Long Range One-way Platforms
Responses Due By
2024-10-14 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time
Link to submit Questions
Problem Statement:
Recent conflicts have highlighted the asymmetric impact low-cost, one-way unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have on the modern battlefield. The Department of Defense (DoD) must be able to employ low-cost precision effects at extended ranges. Reliable, affordable, and adaptable long-range UAS platforms that allow for employment at scale will maximize operational flexibility for the Joint force.
The DoD is seeking commercial solutions for ground-launched, one-way UAS platforms that can operate at ranges from 50-300 km+, launch quickly and expeditiously, navigate at low altitudes, carry a variety of payloads, and operate beyond line of sight in disrupted, disconnected, intermittent and low-bandwidth (DDIL) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) denied environments.
System Characteristics and Submission Requirements of Solution Briefs:
Below, we describe various groups of details that we seek from any submitted solutions briefs. Additionally, solutions must be capable of supporting a live flight demonstration during Phase 2 of the Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) selection process.
Physical and Performance Characteristics
We seek a low-cost, ground-launched, unmanned aerial system that can carry a 10 kg payload (ideally 25+ kg) over 50 km (ideally 300+ km). The UAS should be capable of supporting high-speed, low-altitude, beyond line of sight flight operations in DDIL environments.
The UAS must be difficult to detect and track by broad-area search systems. Your solution brief should describe the physical form and constraints of the platform.
Solutions briefs will describe the mechanism of ground launch, operational limitations, and rate of launch per team.
DDIL Operations
We expect solutions to operate in disrupted, disconnected, intermittent, and low-bandwidth environments. The UAS should be able to execute its mission without continuous communication from an operator, though solutions that provide multiple pathways and mechanisms for two-way communications are desired.
Solution briefs will describe the ability of the platform to perform terminal guidance in denied environments and the capabilities available on the platform to support such maneuvers.
Mission Planning Software
Solution briefs must discuss the mission planning software that will be made available with the submitted platform. Mission planning software should be intuitive and integrate other first- and third-party platforms.
Hardware/Software Integration
The solution will be assessed for its ability to quickly (on the order of hours) integrate third-party software and hardware components (including payloads) in a modular, warm-swappable manner. Solutions must utilize open hardware and software interfaces that allow for seamless integration of third-party systems. Proprietary interfaces, message formatting, or hardware that require vendor-specific licensing are not permitted.
Existing Test and Evaluation Findings
Provide details on the precision, accuracy, and reliability of the proposed solution, number of flight tests conducted to date with your platform, as well as any information about testing environments, production facilities, and projected production capacities.
Regulatory Requirements and Teaming Considerations:
All solutions must be in compliance with the Fiscal Year 2020 NDAA Section 848, the Fiscal Year 2023 NDAA Section 817, the 2024 American Security Drone Act, and be able to meet a cyber-security evaluation conducted in accordance with DoD Instruction 8510.01 Risk Management Framework for DoD Systems.
Teaming solutions will be considered but all proposals need to address the hardware and software requirements holistically.
We strongly recommend all proposals be formatted as presentations no more than 12 slides in length.
Awarding Instrument:
This solicitation will be awarded in accordance with the Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) process detailed within HQ0845-20-S-C001 (DIU CSO), posted to SAM.gov on 13 Jan 2020, updated 02 Oct 2023. This document can be found here.
Vendors are reminded that in order to utilize an Other Transaction (OT) agreement the requirements of 10 USC 4022 must be satisfied. Specifically reference 10 USC 4022(d), which requires significant contribution from a nontraditional defense contractor, all participants to be small business concerns, or at least one third of the total cost of the prototype project is to be paid out of funds provided by sources other than the Federal Government.
Follow-on Production:
Companies are advised that any prototype OT agreement awarded in response to this AOI may result in the award of a follow-on production contract or transaction without the use of further competitive procedures. The follow-on production contract or transaction will be available for use by one or more organizations in the Department of Defense and, as a result, the magnitude of the follow-on production contract or agreement could be significantly larger than that of the prototype OT. As such, any prototype OT will include the following statement relative to the potential for follow-on production: "In accordance with 10 U.S.C. 4022(f), and upon a determination that the prototype project for this transaction has been successfully completed, this competitively awarded prototype OT may result in the award of a follow-on production contract or transaction without the use of competitive procedures.”
FAQs
Question 1: Is there a "No Earlier Than" (e.g. mid-January) time to have a flyable drone here in the United States for potential testing and evaluation?
Answer 1: Phase 2 CSO evaluations typically occur 45-60 days after the Solicitation close date, and the location for the Phase 2 flight demonstration is still to be determined. We encourage you to submit your solutions briefs and highlight any potential timeline or export restrictions your platform may face.
Question 2: Are supporting components - e.g. APNT designed for UAS - of interest in this topic or are you seeking the UAS platform alone?
Answer 2: Teaming solutions will be considered but all proposals need to address the hardware and software requirements holistically.
Question 3: Can our company submit two solutions in the same brief, if they both satisfy the requirements? One being close to the minimum requirements and the second being an option well above the thresholds described?
Answer 3: A company may submit more than one Solution Brief if the technologies / capabilities are distinctly different.
Question 4: The AOI seems to call for both a 12 slide proposal and a solution statement of no more than 5 pages. Are both recommended or does the proposal deck replace the solution briefing?
Answer 4: You may submit a paper or slides. We strongly recommend all proposals be formatted as presentations no more than 12 slides in length.
Question 5: Is ground launched a hard requirement (show stopper)? If so, would the platform having both vertical takeoff and hand-launch capabilities be of value-add?
Answer 5: Ground launch is required, but you may also provide additional options for other launch modalities.
Question 6: What is the estimated timeline for the Phase 2 fly off?
Answer 6: Phase 2 CSO evaluations typically occur 45-60 days after the Area of Interest close date, and the location for the Phase 2 flight demonstration is still to be determined.
Question 7: Will DIU consider higher speed variants flying high trajectories with low altitudes in the end game if they can meet range, payload and cost targets. This may provide a more effective option for the warfighter
Answer 7: We encourage you to submit proposals in accordance with the language in the solicitation to solve the problem as described with additional optionality in flight modalities welcome.
Question 8: Can you expand on the format and date of the live flight demonstration? Will our aircraft need airworthiness/FAA certifications for BVLOS?
Answer 8: Demonstration will be conducted at ranges with an Exception to Policy (ETP) waiver as required.
Question 9: If we are not in the scope of the application as a parts manufacturing company, would it make sense to try and partner with another drone company?
Answer 9: Teaming solutions will be considered but all proposals need to address the hardware and software requirements holistically.
Question 10: What countries can submit proposals?
Answer 10: Any country that is not a “covered country” as defined in the FY 2020 and FY 2023 NDAA’s or in the 2024 American Security Drone Act.
Question 11: Can the RFI window be extended?
Answer 11: Due to the timelines required for completion of this project in FY 25, the RFI window cannot be extended.