A -- High Altitude Airship - Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration

The Department of Defense (DoD) has identified a requirement for the design and production of a Lighter than Air, High Altitude Airship Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration prototype (HAA-ACTD). The objective of this ACTD is to demonstrate the engineering feasibility and potential military utility of an unmanned, un-tethered, gas filled, solar powered airship that can fly at 70,000 ft. The prototype airship developed under this effort will be capable of continuous flight for up to one month while carrying a multi-mission payload. This ACTD is intended as a developmental step toward an objective HAA that can self deploy from the continental United States to worldwide locations. This notice is being sent to solicit industry interest in the aforementioned requirement. A competitive Other Transaction (Prototype) cost-sharing procurement is contemplated by the Government. Interested parties desiring consideration in this competitive effort are required to state their interest in writing and address each of the four Pre-Qualification Criteria listed below. The purpose of the pre-qualification capability review is to preclude unwarranted efforts on the part of the offeror whose work is not of interest to the Government. Pre-Qualification responses should include information identifying the company, point-of-contact, corporate capabilities and experience in relation to the following specific Pre-Qualification criteria: (1) Prime (Team Lead) must be a United States Corporation; (2) Demonstration of Relevant Experience with Lighter Than Air (LTA) vehicles or programs which operate above 60,000 feet; (3) Corporate Experience with Advanced Technology Integration Projects; and (4) Past Performance References (Government or commercial) for this type of work within the last 5 years. All experience submitted must be relevant. The Government will not pay for any materials provided in response to this notice. All respondents will receive notification of the results of the pre-qualification capability review on or about October 10, 2002. Those respondents deemed best qualified based on their response to the pre-qualification criteria listed above will be invited to participate in an Industry Day at which time they will receive a Draft Request for Proposal currently scheduled for release on or about October 15, 2002. Responses to this notice must be received on or before October 2, 2002, electronically to the point of contact(s) listed below or via mail to Missile Defense Agency, Attn: MDA/CTI- Joy Smith, 7100 Defense Pentagon, Washington DC 20301-7100. Pre-qualification responses are limited to ten (10) pages. Any responses received after October 2, 2002 will be considered late and therefore will not be considered.