1. Introduction
This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and includes questions that the United States Government (USG) may use to understand current Industry capabilities to deliver:
1) A SM Group 3 sUAS capable of providing C2/DR services to a sUAS swarm in a contested environment.
2) A SM Group 3 sUAS to provide EW capabilities in a contested environment.
This RFI seeks responses specifically for:
1) SM Group 3 sUAS currently integrated with a C2/DR or EW payload
2) SM Group 3 sUAS that are ready to integrate a C2/DR or EW payload and deliver a complete SM Group 3 C2/DR or EW solution within 24-36 months of this RFI
3) C2/DR and EW payloads - Low Size, Weight, and Power and Cost (SWAP-C) technologies that can be integrated as a payload into the Group 3 SM sUAS to enable C2/DR capabilities for a Group 2 swarm or provide EW capabilities in a contested environment.
The fielding of these capabilities is expected to begin within 24 – 36 months of this RFI.
This is NOT a request for quotations or proposals or a promise to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quote (RFQ) in the future and does not commit the USG to contract for the supplies/services contained herein. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201 (e), USG will not accept responses to this notice as offers to form a binding contract. USG will not reimburse costs incurred by Respondents in response to this RFI or for participating in information exchange regarding details of the RFI. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on USG. Any information submitted in response to this RFI is voluntary. Respondents must clearly mark any proprietary information and trade secrets on all submitted materials. USG will not share vendor proprietary information with the public. USG hereby notifies Respondents that (a) USG may disclose submitted information to support Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contractors supporting this program, (b) submission of information in response to this RFI constitutes consent to such handling and disclosure of submitted information to those parties, and (c) USG will handle such proprietary information in a manner consistent with applicable federal law. Please be advised that all submissions become USG property, and USG will not return submissions to Respondents. USG advises Respondents that USG is under no obligation to provide feedback to Respondents with respect to any information submitted.
USG may meet with Industry partners in a 1:1 setting during market research. USG may decide to hold 1:1 sessions with Industry partners based on responses to this RFI. Additional opportunities for Industry partners to request 1:1 sessions may be shared at a later date.
The U.S. Air Force Offensive sUAS SPO (hereinafter referred to as “the SPO”) may share any information submitted in response to this RFI with current and future contractor support personnel involved with this program. All USG and contractor personnel reviewing submitted responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described in 41 U.S. Code (USC) 423.
2. Synopsis
The SPO is performing market research to determine Industry’s ability to provide, within the next 24 – 36 months, C2/DR and EW capabilities from a SM Group 3 sUAS. Industry responses will inform the SPO on the market availability and diversity of Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) compliant, high Technological Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) solutions to fulfill AFSOC requirements.
Responses may inform the potential development of an initial acquisition approach, corresponding RFP, statements of work, and possible future contract actions; therefore, feedback from industry is critical to formulating the best possible approach.
To ensure that USG casts the widest possible net—for both familiar as well as new technologies—the SPO’s strategy development process will include significant outreach and engagement with industry. The SPO encourages non-traditional performers and innovators with relevant capabilities and technology to participate in this process. USG is interested in all solution sets, particularly those from entities that may offer novel or unconventional approaches that may be capable of meeting the operational requirements outlined in each RFI. USG may ask for additional clarification on RFI responses. USG will provide detailed instructions in correspondence outlining any follow-up questions. USG will use the data gathered through this RFI process to inform USG acquisition strategies for initial and future capabilities and other efforts requiring Offensive sUAS, which may lead to contract awards.
This RFI informs the initial SM Group 3 C2/DR and EW capabilities that USG will field in 24 – 36 months. There is an expectation to field additional platforms beyond the initial effort. Should USG field initial operational systems, conceivable upgrade cycles could follow regularly. USG may replace any component or integrator during such cycles to maximize operational capabilities with best-in-class technologies.
The SPO will use this RFI to understand the readiness of existing platforms and better equip USG to identify potential candidate technologies for initial SM Group 3 C2/DR and EW acquisition. Vendors who do not participate in the initial fielding may still have opportunities for future involvement.
3. Objective
This RFI is for market research purposes only and aims to obtain information from vendors that are interested and capable of delivering a signature managed Group 3 sUAS to carry an integrated C2/DR or EW payload (i.e. platforms with currently integrated payload solutions or platforms that are readily able to integrate the desired payload) and/or enabling technological solutions for C2/DR and EW (including but not limited to: radios, datalinks, processors, computing on the edge, alternate navigation, etc.) that can be integrated onto a Group 3 sUAS within 36 months. Certain USG desired attributes and performance parameters for the SM Group 3 platforms are considered Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). These attributes and parameters are available to interested vendors via the controlled access feature within SAM.gov. The CUI information is not necessary to complete Attachment A. However, USG recommends that vendors not submit a response to this RFI until assessing the feasibility and potential applicability of their solution based on USG’s desired attributes and parameters. USG is specifically seeking technology synopses for high TRL/MRL solutions that are air-deployable and meet both the payload capacity and range provided in the CUI document. The CUI document attached to this RFI is restricted and can only be downloaded by authorized parties. Interested vendors are responsible for requesting access and following all required procedures to obtain access.
