Increased Effort on Contract N66001-13-C-4011 under P00007

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 design, develop, test and demonstrate an adhesive safety feature (i.e., an anchor) that would aid the rock climbers in the event of a fall. In the event of a fall, the safety feature would prevent the climber from falling to the ground, keeping the drop to a distance of about 10ft or the last anchor. This hybrid was the result of critical end user feedback from potential military end-users at Naval Special Warfare Development Group and Combat Applications Group to provide prototype systems that are most beneficial to the warfighter. The hybrid system will utilize adhesive to provide additional security for human climbing of smooth surfaces including overhung or curved surfaces with a goal of providing prototype systems that are most beneficial to the warfighter. The ability to climb multiple surfaces in urban and maritime environments will provide unprecedented concepts of operations (CONOPS) capabilities for the warfighter. Additionally, the contract modification will require the contractor to deliver another prototype at the end of the contract for end user testing. 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 $299,982. 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.