A -- Pioneer Improvement Program

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) plans to award a sole source contract to Pioneer UAV, Inc. (PUI), Hunt Valley, MD to develop mobility enhancements for the Pioneer Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV); complete a Pioneer system study which will include an air vehicle detailed design study with improved payload and TCDL; submit an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP), based on the design study, to implement the proposed mobility enhancements and air vehicle designs; deliver two Air Vehicle Engineering Development Units in accordance with the ECP to include the TCDL installation for test; design modifications to the Tactical UAV GCS, integrate Pioneer control software, perform system test and provide logistics support. Additionally, the contractor will be required to develop a Portable Ground Control Station design for the Pioneer UAV System. Mobility enhancements consist of modifications to the existing launcher, trailers and manpack receiving stations to improve operational flexibility and reduce weight and volume. The contractor for this acquisition will be required to have significant interaction with the contractor tasked to develop and test the Tactical Control System software for the Pioneer Ground Control Station. Tasks for this acquisition require detailed knowledge of the Pioneer System design and operating characteristics since production drawings are not available. Accordingly, as the designer, developer and sole manufacturer of the Pioneer UAV, PUI is the only firm with the unique knowledge, experience, technical expertise, and understanding of the Pioneer design and system architecture. Award to any one other than PUI would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government and unacceptable delays in fulfilling the Navy's requirements. The estimated period of performance for this acquisition is March 2003 to February 2005. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. Responses to this notice can be sent via email directly to [email protected].