Variable Height Antenna-Tethered UAS-SOW 083024.pdf

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STATEMENT OF WORK

Background:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is a law enforcement organization.

ATF’s unique responsibilities consist of reducing violent crime, collecting revenue, and protecting the public. ATF enforces Federal laws and regulations relating to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives, and arson by working directly and in cooperation with other government agencies. The Spectrum Relocation Group Required a Variable Height Antenna- Tethered UAS to complete radio transceiver coverage. This system will locate tactical mesh radios above the horizon with the use of a tethered UAS platform. This system will raise the tactical mesh transceiver between 200- 300 feet above ground level. The tethered UAS is powered by a small generator which will allow the system to run for multiple days. The unit will raise the tactical mesh transceiver while still staying tethered to the ground by a thin tethered line which contains the both the signal power and power to the UAS. This will allow greater distance of video transmission/video throughput. (several kilometers increase in video transmission range) The capability is need for rapid deployment in tactical and strategic environments. This will be used in conjunction with existing and future tactical mesh radios and video surveillance systems. The ability to deploy a variable height antenna has proven effective in other government agencies.

Objectives: ATF Special Operations Division requires 5 Tethered Drones or VHA (Variable Height Antenna systems to rapidly deploy tactical mesh radio coverage to austere environment with no or marginal cell phone coverage. The system works in conjunction with existing and future ground based terrestrial tactical mesh systems to extend coverage over large geographic areas.

The requirements for the variable height antenna listed below are to provide rapidly deployable tethered UAS system in tactical and strategic deployments. The result of the variable height antenna deployment is to maximize tactical mesh networks radio transceiver coverage over the horizon. This will increase the video surveillance bubble in video throughput and extended area coverage in areas that have no video surveillance capabilities due to lack of cellular coverage.

Scope Scope of the contract:

5- Tethered UAS Variable height antennas systems to include the below listed tasks for use with Tactical Mesh Transceiver system as a variable height antenna to provide coverage for video transmission in cellular denied area. This provides a capability that can only be solved by this type of technology.

Tasks:

The Variable Height Antenna-Tethered UAS Solution (TUAS) must meet all the following requirements to meet the need of the program’s needs:

- The Variable Height Antenna-Tethered UAS Solution, Generator, and operational supports and cabling must fit in the dimensional area of 49” width x 43” length x no greater than 36” height. These dimensions that is limited by the squared space calculated to be the specific length by width by height. The TUAS be no larger than the required dimensions. The TUAS must fit the dimensions to fit into a UTV bed for transport to remote locations.

(It must fit the dimensions to fit into a UTV bed for transport to remote locations)

- The generator used to power the tethered UAS must adhere to the following:

o Must be powered by gasoline.

o Must be portable and weigh less than 100lbs.

o Must use below 3500 max watts at 120VAC.

The TUAS needs to operate off of gasoline, a readily available fuel source, because gasoline is more readily available. The TUAS cannot use battery packs because it needs to run independently when deployed. In the field readily available electrical power sources are not readily available to charge batteries.

As for a diesel generator, there are none available that are less than 100 lbs. The generators need to be this is for human transport. That is one person needs to be able to move the generator. The ATF has the required generators, they don't need to be vendor supplied with this contract action. Specification are that the generators need to not draw greater than 3500 watts.

o Must fit in the dimension parameters listed including the size of the Tether UAS

- The Variable Height Antenna-Tethered UAS Solution must land in a self-centering ring, ( ring must not exceed the overall dimensions of 49”)must not land outside of the ring (no external landing gear), unless an emergency situation exists and require no outside controls unless there is an emergency equipment failure.

- Must include a controller to operate the TUAS package -Must have emergency backup controller in case of emergency landing situations -Must have emergency landing capabilities including on-board back up battery in case of damaged/broken tether, etc.

- The system shall have the ability to operate more than 100 uninterrupted hours.

-. Must have the ability to mount and provide power to 1 Silvus 4200 radio AND a PTZ camera/video sensor for situational awareness. Item must emit no RF signature/emissions.

-Have a payload equal to or exceeding 5 pounds.

-. Have the capability to operate from an altitude of 200 feet above ground level or greater.

-Must contain two separate payload areas for multiple internally powered payloads (radios, video cameras, sensors)

-Designed to attach and provide power to tactical mesh transceivers. The design must be integral to the tethered UAS. (Example- the attachment of the tactical mesh transceiver cannot be an afterthought; the system must be designed around the radio.

-Must have Airworthiness Qualification Level 3 (AQL3)

- The Variable Height Antenna-Tethered UAS Solution must have replacement parts, training and maintenance schedule provided by the vendor.

- The communications signal from the tactical mesh transceiver should be transported from the Tethered UAS to the Ground station via the tethered cable.

- Multiple platforms should be available from the vendor to accommodate Silvus transceivers, video surveillance platforms, and additional sensors.

-Must provided shippable ruggedized container(s) designed specifically for the vendor’s item -Must include ruggedized tablet or controlling device for command/control Tethered UAS System

-Vendor shall conduct field level repair and preventative maintenance training at their facility for 6 students and provide a maintenance kit containing commonly used replacement parts for field replacement, including a part replacement kit.

-Made in the US with no parts sourced from China.

• Delivery location:

ATF

NFC FABTECH (Org Code 701206) 3140 Yorkmont RD STE 300 Charlotte, NC, 28208 ATTN: Jodi Davis 704-441-4097 Jodi.davis@atf.gov

• Supporting documentation: Attached

• Additional information: None

• Deliverables: Must provide working product with training to operate equipment within 1 calendar year of delivery.

• Delivery time: Delivery within 90 days of contract award

• Security

• None

• Travel mailto:Jodi.davis@atf.gov

• Special Material Requirements and Considerations

• Other Unique Requirements