81 FR 1439 - Cooperative Research and Development Agreement: Broadband Cellular and Satellite Communications Exploratory Development

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 7 (January 12, 2016)

Page Range		1439-1440
FR Document		2016-00474

The Coast Guard announces its intent to enter into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc., to investigate the operational use of broadband cellular technology, including equipment that may be integrated into the National Public Safety Broadband Communication Band 14 LTE Network (commonly called FirstNet). The research also includes tactical employment of Multiple User Objective System (MUOS) Satellite Communications and common operational picture applications to establish Coast Guard network centric operations. A Pilot Demonstration schedule has been proposed in which General Dynamics will provide and install their Band 14 LTE Network, GeoSuite Server Common Operational Picture application, Satcom radios, smart phones, vehicle routers, modems, and antennas suitable for installation on select Coast Guard surface vessels, boarding teams, command center and ground vehicles. LTE Network base station radios will be placed on an existing CG-owned tower or a deployable equivalent. The Coast Guard Research and Development Center (R&D Center) will prepare a Pilot Demonstration Assessment Plan and a Coast Guard Sector will operate the equipment for exploratory development over a six-month period to collect information on suitability, reliability, maintenance requirements, and human systems interoperability. While the Coast Guard is currently considering partnering with General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc., the agency is soliciting public comment on the possible nature of and participation of other parties in the proposed CRADA. In addition, the Coast Guard also invites other potential non-Federal participants to propose similar CRADAs.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 7 (Tuesday, January 12, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 12, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1439-1440]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00474]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2015-1120]


Cooperative Research and Development Agreement: Broadband 
Cellular and Satellite Communications Exploratory Development

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of intent; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces its intent to enter into a 
Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with General 
Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc., to investigate the operational use of 
broadband cellular technology, including equipment that may be 
integrated into the National Public Safety Broadband Communication Band 
14 LTE Network (commonly called FirstNet). The research also includes 
tactical employment of Multiple User Objective System (MUOS) Satellite 
Communications and common operational picture applications to establish 
Coast Guard network centric operations. A Pilot Demonstration schedule 
has been proposed in which General Dynamics will provide and install 
their Band 14 LTE Network, GeoSuite Server Common Operational Picture 
application, Satcom radios, smart phones, vehicle routers, modems, and 
antennas suitable for installation on select Coast Guard surface 
vessels, boarding teams, command center and ground vehicles. LTE 
Network base station radios will be placed on an existing CG-owned 
tower or a deployable equivalent. The Coast Guard Research and 
Development Center (R&D Center) will prepare a Pilot Demonstration 
Assessment Plan and a Coast Guard Sector will operate the equipment for 
exploratory development over a six-month period to collect information 
on suitability, reliability, maintenance requirements, and human 
systems interoperability. While the Coast Guard is currently 
considering partnering with General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc., the 
agency is soliciting public comment on the possible nature of and 
participation of other parties in the proposed CRADA. In addition, the 
Coast Guard also invites other potential non-Federal participants to 
propose similar CRADAs.

DATES: Comments must be submitted to the online docket via http://www.regulations.gov, or reach the Docket Management Facility, on or 
before February 11, 2016.
    Synopses of proposals regarding future CRADAs must reach the Coast 
Guard (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) on or before February 11, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments online at http://www.regulations.gov in 
accordance with Web site instructions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice 
or wish to submit proposals for future CRADAs, contact Wayne Buchanan, 
Project Official, C4ISR Branch, U.S. Coast Guard Research and 
Development Center, 1 Chelsea Street, New London, CT 06320, telephone 
860-271-2759, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We request public comments on this notice. Although we do not plan 
to respond to comments in the Federal Register, we will respond 
directly to commenters and may modify our proposal in light of 
comments.
    Comments should be marked with docket number USCG-2015-1120 and 
should provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. You 
should provide personal contact information so that we can contact you 
if we have questions regarding your comments; but please note that all 
comments will be posted to the online docket without change and that 
any personal information you include can be searchable online (see the 
Federal Register Privacy Act notice regarding our public dockets, 73 FR 
3316, Jan. 17, 2008). We also accept anonymous comments.
    We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be 
submitted using http://www.regulations.gov, contact the Coast Guard 
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Documents mentioned in this 
notice, and all public comments, are in our online docket at http://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that Web site's 
instructions. Additionally, if you go to the online docket and sign up 
for email alerts, you will be notified when comments are posted or a 
final rule is published.
    Do not submit detailed proposals for future CRADAs to the Docket 
Management Facility. Instead, submit them directly to the Coast Guard 
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Discussion

