Request for Information- Remote Sensing Prototype Services

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Space-Based Remote Sensing Prototype 1.0 Description 1.1 The U.S. Army Geospatial Center (AGC) Imagery Systems Branch is working to develop a prototype for monitoring U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) civil infrastructure and coastal features using commercial satellite remote sensing. The remote sensing services would show the ability to identify potential weaknesses or volume changes of infrastructure using a variety of proven commercial imagery and processing techniques. The end goal of this project is to in the future employ an automated, scalable, alert service to be disseminated amongst USACE to improve the monitoring of changes in features of interest. The focus of the prototype would be to utilize existing commercially available data and algorithms to 1.) Demonstrate use of the existing capabilities for the detection of changes in Army Corps USACE infrastructure, 2.) Understand accuracy and best practices to measure accuracy by utilizing ground truth measurements, 3.) Determine what satellite imagery data could be leveraged for any of these use cases with a focus on Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data and algorithms. The NAICS code for this RFI is 541360, Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services with a small business size standard is $15,000,000 and the PSC is B519, Geotechnical Studies. This RFI is unrestricted. 1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future, nor does it commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Army is not seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. 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 FedBizOpps at FBO.gov. 2.0 Background USACE works on civil engineering projects throughout the country to include monitoring of inland waterway maintenance, critical coastal infrastructure (i.e. dikes/berms/levees and breakwaters/jetties), beach elevation changes, and flooding. USACE primary methodology to monitor these features are from aerial and ground surveys; however, this project aims to monitor these changes in features by using space-based commercial sensors. This project will work to determine the feasibility and demonstrate the use of a scalable commercial remote sensing service to monitor infrastructure and environmental features that could be used as a cueing method to deploy aerial or ground measurements only when necessary. Many remote sensing techniques using SAR satellite imagery to detect changes in infrastructure and environmental objects have been demonstrated by industry and academia. It is the goal of USACE to employ these environmental and civil infrastructure monitoring techniques. USACE is interested in tracking potential small changes in water retaining structures, such as dams and reservoirs. A subsidence or displacement of a dam may indicate future failure of the structure that needs immediate attention. Furthermore, these remote sensing techniques may include dike and disposal areas where volume change or decrease, levees and changes in flood protection walls where there could be large deformations in the structures that signify damage, usually from waves or as a result of large storms. USACE is also interested in beach volume and berms where changes in volume are important to monitor over time and during significant storm events. 2.1 Planned Procurement: Prototype commercial monitoring services with a demonstration using ground truth data to measure accuracy. 2.2 Period of Performance: The Contract will be for no longer than a 1 year period of performance for the base portion of the contract. The optional tasks may extend this period of performance as necessary to complete the tasks. 2.3 Limitations: a. Must be U.S. owned and U.S. based companies 2.4 Security Requirements: NA 3.0 Requested Information The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to determine if there are sources capable of satisfying the government's potential requirements of: - Demonstrating use of the existing capabilities for the detection of changes in USACE infrastructure - Understanding accuracy and best practices to measure accuracy by utilizing ground truth measurements - Determining the optimal commercial satellite data sources and processing algorithms that could be leveraged for USACE use cases - Develop and deliver prototype products and a report on findings and techniques used 4.0 Responses 4.1. Responses to this RFI shall be in form of an informational paper outlining your company's ability to fulfill the needs of the Government. 4.2. RESPONSES ARE DUE NO LATER THAN 22 JUNE 2018, 11:00 AM, EST. Send responses to the attention of Lauren Spear, Contract Specialist, at Lauren.L.Spear@usace.army.mil. 4.3. Your response shall include the following general information in addition to section 4.1: 1. Company name and address; 2. Federal contracts point of contact information including name, phone number and email address; 3. Summary description of the company; 4. Core Capabilities; 5. Description of major services offered; 6. Federal Small Business Certifications (e.g. Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, 8(a) certified small disadvantaged business, etc.) 7. Partners and major subcontractors; 8. General Company information, including: Registered company name; DBA; D-U-N-S Number; CAGE Code 5.0 Questions Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to Lauren.L.Spear@usace.army.mil and kirby.d.beard@usace.army.mil. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered by posting answers to FBO; accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after18 June 2018, 2pm EST will be answered. 6.0 Summary THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify capabilities that will allow for a satellite remote sensing service to monitor USACE infrastructure and areas of interest. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and does not bind the Government in any way. USACE has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.