Uncrewed Aerial Systems Fleet Management Software

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

The solicitation number for this requirement is 9531BM24Q0020. This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotations (RFQ).

The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-06.

This requirement is issued as unrestricted. The associated NAICS code is 513210, “Software Publishers”. The size standard is $47M.

Background
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is a federal agency mandated by Congress to investigate all aviation accidents and selected accidents/incidents in other modes of transportation and report the results of those investigations.

The agency’s mission is primarily accomplished through the investigation of transportation accidents. The NTSB employs unique investigative techniques that include the use of emerging technologies such as small uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to conduct the following:

A.  Accident site documentation of transportation related accidents.

B.  Aerial photography/videography of transportation accident sites.

C.  Mapping and photogrammetry of transportation accident sites.

Until recently, the NTSB has been operating the UAS program under a proof of concept with limited flight crew and resources. Operating a fleet of only five aircraft, four active crew, and a program lead (system administrator), all documentation of fleet assets and personnel has been done manually using rudimentary spreadsheets and database tools. This archaic and inefficient paper documentation process places the agency at risk in properly maintaining a robust safety management system (SMS) required of all federal flight programs.

The NTSB currently has no centralized system for the tracking and management of fleet assets, flight information, and flight crew training, qualification, and proficiency records. All aircraft assets and program administration must be authenticated and stored securely, safely, and dependably. By providing centralized management of aircraft and crew, the NTSB will improve internal operating efficiencies in conducting mission and support activities, as well as responses to related FOIA requests.

The NTSB has recently commissioned the UAS Flight Operations Program, procuring additional aircraft, contracting for a dedicated training site, and approving additional training and resources. The program’s growth has more than doubled its aircraft assets from 5 to 12 and is tripling its personnel from 5 to 15. This growth requires a robust and secure fleet management solution.

Implementation of a solution for both aircraft and program management will serve to improve the effectiveness and integrity of NTSB investigations. We seek a cloud based, Software as a Service (SaaS) or Platform as a Service ( PaaS)Tea solution that provides our investigators an efficient and accurate means of UAS fleet management and workflow process management through the use of automation, integrated accountability mechanisms and real time data analysis.

Description of Requirement
The NTSB has a requirement for:

Line Item Number 0001: Quantity: 1 YEAR, Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) UAS Fleet Management Software. Period of Performance: Base Year.
 

Line Item Number 0002: Quantity: 1 YEAR, Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) UAS Fleet Management Software. Period of Performance: Option Year 1.

Line Item Number 0003: Quantity: 1 YEAR, Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) UAS Fleet Management Software. Period of Performance: Option Year 2.

Line Item Number 0004: Quantity: 1 YEAR, Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) UAS Fleet Management Software. Period of Performance: Option Year 3.

Line Item Number 0005: Quantity: 1 YEAR, Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) UAS Fleet Management Software. Period of Performance: Option Year 4.

Review the attached RFQ document which is attached hereto and incorporated herein for a detailed description of the requirement.

Basis for Award
Review Sections L – Quote Instructions and M- Evaluation Factors for Award.

All responsible sources may submit a quotation to be considered by the NTSB.

Review Attachment 1 which is attached hereto and incorporated herein for a detailed description of the requirement and for quote instructions.

Clauses and Provisions

Review the attached RFQ document which is attached hereto and incorporated herein to review the applicable clauses and provisions of this requirement.

Submission of Quotations
Your quotation must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), on September 20, 2024. LATE QUOTATIONS MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED in accordance with FAR provision 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items.

Quotes may be transmitted via email to:

P. Matt Hazlinsky
Email: matt.hazlinsky@ntsb.gov

The maximum size of an email, including attachments, which the NTSB email server can accept is 35 megabytes (MB). Therefore, the Contractor may choose to send their quotation in separate emails, if the combined file size of any email received by the NTSB email server will exceed 35MB. Contractors are encouraged to remove excess graphics from their quotations to ensure quotations remain under the file size limit. It is the Contractor's responsibility to ensure that the designated point of contact has received your quotation at the email address of the contact specified above by the quotation due date.

Questions Regarding the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
All questions regarding this combined synopsis/solicitation shall be directed to P. Matt Hazlinsky via email at matt.hazlinsky@ntsb.gov. ALL QUESTIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 4:00 p.m. EST on September 16, 2024.

Electronic Dissemination of Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
Access to this RFP and amendments will be posted on the Contracting Opportunities website https://sam.gov/content/opportunities. Amendments to the combined synopsis/solicitation shall be publicized in the same manner as the initial synopsis/solicitation. All Contractors are cautioned that it is your responsibility to frequently check back to the website to ensure that you have received all issued amendments.