    CRADAs are authorized under 15 U.S.C. 3710(a).\1\ A CRADA promotes 
the transfer of technology to the private sector for commercial use, as 
well as specified research or development efforts that are consistent 
with the mission of the Federal parties to the CRADA. The Federal party 
or parties agree with one or more non-Federal parties to share research 
resources, but the Federal party does not contribute funding.
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    \1\ The statute confers this authority on the head of each 
Federal agency. The Secretary of DHS's authority is delegated to the 
Coast Guard and other DHS organizational elements by DHS Delegation 
No. 0160.1, para. II.B.34.
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    CRADAs are not procurement contracts. Care is taken to ensure that 
CRADAs are not used to circumvent the contracting process. CRADAs have 
a specific purpose and should not be confused with procurement 
contracts, grants, and other type of agreements.
    Under the proposed CRADA, the R&D Center will collaborate with one 
non-Federal participant. Together, the R&D Center and the non-Federal 
participant will collect information/data for performance, reliability, 
maintenance requirements, human systems integration and other data on 
LTE broadband and MUOS communications technologies. After an initial 
installation and training, the Coast Guard plans to evaluate designated 
platforms outfitted

[[Page 1440]]

with the communications technologies for a period of six months.
    We anticipate that the Coast Guard's contributions under the 
proposed CRADA will include the following:
    (1) Develop the Demonstration Pilot Assessment Plan to meet the 
objectives of the CRADA with a diverse set of real-life mission 
scenarios.
    (2) Provide the pilot demonstration range and range support in and 
around a Coast Guard Sector.
    (3) Evaluate utility of a Coast Guard tower for installation of the 
LTE base station radios or identify an alternative site to deploy a 
mobile tower.
    (4) Coordinate Pilot demonstration network connectivity to desired 
CG networks and systems and seek all spectra approvals.
    (5) Collaborate with non-Federal partner to prepare demonstration 
documentation including equipment assessments, final report(s), and 
briefings.
    We anticipate that the non-Federal participant's contributions 
under the proposed CRADA will include the following:
    (1) Assist the R&D Center in the development and drafting of all 
CRADA documents, including the pilot demonstration assessment plan, 
equipment assessments, final report(s), and briefings.
    (2) Provide and maintain the LTE Band 14 Network and MUOS 
communications equipment including radios, handsets, vehicle routers, 
and modems, to ensure the network is accessible.
    (3) Secure, with R&D Center assistance, Special Temporary Authority 
(STA) to implement the Pilot using Band 14 spectrum.
    (4) Provide technical support, training and maintenance throughout 
the period of performance to ensure maximum availability and utility of 
the networks.
    The Coast Guard reserves the right to select for CRADA participants 
all, some, or no proposals submitted for this CRADA. The Coast Guard 
will provide no funding for reimbursement of proposal development 
costs. Proposals and any other material submitted in response to this 
notice will not be returned. Proposals submitted are expected to be 
unclassified and have no more than five single-sided pages (excluding 
cover page, DD 1494, JF-12, etc.). The Coast Guard will select 
proposals at its sole discretion on the basis of:
    (1) How well they communicate an understanding of, and ability to 
meet, the proposed CRADA's goal; and
    (2) How well they address the following criteria:
    (a) Technical capability to support the non-Federal party 
contributions described; and
    (b) Resources available for supporting the non-Federal party 
contributions described.
    Currently, the Coast Guard is considering General Dynamics Mission 
Systems, Inc. for participation in this CRADA. This consideration is 
based on the fact that General Dynamics has demonstrated its technical 
ability as the developer, manufacturer, and integrator of LTE Band 14 
Network equipment and MUOS Satcom technologies. However, we do not wish 
to exclude other viable participants from this or future similar 
CRADAs.
    This is a technology assessment effort. The goal for the Coast 
Guard of this CRADA is to better understand the advantages, 
disadvantages, required technology enhancements, performance, costs, 
and other issues associated with Band 14 LTE broadband wireless 
communications and MUOS satellite communications. Special consideration 
will be given to small business firms/consortia, and preference will be 
given to business units located in the U.S. This notice is issued under 
the authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a).

    Dated: December 24, 2015.
Captain Dennis C. Evans, USCG,
Commanding Officer, U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center.
[FR Doc. 2016-00474 Filed 1-11-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P

1440 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 7 / Tuesday, January 12, 2016 / Notices

