Sources Sought for Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, Foreign Military Sales

This is a Sources Sought Notification (SSN) only, as defined in FAR 15.201(e). It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. All interested parties are encouraged to respond to this SSN. Responses to this notice shall not be construed as offers and cannot be accepted by the government to form a binding contract. The U.S. government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this SSN.

All costs associated with responding to this SSN will be solely at the expense of the interested party. Not responding to this SSN will not preclude participation in any future RFP if issued.

The Government is conducting market research for the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems International Program Office(IPO), Redstone Arsenal, Alabama to identify and determine potential sources to support the Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (SUAS) Foreign Military Sales requirements for acquisition of RQ-11B, Raven [or equivalent]; RQ-20B, Puma All Environment (AE) 3 [or equivalent]; Puma Long Endurance (LE) [or equivalent] Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), services and support.

This SSN is issued for the purpose of conducting market research which will be used to formulate an acquisition strategy. There is no solicitation package available currently. This SSN allows potential contractors to submit a non-binding statement of interest and documentation demonstrating their corporate capabilities, size, and social economic characterization IAW NAICS 336411 SBA size standards and suggestions that will allow the government to refine its potential acquisition course of action for this effort. The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the government to solicit for or award a competitive contract.

BACKGROUND: The Raven and Puma Family of SUAS (FoSUAS) are managed by the UAS International Program Office, RedstoneArsenal, Alabama. The RQ-11B, Raven; RQ-20B Puma AE 3 and Puma LE FoSUAS comprise Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Targeting, and Acquisition, (RSTA) systems that transmits Near Real Time (NRT) airborne Electro-Optical (EO) and infrared (IR) imagery, navigational data [aircraft heading and location], and target information to a Ground Control Station (GCS) equipped with Mission Planning laptop computer.

A system generally consists of the following basic components: Unmanned Aircraft (UA); Ground Control Stations (GCS) with supporting Antenna Arrays; and Electro-Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) Payloads.

System sustainment is generally accomplished at the field maintenance level utilizing various spare parts and line replaceable units (LRUs).REQUIREMENTS SCOPE: The Redstone Army Contracting Command, on behalf of the IPO, is seeking qualified business candidates that can provide RQ-11B Raven; RQ-20B Puma AE 3, and Puma LE UAS to support the full spectrum of UAS operational needs. This shall include procurement of system hardware, training services, and sustainment.

Potential vendors must be capable of providing systems and solutions that are equal to, or exceed, the Form, Fit and Function and the attached operational and technical characteristics of each UAS. Potential vendors must also be capable of satisfying the attached incidental services and support characteristics in order to ensure the final acquisition strategy employs a total package approach.

NAICS CODE AND SIZE STANDARD: The NAICS Code for this effort is 336411 with a SBA size standard of 1500 People.

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Firm Fixed Price.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Written responses to this SSN shall be no more than 10 single-spaced, 8.5 x 11-inch pages using 12-point Times New Roman font (minimum) per set of Operational, Technical, and Service and Support Characteristics being addressed. If the material provided contains proprietary information, please mark accordingly and provide disposition instructions (submitted data will not be returned). Classified material shall not be submitted. The response should include the following:

1. Company Profile including the following information:

a. Size determination IAW SBA business size classification (i.e. Other Than Small; Small; Small Disadvantaged; Veteran Owned; Service Disabled, Veteran Owned; or HUBZ one).

b. Number of Employees c. Cage Coded. DUNS number e. Major Products (related to SSN) f. Primary customer base g. Statement on whether interest is for the purpose of becoming the prime offeror or to inquire about subcontracting possibilities. h. Points of contact who are able to discuss the material submitted. i. Companies should indicate whether they are a manufacturer or non-manufacturer, based on the regulation contained in FAR 19.102(f).

2. A description of your companys past experience and performance on similar efforts.

3. A summary of your companys capability and approach to meet this commercial requirement.

4. A listing of UAS and/or solutions being presented for consideration.

5. A description of minimum production lead times and associated production capacity. This description should also include annual production capacity year-over-year for (5) years.

6. Table outlining whether your companys product(s) and/or solutions -Do Not Meet-, -Meet-, or -Exceed- each operational, technical, services, and support characteristics set forth in the enclosed attachments. Your company is encouraged to provide qualifying technical information and rationale when deemed appropriate. Qualifying technical information and rationale are required for areas marked as -Exceed-.

7. Listing of intellectual property and data rights being asserted.

8. Assessment of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and interoperability of the solution(s), citing any open architectures, interoperability, and quality assurance standards employed.

9. Any other information your company deems necessary to aid the Government in refining its acquisition strategy and assessing your companys capability. Respondents are urged to limit marketing material in order to provide more substantive information in their response.

The government will not review any pages beyond the limits stated or information including appendices, marketing brochures, catalogs, videos, etc. The government will evaluate the responses to help identify interest and the ability of the vendor community to provide support in the areas outlined in this SSN. Information received in response to this notice will not be duplicated or used for any purposes other than those stated in this notice. Formats should be viewable in Microsoft Word or Adobe Reader.

No telephonic discussions will be held. Limited questions and comments will be entertained and must be in writing. The government maintains Government Purposed Data Rights; therefore, it will not be able to provide data to interested sources for the SSN.

All interested offerors must be registered in Central Contractor Registry (CCR) and ORCA under this NAICS specified in this SSN to be eligible for award of government contracts.Amendment 0001 is posted on 05 November 2024 to extend the due date to 15 November 2024 at 1700 Central Standard Time. No other changes were done.