A--Joint Manned-Unmanned System Team Concept

Qualified, interested sources sought for R&D Project entitled, Joint Manned-Unmanned System Team Concept. The successes of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in recent conflicts and the rapidly developing capabilities they provide have led to the devel opment of a large number of UAVs and initiation of additional UAV programs within the Services and by our historic coalition partners. Significant numbers and varying types of UAVs may be deployed in areas that also contain manned aircraft. Lessons learn ed from these conflicts indicate that air power supported by ground observers becomes much more effective. This mandates the ability to integrate and coordinate UAVs with Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) and manned assets. Integrated Command and Control (ICC) of all these assets is apparently needed. The critical operational need is to provide the capability to manage and apply multiple assets, manned and unmanned, ground and air, in a combat environment when a common UAV/UGV manned architecture does not exist or is not completely implemented. It includes separation of manned systems from unmanned systems, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) issues (particularly as it pertains to use of lethal unmanned systems), relay of critical information, and general Command and Control issues. The proposed concept is to integrate existing components to develop a mobile ICC suite that will be capable of controlling and/or coordinating the activities of a large numbers of varying assets: ground and air; manned and unm anned. This suite will be interoperable with similar suites to provide asset hand-offs. This will not be based on a common architecture, but will instead be based on direct control when feasible; communication with the operator; or other appropriate meas ures when neither of the previously mentioned possibilities is feasible. These other tactics may include jamming, destruction of the asset, or rerouting of controlled assets around the problematic asset. Computer-assisted visualization of the environment will be required, with the ability to project paths and possible solutions. Control translators will be provided to allow the Controllers/Pilot to provide direct control to various assets without having to learn multiple control schemes or inputs. Prima ry new technologies to be demonstrated include: Software to provide Common Regional Operating Picture (CROP); software control translators; collaborative tools; communications and ADP equipment integration in a mobile capability; 3-D visualization tools; UGVs; UAVs; and mission planning and execution integration. An important design parameter will be the capability to readily add new platforms to the ICC suite as they are developed and fielded. The Government is considering the initiation of a project to explore alternatives and to develop an ICC suite or other appropriate integrated system. Contractors interested in the requirement shall provide a brief description of their capabilities to perform this study and their relevant experience, not to exceed three typed pages, as an MS Word attachment to an email addressed to contact@example.gov. Include the Government contract number, nomenclature, contracting office, Contracting Officer, and his or her phone number if the company gained the experience u nder a Government contract. There is presently no firm requirement for this study. The contracting office does not have funding for this potential action, and there is not an available solicitation or statement of work. We do not have any definite infor mation regarding plans to issue a solicitation or award a contract, and do not know if or when the statement of work or solicitation will be available. Also, we will not provide potential contractors with the identity of the requiring activity or technica l point of contact at this time. Please direct questions to David Culp, Contract Specialist at +1 (555) 000-0000 or at the email address above.