Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Invites Industry Feedback On Small UAS Draft Request For Proposal

March 29, 2017

The Coast Guard on March 28, released a draft request for proposal (RFP) for procurement of small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) capability for the national security cutters (NSCs). To help the service further define its sUAS procurement strategy, industry sources are invited to submit questions, comments and feedback not later than May 15, 2017, at 1 p.m. Eastern time. The draft RFP is available here.

The Coast Guard is pursuing sUAS to deliver an effective, low-cost solution to enhance the NSC’s aerial surveillance capabilities and to provide the cutters with a persistent, tactical airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability that can remain airborne for extended periods. The service deployed sUAS capability on Coast Guard Cutter Stratton – an NSC based in Alameda, California – earlier this year and is using the data gathered to refine the concept of operations and requirements for installing and integrating future systems across the NSC class.

The final RFP is planned for release by the end of fiscal year 2017. The contract award for the retrofit of Stratton and one additional NSC is targeted for fiscal year 2018.

For more information: Unmanned Aircraft Systems program page