Notice of Contract Action (NOCA) -- Multi-Intelligence Smart Processing (MISP)

NOTICE OF CONTRACTUAL ACTION FOR NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE PROCUMENT FOR the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) of the Multi-Intelligence Smart Processing (MISP) effort. The United States Air Force (USAF), Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements", intends to issue/award a contract to General Atomics, Poway, CA for the purpose of advancing commercial and government developed sensor technologies that combine multiple sensor research areas across multiple domains and/or cyber environments. These experiments will aid in the development and transition of Systems of Sensor systems that increase current national defense capabilities in Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), targeting, combat identification, battlespace awareness, and protection of airborne assets in contested environments. This work includes evaluation, selection, procurement, modification, integration, installation, and testing of AFRL developed sensor exploitation technologies and communications into the MQ9 and associated ground control stations (GCS) and squadron operations centers (SOC). The estimated value of this contract is $49.9M and is expected to begin in FY19. The objectives under this effort include: 1. Conduct research and development (R&D), modeling and simulation (M&S), experimentation, testing, technology demonstrations, and analysis for characterizing the performance profile of combined Systems of Sensor systems technologies. 2. Integrate multiple combinations of advanced sensors, processing, and exploitation capabilities focused on C4ISR and strike. 3. Research and develop Open Mission Systems and computing for optimized on and off-board processing, ISR, and C2. 3. Research/integrate payload and flight critical systems separation approaches. 4. Demonstrate and assess integrated sensor systems capabilities in operationally relevant environments. Conduct experiments and data collections needed for analysis through appropriate means, such as: virtualization, laboratory experiments, modelling and simulation, test flights, or real-world flight testing. This may or may not include hardware-in-the-loop. 5. Research and refine integrated sensor systems architecture, including open architecture, adaptable interfaces, and system component technologies to determine the optimal architecture for Systems of Sensor systems. 6. Develop and assess software and hardware interfaces for sensor systems, and find new ways to integrate internal and external to aircraft using podded and non-traditional solutions. 7. Develop, integrate, and assess new machine learning and AI approaches to mission effectiveness and execution. 8. Develop optimized approaches that combine on-board and off-board sensor systems to enhance MQ-9 effectiveness and survivability in contested and non-contested environments. 9. Develop and integrate advanced communications capabilities to permit the MQ9 to integrate and collaborate with 4th and 5th generation weapon systems. Vendors who are capable of providing the effort above shall fully identify their interest and submit, in writing, information documenting their qualifications and capabilities to the requirements stated above within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Responses must be submitted to Joseph Strehle, Contracting Officer, via email at joseph.strehle@us.af.mil. Responses received after 15 days or without the required information will be considered non-responsive to the synopsis and will not be considered. Other business opportunities for AFRL are available at www.fedbizopps.gov. The proposed contract action is for RDT&E services which the government intends to solicit and negotiate with General Atomics under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contractual action based upon responses received to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Direct questions to the Contracting Point of Contact (POC) identified in this announcement. General Operations Security (OPSEC) procedures, policies, and awareness are required in an effort to reduce program vulnerability from successful adversary collection and exploitation of critical information. The Critical Information List (CIL) will be provided upon request by AFRL/RYOY Information Protection Office. While working on the government installation, OPSEC guidance will be provided by the AFRL/RYOY Information Protection Office.