MRUAS RFI Attachment J-01 SOO 08APR2026.pdf

Statement of Objectives (SOO)

1.0 Purpose

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) intends to assess the industry’s ability to provide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) with Group and 2 and 3 Medium Range Unmanned Aircraft System (MR UAS) using Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated (COCO) services contract.

Services will be procured via contracts issued against a basic ordering agreement with one five-year base plus one five-year option and ten ordering periods. The objective is to secure ISR capabilities in accordance with section J-2 for USCG cutters and shore-based regions.

2.0 Scope of Services

The USCG will assess industry’s capability to provide all personnel, equipment, and services required to perform the following:

2.1 Maritime ISR Operations

• Conduct Surveillance, Detection, Classification, and Identification (SDCI) of maritime

Targets of Interest (TOIs), including small, low-profile vessels (e.g., go-fast boats, self-propelled semi-submersibles), persons in the water (PIW), and contraband.

• Deliver real-time imagery and data supporting USCG commands to serve as tactical intelligence and support law enforcement actions.

• Provide target illumination and act as a communications relay between USCG assets and TOIs.

2.2 Operational Tempo

• Shipboard

• Provide up to persistent 24-hour, continuous coverage

• Provide up to 72hrs/week, potentially continuous

• Provide up to 210hrs/30 days

• Tailored platform guidance can be found in the SPS

• Shore based

• Provide up to persistent 24-hour, continuous coverage

2.3 Operational Environments

• Services are required for both cutter platforms and shore-based regions. The contract will cover potential deployments to the following platforms. Only one vendor will be assigned to each platform, however, a single vendor can be assigned to multiple platforms.

• Shore-based regions (up to 35)

• Atlantic Area (up to 15 sites)

• Pacific Area (up to 15 sites)

• Alaskan / Arctic Areas (up to 7 sites)

• National Security Cutters (up to 10)

• Offshore Patrol Cutters (up to 10)

• Ice Breaker Cutters (up to 18)

• Medium Endurance Cutters, 270’ (up to 13)

• Medium Endurance Cutters, 210’ (up to 12)

3.0 System Requirements

The Contractor's proposed MR UAS solution must meet the following criteria at the time of contract submission:

3.1 UAS Classification: The system must be a Group 2 or Group 3 UAS.

3.2 Maturity and Readiness

• The system must be fully assembled, tested, operational, and ready for immediate deployment.

• The entire system must have achieved a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 8, demonstrating proven performance in a maritime environment representative of USCG operations.

• The system must possess all necessary certifications, including Authority to Operate (ATO), Frequency Spectrum, and laser certifications through a US government entity, to include the Blue UAS list.

3.3 Interoperability

• The UAS must integrate with the Coast Guard domain IAW GFI.

• It must transmit sensor data and imagery to USCG cutters, boats, and aircraft equipped with a compatible Remote Video Terminal (RVT).

• Shore based systems must comply with all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations

• All systems must comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC), broadcasting, and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards to enable worldwide deployment.

3.4 Shipboard Integration

• Contractor equipment must fit within the existing space and layout of the designated cutter class. The USCG will not make structural changes to support the UAS.

• Laser systems must be certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

• Systems using Lithium batteries must be certified by the Naval Sea Systems Command

(NAVSEA) per S9310-AQ-SAF-010. Total energy content is limited to 1,000Wh for cutter-based operations, and batteries must be stored in exterior, vendor-provided safety containers that are UN-certified for hazardous materials and mitigate external hazards during a thermal runaway.

4.0 Contractor Responsibilities

4.1 General

• Provide and maintain enough UAS and personnel to meet all mission demands.

• Provide all logistics, life support, and equipment for shore-based operations unless otherwise directed.

• Support an annual Program Management Review (PMR) and a post-deployment operational review after each deployment.

4.2 Installation and De-installation

• Upon contract start, install any equipment that is intended to stay on the ship for the life of the contract. Including, but not limited to antennas and junction boxes.

• Provide on-site technical assistance during the initial installation, which will be carried out by the USCG Alteration Installation Team (AIT).

• Upon contract conclusion, remove all contractor-owned equipment and return the cutter or site to its original configuration.

