EW Modularity Special Notice W911NF-19-S-0004.pdf

Document Type: Special Notice

Posted Date: 4 January 2024

Category: Research and Development

Set Aside: N/A

Contracting Office Address

Department of the Army, Army Contracting Command, ACC - APG (W911NF) Research Triangle Park Division, 800 Park Office Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

Description

This special notice references the AAL BAA which can be found at https://aal.army/assets/files/pdf/baa-published-announcement.pdf

Synopsis: The Army Applications Laboratory (AAL) and PEO IEW&S are seeking technologies related to modular electromagnetic warfare (EW) payloads compatible with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Blue UAS Cleared List (55 lbs. and below) to meet the needs of the Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) as a Special Topic under the AAL Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-19-S-0004 for Disruptive Applications and related research as described below. Upon receipt, the Government will evaluate submissions through the process established in the AAL BAA, except as modified herein. The Government reserves the right to cancel this special notice without award for any reason. Issuance of this notice does not commit the Government to pay for any preparation costs incurred in compiling a response.

As a general matter, all requirements referenced in BAA W911NF-19-S-0004 apply to this effort. The Government anticipates awarding one or more procurement contract under this Special Topic, but will consider other potential award types listed in the AAL BAA, to include procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and Other Transaction Agreement, and Technology Investment Agreements. A follow-on production contract or transaction may be awarded to participants awarded an OTA and that successfully complete a prototype project under this Special Topic.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION – Background

Modular Electromagnetic Warfare Payload

AAL is interested in technologies and processes to increase Soldier survivability by attaching modular EW payloads to robotic platforms with little to no human interaction. This capability will still have human-in-the-loop through user interfaces and potential control systems but increases the Soldier’s standoff distance to detect adversarial threats.

Currently, there is no modular EW payload compatible with sUAS and UGV platforms organic to the IBCT. Units use current EW assets, such as the Beast Plus, in a Soldier-carried configuration. Dismounted EW systems used by the IBCT are Soldier-carried configurations that limit effective range to six kilometers due to Soldier safety precautions that limit power output.

This greatly limits the lethality and survivability of the Soldier. Soldiers can request external EW assets from higher headquarters, but these assets are allocated based on mission priority and therefore not fully accessible by IBCT Soldiers.

https://www.diu.mil/blue-uas-cleared-list

The IBCT should have a modular EW payload that can seamlessly integrate into their organic autonomous platforms down to the platoon level. This effort will provide an EW payload that is on-demand and effectively deployed via Blue UAS Cleared List ground or airborne autonomous platforms. This payload solution should afford small infantry units the ability to conduct masking operations to hide their electromagnetic presence, threat geolocate to sense adversarial electromagnetic use, or disrupt enemy communications up to 25 kilometers without overly burdening small-unit logistics.

Performance Objectives for Modular Electromagnetic Warfare Payload:

1. Comply with Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Ground (RAS-G).

2. Comply with modular payload design standards (Mod Payload).

3. Comply with Tactical Awareness Kit (TAK) interface and communications guidelines.

4. Be compatible with Blue UAS Cleared List (< 55 lbs.) small, unmanned aircraft systems.

5. Conduct nonlethal electromagnetic warfare activities.

1 Scope of the Call

This special notice invites white papers on the topic of “Modular Electromagnetic Warfare Payload”, as part of the Army Applications Laboratory BAA for Disruptive Applications.

A limited number of entities that submit white papers may be selected to submit a full proposal after undergoing a white paper review by Army officials. There is an increasing demand for future modular electromagnetic warfare payload solutions to ensure the United States maintains its survivability for Soldiers.

The solution may be applicable to various military applications, and it is not known at this time what the quantities or dollar values will be, or which exact program office or agency may produce any follow-on product.

White papers should be for cutting-edge innovations that could produce discoveries with the potential for significant impacts to enable new and improved Army operational capabilities regarding the Modular Electromagnetic Warfare Payload.

