Program managers for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the Route Clearance & Interrogation System (RCIS) Type I program this week announced an Industry Day conference on March 23-24, 2016.
The RCIS Type I, still in the pre-solicitation contracting phase, will provide the Army with a capability to optionally man, in an unmanned mode, the Army-legacy High Mobility Engineering Excavator (HMEE) Type I vehicle. The RCIS Type I also provides additional interrogation features to be used on the HMEE vehicle and is intended for primarily by the Army Combat Engineer during Route Clearance operations.
In the unmanned mode, the RCIS Type I will be wirelessly controlled by an operator in a Mine Protected Clearance Vehicle (MPCV)/Buffalo control vehicle. The RCIS Type I will enable a Soldier to excavate, interrogate, and classify deep buried explosive hazards, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and caches in a wide range of road surfaces and soil conditions, as well as, and filling potholes.
The RCIS Type I will be operable either in a manned mode by a Soldier in the RCIS (host) vehicle or in an unmanned mode by a Soldier in a separate control vehicle.
To enable a Soldier to perform interrogation tasks, the RCIS Type I provides various attachments including a front loader, backhoe bucket, clam shell bucket, rake and spork, air spade, classification camera, light and measurement device.
The RCIS Type I includes a Semi-Autonomous Control (SAC) system that provides the capability to control the RCIS Type I vehicle and attachments in the unmanned mode. The SAC system also provides a reduced set of capabilities in the manned mode. The electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems of the HMEE host vehicle require modification by the HMEE vehicle Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to enable semi-autonomous control.
Pre-Solicitation Conference Invitation
The Product Manager Applique and Large Unmanned Ground Systems (PdM ALUGS) is hosting Industry representatives to participate in the RCIS Type I Pre-Solicitation Conference March 23-24, 2016 at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, MI.
The conference will include a briefing session on the RCIS Type I and the program’s preliminary technical requirements and acquisition approach, a High Mobility Engineer Excavator (HMEE Type I) display, and one-on-one sessions for contractors to dialogue with officials.
At the conclusion of Pre-RFP Industry Day, a list of attendees will be posted to the FedBizOpps website that will identify the attending companies, their points of contact, and their interest as a prime contractor or subcontractor.
Advance registration is required. Further details are available via Solicitation Number: W56HZV15R0156.