SPECIAL NOTICE
99 -- Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS) Office (JCO) Request for White Papers (RFWP) for Detect, Track, Identify, and/or Defeat of sUAS Swarm System Demonstration
- Notice Date
- 8/29/2023 8:43:36 AM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 334511
— Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- US ARMY RAPID CAPABILITIES AND CRIT FORT BELVOIR VA 22060-5806 USA
- ZIP Code
- 22060-5806
- Solicitation Number
- W50RAJ23R0006
- Response Due
- 9/6/2023 9:00:00 AM
- Archive Date
- 09/21/2023
- Point of Contact
- Jolynda Ivy
- E-Mail Address
-
jolynda.v.ivy.civ@army.mil
(jolynda.v.ivy.civ@army.mil)
- Description
- INTRODUCTION: This Project Announcement (PA) is a five phased project announcement. The Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) Office (JCO) and Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) are seeking whitepapers to identify industry interest in demonstrating fixed / stationary or mobile / mounted Detect, Track, Identify, and/or Defeat (DTID) capabilities against sUAS Swarm systems.� For this demonstration, a sUAS Swarm system is defined as a group of unmanned aircraft that demonstrates coordinated behavior to achieve a common objective. The purpose of this RFWP is to identify potential materiel solutions that have promising technologies or approaches to DTID sUAS Swarm systems. Following Government evaluation of the whitepaper submissions, the Offerors that describe the most promising solution(s) may be asked for a follow on, in-person or virtual oral presentation. Following the oral presentations, selected Offerors will host the Government as they conduct an on-site analysis of the offeror�s ability to satisfy the production demands required to participate in the demonstration. Finally, Offerors may then be asked to participate in JCO�s Counter Swarm Demonstration, tentatively scheduled 03-28 June 2024. Upon completion of the demonstration, the Government may award one or more prototype projects. Prototype system(s) will be operationally field tested to inform capabilities and limitations for potential 10 USC 4022 Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) or may inform follow-on contract decisions. Vendors should only submit a White Paper for consideration if their system will be operationally ready for testing and delivered to the demonstration site by 31 May 2024. OVERVIEW: The Government seeks Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6� solutions for the purpose of Detect, Track, Identify, and/or Defeat of sUAS Swarm threats. In accordance with the definition of TRL 6, the Government expects white paper respondents to be able to demonstrate a full system � or sub-systems of the DTID capabilities � prototype in a live-fire environment not later than 31 May 2024. The overarching Government objective is to prototype near production representative, cost-effective DTID system(s) that are able to integrate with Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAADC2) systems. This is a competitive solicitation, seeking innovative solutions that accelerate attainment of critical technologies which include not only commercially available technologies driven by commercial or strategic investment, but also concept demonstrations, and agile development activities that can incrementally improve commercial technologies, existing Government-owned capabilities, or concepts for defense application. Both large and small businesses and academic institutions are encouraged to respond. The information provided may be used by the Department of Defense (DoD) in developing its acquisition strategy, statement of work / performance work statement, and/or statement of objectives. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary, restricted, or competition sensitive information contained in their respective responses. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any cost associated with the submission of the WP or information being requested. BACKGROUND: The fiscal year 2021 NDAA Conference Report required the Executive Agent (JCO) to prioritize the objective of developing and executing a plan to develop, test, and begin production of counter-small, unmanned aircraft systems (C-sUAS) to meet immediate operational needs in countering Groups 1, 2, and 3 unmanned aircraft systems and, to the extent practical, has the potential to counter other, larger unmanned aircraft systems. Additionally, previous Joint Urgent Operational Needs and Joint Emergent Operational Needs have described a pressing need to enhance military C-UAS capabilities. This demonstration result may be used to inform security cooperation cases and to support the US Government providing C-sUAS capability to allies and partners. For this reason, the ability to obtain technology release and build in exportability features, to include anti-tamper, is necessary to support potential follow-on activities and preferably in initial awards. While the Government prefers exportable systems, if a system has non-exportable technologies/capabilities, it should not prevent an offeror from participating in this solicitation. The Government may award at least one, and perhaps multiple prototype awards from this competitive demonstration. Such award(s) may further demonstrate, test, and evaluate the technology. Depending on U.S. Government, ally, or partner needs; said award(s) may also allow for limited additional development prior to further demonstration, testing, and evaluation. Also, a follow-on production award(s) may be awarded to the vendor(s) for this effort using competitive procedures if the systems demonstrated are deemed operationally effective and suitable based on the successful completion of the relevant prototype project(s). Those awards may include directed or sole source awards.