Unmanned Aircraft System for Intelligence Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) in support of M ...

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to seek information on the capabilities of market suppliers and on the market solutions available for the provision of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) services. You are kindly requested to complete the Vendor Response Form and submit the completed Questionnaire to Ivan Ivanisevic at ivanisevic@un.org and pd-pos-lts-aircharter-unhq@un.org. The UN may have a requirement and anticipates conducting a procurement exercise to establish a contract for an initial period of three (3) years, with the option to extend for two (2) additional years, for the provision of ISR services with a minimum of two (2) consecutive tasking lines (TLs) of Class I/II Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in support of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). A tasking line is defined as the ability to operate one (1) UAS including aircraft and associated elements, and its sensors over an area of interest up to 250 km from the launch location for a minimum of 6 hours loiter time on target within 24 hour period, not including to/from launch site transit periods. The UAS and service components will be mainly static, based and operated out of MINUSMA Main Operating Base (MOB) in Kidal. The typical regional weather conditions in Kidal include high temperatures which frequently exceed 40 oC and wind speed not less than 25 knots including gust. The UN intends to provide basic support at its main UN bases and locations, however the UAS and associated personnel shall be capable of self-sustained activity at non-main base locations and site when and where required for operational reasons. However, it is essential for the UAS to be highly mobile with a small footprint to allow for rapid relocation away from the MOB for up to 7 days. When deployed, 2 x 6 hour loiter time at 250 km from the MOB/launching site TL are expected operational output. The UAS must be tactical in nature and able to integrate with existing military component and support elements in accordance with requirements of MINUSMA Force Adaptation Plan. The UAS must be capable of conducting persistent surveillance and reconnaissance by day and night at the operational level in the vicinity of Kidal and surrounding areas. In addition, radius of operation is 250 km with the emphasis of tactical support to MINUSMA Sector North Area of Responsibility (AOR) (Kidal, Aguelhok and Tessalit). The nature of the austere airstrip in Kidal dictates that the UAS must be capable of take-off and landing from small and confined areas. Hence, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) or catapult/pneumatic launch and hook/short airstrip/helipads recovery unmanned aircraft configuration is envisaged. However, the mission welcomes other novel potential solutions that could meet operational and safety requirements. The UN is seeking information on a turnkey solution, including the provision of Class I or II UAS in accordance with the standards or equivalent with Annexes 1,6 and 8 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Convention) and associated service components, maintenance and personnel (including exploitation of the imagery and data). The contractor may also be required to provide the necessary infrastructure for its equipment and personnel. The imagery data must be made available to the UN in an unencrypted, non-proprietary format. The UN is looking to enter into a contract with a company that has a proven record of recent, similar operational and tactical experience, with at least two (2) years of previous continous experience operating small/Tactical UAS in similar operational and hostile enviroments such as Mali. The ability to expedite the initial mobilization of the capability is essential. It is expected that duration of the contract will be an initial period of three (3) years, with the UN's option to extend for two (2) additional years, and will generally apply to a single mission area.