SOW_0224 13 Mar 2024 draft.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

Modification, Production, Maintenance, and At-Sea Operational Support of Naval Research Laboratory’s Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs)

1. Background:

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Acoustics Division presently employs Black Pearl Class and Reliant Class Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) for its ongoing research efforts. The Black Pearl Class and Reliant Class AUVs were specifically designed, developed and produced by General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc. - Bluefin Robotics subdivision (GDMS) for NRL, to accommodate the specific needs of the NRL and the NRL-developed payloads for the AUVs. The NRL Acoustics Division requires enhancement of its current fleet of AUVs to accommodate new payload requirements, as well as the purchase of new AUVs, to support its current and future innovative research programs.

2. Objective/Scope:

The scope of this contract is for the Contractor to further support design and modification of NRL’s existing Black Pearl and Reliant class AUVs, to accommodate newly developed NRL payloads. The Contractor shall produce and deliver five (5) newly designed Black Pearl class AUVs modified to accommodate NRL developed and furnished payloads – one vehicle during the base year and one additional vehicle for each option year exercised. Additionally, the Contractor shall provide continuation of vehicle maintenance, continuing at-sea operations support, and continuing engineering support of the AUVs.

3. Applicable Documents:

Any applicable Government documents required to support this effort will be provided by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) prior to start of the project or as requested by the Contractor.

4. Requirements – Base Effort:

The Contractor shall provide all necessary personnel, facilities, material, and other resources necessary to perform the requirement of this Statement of Work (SOW). Throughout the entire project, the Contractor shall ensure that the program is being run on budget and on schedule, and ensure that the team is achieving the technical goals of the effort (CDRLs A002, A003, and A005). The Contractor shall provide a monthly project management report detailing accomplishment of the base effort tasks, as well as cost and schedule performance (CDRLs A001 and A003).

4.1 Modification of Black Pearl AUV Systems: The Contractor shall modify the design of the Black Pearl class AUVs to accommodate the specific needs of NRL and the NRL-developed payloads for Black Pearl Systems. It should be noted that the Black Pearl class of underwater vehicle is a specific type of 21-inch diameter autonomous underwater vehicle developed by GDMS. The Contractor shall perform the following subtasks:

4.1.1 New Tail Cone Development: The contractor shall develop a new tail cone compatible with an NRL supplied Teledyne PATHFINDER DVL allowing for operation in deeper water column. This effort shall include developing, modifying, fabricating, and testing a new tail cone geometry that allows the inclusion of the DVL as well as software modification and implementation needed for an optimal integration between the INS and DVL.

4.1.2 Payload Accommodation: The Contractor shall continue to conduct the engineering required to accommodate NRL payloads to be integrated into Black Pearl Systems. This shall include the development of software drivers and the design of the mechanical structures required to accommodate the payloads in the payload sections of the integrated vehicle.

4.1.3 General Vehicle Engineering: The Contractor shall continue to conduct general vehicle engineering to ensure that all of the design modifications are integrated appropriately. As part of this subtask, the Contractor shall ensure that the weight and length of the final integrated vehicle and payload are within desired limits to ensure proper vehicle performance and thus optimize sonar quality. The Contractor shall also perform buoyancy calculations and adjust the volume of buoyancy foam as required based on the modifications to the vehicles.

4.2 Black Pearl System Production: The Contractor shall fabricate, integrate, and test the Black Pearl Systems modified as described above. A Black Pearl system consists of vehicles, topside equipment and spares. The production effort shall be in accordance with the subtasks below:

4.2.1 Vehicle Production – Black Pearl Systems: The Contractor shall fabricate, integrate, and test five Black Pearl AUVs. As each section is built, functionality testing shall be conducted prior to integration and testing of the complete vehicle.

4.2.1.1 Tail Section Production: The Contractor shall manufacture a tail section for each of the Black Pearl AUVs and conduct basic testing to ensure that the key subassemblies are functioning properly prior to vehicle integration.

4.2.1.2 Battery Section Production: The Contractor shall manufacture a battery section, including batteries, for each of the Black Pearl AUVs and conduct basic testing to ensure that the key subassemblies are functioning properly prior to vehicle integration.

4.2.1.3 Payload Receiver Section Production: The Contractor shall manufacture an empty payload receiver section for each of the Black Pearl AUVs. These payload receiver sections shall include just the key structural elements required to support NRL’s payload receiver.

4.2.1.4 Payload Source Section Production: The Contractor shall manufacture an empty payload source section for each of the Black Pearl AUVs. These payload source sections shall include just the key structural elements required to support NRL’s payload source.

4.2.1.5 Nose Section Production: The Contractor shall manufacture a nose section for each of the Black Pearl AUVs and conduct basic testing to ensure that the key subassemblies are functioning properly prior to vehicle integration.

