Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Capable of Ice Detection and Mapping, Maritime Domain Awareness, and Logistics Support in Arctic Environment

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) Department of the Navy (DoN) Office of Naval Research - Global (ONRG) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Capable of Ice Detection and Mapping, Maritime Domain Awareness, and Logistics Support in Arctic Environment THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. Purpose The U.S. Department of the Navy (DoN) issues this Request for Information (RFI) on behalf of the DoN Office of Naval Research - Global (ONRG). This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as an obligation on the part of the Government. This is NOT a Request for Quotations or Proposals. No solicitation document exists, and the Government may or may not issue a formal solicitation as a result of the responses received to this RFI. The Government will not pay for any response or demonstration expenses. All costs incurred responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense (the Government will transport company material to Greenland for the Advanced Capability Experimentation (ACE)). Failure to respond to this RFI will not preclude participation in any future solicitation. Any information received will become the property of the Government and will not be returned to the submitter. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or sensitive information. Government technical experts drawn from staff within DoN and other Federal agencies may review responses. I. Introduction The Arctic region is a strategic national security concern. Operating in any of earth's Polar and Cold Regions (the Arctic and Antarctic as well as sub-arctic and seasonally frozen locations) remains an extremely challenging endeavor due to harsh and rapidly changing weather, austere infrastructure, and a general lack of operational experience. The Polar Operational and Scientific community recognizes these challenges and in response identified capability gaps and launched operational and scientific and technological initiatives to address them. Specifically, in 2019 the International Cooperative Engagement Program for Polar Research (ICE-PPR) was established to enable Defense Departments working in earth's Polar Regions to collaborate across a variety of research and engineering topics. The seven nation ICE-PPR coalition includes: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, and the United States. ONRG working with ICE-PPR is conducting market research in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) capable of ice detection and mapping, domain awareness, object recognition, payload delivery, navigation with limitations of GPS at high latitudes, launch and recovery operations from air base and surface ship, and Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV) long endurance in extreme environment (arctic winter temperatures, fog, 24/7 night conditions). II. Scope Current UAS are highly limited in Arctic environment; particularly those deployed from a small surface ship (Surface Combatant, Cutter, Ice Breaker, or smaller) in challenging environmental conditions. ONRG Experimentation and Analysis (E&A) assesses technologies both in laboratory and real-world operational environments to inform science and technology (S&T) investment decisions. The E&A program also explores new and innovative technologies and concepts of employment to deliver capabilities to DoN Organizations. Applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes: 541715 - - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (primary) 541990 - - All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 541519 - - Other Computer Related Services 541512 - - Computer Systems Design Services 423610 - - Electrical Apparatus and Equipment, Wiring Supplies, and Related Equipment Merchant Wholesalers 334511 - - Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing 334290 - - Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing 334220 - - Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing. Applicable Product Service Codes: AJ12 - - General Science and Technology R&D Services; General Science and Technology; Applied Research (primary) 5810 - - Communications Security Equipment and Components 5865 - - Electronic Countermeasures, Counter-Countermeasures and Quick Reaction Capability Equipment 6350 - - Miscellaneous Alarm, Signal, and Security Detection Systems 7J20 - - IT and Telecom - Security and Compliance Products (Hardware and Perpetual License Software). III. Request for Information Topic Areas: Sensors and communication systems, with size, weight, and power (SWAP) for integration onto Group 1-3 UAVs, in support of Maritime Domain Awareness Meteorological Conditions Assessment, Ice Detection, Classifying & Mapping Automated Target Recognition (person in the water to 20 foot boat) Group 1-3 UAVs capable of payload delivery and remote payload capture and return Autonomous airborne navigation without using GPS (due to limitations of GPS at high latitudes) and other electronic and magnetic disturbances Group 1-3 UAV capable of launch and recovery operations from unimproved surfaces and Surface Ships with helicopter decks Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV) with long endurance