The United States Coast Guard (CG) intends to work with one or more companies to help improve communications between Coast Guard Cutter tactical commanders and boarding teams, according to a notice of intent posted to the Federal registry April 27.
The Coast Guard is looking to enter a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) and is looking for a company to help inform its Cutter IT Integrated Product team. Ultimately, the goal would be to evaluate mission-essential tactical communications equipment.
“This is a technology suitability effort. The goal of this CRADA is to evaluate and inform the Cutter IT Integrated Product Team on how to move forward to improve the Cutter Tactical Commander to Boarding Team communications user experience when using CG tactical mobile IT systems. Special consideration will be given to small business firms/consortia, and preference will be given to business units located in the U.S.,” the notice says.
The Coast Guard expects to be responsible for developing the test plan; providing network access, data, facilities, and approval; collecting and analyzing the data from the test plan; and writing a report documenting its findings. It is looking for a partner or partners to help with:
- Providing tactical communications mobile tech;
- Supplying the required operators and technicians;
- Providing technical data for the provided equipment;
- Shipping and delivering any required materials; and
- Providing travel and expenses for any of their required personnel.
The CRADA is not a procurement contract, and Coast Guard will pick one or more partners from the non-Federal space based on how well the proposals display understanding and ability to meet the specified goals, as well as the technical ability to support the non-Federal needs described and the resources they have available to do so.
The Coast Guard is seeking comment on the notice and proposals for future CRADAs by May 27.
