This Project Announcement (PA) outlines a project structured into five phases. The Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) Office (JCO) and the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) are seeking whitepapers to gauge industry interest in showcasing fixed/stationary or mobile/mounted Detect, Track, Identify, and/or Defeat (DTID) capabilities against sUAS Swarm systems. In this context, an sUAS Swarm system refers to a collection of unmanned aircraft demonstrating coordinated actions to achieve a shared objective.

This Request for a White Paper (RFWP) aims to identify potential material solutions featuring promising technologies or methodologies for DTID sUAS Swarm systems. After the government assesses the whitepaper submissions, those Offerors presenting the most compelling solution(s) may be invited to deliver an in-person or virtual oral presentation. Following the oral presentations, selected Offerors will facilitate on-site evaluations by the Government to assess their capability to meet production demands requisite for participation in the demonstration.

Subsequently, these Offerors might be called upon to participate in the JCO‘s Counter Swarm Demonstration, currently projected for 03-28 June 2024. Post-demonstration, the Government may potentially award one or more prototype projects. These prototype systems will undergo operational field testing to illuminate capabilities and constraints, aiding decisions for potential 10 USC 4022 Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) or may inform follow-on contract decisions.

It is advised that vendors should submit a White Paper if their system will be operationally prepared for testing and ready for delivery to the demonstration site by May 31, 2024.

Original Published Date: August 4, 2023 at 12:04 pm EDT

Original Response Date: September 6, 2023 at 12:00 pm EDT

C-sUAS Swarm Detect, Track, ID, and Defeat Project Goal

The Government is searching for solutions at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6, aiming to achieve Detect, Track, Identify, and/or Defeat  capabilities against sUAS Swarm threats. In line with TRL 6 criteria, the Government anticipates that white paper respondents can demonstrate a complete system, or sub-systems of DTID capabilities, through a prototype within a live-fire setting by May 31, 2024. The primary Government objective revolves around prototyping DTID system(s) that are representative of near-production standards, cost-effective, and capable of seamless integration with Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAADC2) systems.

Competition Process, Content Submission Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria

PHASE 1 (Whitepapers): Technical subject matter experts will meticulously assess and evaluate the submitted whitepapers (WPs) based on their C-sUAS capability and associated business model. Each WP will undergo evaluation focusing on its merits, relevance, schedule, and cost as they relate to the specified evaluation criteria. The Government retains the right to incorporate external market research in the assessment process.

Whitepapers submitted in response to this RFWP will undergo an assessment to identify the most compelling capabilities for the Department of Defense (DoD), utilizing the Evaluation Criteria (EC) outlined below, ranked in descending order of importance:

1. Capabilities to Detect, Track, Identify, and/or Defeat Group 1-3 Swarm sUAS (up to 50 Group 1/2 and up to 6 Group 3) (EC 1)
2. Technical Maturity / Evidence of TRL-6 (EC 2)
3. Exportability (EC 3)
4. Time and Cost for Training, Set-up, and Operation (EC 4)
5. Concept for FAADC2 WES ICD Integration/Interoperability/Interface (EC 5)
6. Government Purpose Data Rights (EC 6)
7. Ability to Participate in Demo 5 Dates (EC 7)
8. Hardening/Mil Spec (EC 8)
9. Level of Support Provided by Contractor (Help desk, FSR, Spare parts, etc) /Repair in Deployed Environment (EC 9)
10. Cost Realism for Proposed Solution Qty 10 / Delivery Timeline (EC 10)
11. Innovation of New Technology (EC 11)

Phases 2-5 of this competition will be conducted through invitation only. The Government intends to select up to ten (10) companies for further in-depth discussions regarding their proposed concepts, technologies, and solutions during Phase 2. Throughout Phase 2, the Government may request and/or furnish additional information to the participating companies at the Secret Level.

For more information about this opportunity, as well as additional requirements and information, please visit Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS) Office (JCO) Request for White Papers (RFWP) for Detect, Track, Identify, and/or Defeat of sUAS Swarm System Demonstration.

Post Image- UAV Drone Swarm Concept (Image Credit: Adobe Stock by Maingraph)