Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source Contract: ABC - Phase 3

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Strategic Technology Office (STO), intends to award a Sole Source contract to Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, CA for continuation of the Aero-Adaptive/Aero-Optic Beam Control (ABC) Program under a 36-month Phase 3 contract. Previously, "Phase 0" ABC activities were completed by Lockheed Martin under contract FA9550-04-C-0142, and Phase 1A, Phase 1B, and 2 were completed under contract HR0011-08-C-0090. Under the Phase 0 contract, Lockheed Martin investigated the utility of a high energy laser, integrated into a high-speed tactical aircraft for self-defense, and explored experimental techniques to characterize and influence aero-optic beam quality. In the Phase 1A effort, Lockheed Martin demonstrated a turbulence control method to improve power flux on target in high speed flight, particularly in the lateral and aft fields of regard. As well, in Phase 1A, Lockheed Martin conducted turret trade studies to evaluate and select a preferred architecture and flow control approach. The Phase IB effort completed concept exploration with sub-scale and full scale wind tunnel tests at transonic speeds, and demonstrated active flow control and adaptive optics improvement of the outgoing laser beam. Phase 2 efforts developed the preliminary design of the flight capable version of the turret concept with active flow control only (as adaptive optics were to be handled by another subsystem). Phase 3 is a logical follow-on to Phase 2. Specifically, under Phase 3, Lockheed Martin will conduct a full scale flight test of an active flow control turret mounted on a business class size jet to validate, in-flight, the turret requirements, design, and predicted performance for the preliminary design completed in Phase 2 using representative optical paths, a scaled turret (appropriate in size for the aircraft) and flow control actuator system will be designed, wind-tunnel tested, and mounted to the test aircraft to be supplied as GFE. Lockheed will assist in data collection and analysis for the turret performance in flight The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of FAR 6.302-1 "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements." As the developer of the ABC concept, Lockheed Martin possesses unique knowledge, capabilities, and proprietary intellectual property/data required to carry out the required research effort. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation is currently available. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or a quotation within forty-five (45) days after publication of this notice, which shall be considered by the agency. All such responses shall be submitted to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, via email, to DARPA-SN-12-38@darpa.mil.