Advance Notice for the Unmanned Aircraft System Technology Forum 1. This is a special notice to industry inviting attendance to the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Technology Forum (UAS-TF). The Government seeks involvement of industry in capturing potential improvement technology for unmanned aircraft systems, either ground sub-systems or air vehicles, including payloads. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this invitation nor to pay for participation. 2. The US Army Unmanned Aircraft System Project Office (UAS PO) is inviting AUVSI Pathfinder Symposium industry attendees and other interested industry participants to schedule one-on-one UAS-TF appointments to make brief presentations about technologies related to future payloads, sense and avoid, ground systems and air vehicles. The industry technology presented is required to be at least a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 and a Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) 5. Verbal commitment must be in place that the TRL / MRL 5 exist before scheduling can take place. Summarizing the guidance found in Chapter 10 of the Department of Defense 2006 Defense Acquisition Guidebook, TRL 5 is defined as component and/or breadboard validation in relevant environment with basic technological components integrated with reasonably realistic supporting elements so it can be tested in a simulated environment. Examples include "high fidelity" laboratory integration of components. Summarizing the guidance found in Chapter 4 of the Defense Acquisition Guidebook, MRL 5 is defined as capability to produce prototype components in a production relevant environment. Manufacturing strategy is refined and integrated with the Risk Management Plan. Identification of enabling/critical technologies and components is complete. Prototype materials, tooling and test equipment, as well as personnel skills have been demonstrated on components in a production-relevant environment, but many manufacturing processes and procedures are still in development. 3. The intent of the government is to identify technology improvements or new technologies that are at TRL / MRL 5. This technology improvement may be implemented, in whole or in part, in UAS individual projects according to specific requirements and objectives, but the UAS-TF is not involved with any specific implementation of these technologies. 4. This special notice seeks to identify interested parties who wish to present new or improved technologies to the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Project Office. All material presented or discussed must be unclassified. The UAS-TF and its consultative body include, or may include, Government individuals from the Architecture and Technology Branch of the UAS PO, and subject matter experts from the UAS PO that pertain to the subject matter presented. No SETA or Contractors will be present; therefore, no NDAs should be necessary. The Government shall have in place sufficient physical accommodations so that proprietary material may be shown to the Government at the option of the TF presenters. The UAS PO Security Officers and Legal professionals will be present. Details related to ongoing or possible future acquisition activities or plans within DoD or any of the Services will not be discussed. 5. To further facilitate communications and input from interested parties, UAS-TF will be held 16 March 2011, 0800-1600 and 17 March 2011, 0800-1600 at the AUVSI Pathfinder Symposium at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, AL. The Government will provide a closed session with the Architecture and Technology Lead and other subject matter experts within the UAS Project Office. Industry is invited to present to this Technology Forum in a 30 minute appointed block of time, allowing 5 minutes for setup, 20 minutes for presentation and 5 minutes for teardown. The Government will provide a projector and power outlets. Presenting company must provide a laptop if deemed appropriate for the presentation. Government requests five hardcopies of the presentation, which will be closely held and protected at the conclusion of the brief. The Government will honor appropriate proprietary markings of the presenting company. Presentations must contain presenters' names and contact info to include email addresses and phone numbers. Interested parties wishing to participate in UAS-TF should register on or before 11 March 2011 by emailing
[email protected]. Please follow email requests with a phone call to Jennifer Perritt at 256 876 5515 to ensure that your contact info and description of technology to be presented has been received. Appointments are received on a first come, first served basis by receipt of email.