in Arctic winter conditions ONRG is interested in learning about the availability of UAS and payloads with a technology readiness level (TRL) of six or greater, with the capability to support any of the topic areas of interest in an arctic region. ONRG intends to provide standout systems with an invitation to participate in a live demonstration event currently proposed for December 2023 at Oliktok Point, Alaska. Successful candidates have the potential to be invited to a follow-on event in March 2024 at Pituffik SB (formally Thule AFB), Greenland. Submissions to the topic areas should include the following information: Overview: System description including support equipment Operational concept and employment of the system Including operation wearing arctic appropriate clothing and mittens Launch and recovery process Operation footprint of system and other required support equipment TRL of the system UAV: System size, weight, power (SWAP), and other pertinent technical specifications to include processing, control and operator. UAS/Payload/Sensor (for topics of interest): System size, weight (O: < 300 lbs.), power, and other pertinent technical specifications to include processing and control and operator UAS operational, maximum and stall speed, and maximum altitude Assembly requirements (O: 2 man lift maximum) Operation duration in arctic conditions (O: >6 hours) vs. payload weight and configuration Arctic Conditions include operational ambient temperature (T: -20o F, O: -60o F) and other environmental limitations (T: sea state 2, O: sea state 4; T: wind speed 20 knots, O: wind speed 40 knots, etc.) Support/sustainment concept An indication of the system's mobility/transportability capability Icing and de-icing capability Detection of icing condition for the aircraft Command, control and communication (C3) and data relay capability in arctic regions (limited or no satellite) Navigation in limited GPS capability Autonomous operation capability, teaming capability and swarming capability Sound level verses distance from target Past operations in an arctic or near arctic environment Cost: Available configurations and cost. Maintenance and other logistic costs and anticipated software update schedule (i.e., weekly, monthly, etc.) over the life of the system, if applicable. Performance: Effective coverage area of the system, in square miles Location accuracy (in northern regions) for UAV location, target location, delivering, detecting and tracking Tracking dimensionality (2D tracking or 3D tracking) Identify any limitations of the system Ability to operate with shipboard EMI interference Ice detection/thickness/movement Target (ship, boat, person) detect, locate, identify GPS and C2 capabilities, especially when denied Persistence data Ability to transfer data real time and provide - recorded data once returned to the operation center Demonstration Availability: Which of the five topics the system could demonstrate in and in what capacity Clearly state if the respondent's system will be demonstrable at a TRL level of 6 or greater at Alaskan location, December 2023. IV. Submission Requirements Submissions in response to this RFI must be submitted via email to Brandon Hayes @ Brandon.d.hayes11.civ@us.navy.mil and Jonathan Faranda @ jonathan.d.faranda.civ@us.navy.mil with a copy emailed to usn.pentagon.cnr-arlington-va.mbx.FrozenFlyer@us.navy.mil by or before 5:00 PM Eastern Time 11 August, 2023. Submissions must: Include the Sources Sought number in the subject line of the email. Be in either Word or PDF format and address the requirements listed below. Any questions and inquiries must be submitted to the email address above. Responses must have a cover letter that includes the following information: Company Name Company Address UEI Number Company's Size and Socio-Economic Status information (including applicable NAICS code) Technical Point of Contact(s) (name, title, email, and phone number) Contracting Point of Contact(s) (name, title, email, and phone number) List of any and all contract vehicles your company is an awardee under (e.g., Blanket Purchase Agreements, Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity contracts, etc.) and the administering Federal agency RFI topic area covered by the submission Submissions containing sensitive or proprietary information are discouraged unless excluding such information would inhibit vendors ability to provide a complete submission. Classified responses are acceptable but should be coordinated through the unclassified email address above prior to submission. Submission Content The following sections provide a recommended outline for a response to this RFI. This outline is intended to minimize the effort of the respondent and structure the responses for ease of analysis by the Government. Section 1 - Corporate Expertise (1-2 pages) Provide company information, POC data, and title of system. Note whether system is currently or has previously been (within last 3 years) fielded and functional, either commercially or with government agencies, and if so, which ones. Section 2 - Technology Response (up to 8 pages) Provide detailed description of proposed technology meeting the requirements for each topic area. Clearly state demonstration availability Note: DO NOT SUBMIT ACQUISITION PROPOSALS. Submit participation applications. No financial