4.2.1.6 Vehicle Integration and Testing: The Contractor shall integrate all of the vehicle sections and conduct laboratory testing to test general vehicle functionality. Concluding the laboratory-based testing, the Contractor shall conduct factory acceptance testing (FAT). Following FAT, the Contractor shall conduct sea acceptance testing (SAT), verifying the performance of the vehicles in the water.

4.2.2 Topside Support Equipment Production – Black Pearl Systems: The Contractor shall fabricate, test, and deliver a set of topside support equipment to be used in conjunction with the Black Pearl AUVs, as detailed below. This set of topside equipment assumes that the AUVs are deployed and operated together as a system, sharing some of the common topside equipment.

· RF deck box with antenna (quantity 2)

· Iridium deck box with antenna (quantity 2)

· Sonardyne Dunker kit (quantity 1)

· RDF receiver and antenna (quantity 2)

· Battery chargers (quantity 5)

· Vehicle carts (quantity 2 sets)

· Vehicle and support equipment shipping cases (quantity 2 sets)

· Vehicle toolkit (quantity 1)

· Ruggedized operator laptop with operator software suite (quantity 2)

4.2.3 Spares Production – Black Pearl Systems: The Contractor shall fabricate, test, and deliver a set of recommended spares to be used in conjunction with the AUVs, as detailed below. This set of spares assumes that the AUVs are deployed and operated together as a system, sharing the supply of spares.

· Antenna (quantity 3)

· Tailcone (quantity 3)

· Propeller and duct kit (quantity 3)

· Vehicle power switch (quantity 4)

· 1.85 kWh battery (quantity 3)

· Wet cables (quantity 5 sets)

· Dropweight (quantity 15)

· Dropweight burnwires (quantity 30)

· RDF (radio direction finder) emergency transmitter (quantity 3)

· O-ring kit (quantity 3)

· Fastener kit (quantity 3)

· Joining bands (quantity 3)

· Barrel nuts (quantity 18)

· Nose line with float and float hardware (quantity 6)

· MEH (Main Electronics Housing) Board Set (quantity 1)

· SVS+P (Sound Velocity Sensor + Profiler) Sensor (quantity 1)

· AvTrak 6 (quantity 1)

4.2.4 Operator and Maintenance Manuals: The Contractor shall prepare and deliver a set of Operator and Maintenance (O&M) manuals for the Black Pearl vehicles. The Contractor shall provide one set of manuals (Print and Electronic), for each vehicle delivered.

4.3 Vehicle Maintenance – Black Pearl Systems: The Contractor shall conduct maintenance on the five new Black Pearl vehicles after the vehicles have been delivered as well as on the ones NRL currently owns until the end of the period of performance for the contract (assumed to be five years, consisting of one base year and four option periods). During the scheduled maintenance, the Contractor shall identify areas for additional, recommended maintenance and repairs for evaluation by NRL. The Contractor shall conduct any additional maintenance and repairs requested by NRL as funding permits.

4.3.1 Scheduled Maintenance: The Contractor shall conduct a thorough checkout of the vehicles. These maintenance activities shall occur periodically in conjunction with regularly scheduled at-sea use until the end of the contract period of performance. This checkout is designed to ensure that all subsystems and components are functioning properly, that all connectors and O-rings are properly maintained and in good condition, and that the vehicle is capable of general operations. This task shall cover the cost of consumables associated with the general operation and maintenance of the vehicles undergoing this maintenance. Replacement of broken components and depot-level maintenance and repairs shall be covered under Task 4.3.2. The complete vehicle shall be tested after any required maintenance and repairs to ensure that the vehicle has been restored to an operations-ready condition.

4.4 At-Sea Testing in Support of NRL Payload Development– Black Pearl Systems: The Contractor shall provide qualified personnel to support at sea operation of the Black Pearl AUVs as required by associated Technical Directive Memorandum(s) (TDM). The minimum qualification shall be at least 200 hours of at-sea operational experience in mission planning, launch, mission execution, battery maintenance, and recovery of the 21-inch diameter line of General Dynamics BFR AUVs. When NRL requires operations support, after NRL has provided the Contractor with information on the support required, the location of the operations, and the expected duration of the effort, the Contractor shall provide NRL with an estimate of the cost for that particular effort prior to execution of the tasks.

The scope of this task will be based on the level of operations support NRL requires over the duration of the contract. The anticipated level of effort for this task includes four operations per year within the continental United States, beginning after the delivery of the vehicles. Two of those operations assume CONUS travel for two people for one two-week trip and one three-week trip. The remaining two operations assume that the operations are conducted in the waters near the Contractor’s office using the Contractor’s vessel. For these local operations, support from four personnel (plus the captain for the vessel) is assumed for a duration of two weeks (plus two days for target placement/recovery). It is further assumed that one overseas trip with a duration of two weeks will require travel for two operators.

