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Program Manager (PM) Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) Dismounted Counter small Unmanned Aircraft System (CsUAS) 1.0 Introduction The United States Marine Corps (USMC) Program Executive Officer Land Sys... Program Manager (PM) Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) Dismounted Counter small Unmanned Aircraft System (CsUAS) 1.0 Introduction The United States Marine Corps (USMC) Program Executive Officer Land Systems (PEO LS), Program Manager (PM) for Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) provides capabilities to effectively and efficiently destroy or negate threat manned and unmanned aircraft in support of the Marine Air/Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Commander’s Scheme of Maneuver (SOM) and designated defended assets. 1.1 Purpose The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to solicit potential solutions from industry on Dismounted Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (CUAS) systems to support “every” Marines’ ability to conduct self-defense against threat Groups 1 and 2 small UAS (sUAS). Vendors are requested to submit white papers for capabilities that meet the requirements listed below. Mature capabilities that exhibit the potential to meet these requirements may be invited to an Industry Day in September 2024 at Marine Corp Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California for a demonstration against live targets. This information will help identify potential solutions for an emerging urgent requirement. Update: The Industry Day at Marine Corp Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California will be 26 October 2024 - 1 November 2024. We will notify selected participants no later than 6 September 2024. Update: All vendors who are invited to the demonstration have been notified. The requirement may include the following: training, integration, testing, production, and maintenance support. This RFI constitutes market research in accordance with FAR Part 10 and is not an RFP. The USMC is issuing this RFI, in support of PEO LS, to determine what vendor(s) have the capability to provide the support described herein. 1.2 Program Background With the proliferation of UAS as a threat on the modern battlefield, Marines require the ability to maintain awareness of friendly UAS and conduct self-defense against threat UAS. Every unit down to the individual Marine, regardless of geographic location on the battlefield, is vulnerable to reconnaissance and, more dangerously, attack from threat sUAS. To facilitate freedom of movement, Marines require the ability to conduct self-defense against the threat. This has been proven through multiple Department of Defense (DoD) experiments, training exercises, and has been proven during real-world operations. Each phase of the kill-chain requires a different component making dismounted CsUAS more difficult in terms of Size, Weight and Power (SWaP). The dismounted CsUAS capability will be employed and support all elements of the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), not just professional air defenders. The dismounted CsUAS solution will need to be easy-to-use, easy-to-train, light-weight and use systems currently organic to the Marine Corps to the maximum extent possible. The Joint CsUAS Office (JCO) has identified dismounted CsUAS capabilities as a vulnerability to the Joint force. The Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL) identified the need for dismounted CsUAS throughout multiple experiments. Additionally, Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group (TTECG), Infantry Officer Course (IOC), both Schools of Infantry (SOI), and other units continue to fly threat UAS against Marine units during field exercises and training events. Each experiment and training exercise shows Marines are vulnerable to threat UAS and require the ability to defend themselves from the threat. Without a CsUAS capability to employ at lower echelons in an integrated and layered defense, every unit and every Marine will be vulnerable to reconnaissance and attack from threat UAS, risking mission success and loss of life. 1.3 Initial Concept – **Subject to change based off proposed solutions** The Marine Corps seeks to identify capabilities for the Squad and Platoon organizations across the MAGTF that are capable of detecting, tracking, identifying and defeating Group 1 and Group 2 UAS. The Squad-level solutions need to be carried by dismounted Marines with little to no impact on their primary mission. The Platoon-level solutions may be transported in light tactical vehicles, assembled without the use of material handling equipment and operate on battery power. The solutions may include capabilities described below: Detect / Track / Identify: Squad level. Passive detection system that can detect UAS using acoustic or radio frequency (RF) detection. Sensor should be body worn with limited impact on primary mission equipment. Components may include a Handheld tablet, bracelet, earpiece, and/or glasses that receives alerts, warnings, notifications from an external sensor(s) (i.e. radars and/or passive detection systems). Platoon level. Passive detection system that can detect UAS using acoustic or radio frequency detection. Sensor can be vehicle, mast or tripod mounted. Components may also include a handheld tablet, bracelet, earpiece, and/or glasses that receives alerts, warnings, notifications from an external sensor(s) (i.e. radars and/or passive detection systems). Defeat Squad level. Non-kinetic – Directional RF and/or Global Positioning System (GPS) jammer, ideally able to mount on organic rifle. Kinetic – A rifle / rifle optic capable of tracking and defeating small UAS. Enhanced ammunition for existing firearms (buckshot-like 5.56, 7.62, .50, .40mm). Platoon level. Non-kinetic – Omni-directional RF/GPS jammer and/or spoofer. Kinetic – A rifle / rifle optic capable of tracking and defeating small UAS. Enhanced ammunition for existing firearms (buckshot-like 5.56, 7.62, .50, .40mm). 1.4 Physical Properties – In addition to describing the capabilities of their systems, vendors should describe in their white paper the following attributes of their proposed system. Mechanical Design Total dimensions of the major system components and subcomponents Total weight of the system with a breakdown of the total weight by major system components and subcomponents Operating and peak power draw for operation Radio frequencies and power emitted. Ability to modify system (hardware and software) to integrate with other subsystems (C2, sensors, etc.) Identify the percentage of the system or its components are sourced from a non-US entity and identify the country of origin. Method used for attaching to rifle (if required) Ammunition required for kinetic defeat Environmental Design Ability to effectively operate in all weather conditions, including but not limited to: day, night, rain, snow, high heat, high humidity, blowing sand and dust. Identify if environmental testing has been conducted on the system and which Laboratory Test Methods in MIL-STD-810F the component meets. Provide the Name, Date, Report Number (Document ID) and Testing Agency that completed testing on the component. Identify whether the component