99--B-52 SR2 Request for Information-Integrator Role

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION 651 Aeronautical Systems Squadron (AESS) (B-52)Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB), Ohio 1.0 Description 1.1 Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) in support of the 651 AESS is seeking information on the interest and capability of prime integrating contractors for a new/replacement radar system for the current B-52H AN/APQ-166 strategic radar. 1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue a RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Air Force is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertainin! g to this requirement. 2.0 Background The Government is investigating the possibility of initiating a B-52H strategic radar replacement program. The objective would be to identify, integrate, test, produce, and field a replacement radar system to address supportability issues beginning in 2016. The AN/APQ-166 Mechanically Scanned Array (MSA) radar system currently installed on the B-52H fleet was originally fielded in the 1950s, last upgraded to its present configuration in the early 1980s, and is approaching the end of its useful life. The antenna assembly has corrosion issues and several components of the radar system are experiencing diminishing manufacturing source/materiel shortage (DMS/MS) situations. Forecasts indicate that the B-52H radar system will become unsupportable beginning in the 2016 timeframe. 2.1 Planned Production: A total of 76 aircraft would require retrofit with the new radar system, along with spares and trainers 2.2 Delivery Period: Initial production kit deliveries in FY 16 2.3 Limitations: Maximum number of aircraft that may be retrofit in any given year is between 17 and 24 2.4 Security Requirements: In accordance with established B-52H Weapon System Master Security Classification Guide, 2 September 2008 For a copy of the Master Security Classification Guide please contact: B-52 System Program Office 327th ACSG 3001 Staff Dr. Ste 2AG19A Tinker AFB, OK 73145-3021 Action Officer: 540th ACSS/DO PH: +1 (555) 000-0000 3.0 Requested Information Responders shall identify their capability to integrate a complete replacement radar system onto the B-52H aircraft assuming either a Government-furnished (i.e., GFE), Government-specified (i.e., directed Sub-contractor) or a Contractor-furnished (i.e., CFE) radar. Although the Government prefers an "off-the-shelf" (OTS), or modified OTS radar solution, new system design shall not be precluded. Potential sources must possess and demonstrate in their Response the following capabilities at a minimum: . Aeronautical Systems Engineering. Technical analyses and Trade Studies. Engineering drawing and technical data development. Hardware and Software design and development. Technical Order development. Flight Safety analysis. Reliability and Maintainability engineering / analysis. Ground and flight test support. Program Management. Logistics supportability analysis. Complex Military aircraft avionics / subsystems integration. Electromagnetic Interference/Electromagnetic Compatibility engineering and test. Nuclear hardening engineering. Systems Integration Laboratory (SIL) The Boeing Company presently owns a substantial portion of the B-52H technical data. The prospective Prime Integrating contractor for this effort shall be responsible for providing or obtaining access to all necessary B-52H data to meet program requirements through direct negotiation with The Boeing Company. The Government will not provide any B-52H data to support this effort. Responders shall provide specific details on how required technical data, expertise, facilities, tools, equipment, and personnel will be obtained to meet the requirements of this program. The following assumptions are given: . The radar shall be nuclear hardened and support B-52H nuclear surety requirements. System hardware must be available in sufficient quantities to support aircraft modifications beginning in 2016, with a minimum lifecycle through the 2040 timeframe. The radar system shall employ a 2-level maintenance concept 4.0 Responses 4.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. 4.2 White papers in Microsoft Word for Office 2007 compatible format are due no later than 16 DECEMBER 2009, 1400 EST. Responses shall be limited to 30 pages for Section 2 and submitted to: 651 AESS/SYKAttn: Ms Sylvia Baker2690 Loop Road WestWright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7148 Please include two complete, hard-copies of the response, along with one "softcopy" on CD. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information to the maximum extent practicable. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. If any Responder does not currently have a Proprietary Data Protection Agreement (PDPA) that would permit the 651 AESS support contractors listed below to review and evaluate white papers submitted in response to this RFI, the Responder is requested to sign PDPAs with these support contractors for this purpose. The following is a list of support contractor Points of Contact who will review the responses. Company: WBB Daniel R. Vore 937-320-9904x706 contact@example.gov: WBB Brian L. James 937-320-9904x707 contact@example.gov: WBB Richard A. Kitchen 937-320-9904x710 contact@example.gov: EG&G Charles H. Winham +1 (555) 000-0000 contact@example.gov 4.3. Section 1 of the white paper shall provide administrative information, and shall include the following as a minimum: 4.3.1. Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact. 4.3.2. Recommended contracting strategy. 4.3.3. Either 1) copies of executed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with the contractors supporting ASC (as identified above) or 2) a statement that the Responder will not allow the Government to release its proprietary data to the Government support contractors. In the absence of either of the foregoing, the Government will assume that the Responder does NOT agree to the release of its submission to Government support contractors. 4.3.4. Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334511. "Small business concern" means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria and size standards in 13 CFR part 121. A small business concern for the purposes of this procurement is generally defined as a business, including its affiliates, averaging no more than 750 employees. Responders are cautioned, however, that this is a general description only. Additional standards and conditions apply. Please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 1! 9 for additional detailed information on Small Business Size Standards. The FAR is available at http://www.arnet.gov. 4.3.5 The facility security clearance of the offeror. The number of pages in Section 1 of the white paper shall not be included in the 30-page limitation, i.e., the 30-page limitation applies only to Section 2 of the white paper. 4.4 Section 2 of the white paper shall answer the issues addressed in Section 3 of this RFI and shall be limited to 30 pages. 5.0 Industry Discussions ASC representatives may or may not choose to meet with potential offerors. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements. 6.0 Questions Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contracting Officer, Ms. Sylvia Baker, contact@example.gov. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted, accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 09 Dec 2009, 1400 EST will be answered. 7.0 Summary THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources only. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Air Force has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. For more information on "B-52 SR2 Request for Information-Integrator Role", please refer to:https://www.pixs.wpafb.af.mil/pixs_solicitation.asp?id=6380