SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Biological Combat Assessment System Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration for mini Unmanned Air Vehicle
- Notice Date
- 9/22/2003
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- Other Defense Agencies, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, DTRA Annex 8725 John J. Kingman Road, MSC 6201, Fort Belvoir, VA, 22060-6201
- ZIP Code
- 22060-6201
- Solicitation Number
- DTRA01-03-SS-BCASUAV
- Response Due
- 10/17/2003
- Archive Date
- 10/31/2003
- Point of Contact
- Cynthia Sanders, Contract Specialist, Phone (703) 325-9210, Fax (703) 325-9294,
- E-Mail Address
-
cynthia.sanders@dtra.mil
- Description
- The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is soliciting information from unmanned air vehicle (UAV) manufacturers, aviation technology firms and other interested parties on aeronautical technology available for providing an affordable approach to use expendable and non-expendable, mini-UAVs to carry sensor payloads for the detection and tracking of aerosolized chemical and biological warfare agents and radiological particles resulting from a Counterproliferation (CP) counterforce weapon strike. The expendable and non-expendable, mini-UAVs will become integral parts of a Biological Combat Assessment System (BCAS) Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) planned to begin in FY04 and end in FY09. The BCAS ATD integrates, tests, and demonstrates a remote, point-sample collection sensor system in the second quarter of FY06 (2QFY06), and a remote, point-sample collection, detection, and identification system in the fourth quarter of FY07 (4QFY07). Included in the integration, test, and demonstration capabilities will be satellite and line of sight communication systems; Global Positioning Systems (GPS); optical/infrared real-time video systems; communication collection and relay; and laser designators. This ATD will culminate in a technology demonstration of a near real-time sample collection, detection, identification, tracking, characterization, and communication system for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) aerosolized agents released during counterforce strikes against a simulated WMD target, and performance of battle damage assessment. In addition, the system will demonstrate the capabilities to perform real-time imagery, signal intelligence (SIGINT), and target designation function during ingress to the target area, loitering over the target area, and egress from the target area to a designated recovery point. Sustainment of the residual assets produced during the ATD and requisite training for operational military personnel will follow in FY08 and FY09 while the developed capabilities are transitioned into an acquisition program. BCAS ATD Concept and System Description The BCAS ATD will demonstrate the capability for combat assessment of counterforce strikes against biological weapons production and storage facilities. The desired combat assessment system will utilize an expendable or non-expendable, mini-UAV launched from a manned and/or unmanned insertion aircraft, surface (sea and land) craft, or sub-surface craft to carry chemical, biological, and radiological sensor suites into the plume of a counterforce strike against biological weapons facilities. The anticipated maximum WMD sensor payload weight threshold is 30 pounds. Imagery and target designation, navigation, communication, and optics payloads weight threshold is 20 pounds. While the mini-UAV ingresses and egresses to/from the target area, it shall be capable of real-time optical and/or infrared imaging and SIGINT relayed via satellite and line-of-sight (LOS) communication compatible with Special Operation Forces (SOF), Air Force, Army, and Naval tactical and strategic command, control, and communication systems. BCAS ATD Key Performance Parameters (KPPs): BCAS ATD mini-UAV shall be at least capable of: (a) RANGE: 500 nautical miles (threshold), 1000 nautical miles (objective) minimum range. (b) FLIGHT PERFORMANCE: 300 ft/NM (threshold), 600 ft/NM (objective) rate of climb. Assume standard temperature and pressure at sea level. Also, capable of minimum turn radius of 0.5NM (threshold), 0.25NM (objective). (c) OPERATIONAL ALTITUDE: 200 ft AGL (threshold), 100ft (objective) to 10,000 ft MSL (threshold), 20,000 ft MSL(objective). (d) DEPLOYMENT: (d.1) Air release from an external wing pylon station and internal cargo station with altitude envelope from 15,000 ft MSL up to 45,000 ft MSL traveling up to 200 Knots Indicated Airspeed (KIAS) (threshold), 350 KIAS (objective). (d.2) Launch from land surface platforms traveling up to 30 mph. (d.3) Launch from sea-borne surface platforms traveling up to 20 knots. (d.4) Launch from sea-borne sub-surface platforms traveling up to 10 knots. (d.5) Rolling take-off at 1000 ft (threshold), 250 ft (objective). (e) RECOVERY: (e.1) Water recovery with payload intact and without water contamination (expendable air vehicle). (e.2) Land recovery with payload intact on unprepared surface (expendable air vehicle). (e.3) Land recovery with payload intact on prepared surface (nonexpendable air vehicle) with maximum crosswind of 10 knots (threshold), 20 knots (objective). (f) LOCATION AIDS: Active and