Request for Information (RFI) For Long Endurance Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS)

Request for Information (RFI) For Long Endurance Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) 1. Introduction This Request for Information (RFI) is in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15.2 and is published only to obtain information for use for use by Program Execute Officer, Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation (PEO (U/W)), Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-263), Patuxent River, Maryland. This RFI does not constitute an invitation for bids, a request for proposal, a solicitation, a request for quote or an indication that the Government will contract for the items provided by submitter. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with the preparation or submission of the information requested. Response to this RFI is strictly voluntary and will not affect any potential offeror's ability to submit an offer if a solicitation is released. Any requests for a solicitation package will be disregarded. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of preparing submissions in response to this RFI and the Government's use of such information. Submittals will not be returned to the sender. Respondents of this RFI may be requested to provide additional information/details based on their initial submittals. 2. Objective PEO (U/W), PMA-263 is seeking industry input to identify potential solutions for a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) capable of providing Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) during day and night operations and in all environmental conditions. The systems should be a complete lightweight systems weighing no more than 30lbs, and be ready-to-use-as-delivered with minimal logistic, training and support requirements. The system should have a range of approximately 15km or more, be capable of operating continuously for 8 hours from takeoff, or longer, and provide real-time full motion video via both electro-optical and infrared sensors. The air vehicle shall be hand-launchable or launched with a minimum of support equipment from a small confined area. The air vehicle shall be capable of either a manual or autonomous recovery within the same area as launch, or smaller. The recovery method must be adequate to prevent system damage and allow for short turn-around times between same day missions. The ground control station shall be man-portable and consist of the necessary equipment to monitor the sensor(s) position and status, control its movement and view video. The system should be rugged enough to survive in unimproved areas (e.g., containing rocks or uneven terrain) and be reusable. Proposed solutions must be assessed to have adequate maturity to be fielded immediately. Please identify technical attributes such as air vehicle performance, ground station performance, system architecture, communication link design, operating software, and any associated payload capability. 3. Requested Information The respondent is requested to provide detailed information in response to the questions listed below. 1. What is the proposed system configuration (air vehicles, ground control stations, payloads etc...) 2. If already developed, how long do you estimate it will take for your solution to be production-ready? 3. What is the production lead-time, including any production/delivery constraints based on single order quantities ranging from 1-50 systems? 4. Is the system capable of performing in marine environments or inclement weather such as rain or winds gusting to 25kts or more? 5. Is the system capable of simultaneous air-vehicle operations off of a single Ground Control Station? 6. How many people are required to operate the system? 7. If the system is already developed, please provide any available documentation that would allow for a full examination of the system capability. 8. If not fully developed, please provide an estimate of development/production costs for your proposed solution? 9. Are you able to provide Field Service Representative (FSR) support sufficient to sustain systems in deployed, or remote areas within the United States or harsh/hostile environments overseas? 10. What is the anticipated training time for operator certification? 11. What data rights, if any, would be available to the government? 12. What is your experience with developing Small Unmanned Aircraft System products? 13. Please provide your cage code and business size under NAICS Code. If you are a small business per the parameters of NAICS Code, do you also qualify under any of the sub-categories: 8(a), Small Disadvantaged Business, HUBZone, etc.)? Under what NAICS codes do you compete? 14. Are you on one or more GSA schedules? If so, which one(s)? 15. Are you a foreign-owned, foreign-controlled, or a foreign-influenced company? 4. Responses All interested, capable, and responsible sources that wish to respond to this RFI, please respond with a white paper via electronic mail no later than 10 December 2013. Please limit responses to no more than 10 pages, 12 point font, not including preprinted information material. Responses are expected to be unclassified. DO NOT submit any classified material through unclassified email. LTJG Roxie Allen, Contract Specialist Email: roxie.allen@navy.mil 5. Questions If you have any specific questions (relating to the above referenced information only) please submit them in written format to the Contracting Specialist listed above. Responses to this RFI will not be returned.