B -- Requestion For Information (RFI) Counter Insurgency ISR Airborne Platform for the Iraqi Air Force

Subject: Counter Insurgency ISR Airborne Platform for the Iraqi Air Force Purpose: This RFI solicits information from DoD, other government agencies, US and/or foreign companies, who are capable of providing design(s), development, or prototype(s); conducting developmental and operational testing; or producing end items for Iraqi National Government proposed requirements. This RFI is not a formal solicitation nor does it constitute a current or future United States government requirement. Any information provided to the Government is strictly voluntary and at no cost to the Government. Due to the intended use of the information, any systems and/or technology subject to restriction under the US Arms Export Control Act (AECA) will not be reviewed or considered. Eligibility to Participate: DoD, other government agencies, US and/or foreign companies. Program Manager POC: Lt Col Wesley Long, USCENTAF, Comparative Aircraft Study, 150 Bennett Ave, Hurlburt Field, FL 32544-5000, e-mail: ccas@hurlburt.af.mil, phone (850) 884-1415, fax (850) 884-1473 Contracting POC: Mr. Randall May, 20th Contractng Squadron, 305 Blue Jay Street, Shaw AFB, SC 29152, e-mail: randall.may@shaw.af.mil, phone (803) 895-6828. Background U.S. Central Command Air Forces (USCENTAF) is conducting a comparative aircraft analysis of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) airborne platforms available for possible procurement by the Iraqi National Government for use by the Iraqi Air Force (IqAF). The results of this analysis will assist the IqAF decision to request proposals for procurement of an ISR airborne platform for use in Iraq. Introduction To facilitate an evaluation of potential solutions, or technology, for USCENTAF's comparative aircraft analysis for the IqAF, this Request for Information (RFI) solicits information from companies who are able to provide full or partial materiel solutions which may involve design, development, prototype(s), developmental and operational testing, and production of end items to offer solutions or added capabilities for the IqAF. This RFI is not a formal solicitation nor does it constitute a current or future US government requirement. Any information provided to the Government is strictly voluntary and at no cost to the Government. The cost of preparing submission in response to this announcement is not considered an allowable direct charge to the government. Every effort will be made to protect the confidentiality of all submissions. Government support contractors may be used to assist the government with the administration of this effort. Individual support contractors have signed non-disclosure agreements in accordance with their respective contractual agreements. Specifics The purpose of the proposed Iraqi procurement will be to acquire, operate and sustain a cost-effective and versatile manned platform to provide aerial ISR by IqAF personnel as deemed necessary by the Iraqi Government. The primary expected task for the platform is the surveillance of infrastructure elements, which will allow for timely reporting of potential threats, tampering, and malfunctions of essential infrastructure elements in divergent areas throughout the country. The aircraft must have an agile and stealthy profile to allow its aircrew to identify potential threats and avoid ground fire and other threats to low-flying aircraft. The aircraft must also have a communications suite that will allow reporting to the proper authorities. The proposed platform must either be new at the time of purchase, or used with a - zero-time power plant and other mission elements. It must be able to maintain day and night aerial surveillance of point and linear targets (e.g. convoys, military supply routes (MSRs), electrical, communications and oil infrastructure), with the capability to: 1) Visually detect and inspect disruption of or threats to the national infrastructure nodes and lines of operation. 2) Monitor national borders and coastlines. 3) Provide timely information on the nature of the threat, surrounding terrain and tactical situation to all tasked security forces. 4) Immediately report observations using both line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond-line-of sight (BLOS) voice communications. 5) Assist in the rapid repair of key infrastructure by timely notification of proper authorities in the event of damage or disruption. a. Required Aircraft characteristics The minimum expectation for the possible IqAF procurement is that the selected contractor will deliver and provide support for an aerial platform and surveillance system which has reliability and maintainability characteristics that support a system operations tempo (OPTEMPO) of 8 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, with an aircraft availability rate of ninety percent (90%) Mission Capable (MC) for completion of an 8-hour mission under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC). The system must be capable of sustaining an eighty percent (80%) Fully Mission Capable (FMC) rate for the completion of an 8-hour mission under Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), in the environmental conditions expected in the Iraqi Theatre of Operations (i.e. up to 50-degrees Celsius). The system must have an environmental control system that provides cabin air conditioning. The system must be certified to a minimum Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) FAR Part 23 standard, or equivalent international certification, and posses the following characteristics: 1) Allow for new technology insertion. 