� The Government currently anticipates that any USG efforts would be 10 USC 4022 prototype OTAs with the possibility for 10 USC 4022(f) follow-on production awards/transactions. However, the Government may also use Title 10 and /or Title 22 authorities to award contracts for foreign allies and partners. If initiated, awards to support foreign allies and partners may also lead to follow-on production without further competition.� Individual or closely related solutions may qualify for both USG and allies/partners awards, depending on mission requirements and funding availability.� REQUIREMENTS: The following capabilities /attributes are considered essential technical requirements which shall be met for the prototype to be considered effective. The Government will consider these requirements at every phase of this process. Probability of engagement at The Joint Requirements Oversight Council Memorandum (JROCM) approved distance and defeat for fixed or stationary C-sUAS capability. Probability of successful engagement at JROCM approved distance for mobile or mounted C-sUAS capability. Pathway to achieve MIL-STD 810 hardening. System must interface with Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAADC2).� The JCO will provide FAADC2 Interface Control Documents (ICD) upon request to approved industry partners selected for Phase 3. Competition Process, Content Submission Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria: PHASE 1 (Whitepapers): The whitepapers (WPs) will be reviewed by technical subject matter experts and evaluated on C-sUAS capability and associated business model. Each WP will be evaluated based on the merit, relevance, schedule, and cost as it relates to the evaluation factors stated herein. The Government reserves the right to use external market research in the evaluation. WPs submitted in response to this RFWP will be evaluated to determine the capabilities of greatest interest to the DoD using the Evaluation Criteria (EC) listed below, in descending order of importance: Capabilities to Detect, Track, Identify and/or Defeat Group 1-3 Swarm sUAS (up to 50 Group 1/2 and up to 6 Group 3) (EC 1) Technical Maturity / Evidence of TRL-6 (EC 2) Exportability (EC 3) Time and Cost for Training, Set-up, and Operation (EC 4) Concept for FAADC2 WES ICD Integration/Interoperability/Interface (EC 5) Government Purpose Data Rights (EC 6) Ability to Participate in Demo 5 Dates (EC 7) Hardening/Mil Spec (EC 8) Level of Support Provided by Contractor (Help desk, FSR, Spare parts, etc) / Repair in Deployed Environment (EC 9) Cost Realism for Proposed Solution Qty 10 / Delivery Timeline (EC 10) Innovation of New Technology (EC 11) Phases 2-5 of this competition are by invitation only. The Government intends to select up to ten (10) companies to further discuss their proposed concept, technology, and solution in Phase 2. During Phase 2, the Government may request and / or provide additional information to the Company at the Secret Level. Content / Submission Requirements: The whitepapers shall be limited to no more than fifteen (15) one-sided pages. Submissions shall be capable of being printed on 8.5 x 11-inch paper with one-inch margin (top, bottom, left and right) and a 12-point Arial or Times New Roman font. Line spacing shall be set at no less than single space. Tables, drawings, and header / footer information shall be 10-point Arial font or larger. For tables and drawings, landscape orientation is permitted. Microsoft (MS) Office Professional 2016 and MS PowerPoint 2016 or later shall be used to create the files. All graphics shall be compatible with MS PowerPoint 2016. If any of the material provided contains proprietary or classified information, please mark appropriately, and identify disposition instructions (submitted data will not be returned). Responses should include, but are not limited to the following: Capabilities statement: An overview of your sUAS Swarm DTID capabilities and limitations in reference to your offering, including proposed DTID distances. Submissions shall specifically address, but are not limited to, addressing the capabilities / attributes described in the aforementioned �Requirements� section above. Specify which capabilities your system addresses (Detect, Track, Identify and / or Defeat) as well as integration with DoD systems and networks.� Recommendations: Based on your system�s capabilities, and your company�s understanding of the operating environment, provide any additional recommended capability requirements and performance thresholds. Please highlight unique capabilities that make your product stand out. This information will help bound the art of the possible for the effort in the timeframe we have available. Test and Test Support Demo: Assume a five-day duration and manpower needed to operate and support / maintain systems during the test. Please provide a rough estimate for the cost in purchasing the equipment used for this test. Additionally, provide an estimate with how much time it takes to set up and prepare the system for testing. Interoperability / Integration with FAADC2: Please address the level of effort required to integrate your system into FAADC2 to include required data, and time estimated. Provide the total cost for delivering 10 complete systems, including any training costs, which can be delivered within 180 days. Indicate whether the system is exportable or any challenges to exportability.� If you cannot produce 10 systems in 180 days, still provide the total cost and a schedule, including training, for how long it will take to produce and deliver 10 complete systems. Company Information to include: Name, Mailing Address, and CAGE Code (if available) ��� Technical and Business Points of Contact to include Telephone Numbers and Email Addresses ��� Indicate whether your company is a Large Business, Small Business, or Academic Institution ��� Indicate whether your company is a non-traditional defense contractor (*see definition below) Foreign ownership, either directly or indirectly. If so, country of origin and whether the company is partially or fully foreign owned. ��� If your company's proposed approach has been proposed to or previously funded by any federal agency, please identify each specific agency and all applicable contract/agreement numbers *Non-traditional defense contractor is defined in 10 U.S.C. 3014 as an entity that is not currently performing and has not performed, for at least the one-year period preceding this RFWP, any contract or subcontract for the Department of Defense that is subject to full coverage under the cost accounting standards prescribed pursuant to section 1502 of title 41 and the regulations implementing such section. The deadline for this RFWP is no later than 12:00EDT on 06 September 2023, via email to Jolynda Ivy at jolynda.v.ivy.civ@army.mil.� All submissions shall be clearly marked ""Whitepapers for JCO Counter Swarm Demo."" Only UNCLASSIFIED white papers will be accepted. Offerors may submit questions via email to Jolynda Ivy. There is no limit on the number of white papers that interested companies may submit in response to this announcement.� Attendance at the Industry Day (22 August 2023) is highly recommended to address questions and focus responses (please see information at the end of this announcement). The Government does not intend to publish any additional questions or comments received as a result of this announcement. Inquiries outside of the JCO industry Day regarding this solicitation will not be accepted. PHASE 2 (Oral Presentations): If selected for Phase 2, companies will then have an opportunity to present their project / idea to the JCO's subject matter expert panel, consisting of representation across the JCO and Joint C-sUAS Community of Interest (COI). �Individual presentations will be an opportunity for the offerors to expound upon their proposed solutions as well as an opportunity for the Government to ask clarifying questions. Upon completion of the presentations, the Government will notify companies if they have been selected to demonstrate their product; or if their proposed concept / technology / solution is not selected. Selection for Oral Presentations is not required to advance to Demonstration.� For instance, the Government, in its sole discretion, may decline to conduct any Oral Presentations, or may determine they have sufficient information as it relates to specific WPs and solutions to advance that Vendor�s solution to Demonstration.� Further, the Government may elect to conduct all or some Phase 2 interactions through written question and answers.� PHASE 3 (Demonstration): Within budget constraints, the selected companies who appear to offer the best technical solutions or overall value and meet the evaluation criteria will be invited to provide a demonstration of their selected product. The JCO may, but is not obligated to, prioritize demonstrating solutions that utilize a range of different approaches to the problem set, as opposed to selecting multiple similar solutions with higher similar technical ratings.� Range personnel will operate the target and test environment, while companies operate their own equipment.�Selected companies will be responsible for all costs associated with bringing their system to White Sands Missile Range, NM.�The Government will not be liable for any damages caused during the demonstrations, including but not limited to death, bodily injury, and property damage.�Selected companies are responsible for submitting all safety related range approvals, including DD1494 / JF12 documentation. The Government will capture demonstration results using the following criteria: Detect, Track, identify, and / or Defeat Truth Data Performance results measured against the test scenario Measured system technical specifications Technical merit of the solution adequately addressing Government needs All companies who are selected and participate in the demonstration shall, NLT 15 days following the completion of the demonstration, submit an updated cost estimate from what was originally submitted with your whitepaper (PHASE 1, para. e.) above (10 systems within 180 days). Provide rationale for any changes since the original whitepaper cost estimate submission. Following the demonstration, the Government will notify companies if they have been selected for possible prototype award and request the submission of a full proposal; or if their proposed concept / technology / solution is not selected or eligible to be selected later. PHASE 4 (Prototype Proposal): Full proposals are by invitation only. Those companies whose whitepaper, in-person presentation, and demonstration are assessed to be of merit and are selected for potential award may, subject to the availability of funding, be invited to submit a full written proposal and negotiate appropriate terms & conditions governing a prototype OTA. PHASE 5 (OTA Award): Upon favorable evaluation and available funds, the Government may choose to make an award or multiple awards. Awards will be made to the companies whose offer is determined to provide the overall best value to the Government based on the criteria/preferences and availability of funds, this may not be the proposal offering the lowest cost or receiving the highest evaluated rating. �The JCO may, but is not obligated to, prioritize awarding projects for solutions that utilize a range of different approaches to the problem set, as opposed to selecting multiple similar solutions with higher technical ratings.� Awards will be made using OTAs. The Agreements Officer will negotiate directly with the company on the terms and conditions of the OTA, including payments, and will execute the OTA on behalf of the Government. Receipt of a Request for Prototype Proposal (RFPP) does not guarantee a company will receive an award and the Government reserves the right, at any point prior to award of an OTA, to cancel the RFPP. Please be advised, only an Agreements Officer has the authority to enter into, or modify, a binding agreement on behalf of the Government. Follow-on Production: Upon successful completion of a prototype project, the Government and Company may negotiate a follow-on production agreement, without the need for further competition. Any concept / technology /solution successfully proven through the prototype award may be transitioned to production. A transaction for a prototype project is complete upon the written determination of the appropriate approving official for the matter in question that efforts conducted under a prototype award: (1) met the key technical goals of a project; (2) satisfied success metrics incorporated into the prototype award; or (3) accomplished a particularly favorable or unexpected result that justifies the transition to production. Furthermore, successful completion can occur prior to the conclusion of a prototype project to allow the Government to transition any aspect of the prototype project determined to provide utility into production while other aspects of the prototype project have yet to be completed. Any prototype award will contain a provision that sets forth the conditions under which that prototype agreement must be successfully completed. Non-Government Advisors: Non-Government advisors may be used in the evaluation of whitepapers and will have signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with the Government. The Government understands that information provided in response to this solicitation is presented in confidence and may contain trade secret or commercial or financial information, and it agrees to protect such information from unauthorized disclosure to the maximum extent permitted or required by Law, to include: a. 18 USC 1905 (Trade Secrets Act) b. 18 USC 1831 et seq. (Economic Espionage Act) c. 5 USC 552(b)(4) (Freedom of Information Act) d. Executive Order 12600 (Pre-disclosure Notification Procedures for Confidential Commercial Information); and e. Any other statute, regulation, or requirement applicable to Government employees. DISCLAIMER: Participation in this solicitation is not a prerequisite for participating in any future solicitations or procurements. Nothing in this solicitation is a guarantee of future partnerships, contract commitment, or future workload. This announcement is not a contract, a promise to contract, or a commitment of any kind on the part of the Government. The Government reserves the right to select all, some, or none of the whitepapers or presentations in response to this solicitation. The costs of preparing and submitting whitepapers, oral presentations, and demo are not considered an allowable direct charge to any contract or agreement. The Government will not assume liability for costs incurred by an attendee for marketing efforts; therefore, cost in response to this notice is not considered an allowable direct charge to the Government. The Government will also not be liable for any damages caused during the demonstrations, including but not limited to death, bodily injury, and property damage.� JCO Industry Day 22 August: No pre-registration required The JCO is hosting a virtual Industry Day on Tuesday, 22 August 2023, from 14:00 ET to 16:00 ET.� Questions related to Industry Day and this RFWP can be asked during the Industry Day. The Industry Day link is: https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/meetingOptions/?organizerId=fad9bfb4-fb1a-4fce-8658-0dab973c34a7&tenantId=fae6d70f-954b-4811-92b6-0530d6f84c43&threadId=19_dod_meeting_86c207a4a55643e6ba94e74b2e7b3417@thread.v2&messageId=0&language=en-US Dial in +1 571-616-7941 Phone Conference ID: 441273641# No registration required to attend, but please provide Point of Contact POC information and Industry association via e-mail to: christophe.barnett.ctr@army.mil. *Please monitor this SAM announcement for additional updates*
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