Rapid Obstacle Marking & Perimeter Fencing Capability Assessment

Overview

ERDCWERX, a partnership intermediary of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), is announcing a Rapid Obstacle Marking and Perimeter Fencing (ROM) Capability Assessment in collaboration with the ERDC and Maneuver Support Center of Excellence (MSCoE) at U.S. Army Fort Leonard Wood. Top technologies/approaches may be selected, following the virtual pitch, to receive a prize award and progress to the demonstration phase of this project.

• Traditional construction techniques used for perimeters and obstacle marking take too much time and manpower. 
• Soldiers are currently tasked to mark obstacles or establish a perimeter which takes time and puts them in harm’s way.  Rapid perimeters and obstacle marking will decrease risk to the Soldier and free up manpower for primary missions. 

Operational Use Scenario

Having the capability to rapidly install fencing and marking systems around large obstacles (up to several kilometers) could preserve manpower, reduce troops exposure to enemy action in the open, and save time and resources required to maintain advantage in the 21st century, multi-domain operational (MDO) environment.  

General Conditions

The Army needs “time-now” mature, commercial off-the-shelf/ non-development item (COTS/NDI) solutions that 1) can be engineered to meet the demands and rigor of military operations in austere environments, 2) can be employed as a mission module from/on an existing platform in the Army inventory and 3) requires minimal special tools & proprietary ancillary equipment/technology to operate, service and maintain. 

Standards

Fence/Wire barrier and perimeter protection may be used as a physical barrier to prevent passage of light vehicles, humans, and large wildlife. Technologies/approaches should be able to meet one or both of the following functions: 

Fencing (used as a physical barrier to prevent passage of light vehicles, humans, and large wildlife):

• Self-contained and compatible with existing military equipment
• Rapid installation
• Rapid recovery and reuse of the wire/fencing barrier (of interest, but not required)
• As light and compact as possible
• Capable of being installed/constructed in various soil conditions
• Dispensing system reloadable by 1) Not more than 2-person lift (preferred) and 2) May be reloadable by light material handling equipment

Physical Marking (used instead of fencing, when warning/notification, when a nominal perimeter “roping” is required):

• Displays mine field warning signs
• Rapid installation
• Temporary, not permanent marking
• Biodegradable (not required)
• Rapid recoverable and reuse
• As light and compact as possible
• Capable of being installed/constructed in various soil conditions
• Shall use GOTS replaceable wire or other easy to acquire materials
• Dispensing system reloadable by 1) Not more than 2-person lift (preferred) and 2) May be reloadable by light material handling equipment

ERDCWERX seeks concept paper materials in response to this challenge from industry, academia, national labs, individual innovators, and other parties who can meet one or both of the stated requirements and, if selected, can deliver a complete and functioning system for operational demonstration in September. At that time, those with selected systems and methods for rapidly marking obstacles or setting a protective perimeter may be invited to demonstrate them and be assessed at the MSCoE, Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
 
One or more organizations may be selected as a result of this process. It should be noted that ERDCWERX is under no obligation to enter into agreements as a result of this request. Concept paper materials will be evaluated by government representatives. If favorably evaluated, ERDCWERX will extend invitations and facilitate the schedule for the virtual pitch and/or following demonstration(s).

Evaluation Criteria

• Technical Merit: Feasibility of the proposed technology to advance the TFA
• Cost/Schedule of the proposed technology
• Business Viability: Confidence of the organization based on equipment, facility, personnel, experience, etc. 

Technology Focus Areas

This effort supports 633119/ Expedient Passive Protection Advanced Technology (BL6)/ Force Protection in the Urban Environment (12) executed by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC).

NAICS Codes

331110 Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing
331222 Steel Wire Drawing
332323 Ornamental and Architectural Metal Work Manufacturing
332618 Other Fabricated Wire Product Manufacturing
541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
238210 Electronic containment fencing for pets, installation
238990 Fence installation (except electronic containment fencing for pets)
334290 Motion detectors, security system, manufacturing
423390 Fencing and fencing accessories, wire, merchant wholesalers
332999 All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing

Anticipated Timeline

15 May: Solicitation Closes and Submissions Due
26 May: Companies down selected by ERDC/MSCoE; invitations sent by ERDCWERX to present concept paper materials/approaches
09, 10, or 11 June: Virtual Pitch Day (Invited companies present concept paper materials/approaches. ERDC/MSCoE selects top participants for demonstration. ERDCWERX awards prize and negotiates demonstration agreement as appropriate.)
1-3 September: Demo Day at MSCoE, Fort Leonard Wood, MO