AN/AQS-20 Automatic Target Recognition (ATR)

Description

The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) intends to award a 'C' type contract with options for services, testing, technical assistance, integration, engineering service, and software support of the Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) for the AN/AQS-20 program. NAVSEA intends to award the sole source contract to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (NGC) in Annapolis, MD.

The estimated total value of the contract, including all options, is $5,275,000.00. The period of performance is estimated to begin in July of Fiscal Year 2026 and end in Fiscal Year 2030.

Background & Scope:
The AN/AQS-20 systems will satisfy the U.S. Navy’s need for a wide-area reconnaissance system capable of detecting and classifying surface and near-surface moored mines. This system supports the global superiority of the U.S. Navy by countering enemy-laid mines to permit friendly maneuver or use of selected sea areas.

The NGC Generalized ATR (GATR) team develops the AN/AQS-20 Multi-Forward Side Look Sonar (MFSLS) GATR interfaces. This includes the direct integration of available algorithms into the overarching GATR infrastructure. The NGC team conducts continuous development and training of the MineHunter (MH) algorithm, specifically optimized for the AN/AQS-20 Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) imagery. Furthermore, the GATR team handles system integration, systems engineering, software development, tool development, and system productization to develop, test, and implement algorithm fusion capability. NGC also interfaces with parallel developments from other Government partners and Contractors to support the complete AN/AQS-20 post-mission analysis (PMA) effort.

Statutory Authority and Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition

The contract will be awarded using other than full and open competition pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii), “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

Rationale for Lack of Competition:
Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation is the only responsible source with the requisite resources, knowledge, technical qualifications, capability, and experience to provide the highly complex ATR services, integration efforts, and documentation necessary for the PMA efforts without unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's needs. NGC was previously awarded a contract for the development and sustainment efforts under the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Module (MM), delivering the GATR framework and technical reports under DEPS contract N00024-17-C-6311. Relying on another vendor to train these specific algorithms or develop specific interfaces would require reverse engineering proprietary or highly specialized legacy architectures, which would result in unacceptable delays in fielding critical mine countermeasure (MCM) capabilities.

Capability Statements / Submission Instructions

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, in accordance with RFO Part 5.101(c)(4)(vi), all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. All information received will be considered by the Government to determine if subcontracting or future competitive opportunities exist.

No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this synopsis or any follow-up information requests.

Responses to this notice must be received by 15:00 Eastern Time on 21 June 2026. Responses shall be submitted via email to steven.w.noel.civ@us.navy.mil and must reference solicitation number N00024-26-R-2224.

Disclaimer

Respondents are advised that Booz Allen Hamilton, third-party support contractors providing support to PMS 495, may assist the Government in its review of responses received under this notice and therefore may have access to the submitted material. These contractors have executed Non-Disclosure Agreements with the Department of the Navy. Respondents shall provide notification on their cover page if the Respondent does not consent to the use of the aforementioned contractors. Unless otherwise stated by the Respondent, a submission received in response to this notice constitutes consent that the above-mentioned contractors may have access to all information provided in the Respondent’s submission. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated by the Respondent, a submission received in response to this notice constitutes a Respondent’s consent for the Government to disclose all information provided in the Respondent’s submission to the above-mentioned third-party support contractors, for the purposes of the Trade Secrets Act.