Expeditionary Unmanned Aerial System manufacturing and employment capability

RSO-AMPOECT-04

Expeditionary Unmanned Aerial System (eUAS) Manufacturing and Employment

Notice Type: Request for Information

NAICS Code: 334511 - Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

Size Standard: Unrestricted

This is a Capability Request for Information (CRFI) issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) and does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with responding to this notice.

1 . Background and objective

The United States Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office is conducting market research analysis to identify existing solutions for an on-demand manufacturing capability for ready-to-fly Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs), purpose-built attritable systems, first person view drone build kits, counter UAS systems, such as interceptors, accessories, spare parts and supplies that can be operated in remote and austere environments. This will allow for the rapid, persistent, and distributed production of unmanned air systems near the point of need reducing reliance on traditional supply chains and enabling forces to quickly replenish critical assets in contested areas. Submitters may also identify optional services, such as training, technical support, and maintenance for the UAS manufacturing capability. Additionally, submitters may include concepts for effective assembly solutions to include but not limited to soldering, battery wiring, and motor assembly. This capability is aimed at being as agile as possible or to be drone agnostic but compatible with highly desirable materials commonly used in additive manufacturing.

This market research analysis will be used to inform on potential procurement and Government assessment of capabilities within a military relevant environment.

2. Proprietry materials protection

CRFI responses, which contain information that is marked as “proprietary,” will be protected as proprietary information. Proprietary information must be clearly marked on the outside container and on the materials inside. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified. Such information will be reviewed by a team comprised of Government as well as contractor support personnel hired to provide technical assistance to the Government. All members of the team will be reminded of their obligation to protect such information to the maximum extent permitted or required by the Economic Espionage Act, 18 U.S.C. 1831 et. seq., and other applicable statutes or regulations.

Additionally, Government members will be reminded of their obligations to afford protection under the Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. 1905. All Contractor members are required to protect the information by the terms of their contracts. Responders are advised that employers of commercial firms under contract of the Government may be used to process responses, provide technical assistance, and/or other administrative duties requiring access to other Contractor’s proprietary information. These support contracts include non-disclosure agreements prohibiting Contractor employees from disclosing any purpose other than which it was furnished.

3. Key capability requirements

The eUAS manufacturing and employment capability should be capable of the following:

1. Supply Chain & Compliance

DCMA & NDAA Alignment: Must conform to DCMA Blue List compatible type architecture and comply with NDAA FY2020 Section 848.

Foreign Exclusion: No components, software, or raw materials from covered nations (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, any country that is a state sponsor of terrorism. (10 U.S.C. 2279)); strict adherence to FAR telecommunications prohibitions.

2. Physical Footprint & Transport

ISO Container/ISU 90 Size Footprint: Transportable via tactical truck, strategic airlift (ATTLA compliant), tactical airlift (e.g., C-130), cargo ship, and helicopter sling-load.

Austere Durability: Container shell must be dust/water resistant (MIL-STD-810 equivalent).

3. Power & Environmental Controls

Power: Compatible with standard military generators (240V/415V 3-phase, 50/60 Hz) or tactical microgrids, backed by an industrial-grade uninterruptible power supply for controlled pausing/resuming.

Atmospheric Tolerances: Integrated HVAC maintaining internal tolerances across external temperatures from -40°F to 125°F. Must meet Class/Division hazardous location standards (NFPA 70) for volatile materials.

4. System Quality and Maintainability

Open System Architecture: Control software must ingest standard files (STEP, STL, 3MF) locally and follow Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) guidelines to support swappable avionics/payloads.

5. Cybersecurity & Data…