Manned and Unmanned Experimental Platforms for Future Tactical Systems

The US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) intends to negotiate a sole source firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for engineering and development of the experimental Fuel Cell Unmanned Aerial System (XFC UAS) system to Oceaneering International, Inc. Firms may identify their interest by responding to this notice and submitting either a capability statement or a quote/proposal. This notice is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received within 15days after date of publication of this notice will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government to compete, or not, will be based on the responses received, and is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered only for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Market research was previously conducted and it has been determined that this is a sole source requirement. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S. C. Section 2304 (c)(1), as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

Furthermore, the market research established that the Government's need may not be met by the type of item or service customarily available in the commercial marketplace that would meet the definition of a commercial item as outlined in FAR 2.1.