Autonomous UAS Navigation Requirement

The Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), (Belvoir Division) is seeking sources on behalf of the (CERDEC) Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) for a white paper and capabilities demonstration to fly an Autonomous UAS Navigation Requirement. The Autonomous UAS Navigation system shall be capable of demonstrating some or all of the following capabilities in order to be considered by the government. 1) Capable of flying an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), tethered or untethered, ranging from stationary up-to a ground speed of up to 12 kph in advance of vehicle. 2) The UAS shall fly at an operator-designated altitude (3-30 m Above Ground Level (AGL)), and a variable operator-defined distance (0-60 m) in advance of the supporting ground vehicle. 3) The UAS and supporting ground vehicle ground speeds need to match once the operator-specified distance between the UAS and supporting ground vehicle is achieved. 4) The UAS must allow for manual mode override in order to facilitate operator investigation of Target Areas of Interest (TAIs) while the vehicle is moving or stationary using sensor(s) on the UAS. 5) The UAS shall allow for operator adjustment in speed, altitude, and distance in advance of a moving or stationary vehicle. 6) Additionally, the UAS shall be capable of autonomous road following in advance of a vehicle moving over complex routes. Deliverables will consist of a demonstration incorporating all requirements identified in the above stated, use of a vendor selected UAS platform, existing data in support of previous efforts, and a final report describing the technical approach used for the demonstration in contractor format. The capabilities demonstration will be performed at a vendor identified location or Quantico Marine Base, Virginia during the timeframe of May 2016 through September 2016. All responsible sources having capable of addressing the above requirements may submit a proposal that will be considered by the agency. Proposals shall include a white paper, not to exceed 10 pages, addressing the following: 1. A cover letter (not included in the page count) providing: Company Name, Cage Code, Point of Contact, POC email address, POC phone number 2. Statement as to whether or not your company is considered a small or large business. If your company is a small business, please indicate any socioeconomic classification (8(a), Woman-Owned, Veteran-Owned and Operated, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Operated business, or HUBZone) that applies. 3. Has your Company performed this type of effort or similar type effort (to include size and complexity) in the past, if so provide Contract Number , Point of Contact (POC), e-mail address, phone number, existing data in support of previous efforts, and a brief description of your direct support of the effort? 4. Please identify sources of supply for any components or assemblies for which you intend to subcontract. Does your company possess the capabilities to provide the entire range of services called for in the above task list? 5. Please provide specific capabilities and examples for how your company can provide these services. 6. Describe your company's knowledge of current UAS technology. 7. What are the core competencies of your employees that would support the requirements described above? Also, provide the total number of individuals currently employed by your company that are capable of supporting the requirements described above. 8. Identify the timeline your company believes would be required to conduct a demonstration of a capability to fly an UAS ranging from stationary up to a ground speed of up to 12 kph in advance of vehicle. 9. Describe how your company would provide the demonstration of a capability to fly an UAS ranging from stationary up to a ground speed of up to 12 kph in advance of a ground vehicle. In addition to the above please answer the following small business questions (not included in the page count). 1. Under the current SB recertification regulations, do you anticipate your company remaining a small business, under primary NAICS Code? 2. Does your company meet the Non-manufacturing Rule? If so How? 3. Does your firm possess an approved Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) accounting system? 4. If you are a small business how do you select your partners and/or subcontractors? Proposals shall include all costs associated with providing the Government with a 10 page white paper and conducting a maximum five (5) day capabilities demonstration. Total cost is not to exceed $25,000.00 per offeror. The Government will provide no additional funds in support of the capabilities demonstration. Proposals will be evaluated based on the proposed ability to meet the above technical requirements and the total proposed cost for performing the capabilities demonstration. Specific costs and terms and conditions will be negotiated prior to award. The Government contemplates the awarding of Firm Fixed Price type purchase orders. The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received. If the demonstration occurs at a Government site, all personnel representing the source at the Government test site will be required to sign a hold harmless waiver form. The selected sources are responsible for arranging return transportation of their equipment from the Government site upon completion of the demonstration. Based on the outcome of the technical capabilities demonstration, select candidate systems may be considered for a follow on Government effort. Responses are to be received via e-mail within 45 calendar days from the date of this notice. To be eligible for award of a contract, a prospective contractor must meet certain minimum standards pertaining to financial resources, ability to comply with the performance schedule, prior records of performance, integrity, organization, experience, operational controls, technical skills, facilities and equipment. Also, registration in the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov) prior to award, is mandatory. For additional information and guidance concerning qualifications and standards for responsibility of perspective contractors, please refer to FAR Part 9. There will be no formal request for proposal or any other solicitation document issued in regards to this announcement; therefore, interested parties should be alert for any Amendments to this announcement that may be published on the Federal Business Opportunities Page (https://www.fbo.gov) under the solicitation number (W909MY-16-R-D003). Questions concerning contractual, cost, or pricing format may be directed to the Contracting Specialist, Ms. Brittany Olin at brittany.n.olin.civ@mail.mil, or Contracting Officer, Mrs. Erin Stevens at erin.e.stevens2.civ@mail.mil. Please direct all questions through email, as this will help in our documentation process. Questions on technical matters related to test should be referred to Mr. Mark Purdy via email at mark.l.purdy2.civ@mail.mil. All interested parties are encouraged to contact the cited individuals via email at any time prior to proposal submission in order to obtain clarifications and guidance. Offerors are cautioned that all such inquiries must be made prior to Government receipt of proposals. Once a proposal is received by Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), (Belvoir Division), all communications should be through the Contracting Officer and Specialist. Prospective offerors are cautioned that only the Contracting Officer is legally authorized to commit the Government.