Request for Information SUAS Manufacturing.pdf

Version – February 2017

Request for Information – Small Uncrewed Aircraft System (SUAS) Manufacturing Advisory Assistant

INTRODUCTION

Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) synopsis as a means of conducting market research to identify potential sources having an interest and industry knowledge available to support/provide the establishment of SUAS component manufacturing facility. TYAD is interested in bringing on a technical development firm with the knowledge to provide comprehensive expertise spanning advanced manufacturing implementation, digital integration, and stringent cybersecurity compliance. The firm will need to deliver a fully-operational factory, encompassing facility design, equipment procurement advice & installation, and process engineering optimized for high-volume, scalable production – targeting 120,000 units by 2026 up to 1,000,000 units by 2030. The advisor(s) must assist TYAD in the development and execution a workforce training program to build and maintain the necessary skills for advanced manufacturing and digital factory operations, culminating in a validated, fully performing SUAS subcomponents.

A critical component will be integrating robust cybersecurity measures aligned with DoD standards (RMF*, NIST**, CMMC***) throughout the facility’s design, construction, and operation, ensuring secure data handling and system protection. The government will lead and retain primary responsibility for implementing and managing cybersecurity protections, including compliance with Risk Management Framework (RMF) as defined in DoDI 8510.01, and security control implementation in accordance with NIST SP 800- 53 and FIPS 199. Government-managed systems supporting CUI and other mission-sensitive data will be authorized and monitored under an official Authorization to Operate (ATO) process.

The manufacturing facility and digital innovation industry partner is responsible for designing, constructing, and equipping the manufacturing environment aligning with DoD cybersecurity standards and directives. This includes ensuring that all systems, platforms, and innovations delivered or integrated are developed and maintained in compliance with applicable requirements such as DFARS 252.204-7012, NIST SP 800- 171, and CMMC Level 2 or higher, as appropriate. While the government will oversee RMF execution and accreditation, the industry partner must support this posture by implementing secure-by-design principles, adhering to Zero Trust Architecture guidelines where applicable, and ensuring secure handling of any government-furnished information or technology. Systems must not create exploitable vulnerabilities or inhibit the facility's ability to operate securely and compliantly within the DoD’s cybersecurity ecosystem. This collaborative approach ensures the facility can meet mission-critical SUAS production goals while upholding the cybersecurity standards essential to national defense.

The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement, if a requirement materializes. Based on the responses to this request for information/market research, this requirement may be set aside for small businesses (in full or in part) or procured through full and open competition. Multiple awards may be made. All small business set-aside categories will be considered. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding submissions.

DISCLAIMER

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) TO BE SUBMITTED. IT DOES

NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A

COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT

OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A

CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE

AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS

ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO

THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

This Request for Information (RFI) notice is issued to conduct market research to identify qualified sources capable of providing advisory services for the design, setup, and optimization of a new manufacturing facility at Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD).

This facility will focus on the mass production of critical components for SUAS, including airframes, circuit card assemblies, wiring harnesses, motors, antennas, Ground Control Stations (GCS), Pilot Interface Controller (PIC), and Head Mounted Display (HMD). TYAD’s goal is to establish a resilient, digitally advanced, and secure manufacturing capability, scaling to 120,000 SUAS units per year by 2026, with planning considerations for future expansion to 1,000,000 units annually. Responses will be used to inform the development of a future solicitation.

REQUIRED CAPABILITIES

The Government requires the establishment of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility dedicated to the production of high-quality components for Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (SUAS), with a target production capacity of 120,000 units by calendar year 2026 and potential scalability up to 1,000,000 units by 2030. This facility will encompass Continental United States production of airframes, circuit card assemblies, wiring harnesses, motors, antennas, GCS, PIC, and HMD necessitating an industrial machine shop environment. The intent of this Request for Information is to assess the state-of-the-art technologies applicable to meeting this requirement, specifically in areas supporting advanced digital manufacturing, operational efficiency, and cybersecurity resilience.

