The Government intends to utilize the IDIQ-MAC to support current and future USV systems and subsystems, including products and/or services to: design, develop, fabricate, prototype, integrate, test, maintain, and support multiple variants of USVs.
The solicitation will be issued electronically via Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) at http://fbo.gov and interested parties must comply with that announcement. FBO is the single point of entry for posting of the synopsis and solicitations to the internet. Interested offerors should monitor the FBO page for the release of the solicitation, and any applicable amendments. Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to participate in this procurement here.
A date for the expected solicitation was not provided.
Proposal Also Expected for New Class of Medium USVs
In related news, USNI reports that NAVSEA is set to issue a request for proposals for a new class of medium, autonomous USV, up to 50 meters long. According to USNI, “. . . the medium USV will function as a sensor and communications relay as part of a family of unmanned surface systems being developed by the service. The craft will be able to carry a payload equivalent to a 40-foot shipping container, will operate on its own for at least 60 days before needing to return to port, and be capable of refueling at sea. The craft will have to also be able to autonomously operate under the rules of the maritime road at a cruising speed of about 16 knots with a minimum range of about 4,500 nautical miles and operate via a government-provided communication relay system. The size of the MUSV – 12 to 50 meters – ranges from about the size of the service’s 11-meter rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) to the Navy’s Cyclone-class patrol craft (PCs).”
