The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Patuxent River, Maryland, in conjunction with the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) has a requirement to field a Rapid Deployment Capability (RDC) Weaponization Program for the MQ-8B Fire Scout Verticle Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicle (VTUAV). The Government will act as the Lead System Integrator (LSI) for the RDC. The contractor shall perform the engineering, manufacturing and data development tasks required to integrate the Government selected weapon, launchers, and Stores Management System(SMS) onto the MQ-8B. NAVAIR intends to award a sole source contract to Northrup Grumman Systems Corporation (NGSC) located at 17066 Golden Top Road, San Diego, California 92127-2412.  NGSC is the original designer, developer and manufacturer of the Fire Scout air vehicle.  NGSC is the sole integrator for any of the modular payloads for use on the air vehicle.  NGSC has designed and developed the key interfaces that enable payload integration onto the production air vehicle.  

The required Weapons System will consist of the SMS, release and suspension equipment or carriage stores, and the interfaces into the VTUAV. The Weapon System will be integrated into the Fire Scout and the control station, flight tested, and operationally and technically evaulated. The work to be performed by the contractor shall consist of providing personnel, materials, services, facilities, logistic support, data and management required to design, develop, fabricate, test, document, deliver, and support the equipment defined by the VTUAV Weapon Specification, document PMA-266 Weaponization.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals.  However, if there is a contractor who feels that they can meet this requirement, they can submit their information package to the Contracting Officer within 15 days of this notice.  A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed  contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discreation of the Government.  Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitve competitve procurement.