The Government envisions a comprehensive solution to establish a state-of-the-art SUAS component manufacturing facility, with an initial focus on specific deliverables such as a detailed facility layout, a comprehensive equipment list with associated cost estimates, and a preliminary cybersecurity assessment of all proposed manufacturing equipment. This effort will encompass detailed planning, facility renovation, capital equipment acquisition and installation, robust cybersecurity integration aligned with DoD standards (RMF, NIST, CMMC), and a comprehensive workforce training program. Key deliverables include a fully operational factory, a scalable process blueprint incorporating digital manufacturing tools, and a final validation report demonstrating full system performance and adherence to quality and security standards. This solution will require expertise in project management, facility lay-in, enterprise systems integration, procurement and materials management, process engineering, advanced digital manufacturing & quality control, and a pilot build demonstration to validate performance against established OEE goals. Successful implementation will necessitate secure-by-design principles, adherence to Zero Trust Architecture, and secure handling of government-furnished information, ensuring the facility operates securely within the DoD’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

Non-Developmental Item (NDI). For the purposes of this RFI, NDIs are not applicable.

This RFI seeks advisory services and specialized expertise to support the establishment of a SUAS component manufacturing facility; it does not solicit the provision of a pre-existing product or a product requiring only minor modifications. We are requesting information regarding capabilities and approaches to services, not the delivery of an item.

Qualification. The prospective advisor(s)and/or advisory firm must be qualified to successfully establish a state-of-the-art SUAS component manufacturing facility capable of scaling 120,000 units per year (and potentially up to 1,000,000 by 2030), and demonstrate prior experience with Department of Defense contracting, specifically related to facility construction or major equipment procurements. Tobyhanna Army Depot requires an advisor or advisory team with a deeply multidisciplinary skillset, including robust project management, lean manufacturing expertise, and specialized engineering advanced manufacturing disciplines. Furthermore, expertise in systems engineering, software integration (ERP/MES/PLM), data analytics, and supply chain management will be highly valuable. The ideal vendor will possess a demonstrated history of scaling manufacturing operations, particularly within high-tech industries, and be capable of delivering a fully operational facility encompassing facility design, equipment acquisition, cybersecurity compliance, and a scalable process blueprint leveraging digital manufacturing tools. A team approach, led by a seasoned project manager, is essential to navigate the complexities of this undertaking and ensure adherence to stringent quality and security standards, with proof of qualification addressed in the response

Maintenance, Inspection and Repair. Tobyhanna Army Depot desires the future SUAS manufacturing facility to minimize organizational-level maintenance and inspection, prioritizing equipment with robust designs, automated self-diagnostics, and remote monitoring capabilities. Modular designs and standardized components will facilitate rapid repair and parts replacement, even in deployed environments. Comprehensive documentation, training materials, and readily available spare parts are essential for ensuring long-term operational readiness and minimizing downtime; therefore, a detailed preventative maintenance schedule and plan must be included as part of the overall facility deliverable.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Any resulting contract is anticipated to have a security classification level of Unclassified. Any resulting contract shall be compliant with the specialty metals restriction of the Berry Amendment (10 U.S.C. 2533a and 2533b) in accordance with DFARS clauses 252.225-7008 and 252.225-7009.

ELIGIBILITY

The applicable NAICS code for this requirement is 541330. The Product Service Code (PSC) is R425.

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Interested businesses should submit a brief capabilities statement package demonstrating ability to provide the products/systems listed in this Technical Description. Documentation should be in bullet format. No phone or email solicitations with regards to the status of the RFP will be accepted prior to its release.

Your response to this RFI, including any capabilities statement, shall be electronically submitted to the Lead Mechanical Engineer (Nicholas Paras) and TYAD UAS Project Manager (Christopher Volch) in either Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF), via email to nicholas.m.paras.civ@army.mil & christopher.k.volch.civ@army.mil no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on 19 August 2025 and reference this synopsis number in subject line of e-mail and on all enclosed documents.

Information and materials submitted in response to this request WILL NOT be returned. DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED MATERIAL.

If your organization has the potential capacity to provide the required products/systems, please provide the following information: 1) Organization name, address, primary points of contact (POCs) and their email address, FAX, Web site address, telephone number, and type of ownership for the organization; and 2) Tailored capability statements addressing the requirements of this notice, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements.

All data received in response to this RFI that is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary will be fully protected from any release outside the Government.

mailto:nicholas.m.paras.civ@army.mil mailto:christopher.k.volch.civ@army.mil