Navy issues presolicitation for maritime R&D

The Navy is seeking research and development proposals for systems that could improve maritime awareness.

In a March 26 broad agency announcement, the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) invites contractors to submit cost and technical proposals for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) technologies that could be applied to maritime operations.

Officials are interested in concepts that support networking of platform systems that can provide robust anti-submarine warfare, C4ISR capabilities, and port and harbor surveillance.

Specifically, the Navy is interested in proposals of multiple mechanical and ocean engineering concepts for automated deployment, recovery and operation of maritime surveillance systems from small craft and surface ships, buoys, and the ocean bottom.

SSC Pacific is coordinating the effort with the Naval Sea Systems Command, the Office of Naval Research and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Awards will be made for basic and applied research that is not related to the development of a specific system. The deadline for responses is March 25, 2010.