The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Patuxent River, MD intends to negotiate on a non-competitive basis with Northrop Grumman of Rancho Bernardo, CA, for the follow-on acquisition of operation and maintenance services required to support the Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) MQ-8B Fire Scout during a deployment to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR). Northrop Grumman shall support assigned Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) tasks by providing Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) Services. The contractor is expected to operate and maintain the MQ-8B VTUAV by staffing aircrews, maintenance personnel, and other support personnel to support a 12 hour flight day. The Government intends to procure these services under the authority of 10 USC 2304 (c)(1), FAR 6.302-1. The Government does not own current data, drawings, or other specifications to permit full and open competition.

Bid Protests Not Available