The U.S. Army has posted a Market Survey request for the Engineering Squad Robot (ESR) to its PROCNET at http://contracting.tacom.army.mil/ssn/sources.htm. The survey is listed under Open Notices and Surveys with Deborah Hough as the Point of Contact. Two documents are available for downloading; a Microsoft Word document containing the survey document, and a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet containing the schedule, capability requirements, interoperability specifications, and information assurance requirements. All interested companies are invited to participate in the survey.
The ESR will be a rugged robotic system weighing less than 20 lbs. threshold (T), 15 lbs objective (O), consisting of a robotic operator control interface, a robotic chassis platform with video capability, digital communications/audio relay modules that are adaptable to advanced sensors or mission modules, and the power supply. The ESR should possess Plug-N-Play capabilities with open software architectures allowing different payloads or modules that will enable a trained operator to remotely detect by visual or other sensors, and to confirm, mark, and neutralize Explosive Ordnances (EO). Furthermore, it may also be used for lane proofing and other combat engineer specific tasks, as well as providing support to infantry and military police operations such as urban reconnaissance. In a reconnaissance role, the ESR should detect, locate, identify, and support targeting of enemy forces. Future roles for the ESR will employ modules for other specific tasks as needed such as chemical hazard and contraband detection. The ESR should have a manipulating arm to provide increased capabilities to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) in complex and urban terrain including confined areas and subterranean environments (i.e., buildings, bunkers, tunnels, sewers, caves, culverts, ditches, behind guardrails, and around bridge abutments).
The purpose of this market survey is to solicit feedback from industry and potential offerors in regards to the Engineering Squad Robot (ESR) program. The Government is drafting cost, schedule and performance requirements for a future formal Request for Proposal (RFP); this market survey is part of the requirements development and program planning effort. From this market survey, the Government intends to 1)Gauge industry interest in both attending a future industry day and offering future proposals for this program; 2) Understand whether there are any potential commercial products that may meet this requirement and 3) Gain voluntary feedback and analysis from industry to advise the Government on technical feasibility, technology readiness levels, and cost and schedule realism, as well as any other feedback desired by industry, of the draft requirements contained therein.
Interested companies should contact Deborah Hough, the listed Point of Contact for more information. The NCMS Point of Contact is Tony Haynes (734) 995-4930, tonyh@ncms.org.
