Highly Dexterous Manipulation - Robotic arm(s)

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY - This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes to acquire information concerning existing capabilities and developmental efforts in remotely operated, accurate, and selectable disruption to render safe, precision aim and manipulation, and heavy-lifting and highly dexterous manipulation systems for the purpose of detecting, identifying, rendering safe, and achieving final disposition of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) and explosive hazards. This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. Solicitations are not available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary; the United States Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the United States Government. Although "proposal", "offeror" and "respondent" are used in this RFI, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on Federal Business Opportunities (FedbizOpps) www.fbo.gov. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement. The US Army Contracting Command - New Jersey Close Combat (ACC-NJ-CC) on behalf of the Office of the Program Manager- Close Combat Systems (OPM -CCS) is interested in receiving information pertaining to industry's remote robotics initiatives that will increase the efficiency and standoff of Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) forces ability to detect, identify, render safe, and achieve final disposition of CBRN and explosive hazards. The information received from this request will be used by PM-CCS to shape future requirements and acquisition programs for robotic payloads. Its principal focus is for mature technology/components for development, integration, and demonstration (Research Development Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) 6.5 Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD)). The technologies of interest are: Highly Dexterous Manipulation - Robotic arm(s) with dexterous fingers exhibiting near-human flexibility and greater-than-human strength. The robotic arm(s) shall be capable of grasping an object with an end-effector and manipulate seamlessly with another end-effector with intuitive systems controllers that include force feedback and/or haptic feedback. The following physical characteristics are being sought: Six Degrees-of-Freedom to include, at minimum, shoulder roll/pitch, elbow roll/pitch, and wrist roll/pitch per manipulator. Forward reach of 50 inches, minimum Upward reach of 36 inches, minimum Downward reach of 6 inches below the platform's ground plane, minimum. Weight: 60 lbs maximum Lift Capability: 55 lbs minimum with single manipulator, 65 lbs minimum with more than one manipulator Full Extension Lift Capability: 30 lbs minimum with a single manipulator, 50 lbs minimum with more than one manipulator at full extension. Dexterity: manipulate small wires, zipper fasteners, screws, door handles, push buttons, etc. Manipulate large ordnance items such as 155mm artillery projectiles. Multi-Shot Disruptor - A tool providing accurate and precise explosive hazard disruption. The disruptor shall be capable of completing multiple disruption techniques from a remote location. Such techniques include liquid and solid round shots. The following characteristics are sought: Compatible with Army Percussion Actuated Non-electric (PAN) disruptor ammunition Capable of remotely loading/unloading multiple disruptor ammunition and projectile options in most orientations Capability to accurately aim the disruptor Accuracy: Hit 9V battery at 30 feet Precision Aiming Manipulator - This manipulator shall be capable of fine adjustments for the purpose of positioning and aiming the multi-shot disruptor. The manipulator shall also be capable of remotely performing post disruption procedures of explosive hazards. The following characteristics are sought: Aiming resolution: Maximum pan or tilt movement shall be 0.625 inches horizontally and vertically at 10 feet. Forward reach of 55 inches, minimum Weight: 60 lbs maximum Lift Capability: 65 lbs minimum Full Extension Lift Capability: 12 lbs minimum at full extension Capable of 300 shots before maintenance, average peak force ? 300 pound-force, max peak force ? 450 pound-force General Characteristics: In addition to the specific characteristics described above, each technology shall also have the following capabilities: Systems shall be capable of interfacing with the CRS-H platform using RAS-G IOPv3 Connector Interface B - 20 pin nominal keyway. Systems shall be capable of interfacing with the MTRS Inc II platform using RAS-G IOPv2 AEODRS Connector 22 pin with B keyway. The three capabilities described can be separate robotic modules or be integrated together. Video camera systems shall be IOP compatible. Video shall provide operators with situational awareness around the robotic platform as well as close-up views of manipulated items. Systems shall be capable of operating in a Chemical, Biological, Radiological environment. Systems shall be capable of being operated and maintained by personnel wearing Mission Oriented Protective Posture IV gear. Systems shall be secure against novice outside cyber attacks. Vendor shall provide the following information in response to this RFI: 1. Description of how the technology or system will meet the characteristics described within this document. 2. Table 1-System Critical Technology Identification and Maturation Information (See Attachment 1 for the table and specific instructions). Overall, identify the Critical Technologies (CTs) of your solution, each CT's current Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Integration Readiness Level (IRL), the estimated time needed to reach TRL 7 and IRL 7, the development activities required to mature that technology, and the risks associated with developing each CT. 3. Table 2-Integrated System Maturation Timeline and Cost Estimate (See Attachment 2 for the table and specific instructions). Overall, identify the estimated time required for the integrated system/solution to reach TRL/IRL 8 and identify the estimated cost to develop the system/solution from its current state to TRL/IRL 8. All proprietary material in the submission package shall be clearly identified and will be treated in the strictest confidence. Submissions must be unclassified. Submissions are not to exceed twelve (12) pages using your preferred format. Respondents shall not be obligated to provide the services described herein and it is understood by the United States Government that the cost estimates provided as a result of this request are "best" estimates only. The response date for this RFI is 24 March 2023. No phone calls will be accepted. All responses or questions to this RFI shall be submitted electronically (MS Word, PDF or MS PowerPoint format).via e-mail to Yolie Marie Davila Contracting Officer, at yolie.m.davila.civ@army.mil, and Carolina J. Ayala, Contracting Specialist, at carolina.j.ayala.civ@army.mil.