Attachment 1 - DeDrone Sole Source Justication Letter_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND

MEMORANDUM FOR 82 CONS/PKA

FROM: 82 SFS/CC

SUBJECT: Sole Source Requirements Justification

1. Description of the Supplies/Services:

The foundation of all DeDrone solution options is based on DeDrone�s commercially available DeDroneTracker.AI C2 c-sUAS software platform. DeDroneTracker.AI is currently deployed to over 500 commercial and government customers and more than 800 sites worldwide. DeDroneTracker.AI C-sUAS software capabilities were built with a focus on Detection, Identification, Tracking, and Mitigation (DTI-M) of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (Group 1- 3 C-sUAS). DeDrone customers and partners continuously collaborate with the company to extend the DeDroneTracker.AI platform. DedroneTracker.AI supports the full C-sUAS kill chain through partnerships and integrations with various U.S. DoD C-sUAS systems, international partners, and sensors deployed in the C-sUAS community for years. Collaboration allows DeDrone to deliver fully autonomous, layered solutions, and detection capabilities with mitigation capabilities. The solution recommended for Sheppard AFB is DeDroneFixedSite. This solution provides an AI-powered drone detection, tracking, and identification system in a semi-permanent form factor and is built on proprietary data rights and threat library that precludes competition.

2. Key benefit(s) of the DeDroneTracker.AI C2 platform include:

a. An easy-to-use, highly functional, and autonomous C2 User Interface (UI) that enables all C2 detection and mitigation functions to be accomplished in a single interface.

b. A C-sUAS multi-sensor fusion software platform that leverages advanced AI/ML to enhance the performance and capabilities of sensors or systems (e.g., RF, Radar, EO/IR, Acoustic, Kinetic, etc�) to create a highly accurate threat detection capability which accurately queues mitigation technologies to defeat Groups 1-3 sUAS.

c. Networked multi-sensor integration allows the DeDrone solutions to scale from small to very large temporary and fixed sites. DeDrone recently supported a very large C-sUAS sensor deployment in support of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Over 200 sensors were integrated to support detection and mitigation over 900 square kilometers.

System-of-systems integration capability supporting multiple U.S. DoD Joint C-UAS Office (JCO) approved C-sUAS standalone capabilities (NINJA, Skyview, Corian, and Titan) to provide a single pane of glass (SiPG) interface for operators. This streamlines the number of operators required, simplifies training, reduces operator fatigue, and provides better outcomes for C-sUAS missions.

d. Integration(s) with existing government C2 platforms for seamless integration of data (including FAADC2, Medusa, ATAK, and others).

e. DeDroneTracker.AI is currently certified at Veracode Level 5 (the highest available software security rating).

Combined with clean Nessus scans positions DedroneTracker.AI for rapid DoD IATO certification.

f. DeDroneTracker.AI C2 is currently in process for security accreditation and ATO with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

g. DeDroneTracker.AI C2 software is supported on customer networks, closed networks, and cloud systems.

h. Includes DeDrone Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) RF sensors. DeDrone sensors bring a RF library with over 300 individual drone types and over 70 unique protocols.

i. DeDrone provides multiple variations of packaged and turn-key C-sUAS systems and solutions powered by the DeDroneTracker.AI platform:

(1) DeDroneFixedSite

(2) DeDroneTactical

(3) DeDroneRapidResponse

(4) DeDronePortable

(5) DeDroneBeyond

3. DeDrone is the global leader in smart airspace security, to include clients and customers in U.S. critical infrastructure and assets, 46 international airports, 59 stadiums, and 5 G-7 nations across more than 800 sites. In a recent Net Promoter Score (NPS) survey of their commercial customer base, which has over 75 active customers, DeDrone scored a world class NPS of 79! According to Bain & Co., any NPS score above 0 is "good." It means your audience is more loyal than not. Anything above 20 is considered "favorable", above 50 is �EXCELLENT,� and above 80 is �WORLD CLASS�.

4. DeDrone specifications include:

a. DeDroneTracker.AI issues an intuitive user interface to provide a live view of the status of the protected airspace. The web-based portal allows the operator to view the location of the sensors, live feed of the sensors, and any detections or alerts detected by the autonomous operations of the DeDroneTracker.AI C2 software.

Additionally, radar tracks can be manually interrogated by slewing to cue camera(s) for further investigation.

Integrated defeat systems are also triggered from the interface where the user is presented with the available defeat methods. Lastly, installations may have a restriction in their countermeasure modes. In the event there is a high-level concern collateral damage will occur, the countermeasure layer�s workflow will include a human-on-the-loop for authorization to engage countermeasures.

b. The DeDroneTracker.AI C2 ecosystem is continuously evolving to keep pace of software and hardware developments. Integrated sensors include Echodyne Radar, Axis and Silent Sentinel cameras, DJI Aeroscope, and many more, a selection of which are shown below:

c. As mentioned, DeDrone has built a proprietary software platform that incorporates data from a variety of different types of sensors to identify, classify, detect, track and mitigate against drones. DeDrone has also built its own array of sensors that can be incorporated into the platform, including its RF-160, RF-310, RF-360 and RF-560 sensors. In addition to the expansive DeDrone DNA Library discussed above, DeDrone also has unique capability that includes:

(1) Video detection classification ranges up to five kilometers, dependent upon resolution and field of view.

(2) Capability to leverage both TDOA and AOA in a single sensor.

(3) Capability to provide projected flight path leveraging data from various sensors.

(4) Capability to leverage radio frequency-based tracking to identify and track a drone as it flies.

(5) Capability to leverage radio frequency-based tracking to identify the location of the drone controller.

(6) Ability to incorporate and analyze data from audio, radar, camera or other sensors which exist today or in the future.

(7) Capability to configure and differentiate system to gather data and alarm by zone.

(8) Store alert details for forensic evaluation and analysis.

(9) Capability to alert security personnel via email and SMS when a drone is detected within a configured zone.

(10) Capability to interface to external C2 systems through an integrated API.

(11) Capability to interface to external mitigation systems.

(12) Ability for the software solution to be hosted in the cloud or on-premise.

(13) Constantly updated signature database ability.

(14) Ability to be mounted in a fixed location or used as a mobile unit.

5. DeDrone's hardware and software solution is secured through the following five patents issued in the United States Patent and Trademark Office:

DeDrone is not aware of any other domestic or international competitor currently offering the above technical specifications in a single commercial package. Further, we are not presently aware of any prospective domestic or international competitor who is attempting to develop a similar product which will compete directly with their offering.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: the Sheppard AFB team reached out to a few neighboring bases and the DFW International Airport to inquire about the C-sUAS systems that they are utilizing. With this information we were able to build a list of possible solutions.

a. Market Research: Our market research led us to a few systems: Blue Halo Titan, SkyTracker Corian, Ninja, and DeDrone. We gathered fact sheets about these systems and reached out to a few of these vendors to build a library of information to compare and contrast. We were able to narrow our solution set to Blue Halo Titan and DeDrone. Ultimately our decision was to pursue DeDrone due to their extensive library and integration capabilities and that Blue Halo Titan can, itself, be integrated into the DeDrone system.

7. Other Factors: The Government is seeking a C-sUAS company with extensive experience in protecting Airports and in particular, Class B airspace.

a. DeDrone has extensive experience in protecting Class B airspace around the world, including 46 international airports to date, to include San Fransisco International Airport, Boston Logan, Dallas Fort Worth, and many others.

b. The Government is seeking a C-sUAS company with extensive experience working with Local, State, and Federal Law enforcement Departments.