Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Contracts Management Office (CMO), 3701 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203-1714

A -- MOBILE ROBOT PLATFORMS (SS 97-28) DUE 072397 POC Dr. Eric Krotkov, DARPA/TTO, Fax: (703) 696-2204 WEB: http://www.darpa.mil, http://www.darpa.mil. BACKGROUND: DARPA, along with other Government agencies, is contemplating a future research program to enable teams of tens to hundreds of robots to perform tactical operations. In this context, DARPA is evaluating the costs and benefits of producing multiple mobile robot platforms that could serve as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) for researchers. The purpose of this announcement is to seek information that will assist the Government in determining the availability and cost of mobile robot platforms. TYPE OF MOBILE ROBOT PLATFORMS SOUGHT: For the purposes of this announcement, DARPA places a premium on small size. As a general guideline, the platforms will be easily portable by a typical warfighter. As a specific guideline, platforms of greatest interest will have no dimension (length, width, height) smaller than approximately 5 cm and no dimension larger than 60 cm. For the purposes of this announcement, DARPA places a premium on maturity of design. Platforms of greatest interest will have been(1) completely designed, (2) completely fabricated and assembled, and (3) tested in operation. Platforms that satisfy none of these three conditions are of little interest, even if they exhibit significant design innovation or merit. INFORMATION SOUGHT: For each mobile robot platform, potential sources will supply the following: (1) Photograph(s) or figure(s) with annotations of remarkable features; (2) Specifications Table showing (at least) length, width, height, weight, and run time (given full battery charge); (3) Mobility Characteristics Table showing (at least) maximum height of traversable step, maximum width of traversable ditch, maximum speed on flat floor, maximum traversable slope, type of terrain traversable (cement, gravel, grass, loose sand, etc); (4) Environmental Characteristics Summary identifying characteristics such as watertightness, operating temperatures, vibration limits, shock limits; (5) Onboard power source (type output, capacity); (6) Statement of Level of Maturity in terms of design, fabrication, assembly, and testing; (7) Unit Cost Estimates to produce the mobile platform in lots of 1, 10, 20, 50, and 100. Potential sources are strongly encouraged to be as concise as possible. All of the information sought could be conveyed in 3-5 pages per platform, counting all photographs or figures as one page. WHAT TO SUBMIT: An original and five (5) copies of information papers, printed on 8 1/2'' x 11'' pages. Submissions cannot be sent by FAX or e-mail. Sources submitting information will not be reimbursed by the Government for any expenses incurred. WHERE TO SUBMIT: Dr. Eric Krotkov DARPA/TTO, ATTN: SS 97-28, 3701 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. WHEN TO SUBMIT: On or before 4:00PM Eastern Time on 23 July, 1997. NOTICE REGARDING PROPRIETARY INFORMATION: Sources are hereby notified that the Government will not be responsible for proprietary information which is submitted as a result of this Sources Sought announcement. NOTICE REGARDING SOLICITATIONS: This announcement is for information and planning purposes only, and does not constitute a BAA, IFB, or RFP. Nothing in this notice shall be construed as a commitment by the Government. (0174)

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