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EOD Robot  –  MERX ACAN Notice  –  December 2009 Foster-Miller (Automatika) Dragon Runner DR-20 — PROV-EOD Explosive Ordnance Recce and Disposal  —  MERX  ACAN Notice DND has issued an ACAN for  4  Dragon Runner DR20 robot systems which it descibes as Portable Remote Operated Vehicles  –  Explosive Ordnance Disposal (PROV-EOD). A contract covering the 4 systems and training will cost US$1,234,657 – the robots themselves cost US $46k. Vehicles are operated by hand-held control units which (as shown, left) can display four camera angles. Dragon Runner was devised as an urban warfare robot for the US Marine Corps [1] by Automatika which was then acquired by Foster-Miller, part of  QinetiQ North America. As a modular system, add-ons turn Dragon Runner into an EOD scout or 'IED buster '. Dragon Runner base vehicles run on tires to which tracks are added to increase mobility. [2]  For  EOD, DND  requires  a  manipulator  arm gripper with an 8 cm opening, 360° traverse for arm and  360° rotation for the gripper. Foster-Miller offers both options as well as 'stair track' extensions (at left), another DND PROV-EOD requirement. The arm must also withstand "the shock of firing a recoilless disruptor." Such devices, more accurately described as 'reduced-recoil disruptors',  generally fire a high-pressure water jet at IEDs. DRDC Suffield tested a number of disruptor types – as part of an IED neutralization project – although which of the 9 types tested was selected is unknown. IEDs must  be located  before being disposed of.  For the EOR role,  the Dragon Runner will be fitted with an imaging turret in place of  the manipulating arm. In the EOR configuration, a maximum height of 20 cm is specified (less the flexible antennae ). Complete, Dragon Runner weighs just over 10 kg. A DR-20 breaks down into modular pack loads (of no more than 13.5 kg each) forming quick-assembly sets on-site. [1] Dragon Runner was funded  by the  Marine Corps Warfighting Lab and  the Office of  Naval Research. Concept was by the Naval Research Laboratory and the Robotics Institute at CMU. Automatika then developed the DR-15 followed by the larger DR-20. [2] Automatika / Foster-Miller offer 'plain', 'curb', and  'stair' tracks for Dragon Runner. The full text of  this ACAN (as published on the MERX website) is reproduced below. ________________________________________ ROBOT, EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL [EOD recce/disposal] ACAN [Advance Contact Award Notice] ________________________________________ Reference Number                PW-$$BK-365-19532 Solicitation Number              W8476-101834/A Organization Name               Public Works and Government Services Canada                                                  Travaux publics et Services gouvernementaux Canada Source ID                               FD.DP.QC.10077.C2 Associated Components     No Dates Published     2009-12-16 Revised        — Closing         2010-01-04  02:00 PM  Eastern Standard Time  EST Details Category     Armament GSINS          N1385: EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TOOLS, SURFACE, N2530: VEHICULAR BRAKE, STEERING, AXLE, WHEEL AND TRACK COMPONENTS, N5820: RADIO AND TELEVISION COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, EXCEPT AIRBORNE, N5985: ANTENNAS, WAVEGUIDES AND RELATED EQUIPMENT, N6140: BATTERIES, RECHARGEABLE Region of Delivery             Quebec Region of Opportunity     — Agreement Type                Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) Tender Type                       Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) Estimated Value                  — Solicitation Method           — Notice Description ROBOT, EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL ... Vendor Name and Address: FOSTER-MILLER INC. 350 SECOND AVE WALTHAM Massachusetts United States 02451 ... REQUIREMENT DEFINITION: Department of  National Defence has a requirement  for the provision of  4  "Dragon Runner Twenty Robot Systems" Portable Remote Operated Vehicles - Explosive Ordnance Disposal (PROV-EOD) for immediate deployment as well as for related equipment, spare parts and training. ... INITIAL REQUIREMENT: 1.QTY: 4 - Portable Remote Operated Vehicle - Explosive Ordnance Disposal (PROV-EOD) - Dragon Runner (DR20) 2. Recommended Spares - 12-18 Months of moderate to heavy use. 3. Training 2-Days training on-site in Canada (1 trainer- up to 10 trainees). 