Agile X Scout Mini and R7D Kit Pro
Waiver type - Procurement: Nonavailability
Agency: DEPT OF THE ARMY (2100) • Product Service Code (PSC) : 6640 | Last Modified: 07/12/2024
Procurement Summary
The Government's minimum requirements for an AgileX brand robot equipment of two (2) Scout Minis and three (3) Research and Development Kit Pro with accessories is not produced or manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of a satisfactory quality to meet mission requirements. Domestic offers were insufficient to meet the requirement and award will be made on other than a qualifying country or eligible end product as defined in FAR 25.001. The (articles, materials, or supplies) are not contained in the list of end products or components listed in FAR 25.104(a), and do not meet the requirements DFARS 225.103(b) (iii). The Agile X Scout Mini’s unique combination of durability, payload, capacity, software compatibility, and design for challenging environments makes it a standout choice among unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) for research and practical applications. Its ability to perform reliably in diverse conditions while integrating seamlessly with widely used software systems positions it as a versatile and cost-effective tool for advancing robotic research and operations. These robots would serve as crucial tools to assess and validate fundamental research on legged mobility and autonomy, specifically on a commercially available platform.
Waiver Rationale Summary
The United States (U.S.) Army Research Laboratory (ARL) requires a brand-name Mobile Robot Platform Kit and Accessories to support ARL's human-guided machine learning group, which evaluates how human operators train robotic systems using human feedback. ARL currently uses Robotics Operating System (ROS) software to develop experimental software. The Scout Mini, manufactured by AgileX, is the only brand we have found that meets both the software compatibility requirements and the physical durability requirements for our experimental purposes. Additionally, the current system uses components such as encoders, brushless motors, and power distribution for sensor interfaces that communicate using a Controller Area Network (CAN bus) communication protocol. ARL needs the required platform kit and accessories to conduct extensive experiments in rough, uneven terrain with trenches and adverse obstacles that require the robot chassis to have high horsepower and be damage resistant. The robots will receive training on navigation behaviors within variable terrain textures using various ground maneuverability profiles. In addition, this research will study and develop heterogeneous multi-agent behaviors in deployed physical ground robots to enable interactions during cooperative missions.
Yes
No
Consistent with Policy
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
07/05/2024
N/A
N/A
Pre-solicitation
0 - 6 months
Individual Waiver
DEPT OF THE ARMY