2) Be supportable throughout the systems projected life cycle. 3) Have low life cycle support (LCS) costs. 4) Be capable of sustaining mission operations availability rates of ninety percent (90%) MC for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations and eighty percent (80%) FMC for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations. The system must be capable of sustainment with a minimum of maintenance and ground footprint. b. Required Mission profile The aircraft shall be capable of safe patrol speeds at an employment altitude of 10,000 feet MSL in a low-maintenance, low-fatigue airframe capable of loitering in excess of 5 hours while maintaining a 45-minute fuel reserve. It shall be approved for operation in day/night (Night VMC), and be capable of operations in (IMC) (not in icing conditions). It shall be capable of operations within a minimum radius of two hundred (200) nautical miles and posses a low visual, audio and thermal signature. Operation will be with a minimum two man crew (pilot and observer) and shall have at least 0.2 cubic meters of storage capability. The aircraft shall have dual sets of flight controls, be capable of operation from soft fields and remote sites and use military or commercial jet fuel. c. Required Sensor/Communications Suite The sensor suite shall consist of visible and infrared (IR) sensors with minimum vibration and unobstructed field of view, capable of recognizing a man-sized target under light-levels as low as 10'3 Lux at 8km range from 5000ft+ AGL. The sensor suite shall be capable of viewing in real-time, off-boresight to a minimum of - 20 laterally, as well as to digitally record sensor information, with automated time and position data, for post-flight analysis and action. d. Required Communications The Communications suite shall consist of internal crew intercom and the ability to communicate to Air Traffic Control (ATC) facilities and operational agencies, both line of sight (LOS) and beyond line of sight (BLOS) via voice on: 1) Civil/ Military VHF Voice 118 - 174 MHz 2) Military UHF Voice 225 - 400 MHz 3) Civil UHF Voice 430 - 470 MHz (Iraqi Police operate in the 450-470MHz range). 4) Civil HF with Automatic Link Establishment (ALE Capability). 1.5-30 MHz The voice communications system shall have the capability to be upgraded to accommodate secure voice communications. e. Required Navigation The aircraft navigation system, in addition to standard IFR navigation systems, shall include civil-code Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment for reporting and navigation. The aircraft shall be equipped with an encoding transponder for ATC identification and for operations within civil and military ATC infrastructure. f. Required Logistics Under the proposed procurement plan, the Contractor will be required to assist in the design of an Integrated Logistics Support program to include: 1) Creating a technical maintenance program based on OEM recommendations and Commercial and Non Developmental Item (CaNDI) documentation. The program shall conform to requirements set forth by the Airworthiness Authority (AA). The maintenance program shall use an Organizational level maintenance concept with major repair or overhaul accomplished at AA approved overhaul facilities. 2) Designing of a recommended spare parts package to support the desired operations tempo (OPTEMPO) of eight hours per day per aircraft to support a 24/7, 365-day mission. Providing to the Iraqi Government the approved spare parts inventory, general and special test/analysis equipment, tool kits and special tools that may be required for line maintenance. 3) Providing technical maintenance manuals, parts manuals, and inventory documentation to support the recommended parts, tools and test equipment upon first delivery. 4) Providing all manuals and software products required for LCS of the fielded systems upon first delivery. 