with the communications technologies (a) Technical capability to support the ADDRESSES: A copy of the plats may be
for a period of six months. non-Federal party contributions obtained from the Public Room at the
We anticipate that the Coast Guard’s described; and Bureau of Land Management, Oregon
contributions under the proposed (b) Resources available for supporting State Office, 1220 SW. 3rd Avenue,
CRADA will include the following: the non-Federal party contributions Portland, Oregon 97204, upon required
(1) Develop the Demonstration Pilot described. payment.
Assessment Plan to meet the objectives Currently, the Coast Guard is FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kyle
of the CRADA with a diverse set of real- considering General Dynamics Mission Hensley, (503) 808–6132, Branch of
life mission scenarios. Systems, Inc. for participation in this Geographic Sciences, Bureau of Land
(2) Provide the pilot demonstration CRADA. This consideration is based on Management, 1220 SW. 3rd Avenue,
range and range support in and around the fact that General Dynamics has Portland, Oregon 97204. Persons who
a Coast Guard Sector. demonstrated its technical ability as the use a telecommunications device for the
(3) Evaluate utility of a Coast Guard developer, manufacturer, and integrator deaf (TDD) may call the Federal
tower for installation of the LTE base of LTE Band 14 Network equipment and Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–
station radios or identify an alternative MUOS Satcom technologies. However, 800–877–8339 to contact the above
site to deploy a mobile tower. we do not wish to exclude other viable individual during normal business
(4) Coordinate Pilot demonstration participants from this or future similar hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a
network connectivity to desired CG CRADAs. day, 7 days a week, to leave a message
networks and systems and seek all This is a technology assessment effort. or question with the above individual.
spectra approvals. The goal for the Coast Guard of this
(5) Collaborate with non-Federal You will receive a reply during normal
CRADA is to better understand the business hours.
partner to prepare demonstration advantages, disadvantages, required
documentation including equipment SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A person
technology enhancements, performance,
assessments, final report(s), and or party who wishes to protest against
costs, and other issues associated with
briefings. this survey must file a written notice
Band 14 LTE broadband wireless
We anticipate that the non-Federal with the Oregon State Director, Bureau
communications and MUOS satellite
participant’s contributions under the of Land Management, stating that they
communications. Special consideration
proposed CRADA will include the wish to protest. A statement of reasons
will be given to small business firms/
following: for a protest may be filed with the notice
consortia, and preference will be given
(1) Assist the R&D Center in the of protest and must be filed with the
to business units located in the U.S.
development and drafting of all CRADA Oregon State Director within thirty days
This notice is issued under the authority
documents, including the pilot after the protest is filed. If a protest
of 5 U.S.C. 552(a).
demonstration assessment plan, against the survey is received prior to
equipment assessments, final report(s), Dated: December 24, 2015. the date of official filing, the filing will
and briefings. Captain Dennis C. Evans, USCG, be stayed pending consideration of the
(2) Provide and maintain the LTE Commanding Officer, U.S. Coast Guard protest. A plat will not be officially filed
Band 14 Network and MUOS Research and Development Center. until the day after all protests have been
communications equipment including [FR Doc. 2016–00474 Filed 1–11–16; 8:45 am] dismissed or otherwise resolved. Before
radios, handsets, vehicle routers, and BILLING CODE 9110–04–P including your address, phone number,
modems, to ensure the network is email address, or other personally
accessible. identifying information in your
(3) Secure, with R&D Center DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR comment, you should be aware that
assistance, Special Temporary Authority your entire comment—including your
(STA) to implement the Pilot using Bureau of Land Management personally identifying information—
Band 14 spectrum. [LLOR957000–L14400000–BJ0000–
may be made publicly available at any
(4) Provide technical support, training 16XL1109AF: HAG 16–0059] time. While you can ask us in your
and maintenance throughout the period comment to withhold your personally
of performance to ensure maximum Filing of Plats of Survey: Oregon/ identifying information from public
availability and utility of the networks. Washington review, we cannot guarantee that we
The Coast Guard reserves the right to will be able to do so.
select for CRADA participants all, some, AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
or no proposals submitted for this Interior. Mary J.M. Hartel,
CRADA. The Coast Guard will provide ACTION: Notice. Chief Cadastral Surveyor of Oregon/
no funding for reimbursement of Washington.
proposal development costs. Proposals SUMMARY: The plats of survey of the [FR Doc. 2016–00461 Filed 1–11–16; 8:45 am]
and any other material submitted in following described lands are scheduled BILLING CODE 4310–33–P
response to this notice will not be to be officially filed in the Bureau of
returned. Proposals submitted are Land Management, Oregon State Office,
expected to be unclassified and have no Portland, Oregon, 30 days from the date DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
more than five single-sided pages of this publication.
Bureau of Land Management
(excluding cover page, DD 1494, JF–12, Willamette Meridian
etc.). The Coast Guard will select
Oregon [LLCOS01000 L13100000.EJ0000 16X]
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

proposals at its sole discretion on the
basis of: T. 40 S., R. 4 E., accepted November 17, Notice of Public Meetings, Southwest
(1) How well they communicate an 2015 Colorado Resource Advisory Council
understanding of, and ability to meet, T. 41 S., R. 4 E., accepted December 18, Oil and Gas Sub-Group
the proposed CRADA’s goal; and 2015
(2) How well they address the T. 24 S., R. 3 W., accepted December 18, AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
following criteria: 2015 Interior.

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Document Created: 2016-01-12 01:22:34
Document Modified: 2016-01-12 01:22:34

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of intent; request for comments.
Dates		Comments must be submitted to the online docket via http:// www.regulations.gov, or reach the Docket Management Facility, on or before February 11, 2016.
Contact		If you have questions on this notice or wish to submit proposals for future CRADAs, contact Wayne Buchanan, Project Official, C4ISR Branch, U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center, 1 Chelsea Street, New London, CT 06320, telephone 860-271-2759, email [email protected]
FR Citation		81 FR 1439

81 FR 1439 - Cooperative Research and Development Agreement: Broadband Cellular and Satellite Communications Exploratory Development

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITYCoast Guard

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 7 (January 12, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard