Category: Opportunity
DoD Communities Of Interest: Unmanned Systems
Subject: 2022 ANTX: Blue Water Logistics UAS Demonstration
Due Date: Mar 29, 2022 05:00 pm EDT
Government Organization: Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD)
Description:
Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Experimentation Office (NEO), in collaboration with PMA-263 and IMPAX (NAWCAD’s partnership intermediary for experimentation, technology demonstrations, and prototyping), intends to accelerate the identification and evaluation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) capable of performing autonomous logistical replenishment from shore-to-ship, ship-to-ship, and ship-to-shore. This project is referred to as Blue Water Logistics UAS (BWUAS), and will be demonstrated during NAWCAD’s Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX). NAWCAD is focused on systems that do not require dedicated launch and recovery equipment and can deliver critical equipment supporting distributed maritime operations.
NAWCAD is sponsoring a technology demonstration in an operationally relevant environment in summer 2022. This demonstration will inform opportunities for spiral development of contracting strategies, logistical employment and platforms that can successfully meet the operational requirements. This will be the initial step of a multi-phased, merit-based spiral development selection process for the award of an Other Transaction (OT) prototype project under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2371b. The intent of this effort is to aid in developing the requirements and contracting strategy for future UAS Programs of Record (POR).
This multi-phased approach includes the following:
- Phase 1 (this effort), FY22, will result in up to four (4) companies being offered Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA) to demonstrate range and shipboard launch, recovery, and payload delivery at NAWCAD Webster Outlying Field (WOLF), St. Inigoes, Maryland. This effort will inform Phase 2 efforts.
- Phase 2, FY23, based on Phase 1 results, the Navy will award prototype OT(s) to no more than four (4) companies under the Naval Aviation Systems Consortium (NASC). Note that selectees will be required to join the NASC in order to receive an award; refer to www.nascsolutions.org for more information. This phase will include refining system requirements, concept of operations, and business strategies, as well as a two-week experimentation period aboard United States Navy commissioned ships (USN) and United States Navy non-commissioned (USNS) ships.
- Phase 3, FY24, based on refinements and lessons learned from Phase 2, the Government anticipates negotiating spiral development efforts under the OTs awarded during Phase 2; however, spiral development efforts will only be pursued with the candidate(s) whose UAS systems show the most promise in accomplishing the refined BWUAS objectives. These spiral development efforts are anticipated to include support development activities such as certifications, spares, and any other system requirements to support extended operations aboard naval vessels. This phase is anticipated to include at a minimum a four (4) week fleet deployment to refine UAS logistical attributes and other associated fleet impacts. If, based on the Government’s judgment, none of the candidate UAS systems show promise in accomplishing the refined BWUAS objectives, the Government will not be obligated to pursue spiral development and may instead elect to issue a new announcement for BWUAS solutions at that time.
The Navy is seeking innovative contracting strategies. As part of this non-traditional spiral development approach, BWUAS is looking to refine long-term contracting strategies that are advantageous to both the Government and industry. These strategies shall account for rapid service to support fleet need and UAS continuous technology advancements, with specific consideration to how different contracting strategies will impact operational tempo, manning, and sparing. To aid in refinement, the Government is requesting one or a combination of any of the following strategies: Government-Owned Government-Operated (GOGO), Contractor-Owned Contractor-Operated (COCO), and/or Government-Owned Contractor-Operated (GOCO). Unique recommendations are also encouraged.
Submission information and further details regarding this Special Notice refer to the following website: https://impax.tech/blue-water-unmanned-aircraft-system-bwuas
Website: https://sam.gov/opp/063915767ad14323acc20c78c421545f/view
Questions or assistance, contact:
North Carolina Defense Technology Transition Office (DEFTECH)
Dennis Lewis
lewisd@ncmbc.us
703-217-3127
Bob Burton
burtonr@ncmbc.us
910-824-9609
North Carolina Defense Technology Transition Office | PO Box 1748, Fayetteville, NC 28303