Request for Information (RFI) for Utilization of UAS for Disaster Relief

Description: Disaster Relief Support with UAS Purpose: The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to conduct market research seeking to identify vendors who would be interested in offering on a forthcoming Request for Proposal (RFP) to utilize Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) to provide disaster relief support on the East and Gulf Coasts of the United States. This is in support of Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support's Subsistence Contingency Operations and Natural Disaster relief efforts. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a formal Request for Proposal, or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in responding to this RFI. All inquiries must be submitted to Shannon Collins at Shannon.collins@dla.mil and Nicholas McGinty at Nicholas.mcginty@dla.mil. The Government will not entertain any further requests to meet individually with a contractor, and will not respond to any telephonic inquiries in response to this RFI. Please see the below capabilities and requirements for a description of the possible acquisition. Target Audience: All Interested Businesses Natural Disaster Relief Drone Delivery - Requirement Description - 1. 1. Ability to provide a Performance Based UAS Research Concept of Operations (CONOPs) for turnkey deployment of UAS and all associated support personnel within 24-48 hours to affected areas. CONOPs may include, but not be limited to, the secure storage of equipment in the vicinity of potential relief areas. This shall include the ability to obtain formal FAA Certificates of Authorization and Waiver (COA's) in coordination with the New Jersey Institute of Technology in order to perform flight campaigns in FAA authorized non-restricted National Airspace, as well as DoD/DLA facilitated/coordinated restricted air space. UAS utilized in this effort must be non-developmental/non-experimental and able to meet DoD Cybersecurity standards. Potential vendor(s) are responsible for securing all liability insurance(s) and authorizations in order to meet campaign goals. - 2. 2. Ability to fly research missions utilizing non-developmental, non-experimental UAS with payloads of 250-500 pounds to support warfighters deployed to assist with disaster relief efforts. Payloads shall be mechanically affixed to, and released remotely without damage from, the UAS and will typically consist of cases of 16.9oz bottled water as well as cases of Meals-Ready-to Eat (MREs) or other similarly packaged Operational Rations end items. Dimensions for a case of MREs are: 16in L x 11.5in W x 10in H with a weight of 26 pounds. Potential range of research operations will span distances up to 20 miles. UAS must be capable of completing all mission delivery objectives while maintaining safe levels of UAS reserve/contingency power. - 3. 3. Drone/UAS must be able to execute the delivery process from sea (vessel) to land, land to sea (vessel), and land to land. Sea operations will be coordinated with U.S. Coast Guard. Operator/UAS platform must be able to generate comprehensive flight data that will be utilized for subsequent flight characteristics data analysis. - 4. 4. Drone/UAS must be non-developmental/non-experimental, able to operate beyond visual line of sight, contain safeguards in order to meet or exceed DoD Cybersecurity standards, and operate in potentially austere weather conditions (wind/fog/heat/cold/light precipitation). The Government will not buy or otherwise own any UAS. - 5. 5. Research Flight Demonstrations shall include operations to be held at the Warren Grove Gunnery Range in Warren Grove, New Jersey. Troop Support Subsistence utilizes UAS subject matter experts from the New Jersey Innovation Institute at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJII/NJIT). Other similar sites for flight demonstrations can be accommodated following coordination with Troop Support Subsistence and NJIT/NJII. Potential vendors will work with them throughout this effort. Potential vendors must supply complete self-sustaining flight crew including but not limited to Pilot(s)-in-charge, visual observers, ground support personnel as well as any other necessary personnel and equipment. Responses: If you are interested in offering on such an opportunity, please provide an emailed response, which includes the capabilities of your firm to meet these requirements as well as any related experience in flying UAS in various missions, by 4:00 PM EST on Wednesday, January 30 2019 to Shannon Collins at Shannon.collins@dla.mil and Nicholas.mcginty@dla.mil . In addition, indicate if your firm is large or small as defined by the NAICS code 541715. Please have the subject of the email response read "Utilization of UAS for Disaster Relief for Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Subsistence". Proprietary information or trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All government reviewing RFI responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protecting from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described in 41 U.S.C. - 423. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.