Future Vertical Lift Science & Technology Initiative

Request FOR INFORMATION (RFI): Future Vertical Lift Science and Technology Initiative AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. Office of the Director, Defense Research and Engineering, DoD. ACTION: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is requesting information for purposes of improving government understanding of emerging technology capabilities and stakeholder strategic direction for future vertical lift aircraft and rotorcraft. This request for information is for purposes of exchanging information to improve understanding of Government needs and industry capabilities and is for information and planning. DATES: Submit all responses by close of business August 14, 2009, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). ADDRESSES: Please electronically submit all responses to Mr. John Preston at the email address listed below. Criteria for submission are provided in the Supplementary Information section of this notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION/SUBMISSION OF QUESTIONS OF A TECHNICAL NATURE CONTACT: Mr. John Preston, E-mail: John.Preston@osd.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: The Secretary of Defense directed and Section 255 of the 2009 Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) mandated the conduct of a Capabilities Based Assessment (CBA) to determine the capabilities required for post-2020 vertical lift aircraft. This CBA will inform the development of a Future Vertical Lift (FVL) Strategic Plan, and a detailed Science and Technology (S&T) Plan with associated investment, implementation, and resourcing strategies. The S&T Plan, in particular, seeks to develop technology plans and roadmaps which complement and enable the FVL Strategic Plan and CBA. Part of this effort includes identification of key concepts, emerging technologies, and associated technology challenges. Stakeholder participation is needed to: - Identify technology opportunities for current and emerging vertical lift concepts and capabilities; - Identify key strategic and technology challenges facing vertical lift aircraft; and - Inform capability-based planning for future vertical lift aircraft and rotorcraft in the Department of Defense. For the purpose of this S&T Initiative, - Vertical Lift is defined as the capability to execute a controlled vertical take-off and vertical landing with a mission payload. Information Requested from Stakeholders: Under this RFI, the Office of the Secretary of Defense solicits information for purposes of improving Government understanding of emerging technology capabilities and stakeholder strategic direction. Specifically the RFI requests: - Current business strategy for vertical lift aircraft and rotorcraft; - Planned technology demonstrations, concept vehicles, or experimental aircraft; - Emerging technologies and opportunities for both future vertical lift aircraft and current fleet; and - Key strategic issues and challenges. This request for information is for purposes of exchanging information to improve understanding of the Government requirement and industry capability and is for information and planning. This announcement must not be construed as a commitment by the Government and any information submitted by industry will not constitute an offer which could be accepted by the Government to create a binding contract. Response Point of Contact (POC): Please electronically submit all responses to POC listed below by close of business August 14, 2009: John Preston Staff Specialist, Aerospace Technology Office of the Director, Defense Research and Engineering Email: John.Preston@osd.mil RFI Submittal Format: RFI submittals should be no more than ten pages in length, printed in 12 point font on 8-1/2 by 11 inch paper. Submittals should not contain proprietary or distribution limited information. Please include telephone and e-mail contact information on the front page. Submittals should be in PDF format. Receipt of Submittal: Receipt of submitted papers will be acknowledged. Authors may be contacted to seek further clarification or to provide additional information which may include proprietary or distribution limited information. Acknowledgement of receipt does not imply acceptance of information for direct or indirect inclusion in the final planning documents. White papers are intended for the exclusive use of the U.S. Government, and specifically the Future Vertical Lift Science and Technology Working Group, to help inform the development of the Future Vertical Lift Science and Technology Plan.