Photo courtesy of Scott Ekersley via Unsplash.
The Army is looking for off-the-shelf technology able to produce real-time maps of tunnels where GPS signals cannot be counted on to provide location data.
The mapping solution needs to be mountable on an unmanned aerial system (UAS) or unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) or useable as a man-portable system. It has to be able to produce at least a 2-D map in a GPS-denied environment though a 3-D map would be preferred.
The Army Contracting Command (MICC) is asking for information by May 15 from potential suppliers that have systems available at technology readiness levels of 6 level or higher. Specifically the system has to have been validatedfor the task by testing either a representative sample or a prototype in a relevant environment.
At a minimum the mapping system needs to be compatible with Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK), but the Army would like one that functions with a commercially available end-user device. Though the map can be produced with post-processing for viewing at a later time the Army would favor devices able to do on-board processing for immediate viewing.
The current request is for information only. The government made it clear in its Request For Information (RFI) on Fed Biz Ops that it would not choose a vendor based on the RFI. They also said, however, that officials “may initiate select vendors to demonstrate their technologies.” Any such demonstrations would be at the vendors’ own expense.
The solicitation number is REF02FY19 at the Federal Business Opportunities website (FedBizOpps) at FBO.gov. The response deadline is May 15, 2019.
