Sources Sought: RFID Technology for Tool Retention
NCMS is assisting the U.S. Navy in seeking industry with innovative technology that could assist with the following unmet need.
- PROBLEM STATEMENT:
DOD maintenance facilities are immense, often encompassing over 100 acres with over 10,000 pieces of equipment utilized to repair, modernize, and sustain critical weapons systems. The task of keeping track of all those assets is considerable and typically completed by personnel conducting a visual inventory that can take three to four weeks.
Inventory management methods are largely labor-centric causing increased costs in ordering, handling, and wasting.
For the U.S. Navy, lost tools during aircraft servicing events and maintenance actions, result in increased man-hours, tool replacement costs, and aircraft non-availability until the tools are located or adjudicated.
- SOLUTIONS SOUGHT:
Setup and deploy a fixed and/or flexible radio frequency identification system (RFID) in an aircraft hangar, maintenance shop, or flight-line location for real-time tracking locating tools during high optempo selected maintenance events. Use a combination of passive, active, GPS, or other RFID technology (such as a system that utilizes the Internet of Things to interconnect an ever-increasing number of sensors and data streams applicable to various sizes) to track and locate missing tools. Tags need to fit a range of tools from small hand-held to larger semi-automated tools.
- RESPONSES:
Responses to Sources Sought need to provide the following:
Background of capability development
- Examples of where the capability is currently used if any
- A corporate presentation including engineering, manufacturing, and testing capabilities
- Cost Summary Form
Interested parties should complete the following form on or before Monday, December 7. All questions and/or inquiries can be addressed to opportunities@ncms.org
The submission period has closed.