Digital Data Link Upgrade for Raven-B Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SUAV)

This is a notice of intent to award a sole source contract. The notice is to announce the revision of the contract maximum amount on the Raven-B Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SUAV) spares contract supporting the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). This contract was awarded to AeroVironment Inc. in August 2008 as a Sole Source Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract with an anticipated period of performance through August 2011. The basis for this sole source action was FAR 6.302-1(b)(1), Only one Responsible source, as the Government does not own rights to the data needed to manufacture the required spare parts. This action was synopsized and no other company indicated the capability to manufacture the required spares. At time of award, the contract maximum for the three year period was $3,000,000. An engineering design modification to integrate a Digital Data Link (DDL) configuration change has generated the need for an adjustment to the contract maximum. To facilitate integration of the DDL into multiple spares contract line items and to obtain DDL retrofit kits, it is necessary to increase the contract maximum from $3M to $10M. The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is NOT a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received within forty-five days after date of publication of this notice will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract action based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.