Instructions from the Federal Service Desk to request access to restricted documents are found in article KB0017590, "How do I request access to a restricted attachment on a Contract Opportunity..." at: https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=gsafsd_kb_articles&sys_id=e56fc56c87d5cad05babba69cebb3519
The Federal Service Desk may also be reached at (866) 606-8220 Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET.
Vendor responses to this RFI will provide a view of readily available and developing solutions expected to reach maturity in time to fulfill the targeted initial fielding date (within 36 months). USG will analyze responses to understand the current market landscape and help determine the prioritization efforts and current technology gaps requiring further industry investment. Any solutions that vendors design and put forward in response to this RFI must be in accordance with low SWAP-C and MOSA principles for future integration.
USG encourages vendors use Attachment B to provide a synopsis of the solution, an understanding of its technical specifications and benefits, preliminary assessments of how the solution meets or contributes to the capabilities sought, and a summary of costs related to the solution (Please reference Attachment B for additional detail/instructions).
4. Responses
Respondents should submit documents to ONLY the USG organizational email address provided below. USG representatives will not be taking telephone inquiries on this RFI. Please ensure the subject of the RFI submission reads as follows: “Signature Managed Group 3 Technology RFI Submission – Company Name”. Submit via email to:
USAFOffensiveSmallUAS@groups.af.mil
As described in the introduction above, USG may use the information provided to form USG’s acquisition strategy, which USG may present in a public forum. Failure to appropriately mark document rights is the responsibility of the vendor and USG holds the right to replicate and duplicate the material provided, as needed. Attachment A shall not contain classified information. Submit Attachment A to the USG organizational email address above through DoD SAFE or an encrypted email. If you do not have access to DoD SAFE or an encrypted email, please contact the Contracting Officer below for additional submission instructions.
Attachment B may contain classified information, but Respondents must complete Attachment A to submit Attachment B. If Attachment B contains classified information, Attachment B must be submitted via SIPR email to the USG representatives outlined below.
a. Security: William McCoy, william.h.mccoy4.civ@mail.smil.mil
b. Program Office Representatives:
i. Joshua Carroll, joshua.d.carroll12.civ@mail.smil.mil
ii. Timothy Huddleston, timothy.a.huddleston2.civ@mail.smil.mil
iii. Kathryn Holder, kathryn.i.holder.civ@mail.smil.mil
Note that Respondents must have SIPRNet access to submit classified documents via email. Please ensure the subject of the email reads as follows: “Signature Managed Group 3 Technology RFI Submission – Company Name”. Respondents should make note in the email containing Attachment A that Attachment B is being submitted via SIPRNet. If a respondent does not have SIPRNet access, they may mail Attachment B from a cleared facility to the below address. If sent via mail, all Respondents should ensure they have the ability to confirm USG receipt of Attachment B. Attachment A should still be sent via DoD SAFE or encrypted email to the USG representatives noted above. Respondents should make note in the email containing Attachment A that Attachment B is being submitted via a physical classified package. Tracking information for that package must be included in the Attachment A email.
The package should be addressed as below:
Outer Wrapper:
2530 Loop Road West
AFLCMC/WIS
Wright-Patterson AFB 45433
Inner Wrapper:
Attn William H. McCoy
2530 Loop Road West
AFLCMC/WIS
Wright-Patterson AFB 45433
RFI responses (Attachment A and B) are due no later than 1700 EST on January 17, 2025.
USG requests Respondents complete the following documents as part of their submission:
a. Attachment A: SM Group 3 RFI Response Spreadsheet
i. Format: Excel file
ii. Due date: January 17, 2025
iii. Status: Required
iv. Instructions: Please follow all instructions noted within the Cover Sheet Tab of Attachment A. Submit via DoD SAFE or encrypted email.
b. Attachment B: SM Group 3 Technology Synopsis
i. Format: Word Document
ii. Final document due: January 17, 2025
iii. Status: Optional
iv. Instructions: Please follow all instructions noted within Attachment B. For Unclassified and CUI documents, submit via
DoD SAFE or encrypted email. Classified documents should be submitted as described above.
USG may request additional details related to one or more parts of the RFI responses. In correspondence, USG will provide detailed instructions outlining any follow-up questions.
5. Questions
If you have any specific questions (relating to the above-referenced information only), please submit them in written format to the Contracting Officers, Maj. Matthew Bublitz, matthew.bublitz@us.af.mil and Ms. Marissa Greenleaf, marissa.greenleaf@us.af.mil
