SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Range Clearance Competition Request for Information
- Notice Date
- 7/15/2009
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Army, U. S. Army Materiel Command, US Army, Army Contracting Command, Joint Munitions and Lethality (JM&L) Contracting Center, US Army, Army Contracting Command, Joint Munitions and Lethality (JM&L) Contracting Center, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey 07806-5000
- ZIP Code
- 07806-5000
- Solicitation Number
- W15QKN-09-X-1216
- Response Due
- 7/29/2009
- Archive Date
- 8/28/2009
- Point of Contact
- Morgan Ross, Contract Specialist, (973)724-3504<br />
- E-Mail Address
-
Morgan Ross
(morgan.ross@us.army.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) in collaboration with the US Armydesires to conduct a competition (with a cash prize for the winner) in order to foster the ability to clear training ranges of debris and unexploded ordnance using robotic technologies. Preliminary experience to date with robotic range clearance suggests a significant potential for time and costs savings as well as increases in the safety of conducting this type activity. The ultimate aim is to be able to clear the millions of acres currently encumbered with spent training rounds and debris to place the land back into productive use. Thus the Department of Defense (DoD) is looking for the competition to result in viable systems that can be procured and placed into service clearing DoD ranges. In order to effect a smooth transition from technology development to system procurement, the competition will be predicated on key decision points. The first decision, which is whether to conduct a competition at all, is to determine the level of industry interest in participating in a competition as well as the ability to develop, then produce quantities of robotic range clearance systems. Responses to this RFI will figure prominently in that decision. Assuming sufficient industry interest and capability, the competition event itself will be preceded by a qualification requirement. Competitors looking to compete for the cash prize must first demonstrate that they can enter a viable robotic system capable of executing tasks inherent in clearing ranges. Assuming a sufficient quantity of competitors qualify to participate in the competition, the DoD will not only award a $2M cash prize but also pursue a procurement contract to purchase robotic range clearance systems. During technology development and integration efforts, competitors will have the opportunity to enter into no-cost arrangements with the DoD so that information may be exchanged and Government equipment can be furnished if so desired by a competitor. Thus, two types of contracting opportunities will be available: 1) a no-cost contract instrument that enables government furnished equipment and information to support development efforts, and 2) a competitively awarded procurement contract. It should be noted that winning the cash prize competition is no guarantee of a follow-on procurement contract award. The two types of contracting vehicles are distinct from one another, and must be awarded based on distinctly differing criteria. The remainder of the RFI is a more detailed discussion of the intent and construct by which the DoD intends to conduct a cash prize competition. The final section of this document contains a list of questions, the answers to which will provide the competition sponsors with insights that will guide the final plans and decision making for how to effectively proceed with the competition. It is understood that some questions may be difficult to answer, so respondents are asked to provide the best insights they can. Note: Please see attachment for full Range Clearance Competition Request for Information document.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USA/USAMC/DAAE30/W15QKN-09-X-1216/listing.html)
- Record
- SN01876111-W 20090717/090715235910-3f69b2ef9063fb1bb4da3e8480c7aaf7 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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