4.3 Logistics and Maintenance

• Provide all configuration management, maintenance, sustainment, and repair for the UAS and associated equipment.

• Ensure adequate UAS and spare parts are available to maintain services for the entire duration of a deployment without resupply.

• Conduct pre-deployment and post-deployment inspections and complete all necessary repairs.

• Handle the loading, unloading, and disposal of all contractor-owned equipment and materials, including expended batteries.

• Vendor must adhere to all shipboard safety policies and procure necessary equipment for operating onboard.

• Maintain government electro-magnetic and spectrum compatibility (EMC).

4.4 Security and Compliance

• Possess and maintain a Facility Security Clearance (FCL) at the SECRET level at the time of contract submission.

• Ensure all personnel hold the appropriate security clearances as specified in the DD Form

254.

• Comply fully with all statutes regarding the prohibition of foreign-made UAS (FY20

NDAA Section 848, FY21 NDAA Section 8414) and USC Title 14, Section 1156.

• Adhere to all USCG and DoD cybersecurity requirements outlined in Attachment J-12 to ensure the UAS does not compromise the cutter’s cybersecurity posture.

5.0 Government Responsibilities

5.1 Orders and Funding

• Issue Orders with a 30-day advance notice for deployments.

• Guarantee a minimum deployment length IAW section J-18 (pricing sheet).

5.2 On-Site Support

• For cutter-based operations, provide JP-5 fuel, berthing for contractor personnel, and access to meals (at contractor cost).

• Provide 120-volt electrical power for battery charging; however, the Contractor must supervise all charging operations.

• Provide crane services for government-directed equipment onloads, offloads, and initial installation.

5.3 Government Technical and Integration Support

• Serve as the lead integrator, developing technical installation drawings with contractor assistance.

• Provide an Alteration Installation Team (AIT) for initial system installation.

• Serve as sponsor for any government testing required to meet this contract.

6.0 Testing and Acceptance

• Operational Testing and Evaluation (OT&E) will occur on the first outfitted ship or region to ensure vendors can meet all threshold requirements.

6.1 System Operational Verification and Test (SOVT)

• Following installation, the Contractor shall conduct a pier-side and an underway SOVT to demonstrate that the system meets all performance requirements.

• A SOVT will be conducted once per cutter unless unsatisfactory results or system configuration changes require a re-test at no additional cost to the Government.

6.2 Operational Test (OT)

• The USCG will conduct an independent OT on each cutter class and at one shore-based area site to formally assess performance. The MR-UAS PMO and COR will review the test(s) results to determine acceptability.

• The USCG may conduct a land-based primary system assessment prior to ship installation and subsequent OT.

• If the system fails to meet threshold requirements, the Contractor will have 30 days to rectify the deficiency before a re-test is conducted. If the discrepancy remains, the government may elect to recompete the requirement.

7.0 System Performance Specifications (Attachments J-02)

7.1. General

• Criteria and definitions that apply to all System Performance Specifications (SPS) are included in this section. System Performance Specifications for each anticipated platform are described in Attachments J-02.

7.2. Technology Readiness Level of Systems

• To be considered, the vendor's fully assembled system must be tested and operationally mature. The system is required to achieve a Technological Readiness Level (TRL) of 8.

7.3 Requirements

• The threshold requirements in the SPS are mandatory. Exceeding any threshold requirement is acceptable and improved performance due to technological advancements that are of benefit to the USCG intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) mission and can be rapidly integrated is generally preferred. Systems that do not meet all threshold values will not be considered.

• The objective requirements in the SPS are desired but not required capabilities.

• Requirements with threshold/objectives are prioritized in the SPS as follows:

Requirements in plain text are the minimum required capabilities.

Requirements that USCG prioritizes more than minimum required capabilities are in italics; and

Requirements that USCG values above all other requirements are in bold text.

Vendors who meet requirements may be selected to enter into a BOA with the government.

7.4 Additional Performance Characteristics

• Performance characteristics that exceed or are in addition to those listed in the SPS are acceptable as part of the system’s approach or as individual additions and should be listed in the vendor’s capability submission. These characteristics must be noted as optional capabilities.