Catapult Challenge: At-Sea Reload Technologies

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Sustainment The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. OBJECTIVE: Develop a system to improve the Navy's ability to support distributed forces, develop and demonstrate innovative technologies that enable underway ordnance stowage, transportation, handling, transfer, and loading/unloading in elevated sea states. DESCRIPTION: The Navy is seeking additional Phase II research and development on previous Phase I and Phase II efforts. The proposing small business concern must detail the status of previous SBIR/STTR efforts and how they can be further developed into technology for use. Ships and submarines are typically reloaded pier side at developed ports or in austere/protected anchorages that may be far from operational areas. At-Sea reload of MK41 VLS, and other ordnance, close to the point of need is challenging in higher sea states due to the relative motions between supply vessels and Combatants. The weight of ordnance and equipment may limit ability to transfer and shipboard infrastructure may not be sufficient or available. The Navy seeks innovation solutions that support and enable underway at-sea reloading of ordnance from Combat Logistics Force ships to surface combatants in Sea State 3 and above conditions. Ship to Ship Ordnance Handling, Integration and Enabling Technology Focus Areas: Shipboard cranes Connected Replenishment systems Motion Compensation Improved Ordnance Handling Equipment and PHS&T Advanced Materials and Manufacturing for Weight reduction Ship to Ship communications & data transfer Sensors/monitoring for reload systems, relative ship motions and operational decision making Intra-ship ordnance and Reload equipment handling Advanced maintenance support and training systems Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by 32 U.S.C. 2004.20 et seq., National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) formerly Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances. This will allow contractor personnel to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DCSA and NAVSEA in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material during the advanced phases of this contract IAW the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), which can be found at Title 32, Part 2004.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations. PHASE I: Catapult leverages prior SBIR/STTR investment to accelerate technology development to meet Naval priorities. The Navy is seeking additional Phase II research and development on previous Phase I and Phase II efforts. The proposing small business concern must detail the status of previous SBIR/STTR Phase I or Phase II efforts and how they can be further developed into technology solutions that support and enable underway at-sea reloading. PHASE II: Develop, demonstrate and deliver a prototype that demonstrates innovative technologies that enable underway ordnance stowage, transportation, handling, transfer, and loading/unloading in elevated sea states. Develop plans for full-scale testing in an open water environment in Phase III. It is probable that the work under this effort will be classified under Phase II (see Description section for details). PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support the Navy in transitioning the technology for Navy use. Perform full-scale testing in shipboard operational environments and further refine the technology for Navy use. Technologies needed to support ship-to-ship at-sea reload of ordnance can also be used for other Navy ship-to-ship transfers, as well as offshore oil and wind industry applications. REFERENCES: 1. Lariosa, Aaron-Matthew. "At-sea rearming deemed a Main Priority by SECNAV." Naval News, 2 Feb. 2023. https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/02/at-sea-rearming-deemed-a-main-priority-by-secnav/ 2. Eckstein, Megan. "US Navy prioritizes game-changing' rearming capability for ships." Defense News, 28 March 2023. https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/03/28/us-navy-prioritizes-game-changing-rearming-capability-for-ships/ 3. Ziezulewicz, Geoff. "US Navy Prioritizes Game-changing' Rearming Capability for Ships." Navy Times, 1 Aug. 2017. https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2017/08/01/navy-planning-to-bring-back-at-sea-missile-reload-capability/ 4. "U.S. Navy Tries Reloading VLS Missile Cells With a Commercial OSV." The Maritime Executive, 7 Oct. 2022. https://maritime-executive.com/article/u-s-navy-tries-reloading-vls-missile-cells-with-a-commercial-osv 5. National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual (NISP), 32 U.S.C. 2004.20 et seq. (1993). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/subtitle-B/chapter-XX/part-2004 KEYWORDS: Reload at sea; ordinance storage; ordinance transportation; ordinance transfer; ordinance loading/unloading; motion compensation