meets Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) requirements per MIL-STD-461G or provide the MIL-STD-461 version and test limits if tested with an earlier version of MIL-STD-461. Provide the Name, Date, Report Number (Document ID) and Testing Agency that completed the EMI Test Methods on the component. Interoperability Identify any Standards that the system utilizes for interfacing with other systems (e.g. industry standards such as Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) or Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) or military standards). Performance Describe the demonstrated ability to detect Group 1-2 UAS targets. Describe the demonstrated ability to kinetically defeat Group 1-2 UAS targets. Describe the demonstrated ability to non-kinetically defeat Group 1-2 UAS targets. Logistics Describe the Reliability, Availability and Maintainability (RAM) metrics and preventative maintenance schedules. Describe the maintenance concept for the system. Describe the transport configuration of the system and any special containers provided with the system. Identify if troubleshooting and diagnostic documentation and support considerations, including built-in-test (BIT) and self-diagnostic capabilities are available. Identify and special tools that are required for on-site maintenance. Describe any user training that is available. Identify spare parts kits for commonly damaged or high failure rate items, if applicable. Identify any design documentation for the 3D printing of commonly damaged parts. Identify any batteries internal to the system. Identify warrantied Items. Identify any components that contain materials listed in NAS411-1 Hazardous Materials Target List (HMTL) rev2 (30-Sep-2020). Safety Status of Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance Safety Program and MIL-STD-464 Electromagnetic Environmental Effects. Status of Naval Lithium Battery Safety Certification IAW NAVSEAINST 9310.1C. Procurement Rough Order of Magnitude that provides the cost or projected cost per system. Availability on hand (quantity). Production Capacity (timeline to produce and quantity per month). Alternative interim concepts to increase delivery of capability to the Marines. Cybersecurity Identify any Cyber critical sub-components and any NSA level encryption devices. 2.0 Responses: Vendors possessing the requisite skills, resources, and capabilities necessary to perform the stated requirements are invited to respond to this RFI via an electronic submission of not more than twenty (20) pages in length when printed single-sided on 8 ½ x 11 in paper using 12 point font and single spaced. All electronic documents must be in either Microsoft Word 2016 or later format (.docx) or Adobe Portable Document Format (.pdf). All responses should include the following information: (1) Name and address of applicant/company (Corporate/Principal Office) (2) Name, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address of point of contact (3) General Service Administration (GSA) contract number (if applicable) (4) CAGE Code and DUNS Number (5) Business Size (under NAICS 336414, Guided missile, complete, assembling) (6) Relevant Past Performance (7) Recommendations to improve the Marine Corps’ approach to this requirement. (8) State whether the Company has a Secret Facility Clearance and Secret Safeguarding. (9) State the potential small business subcontracting opportunities in regards to type of work for this requirement provided for by small businesses, the type of small business (small business (SB), veteran-owned small business (VOSB), service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB), historically underutilized business zone (HUBZone) small business, small disadvantaged business (SDB), and women-owned small business (WOSB) concerns) involved, the significance of the effort to the requirement and the percentage of total potential effort being able to be provided to those types of small businesses. (10) Identify whether your product is a commercial item in accordance with the definitions in FAR 2.101. In addition, your response must address DFARS PGI 212.102(a). (11) Data Right Assertions: The Government anticipates that the source for the development of all the technical data, training material and software deliverables, including all components of same, would be Government funding under a contract effort, with the result that the Government will receive unlimited rights in all such deliverables. Please provide any known information on the potential solution that does not meet this expectation. (12) Any additional information regarding the solution or recommended approaches that would enhance the Government’s knowledge of this existing solutions and potential acquisition procedures. (13) Capabilities to meet the performance criteria stated in Sections 1.3 and 1.4. Please be advised that any proprietary information must be marked as such on a page-by-page and paragraph by paragraph basis. The Government will not assume that any of the information provided by a respondent is proprietary unless it is conspicuously marked on this basis. Moreover, the Government does not assume any duty to contact a respondent and inquire whether any unmarked information submitted in response to this RFI is proprietary. The Government is only seeking sources/information for market research to determine the availability of commercial capabilities in the described areas. Acknowledgement of receipt will not be made. Availability of any formal solicitation will be announced separately. Submittals will not be returned to the sender. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. It is the contractor’s responsibility to check SAM (https://sam.gov/) to get additional data. This RFI does NOT constitute an RFP nor a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. Further, the Government is not seeking proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Contractors are advised the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Government has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed and the release of this RFI should not be construed as a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Responses shall be submitted via e-mail to Katie Presutto at katherine.presutto@usmc.mil and Stasia Baker at stasia.baker@usmc.mil, no later than 1700 Eastern Time on 2 August 2024. Telephone replies will not be accepted. 2.1 Questions Questions or comments regarding this notice may be addressed to katherine.presutto@usmc.mil and stasia.baker@usmc.mil. The Government intends to respond to as many questions as practicable and will respond to questions via an amendment to this RFI posted to SAM so that all interested parties will benefit from the same information. All interested parties are encouraged to register on the SAM website to receive email notifications when information related to this acquisition is updated, or documents related to this acquisition are issued and available for download. The Government requests that all interested parties ensure that they are listed on the "Interested Vendors List" in SAM. As a rule, the Government will not send notifications directly to interested offeror(s), and it is recommended that the interested offeror(s) periodically check this website for updates.