Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) On-board Detect and Avoid (DAA) Technology Assessment Event (AE)

Background

HSWERX, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Technology Transfer & Commercialization Branch (T2C), will host an Assessment Event (AE) to identify solutions for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) capabilities.

Objective

Group III and below UAS are not authorized to fly within Continental United States (CONUS) BVLOS of the operator. For larger Group III and IV platforms, the FAA may grant limited waivers to fly BVLOS utilizing the same infrastructure and pilots that operate larger UAS platforms. DHS would like to identify solutions for miniaturization of capabilities for sUAS to provide local/organic and co-located Detect and Avoid (DAA) technology. Smaller UAS (Group III and below) with onboard sensors that fulfill Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements for sense and avoid would dramatically expand the ability to operate in the National Airspace System (NAS).  

Why You Should Participate

DHS seeks to enter into non-FAR or FAR-based agreements with Industry, Academic, and National Lab partners whose solutions are favorably evaluated by DHS Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). As such, the AE is considered competitive, and solutions will be evaluated independently of one another primarily for technical merit. This serves dually as notification of the intent to research the feasibility of an agreement under and as notice of pre-solicitation activities IAW FAR 5.204.

Event Timeline

Phase 1 – April 22, 2024 to May 17, 2024 Submissions to the Assessment Event Open

Interested respondents who could potentially provide solutions that meet the needs of DHS are encouraged to submit their capability for DHS review. To submit your technology for potential Phase 3 attendance (see below), please review the assessment criteria and follow the submission instructions that will be near the bottom of this webpage. (Submissions Closed NLT May 17, 2024)

Phase 1a – May 1, 2024 Q&A Session

‍Interested offerors participated in a virtual Q&A session to better understand DHS’s specific technology objectives. The session took place on May 1, 2024.

Phase 2 – May 20, 2024 to May 30, 2024 Downselect

‍DHS SMEs will downselect those respondents/submissions they feel have the highest potential to satisfy their technology needs. Favorably evaluated submissions will receive an invitation to attend the AE on/around May 31, 2024.

Phase 3 – July 9, 2024 to July 11, 2024 Assessment Event

‍During the AE, selected participants will be allotted a one-on-one session with the DHS evaluation panel to pitch, demonstrate, and/or discuss their solutions. The forum will include a Q&A portion and discussions may continue outside of the event. Guidelines for solution briefing presentations will be outlined in the event invitation and solutions will be assessed according to the criteria in the link provided below. If the DHS evaluation panel favorably evaluates a solution briefing, negotiations for Phase 4 may begin immediately.

This event will be held in-person in Leesburg, VA.

Phase 4 – Path Forward

‍Successfully negotiated awards may fall under any combination of these categories:

• Business-to-business research and development agreement as a sub-award through the HSWERX Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) under 15 U.S.C. 3715
• OTA for research or prototype projects  
• Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (15 U.S.C. 3710a)
• Prize competitions (15 U.S.C. 3719)
• FAR-based procurement contract  

NOTE: Awardees may need to be compliant with NIST SP 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in Non-Federal Systems and Organizations.

How You Can Participate

Industry, Academia, National Labs, and Non-Traditional Attendees

1. Review the Q&A Session Transcript: Click Here to Review

2. Review Assessment Criteria: Click Here to Review

Questions? For event-related questions, please contact Kinsey Crim: kcrim@hswerx.org