16 -- Ethernet Switch Solicitation

The contract involves the procurement of Ethernet Switches designed specifically for integration into Special Operations Aircraft, including the MH-47, MH-60, and A/MH-6, with potential use in CH-47 Improved Cargo Helicopter and UH-60M Aircraft as well. These switches are critical components of modernized avionics suites comprising Cockpit Display Units, Multi-Function Displays, General Purpose Processing Units, and Data Concentrators. The switch is a conduction-cooled, Compact PCI 6U form factor card with 24 ports, designed to deliver real-time deterministic Ethernet communication compliant with ARINC 664 standards. It features managed layer 2 switching with guaranteed bounded latency, weighs no more than 2.5 pounds, and dissipates a maximum of 35 watts during peak operation. Reliability standards include a mean time between failures (MTBF) of at least 100,000 hours, and all software will comply with RTCA/DO-178B. Rigorous electromagnetic interference and environmental testing per MIL-STD 461 and MIL-STD 810F standards are mandatory prior to acceptance, underscoring the flight-critical nature of this equipment. The government intends to award a five-year fixed-price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, planning to acquire between four and 1,200 units over the contract term, with estimated annual quantities ranging from 4 units in 2002 to 44 in 2006. Full and open competition under FAR Part 12 is being followed, with procurement restricted to U.S. firms only, and proposals must be submitted through official channels, including the Interagency Business Opportunity Page or directly to the U.S. Special Operations Command contracting office. Inspection and acceptance will occur at the origin site by a Government Quality Assurance Representative, with FOB delivery to destination. The solicitation was anticipated for release in April 2002, emphasizing the specialized nature of these switches compared to commercial Ethernet equipment, which does not meet the stringent requirements of this military application.