contracts will be awarded based on this announcement, but selected participants may be asked to sign a Cooperative and Development Research Agreement (CRADA) with the Government. Submitting an application in response to this RFI does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the UAS demonstration event. V. Next Steps 1. What to Expect Notification of interest will be communicated within 30 business days after close of this RFI. Invitations to participate will be based on product maturity, TRL, availability, and suitability for addressing unique circumstances described throughout this RFI. Only technology at a TRL of six or above will be considered. Participating organizations should plan to deploy enough personnel and resources to install, setup and operate equipment to meet evaluation objectives. The participating organization should have subject matter expertise readily available to answer questions throughout the process. Several months of planning are required prior to the live demonstrations. Activities include potential supplier site visits (to verify TRL level), the generation of program management artifacts, test plans, review of test site, engineering studies (e.g., spectrum analysis), site surveys for placement UAS equipment, access to internet and electricity, procedures for safe flight operations, and proper airspace authorities. The level of effort associated with conducting the demonstration event is considered substantial. If the products or technologies being provided emit radio frequency (RF) or other energy, they will require spectrum and other approvals. The Government will be responsible for fulfilling any required approvals for each sensor type at the event location. Spectrum approval responsibility will be negotiated prior to deployment. The demonstrations will require up to two weeks time on site. Information on the location, specific dates, evaluation scenarios, space layout, timeframes, and other logistical information will be shared at a later date with participating organizations. This is an RFI only. Respondents must either (1) have ownership of any intellectual property submitted for the purposes of participating in the event or (2) possess sufficient rights to permit the use of the technology. Organizations that respond will not be paid for the information submitted and the Government will not pay for any submission preparation or related costs. As stated elsewhere in this RFI, the Government will be paying to host the demonstration and the evaluations. However, participating organizations are responsible for all costs associated with traveling to and from the demonstration location site, such as transportation, shipment (CONUS only), storage (CONUS only), lodging, and other related costs. Documents submitted in response to this RFI will not be returned. The Government is under no obligation to provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. There is no guarantee that any submission in response to this RFI will result in a Government invitation to participate in the demonstration. The Government may or may not use any responses to this RFI as a basis for a subsequent project. If the evaluations are canceled for any reason, the Government will be unable to compensate Respondents for any funds that may have been expended for the purposes of participating in the event. 2. Basis for Selection to Participate The Government will review the applications for technical merit, range of capabilities, and applicability. The Government will conduct potential supplier site visits to verify TRL level of system and the system meets or exceed the threshold levels listed above. The Government will notify selected participants via an emailed invitation to the Primary POC. No review outcomes or selection criteria will be made available to submitters. 3. Special Notice While only federal employees will participate in the final selection process, Government support contractors may review and provide support during the application evaluation process. All participants involved in the evaluation process, including those in support roles, will sign a Non- Disclosure Agreement prior to such involvement. Submission in response to this RFI constitutes approval to release the applications to the evaluation team that may include Government support contractors. 4. Government Plans This RFI is issued solely for market research, planning, research and exploration, and information purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a subsequent solicitation (Broad Agency Announcement, Request for Proposal, financial obligation, etc.). 5. Classified Submissions It is preferred that responses be unclassified. Any classified information regarding any proposed system must be omitted from the application materials. Limit your application materials and responses to the RFI to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), company proprietary, or unrestricted information, and mark submissions appropriately. CUI submissions can be submitted as normal by password protecting the document, and sending the password separately to Brandon.d.hayes11.civ@us.navy.mil, jonathan.d.faranda.civ@us.navy.mil and usn.pentagon.cnr-arlington-va.mbx.FrozenFlyer@us.navy.milusn.pentagon.cnr-arlington-va.mbx.FrozenFlyer@us.navy.mil. * Additionally, Please see attached Appendices.