (2) Completed attached data sheets (Attachment A Worksheets RFI Data Parameters; EO IR Data Sheet and Radar Data Sheets, if applicable) (3) List of U.S. (or international) government contracts for products being submitted as applicable (4) Any digital photos and/or digital videos of the products in operation NOTE: If your submittal is greater than 10 MB, please provide on DVD media and mail to: Attn: Helen Nelson U.S. Coast Guard Research & Development Center 1082 Shennecossett Road Groton, CT 06340-6048 The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI, or to otherwise pay for information received in response to this RFI. This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and will not be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract. Responses to this market survey should be sent to [email protected]. Information submitted will be reviewed by Government personnel at the Coast Guard R&DC and members of the R&DC’s System Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) Contractor Team, who will assist the Government with this effort. NOTE: Non-governmental personnel have signed non-disclosure agreements. In your response, using NAICS Code 541330, please identify whether you are a Small or Large Business. PHONE CALLS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, VOICE MAIL MESSAGES LEFT WILL NOT BE RETURNED AND EMAILS RECEIVED WILL NOT BE RESPONDED TO. Please limit electronic responses to no more than 20 pages (Attachment A will not be counted towards the 20-page limit). Respondents are requested to respond no later than December 1, 2008. REMINDER: ALL RESPONSES MUST BE EMAILED TO [email protected].