Increased Effort on Contract N66001-13-C-4011 under P00003

This is a notice of intent to increase the ceiling of Contract N66001-13-C-4011 to Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. (Draper Labs), awarded by SSC Pacific on behalf of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency Defense Sciences Office (DARPA/DSO) on 3 January 2013 for a performance period of three (3) years. The effort under the contract leverages previous DARPA/DSO projects to develop devices capable of supporting human climbing. Previous laboratory efforts demonstrated the ability of several inch patches constructed of various adhesives and microspine materials to adhere to both dry and wet surfaces. The current effort proposes to build a climbing system that will allow a solider loaded with 40 pounds of gear to scale, descend, and traverse laterally, vertical walls of glass, painted and unpainted steel, and aircraft aluminum, dry and wet, without the need for ropes or ladders Under this contract, Draper Labs is also providing technology that will provide the ability to cortically control advanced dexterous prosthesis while experiencing sensory feedback through cortical electrical simulation initiated by prosthetic limbs. This effort requires the design and integration of novel technology from research areas including neural recordings and stimulation devices, advanced multimodal control and feedback algorithms, and advanced mechanical engineering of a highly dexterous robotic arm. The Z-Man Gecko Nanoadhesives, Magnet, and Microspine technologies enable the warfighter to climb different surfaces as the need and requirement arises. Other Department of Defense organizations continue to request from DARPA/DSO the ability to improve upon these next-generation Z-Man technologies as well as develop alternative applications outside of human climbing by leveraging these adhesives. Under this contract modification, prototype system fabrication and delivery will extend to Magnets and Microspines and incorporate critical end user feedback to provide prototype systems that are most beneficial to the warfighter. The NAICS code for this procurement is 541712. Due to the nature of Research and Development efforts, DARPA could not have reasonably estimated the results of the research from this program, which has seen breakthroughs that will benefit from continued trials under this current contract. It is expected that the technology will transition for use by the warfighter. This action includes a ceiling increase of approximately $1.5 million. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals or quotes and will be posted for 15 days. A determination by the Government not to compete based upon response to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Interested parties may submit comments in writing to the Contract Specialist, Ms. Sabina Sabedra, Code 22530, SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific who may be reached by telephone at +1 (555) 000-0000 or via email to contact@example.gov.