NOAA Radar System for sUAS Operations at Sea and Federal Organizations

THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION.  This is a Request for Information (RFI) for planning purposes only and is issued in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (OCT 1997).

No solicitation document exists at this time. Issuance of this notice does not constitute any obligation on the part of the Government to procure these items or services or to issue a solicitation. In addition, the Government is under no obligation to pay for information submitted in response to this RFI, and responses to this notice cannot be accepted as offers. Any information that the vendor considers proprietary should be clearly marked as such. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.

The NOAA, Acquisition and Grants Office , Eastern Acquisition Division, is seeking information from industry in order to inform the Office of Marine and Aviation (OMAO), Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Division (UASD) is seeking information on radar systems that can be used for sUAS (small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems) operations at sea. The radar system is expected to seamlessly integrate with NOAA's existing ship radars, including but not limited to the FAR2827 model (X-band radar), FAR2837 model (S-Band Radar), FURUNO 3220BB with a 6.5' array (X Band), as well as the Furno 3230SSB with a 12' array (S Band). Compatibility with the RPU-013 for processing units is a key requirement. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to enable Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations in a due regard setting from a NOAA vessel with multiple aircraft ensuring safe operations for both NOAA and non participating aircraft.

The anticipated NAICS code for this requirement is 541900– All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services with a size standard of $19,500,000.00.  The Government requests capability statements from interested sources that address the below requirements. 

All interested sources shall submit a capability statement that shall be considered by the agency. To be eligible, interested parties must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM): https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/##11. Interested sources can obtain a DUNS number by calling 1-800-333-0505. Capability statements will be due on May 10, 2024 by 12:00PM ET. Capability statements shall not exceed 20 pages in total. Capability statements will be accepted electronically (using PDF or Microsoft Word) at the following email address: amy.l.mcliverty@noaa.gov andkeith.aiken@noaa.gov.

Submitted capability statement shall include the following:

1. Company name and address
2. CAGE/DUNS/UEI number
3. Size of business according to NAICS 541990 (e.g. Large Business, Small Business, 8a, Veteran Owned Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, HubZone, Small Disadvantaged Business, or Woman Owned Small Business) as validated by SAM.
4. Company point of contact – Name, Phone Number, and Email Address
5. Company Overview: Provide a brief overview of your company, including its history, experience in radar systems, and relevant certifications.
6. Technical Specifications: Describe the technical specifications of the radar system you propose, emphasizing its compatibility with NOAA's existing systems and its ability to meet the requirements outlined in Section 2.
7. Integration and Compatibility: Explain how your radar system can seamlessly integrate with NOAA's ship radars and processing units.
8. Due Regard Capabilities: Detail how your radar system can support BVLOS operations in a due regard setting and ensure the safety of sUAS operations around NOAA vessels.
9. Environmental Considerations: Discuss the suitability of your radar system for marine environments and its ability to withstand challenging conditions.
10. References: Provide references from previous clients who have used your radar system for similar applications.

Additionally, NOAA is soliciting information regarding radar systems that meet the following criteria:

1. Compatibility: The radar system should be fully compatible with NOAA's existing ship radars, including the X-band and S-band models specified above.
2. Integration: The radar system should seamlessly integrate with the existing ship radar systems and processing units, such as the RPU-013.
3. Support and Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance and support may be desired from the vendor. This includes routine system check and preventative maintenance as well as more complex engineering support for modifications or software upgrades. In addition, the vendor may be requested to provide on-site training, operational assistance or remote monitoring.
4. Range and Coverage: The radar system should provide sufficient range and coverage to support sUAS operations at sea, ensuring the safety of both the aircraft and the vessel.
5. Due Regard Capability: The radar system should have the capability to support BVLOS operations in a due regard setting, enabling real-time monitoring of sUAS traffic in proximity to the NOAA vessel.
6. Environmental Considerations: The radar system should be suitable for use in a marine environment, capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions and saltwater exposure.

*Please see answers to questions received.