AFDTC/PKZA, 205 West D Avenue, Suite 428, Eglin AFB FL 32542

15 -- UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) BATTLELAB FORCE PROTECTION INITIATIVE SOL PKZ-643 POC Ms Marilyn Koser, Contracting Officer at (904) 882-4141 The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Battlelab at Eglin AFB, FL in partnership with the Force Protection Battlelab at Lackland AFB, TX, is seeking a UAV system to demonstrate the military utility of using UAVs in the force protection role. This announcement seeks commercially available sensor/vehicle combinations that could be used to accomplish this demonstration. For purposes of the demonstration, candidate systems must be capable of performing some aspect of the force protection mission with little or no modifications, and must be available for use during all or portions of the period, September 97 through February 99. Candidate systems should support the Air Force Security Forces requirement to detect stand-off as well as penetrating threats to air bases and units deployed to high threat locations. These threats include small arms, artillery, mortars, rockets, surface-to-air missiles, surface-to-surface missiles, and vehicle-contained bombs, and chemical and biological weapons. Employing these types of weapon systems typically does not require a large number of personnel, making detection of this threat extremely difficult. To counter these threats, UAVs will support tactical decisions by functioning as the Defense Forces Commander's (DFC) long range "eyes and ears". Timely and accurate tactical information from the UAVs will play a key role in assuring the DFC efficiently deploys forces when and where they are needed most. Future operational configurations should be modular in design to permit the DFC to customize the sensor package to fit the tactical situation. Interchangability of sensor components will allow for the tailoring of the UAV for the mission. For demonstration purposes, any vehicle/sensor combination satisfying one or more of the UAV platform/sensor desired operational characteristics identified below will be considered. General: The vehicle/sensor system must be man-portable via two-person lift. Additionally, the system must not interfere with existing security force communications and optical equipment. The system will use a common fuel available through military/government supply channels. UAV Platform/Sensor: The UAV platform/sensor package should be capable of providing 24-hour coverage in all weather conditions. The platform/sensor package should provide the local DFC with real time imagery (IR, thermal, camera) and SIGINT capability around an airfield or deployed force for a minimum range of 10 kilometers. Desired detection capabilities include human and vehicle movement as well as the ability to detect explosives. The UAV system should be GPS capable and able to transmit target location to 8-digit grid coordinate accuracy. UAV Control Module: The control module should include a real-time imagery display and be capable of being operated by a single individual. Interface with the Tactical Automated Security System (TASS) Command and Control Module (CCM) and the ability to plot target locations and reference points by 8 digit grid coordinates on the TASS CCM is highly desired. The system should be compatible with 110/220/240 VAC, 50/60 HZ electrical systems. Firms interested in providing requested information for the UAV Battlelab Force Prtoection Initiative should contact Lt Col Bob Neese, UAV Battlelab, at (850) 882-6610 or submit specific written information to UAV Battlelab, Attn: Lt Col Bob Neese, 203 West D Avenue, Suite 306, Eglin AFB FL 32542-6867. The E-Mail address for the technical point of contact is UAVBL@WG53.eglin.af.mil. Replies to this request for information should be received by 15 Aug 97. Contracting point of contact is Marilyn Koser, AFDTC/PKZA, 904-882-4141. This Request for Information (RFI) is for planning purposes only and should not be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP), Invitation for Bid (IFB) or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any follow-on systems. Participation is strictly voluntary and a response/submittal shall not constitute an implied obligation on the part of the Government to reimburse a responder for any ideas, concepts, or techniques which may be implemented as a result. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses to the RFI, or otherwise pay for the information requested. No entitlement to payment or indirect costs or charges to the Government will arise as a result of submission of responses to this RFI and Government use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject in whole or in part any industry input as a result of this RFI. This RFI does not constitute the solicitation of proposals or authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract, and no funds have been authorized or appropriated for the requested information. The information provided may be utilized by the Air Force in developing an acquisition approach and a Statement of Work (SOW) or Statement of Objectives (SOO). The results of the program may be released to industry as a SOW or SOO at the RFP stage of the acquisition process; therefore, it is highly desirable that information/data provided be providedwith unlimited rights to the Government. However, we recognize that proprietary data may be part of responses to this RFI. If so, clearly mark such restricted or proprietary data and present it as an addendum to the non-restricted/non-proprietary information. The Government shall not be responsible for information/data received without the proper markings. Any subsequent action resulting from the evaluation of the provided information may by synopsized at a future date. Demonstration funding will be available after Higher Headquarters (HHQ) approval.!!!!! (0197)

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