2 Research Themes

Proposals should relate to one or more of the following themes:

• Electromagnetic Attack

• Electromagnetic Support

• Electromagnetic Protection

3 Application Process

Eligibility: Applications for this call will follow the eligibility requirements of the Army Applications Laboratory BAA1. Should you require clarity regarding the eligibility of a particular institute, please send a request to one of the contacts detailed in Section 8.

Number of Awards: The Government anticipates awarding one or more award vehicles as described above.

Duration of Award: The Government anticipates a 12- to 18-month period of performance.

Funding: Funding will be commensurate with the agreed upon scope of work for this effort.

The Government anticipates making two awards with an estimated total of $2,000,000.00 across all awards combined. The Government reserves the right to make more or less than the anticipated two awards depending on evaluation results. The Government also reserves the right to exceed the $2,000,000.00 topic total and/or provide supplemental funding during award if it is in the Government’s best interest.

Evaluators: Government employees that are subject matter experts in the topic area.

Closing Date: The deadline for White Paper submissions is 05 Feb 2024. White Papers received after 11:59 AM CST on 05 Feb 2024 will not be evaluated or considered for award. It is the responsibility of the submitting party to confirm receipt of submissions.

How to Apply: White papers must be submitted by 05 Feb 2024 through the AAL website (https://aal.army/proposals/). From there, you will be directed to the link to submit your white paper.

Queries relating to the technical, management, contractual, and submission aspects of the call should be addressed to those individuals identified in section 8 and submitted no later than 19 January 2024. Following evaluation, a select number of companies will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Security: Classified information may not be submitted through the normal submission process identified above. Any classified information must be coordinated with POCs listed below.

4 Evaluation Criteria

Whitepapers will be evaluated for the concept's scientific merit and potential contributions of the effort to the Army mission. Applicants whose whitepapers are most highly evaluated based on this criteria may be invited to submit a proposal. The Government may provide White Paper feedback to those entities invited to submit a full proposal but is not required to do so. If feedback is provided, it will be provided to each entity invited to submit a full proposal.

Proposals will be evaluated under the evaluation criteria of the AAL BAA. Required documentation is outlined in the BAA document. The following areas will be used during evaluation:

1 https://aal.army/assets/files/pdf/baa-published-announcement.pdf

• The overall scientific and/or technical merits of the proposal and an assessment of risk versus potential impact of the technology.

• The potential contributions of the effort to the Army mission.

• Cost realism and reasonableness.

o Teaming arrangements and methodologies for creating and modifying teaming arrangements with other organizations.

• Availability of government funds to complete vendors’ proposed R&D activities and likelihood of government funding being available for future procurement and fielding.

• The applicant's capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques, or unique combinations of these, which are integral factors for achieving the proposed objectives.

• The qualifications, capabilities, and experience of the proposed principal investigator, team leader, or other key personnel who are critical to achievement of the proposed objectives.

• The applicant's record of past performance.

5 Review

White papers will be reviewed by the Government evaluators. Companies whose white papers receive the best evaluations will be invited to submit a full proposal.

6 Key Dates

Activity Date

Open for white paper submissions 04 Jan 2024

Deadline for submitting technical questions 19 Jan 2024

Deadline for white paper submissions 05 Feb 2024 (1159 AM CST)

Anticipated notification of selection to submit a proposal

06 Mar 2024

Anticipated contract start date 08 Jul 2024

7 References

• Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Ground (RAS-G), https://aal.army/assets/files/pdf/solicitation-ras-g-payloads.pdf

• Mod Payload, https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1167779.pdf

• Electromagnetic Warfare Activities, https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/Doctrine/pubs/jp3_85.pdf

• TAK Integration, https://tak.gov/

• DIU Blue Cleared UAS List, https://www.diu.mil/blue-uas-cleared-list

8 Contacts

Below is a list of contact information for additional information related to the call for proposals.

• Submission Questions:

o MAJ Rickey Royal, Army Applications Laboratory (rickey.royal.mil@aal.army)

• Technical Questions:

o Zach Harrell, Army Applications Lab (zach.harrell.civ@aal.army) o Daniel Hilty, Army Applications Lab (daniel.p.hilty.civ@aal.army)