2-Days training in Pittsburgh, PA - 2 Trainees (up to 6 months after contract award). 2-Days training in Pittsburgh, PA - 2 Trainees (up to 12 months after contract award). 4. Packaging/Shipping - Packaging/Shipping (Packaging materials and preparation). OPTIONAL REQUIREMENT: 1. Extend the period of the contract for up to one (1) additional one (1) year period. 2. QTY: 4 - Dragon Runner Twenty Robot System (DR20). 3. Recommended Spares - 12-18 Months of moderate to heavy use. 4. Training: 2-Days training in Pittsburgh, PA - 2 Trainees (up to 18 months after contract award). ESTIMATE COST OF THE PROPOSED CONTRACT: $1,234,657 (USD) ($1,375,270.00 (CAD) Including GST/HST.) PERIOD OF CONTRACT: The contract period is for one (1) year with one (1) option to extend by period of one (1) year... THE REASONS FOR SINGLE TENDERING ARE: Foster-Miller Inc. is the only firm that can produce a Portable Remote Operated Vehicle - Explosive Ordnance Disposal (PROV-EOD) system meeting all of the following mand- atory requirements: 1.   The PROV-EOD system must be capable of operation in two roles:     a.   A Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance (EOR) Role, and     b.   An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Role. 2.   ... be capable of supporting the shock of firing a recoilless disruptor. 3.   ... cater to the wide types of terrain and urban conditions encountered in dismount- ed operations, including, but not limited to: smooth polished surfaces, hard flat road surfaces, gravel, soft mud, fine sand, field stubble, plowed furrows, rocks and rubble with inclines up to 30 degrees, stairs at up to 20 cm (8 inches) with inclines up to 45 degrees and curbs up to 20 cm in height. 4.   ... be capable of reconfiguration between the EOR and EOD roles within 5 minutes, in the open field, without workshop or special tools, by a single operator. 5.   ... be capable of traversing, at minimum, a 15 cm gap. 6.   ..., in both roles, be capable of operation in water at a depth of at least 75mm (3 in.). 7.   ... allow for 'field stripping' within 10 minutes for cleaning of solid particles or grime from the entire vehicle, after wading through contaminated water up to 75mm ... deep. The cleaning will be done in the field using only clean water and a 1.25 cm (0.5 inch) paint brush (or similar tool), before stowage in the backpack. 8.   ... have a low profile in the EOR Role, with a maximum height of 20 cm (8 inches) and any aerial protruding above that height must be spring-loaded and not impede under-vehicle inspection operation. 9.   The PROV-EOD system, in either of the two roles, must be capable of being broken down for carriage in Tactical Day Packs (NSN: 8465-20-000-3829), with no single comp- onent weighing more than 9kg (20 lbs)  [ hence Dragon Runner's DR-20 designation ] and the maximum load being carried not exceeding 13.5 kg (30 lbs). 10.   The PROV-EOD must have a manipulation capability that includes at least:     a.   3 degrees of freedom.     b.   Movement at slow speeds, under 1 cm/sec.     c.   360 degree rotation about the vertical axis of the manipulator mounting.     d.   A gripper with at least an 8 cm (3.1 inches) opening.     e.   A gripper with at least 360 degree rotation.     f.   The capability to grip and lift at least a 1.75kg (3.9 lbs) weight when manipulator          arm is fully extended. 11.   The PROV-EOD must have a minimum speed of 6 km/h on a hard flat surface in all modes of operation (Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance and Explosive Ordnance Disposal roles). Foster-Miller Inc. is the only vendor that can satisfy the requirement for the reason of exclusive and proprietary rights ...