passive locating aids on both the airframe and the payload section. (g.) COMMUNICATIONS : (g.1) Being compatible with common military and commercial standards (i.e. RS-232, RS-422, MIL STD 180, 1553 and 1760, IEEE, ISO) communication standards. (g.2) Being compatible with DOD, NASA, and world-wide commercial world-wide secure, encryption, line of sight, satellite communication, high-rate compression communications, and uplink/downlink. (g.3 Transferring control to additional airborne, surface or ground control stations, then transfer control back to the Launch and Recovery Element (LRE). (g.4) Providing autonomous procedure for recapturing the data link signal if lost during mission operations. (g.5) Accommodating Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponder (Modes 1, 2, 3a & 4). (h) NAVIGATION: (h.1) Providing anti-jamming, P-coded GPS way-point with inertial backup navigation capabilities. (h.2) Providing autonomous waypoint flight with in-flight retasking. (h.3) Providing autonomous GPS signal reacquisition, and should that fail, fly preprogrammed lost GPS waypoints based on inertial backup navigation capabilities. (h.4) Reestablishing communication links, or, if not established, the flying a pre-programmed lost communication link mission. (i) IMAGERY: Optical and infrared imaging with real time video feed via SATCOM and line of sight. Infrared imagery shall be in the 1 to 5 micron wavelength with the capability to detect a human at up to 8 kilometers in total darkness. (j) TARGET DESIGNATION: Remote laser designating compatible with laser guided bombs and missiles. Laser shall be capable of designating targets at up to 2,000 meters. (k) WEIGHT: A gross static weight not to exceed 650 lbs (threshold), and 150 lbs (objective), for the entire BCAS ATD mini-UAV with sensors and associated aircraft pylon interface equipment. (l) PAYLOAD: Accommodating a WMD sensor (chemical, biological, and radiological) and an imaging sensor. Maximum payload weights of the WMD and the imaging sensors are 30 lbs. and 20 lbs., respectively. Desired Items: (a) Transmitting air vehicle (AV) flight data to include magnetic heading, ground track, altitude, airspeed, winds aloft, spatial orientation, and designated target coordinates from the AV to control station and Remote Video Terminal (RVT). Also, transmit standard AV indicators like fuel quantity, engine temperature, oil temperature, engine RPM, oil pressure, etc. (b) Providing an AV noise level below 50dB at 1500 feet AGL at a range of 1 mile slant range on a windless day at standard pressure altitude. (Threshold) This Sources Sought solicits the identification of appropriate technologies and technical capabilities for the development of the ATD program plan. Maturity and risk level of the supporting technologies should be addressed. Additionally, respondents should provide Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimates, based on the assumption that the ATD go-ahead will be in April 2004 for a June 2004 start. Responses shall be limited to no more than 10 pages, 12-pitch, 1 inch borders, plus no more than a four (4) page addendum, not including cover letter, cover page, and table of contents. If the material provided contains proprietary information, please mark and identify disposition instructions (submitted data will not be returned). The response should include, but is not limited to, the following: (a) system concept(s) and associated performance, cost, and risk parameters; (b) ROM estimate with respondent's stated assumptions; (c) technology maturity, and (d) any other technical information respondents deem necessary to aid the government in making an informed assessment. Cost information provided should include basis of estimate substantiation. It is the Government's intention to review the data and possibly schedule a briefing with the respondents to gain further insight. Responses shall be submitted no later than 4pm EDT on 17 October 2003 to Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Biological Combat Assessment System ATD UAV RFI, Attn: Cynthia Sanders, BDCT (703) 325-9210, 8725 John J Kingman Rd, MSC 6201, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6201. Electronic responses are required and should be submitted to Ms. Sanders at cynthia.sanders@dtra.mil. If providing information electronically, please ensure that the information is compatible with and accessible using Microsoft Office 97 software. Additional Information: Unless otherwise stated herein, no additional information is available. Requests for the same will be provided via an addendum to the RFI posting. There is no commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation, to make an award or awards, or to be responsible for any monies expended by any interested parties in support of any effort in response to this Sources Sought. Information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit or award a contract. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities website located at www.fedbizops.gov. It is the potential offerors responsibility to monitor this site for the release of any follow-on information.
- Record
- SN00439508-W 20030924/030922213415 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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