4.5 Vehicle Maintenance – Reliant System: The Contractor shall continue to conduct maintenance on the Reliant System over the duration of the period of performance for the contract (assumed to be five years, consisting of one base year and four option periods). During the scheduled maintenance, the Contractor shall identify areas for additional, recommended maintenance and repairs for evaluation by NRL. The Contractor shall conduct any additional maintenance and repairs requested by NRL as funding permits.

4.5.1 Scheduled Maintenance: The Contractor shall conduct a thorough checkout of the Reliant System vehicle. It is assumed that these maintenance activities will occur annually in conjunction with regularly scheduled operations support until the end of the contract period of performance. This checkout is designed to ensure that all subsystems and components are functioning properly, that all connectors and O-rings are properly maintained and in good condition, and that the vehicle is in good shape for general operations. This task shall cover the cost of consumables associated with the general operation and maintenance of the vehicle undergoing this maintenance. Replacement of broken components and depot-level maintenance and repairs shall be covered under Task 5. The complete vehicle shall be tested after any required maintenance and repairs to ensure that the vehicle has been restored to an operations-ready condition.

4.6 At-Sea Testing in Support of NRL Payload Development – Reliant System: The Contractor shall continue to provide qualified personnel to NRL to support at sea operation of NRL’s Reliant System as required and funded. When NRL requires operations support, after NRL has provided the Contractor with information on the support required, the location of the operations, and the expected duration of the effort, the Contractor shall provide NRL with an estimate of the cost for that particular effort.

As the scope of this task will be based on the level of operations support NRL requires over the duration of the contract, the Contractor has provided a funding placeholder for this task. The pricing includes three operations per year, beginning after the delivery of the vehicles, for a total of six operations over two years. Four of those operations assume travel for two people to Panama City, Florida – two two-week trips and two three-week trips. The remaining two operations assume that the operations are conducted in the waters near the Contractor’s office using the Contractor’s vessel. For these local operations, support from four personnel (plus the captain for the vessel) is assumed for a duration of two weeks (plus two days for target placement/recovery).

4.7 Final Report:

A Final Report, as detailed in CDRL A004, shall be provided that is a comprehensive summary of all scientific objectives, findings and recommendations, research, development and other efforts performed, and the results obtained over the entire contract period in all of the proposed task areas.

5. Additional Maintenance and Repairs Support/Change Request:

Additional within scope tasks must be authorized by the Government prior to beginning of work.

6. Government Furnished Property (GFP)/Contractor Acquired Property (CAP):

Government Furnished Property (GFP) will be provided for this effort. GFP listing is at Contract Section J, Attachment 0002. The contractor shall maintain proper accountability and safeguards of all GFP in accordance with FAR 52.245-1 and requirements set forth in Contract. The Contractor shall track, move and account for Government Property in accordance with FAR 52.245-1. The Contractor is responsible for providing a report on accountability for the GFP, whether the GFP is in good working order, missing, or broken and needing repair. The Contractor shall prepare and submit, monthly, annual, and final GFP and CAP inventory reports in accordance with CDRL Data Item No. A006

7. Travel:

The Contractor personnel may be required to travel as necessary and as directed by the COR to destinations including, but not limited to the following locations:

· Jacksonville, FL Area of Operations

· Panama City, FL

· San Diego, CA

· Whidbey Island, WA

· Honolulu, HI

· Baltic Sea, Area of Operations

The Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), while not wholly applicable to contractors, shall provide the basis for the determination as to whether travel costs are reasonable. Maximum use is to be made of the lowest available customary standard coach or equivalent airfare accommodations available during normal business hours. All necessary travel meeting the above criteria shall be reviewed in advance by the COR, prior to approval by the Contracting Officer. Exceptions to these guidelines shall be approved in advance by the Contracting Officer.

8. Data Rights Assertions:

8.1 All communicated data, information, drawings, and any technical data delivered to the Government with other than unlimited data rights shall be marked appropriately. The Contractor shall mark noncommercial technical data provided to the Government with the appropriate rights as specified in the clause at DFARS 252.227-7013, Rights in Technical Data-Noncommercial Items.

8.2 Computer software and computer software documentation with restricted rights: The Contractor shall mark noncommercial software and computer software documentation provided to the Government with the appropriate rights as specified in the clause at DFARS 252.227-7014, Rights in Noncommercial Computer Software and Noncommercial Computer Software Documentation.

9. Deliverables:

9.1 Reports and Data Items: The Contractor shall prepare and deliver reports and data items in accordance with instructions provided in each Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL), attached in Section J of the contract. All CDRL submissions shall be made to the COR via Email, with the Contract Number included in the subject line. CDRL Item Files shall include the Contract#, CDRL#, and title of the item. Below is a listing of the required CDRLs for this contract. CDRLs applies for both the Base Period of Performance (PoP) and Options.