Air Force thinks small business for UAS ops support

The Air Force is performing market research on capable companies that can provide non-personal services for its Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations Center Support (UASOCS) program.

The Air Force awarded the proceeding contract for UASOCS services in a full-and-open competition. The department now is determining how many small businesses may be capable of providing the services, such as installing and configuring the equipment and networks to support long-haul communications, both satellite and terrestrial. The contract would also require operating and maintaining the equipment and networks, troubleshoot problems and provide a helpdesk function.

The UASOCS program is comprised of both unique equipment solutions and programs of record for interfacing and communicating between Airmen located in Ground Control Stations, the Squadron Operations Centers, the Wing Operations Center, forward aircraft, and Command and Control (C2) centers.

This system of systems provides critical C2 data, voice interconnectivity and video relays to enable pilots and sensor operators to fly and control UASs worldwide.

The Air Force released a synopsis and a draft performance work statement April 9.