5) Providing a maintenance program designed to support the repair and/or replacement of system components to include the depot level maintenance and inspections prescribed by the FAA and the OEM. 6) Planning the maintenance concept to take maximum advantage of parts standardization, interchangeability, and commonality; to minimize the number and types of required spares. g. Required Contractor Provided Training Under the proposed procurement plan, the selected contractor will be required to provide an initial maintenance and aircrew training program to include: 1) Maintenance: Design a Program of Instruction (POI) and provide initial training for maintenance personnel. All training of maintenance technicians shall be In Accordance With (IAW) the contractor's proposed training plan and shall follow "Best Commercial Practices". The POI shall include instructions for diagnostic troubleshooting and maintenance for the aircraft and surveillance systems (airframe, engine, avionics, and sensor systems). The maintenance training shall be to the standard required for daily turnaround and manufacturer's recommended inspections and maintenance. The training and training materials shall be available in English and also in the user's language insofar as possible. The training package shall include meals and housing accommodation at the contractor's location 2) Aircrew: Provide a Pilot Aircraft Qualification Course (AQC) that provides training to a standard commensurate with the mission and the safe operation of the aircraft. All pilots AQC training shall be IAW Best Commercial Practices and the contractors proposed training plan. The AQC may assume previous qualified pilot experience with a minimum of specialized equipment training. The AQC shall include emergency/abnormal procedures training. The training shall be provided by certified flight instructors (CFI), or equivalent, and students must demonstrate proficiency in VMC/ IMC navigation and flight competency. The training package shall include meals and housing accommodations at the contractor's location. h. Additional Desired Capabilities 1) Multi-mission capability: Aircraft capable of conducting additional counter insurgency missions such as light/medium airlift, VIP transport, casualty evacuation or light close air support. 2) Service ceiling greater than 15,000 ft MSL 3) Aircraft capable of Short Field Takeoff and Landings (STOL) 4) EO/IR sensors with NIIRs quality of 5+ at altitude of 20,000MSL and below 5) Sensor images downlinkable real-time within LOS to a ground receiver 6) EO/IR sensor capable of search, track, LASER marking and LASER designation 7) Fully-compatible NVG cockpit lighting Structure of Submissions Respondents are invited to submit written design, performance, and cost information to the proposed procurement relating to the mission areas above. The written response should contain a point of contact for follow-up questions or contact. Indicate any ability to conduct follow-up briefings at your facility or a Government facility. Each respondent is requested to provide detailed information on all solutions provided. It is the Government's intention to evaluate the submitted solutions for performance, survivability, and life cycle cost. In addition, each of the specific required characteristics has associated, but yet to be determined, measures of merit which will be used to evaluate submitted solutions. The Government requests each respondent provide sufficient technical and cost related information so the viability of each design can be fully evaluated. Indicate whether the proposed solution is a modification to an existing system or a new design. Identify the representative missions and concept of operations where the proposed design would be successful, or most successful. Identify an acquisition strategy and sustainment strategy (O&S) to include costs, top level schedule (based on an approved contract), and technical risks to reach a proposed Initial Operational Capability (IOC) (defined as establishing two operating locations within two years with a minimum of 8 platforms operating per location). Requested cost information should be provided in both Base Year CY06 and then subsequent years. Costs should be broken down to include production costs and operating and support costs. In addition, provide the ground rules, assumptions, and program schedule used to calculate the costs. Policy/Procedures All submissions are due to the Program POC, NLT 28 Nov 05. Upon receipt of each submission, the Government will acknowledge receipt to each submitter. For those designs of interest, the Government may solicit additional dialogue with that provider to obtain additional details. This request for information in no way implies either implicitly or explicitly that submitters will be compensated in any way by the government for information or materials provided. All information provided becomes U.S. Government property and will not be returned. Do not submit classified information. All information and/or technologies subject to the AECA shall be clearly labeled in contractor submittals. Furthermore, any information submitters do not wish to be released outside of the US government shall also be clearly labeled in submittals. All properly identified proprietary information will be treated appropriately. Submit any applicable product literature, drawings, brochures, videos, or related material on or before 28 November 2005 via US mail or email; if such information is available via the Internet, a HTTP or FTP link to the materials may be submitted instead.