$874 Million tender for US Navy small systems.

Three companies are slugging it out to supply airframes for the latest Navy tender. Known to have their hats in the ring.

Boeing/Insitu with the Integrator

AAI Corporation and the Aerosonde

Saab, with its UAS helicopter “Skeldar”.

The winning bid will replace the current ScanEagle fleet in the ISR role for both the Navy and Marines.

Also part of the contract  Computer Sciences Corp. has won a position  to install and operate equipment for intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

The Defense Department said CSC will provide the ISR equipment for unmanned aerial systems under the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple-award contract.

CSC will compete for task orders to provide equipment trained personnel at land-based locations and the Navy will obligate contract funds on individual delivery orders as they are issued.

Contract work supports the Defense Department, other U.S. government agencies and U.S. allies under foreign military sales agreements.

AAI, Corp., Hunt Valley, Md. (N00019-12-D-0009); CSC, Falls Church, Va. (N00019-12-D-0010); and Insitu, Inc., Bingen, Wash. (N00019-12-D-0011), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) services in support of the Department of Defense and other government agencies, as well as potential coalition military Foreign Military Sales customers.

There are two separate performance-based work statements; one for sea-based requirements, and one for land-based requirements. The scope includes provision of necessary trained personnel, UAS ISR non-developmental equipment, certifications, installation, operation, maintenance, sustainment, spares/product support, and other related support services necessary to support various worldwide sea- and land-based locations. The aggregate not-to-exceed amount for these multiple award contracts is $874,000,000.

Funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. The companies will have the opportunity to compete for associated task orders. AAI and Insitu are eligible to compete for both sea-based and land-based task orders. CSC is only eligible to compete for land-based task orders. Work will be performed at various sea-based and land-based inside and outside continental United States locations by one or more awardees, and is expected to be completed in February 2017. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These contracts were competitively procured via a multiple award electronic request for proposals; and three offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.