16 -- PRECISION AIRDROP CAPABILITY OF THE FUTURE COMBAT SYSTEM (FCS)

Notice Date

November 2, 2001

Contracting Office

U.S. Army Robert Morris Acquisition Center Natick, ATTN: AMSSB-ACN, Natick, MA 01760-5011

ZIP Code

01760-5011

Solicitation Number

W91A2KFCS

Response Due

December 3, 2001

Point of Contact

Dan Shedd (508) 233-5079; Richard Benney (508) 233-5835

E-Mail Address

click here for POC (Daniel.Shedd@natick.army.mil; Richard.Benney@natick.army.mil)

Description

The US Army Soldier Biological and Chemical Command, Soldier Systems Center (SBCCOM-SSC) in Natick, MA, is conducting a market survey for technical information on methods to safely and reliably airdrop the Future Combat System (FCS). This market survey is meant to locate potential sources for such an airdrop system. The desired characteristics, in order of importance, for such a system are as follows: (1) high reliability, greater than the current cargo airdrop standard of 95% reliability with 90% confidence and possibly approaching the reliability of airborne personnel systems, (2) a system payload capacity range of 20,000 to 42,000 pounds, (3) operational from altitudes of up to 25,000 ft MSL, (4) impact velocity less than current cargo airdrop systems, (5) expected landing accuracy of 100-200 meter circular error probable (CEP), (6) cost-effective fabrication or maintenance concept to keep system costs low on a cost/pound of payload delivered basis, (7) capable of up to a 30 km aircraft to drop zone offset, (8) provide a rapid derigging capability on the battlefield. Additional information regarding the FCS can be found at http://www.darpa.mil/fcs/index.html. The science and technology effort in the area of applied research and experimental development being considered is on the order of $1.5M-$2M per year for five years. Proprietary information will not be disclosed outside the U.S. Government. All interested firms, regardless of size are encouraged to respond to this request for information. It should be noted that this is a market survey not a pre-solicitation notice. A pre-solicitation notice will be published if a formal solicitation is generated. No awards will result from this market survey. Nothing shall be construed herein or through the market survey process to commit or obligate the Government to further action as a result of this market survey. Firms responding to this market survey shall bear all risk and expense of any resources used to provide the requested information, and all information submitted in response to this request shall become the property of the Government and will not be returned to the submitter. Respondents must submit their product brochures, technical data, or other information concerning performance and cost within 30 days of this publication. Responses may be sent via email to Daniel.Shedd@natick.army.mil or by regular mail to US Army SBCCOM, Natick Soldier Center, AMSSB-RAD-AT(N) (ATTN: Dan Shedd), Kansas Street, Natick, MA, 01760, Telephone (508) 233-5079, Fax (508) 233-5000. An alternative point of contact (POC) is Richard Benney, Richard.Benney@natick.army.mil, (508) 233-5835. No solicitation document exists at this time. This market survey is for information and planning purposes only. This is not an Invitation for Bid (IFB) or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not to be taken as a commitment by SBCCOM-SSC. See Note 25.

Web Link

click here for additional information regarding the (http://www.darpa.mil/fcs/index.html)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20011106/16SOL014.HTM (W-306 SN5121J2)