Block Upgrade for Kuwait Air Force KC-130J Aircraft

1. GENERAL The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), PMA207, is conducting market research to identify potential sources to upgrade the Block 6.5-2 Operational Flight Program (OFP) and modify three (3) Kuwait Air Force (KAF) KC-130J aircraft. The aircraft upgrade will incorporate software and hardware modifications to integrate a stand-alone navigation system that is capable of providing Required Navigation Performance (RNP) and space-based precision approach capability. This sources sought is being used as a market research tool pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 10 to determine potential sources and their technical capabilities. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement. This request is to obtain information to determine if responsible sources exist that would allow this requirement to be competed or set-aside for small business. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code currently assigned to this procurement is 336413 - (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing). DISCLAIMER THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARILY. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Interested parties, however, may identify their interest and capability by responding to this requirement. If after reviewing this information, you desire to respond to this pre-solicitation synopsis, you should provide documentation to substantiate your product meets the requirements specified in this sources sought. Failure to provide documentation may result in the government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. Unless otherwise stated herein, no additional written information is available. 2. BACKGROUND The NAVAIR, PMA-207, KC-130J program currently provides technical and operational support for three (3) Block 6.5-2 KAF KC-130J aircraft. The KAF aircraft frequently operate in dense airspace throughout Eurocontrol, and desire the capability to execute RNP and Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) approaches. The program office is searching for companies with the capability to upgrade the OFP and associated systems in the KAF KC-130J aircraft for a block upgrade. A stand-alone navigation system that can provide RNP and LPV approach capability will be required to be integrated into the aircraft simultaneously. The objective is to install relays capable of switching the aircraft controls from legacy Flight Management System (FMS) to the RNP/Global Positioning System (GPS) approach system during the approach segment of flight for fully-coupled lateral and vertical operations, allowing full RNP Approach capability. The contractor will be required to integrate the stand-alone RNP navigation system to all controls and displays in a manner that will meet Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and/or European Aviation Safety Administration (EASA) standards, and to provide all engineering data artifacts to support a NAVAIR flight clearance. Additionally, a Multifunction Information Distribution System (MIDS) Link 16 Low Volume Terminal (LVT) 4 Block Upgrade (BU) 2 will be installed in a federated [LWECU(1] [CB2] manner. The Link 16 terminal, power supply and associated components will be provided by the U.S. Government. Also associated with the overall modification, the Data Transfer and Diagnostics (DTADS) system will require updating to incorporate all OFP changes as well as re-hosting the system on a Windows 64-bit operating system. Due to long-range scheduling constraints, PMA-207 requires the contractor to modify the KAF aircraft CONUS in the 2024 to 2025 timeframe and is seeking companies with the fully-developed capability to meet this schedule which includes time for contracting with the United States Government (USG). 3. INFORMATION REQUESTED Interested parties are requested to submit their response, addressing the following items in no more than twenty (20) pages in length in Times New Roman font of not less than 10 point font. Responses shall address the following: NAVAIR is conducting market research to identify industry partners that can provide OFP changes required to integrate a stand-alone RNP navigation system into the KAF KC-130J in order to provide RNP and LPV approach capability, to incorporate a federated Link 16, and to update the KAF DTADS. Potential contractors are requested to provide information on current capability to modify, test, and certify the KC-130J OFP; relevant history of past performance in upgrading C-130J OFPs; and the capability of providing engineering services to support the functions and services identified herein. Interested contractors shall provide their technical capabilities describing how their approach to meeting the Government's complete requirements for the OFP upgrade, all aircraft modifications, and DTADS upgrade described in paragraphs 1 and 2 above, either directly or through teaming arrangements. Please submit electronic copy via DOD SAFE your response in an executive summary format not to exceed twenty (20) pages. If your response includes information you consider proprietary, please mark the information in accordance with regulatory guidance. Please do not include company brochures or other marketing type information. All responses must be submitted electronically through https://safe.apps.mil and individual files shall not exceed 1GB. Note: DoD SAFE restricts the maximum submission to a total of 8 GB of data and 25 individual files. In the Comments box put the following information: Company's name, Sources Sought number, POC, Backup POC. If files are encrypted for submission, the Company POC shall send an email with the - passphrase to the Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) and the Contract Specialist (CS), specified in below. The following labeling instructions apply to the "description" box of each transmission: Each transfer shall provide the Sources Sought number (N00019-21-RFPREQ-APM207-0941), the Company name and address and the point of contact's name and phone number. Verification of timely submission will be the DoD SAFE generated email notification of file transfer. The Government will provide confirmation of receipt to the sender. Creating a DoD SAFE Drop-off For - Common Access Card (CAC) Authenticated Users Create a - drop-off with the PCO and the CS as the recipients For - Outside or Non-CAC Authenticated Users Parties interested in submitting a response to the Solicitation must notify the PCO and the CS to request a drop-off. It is recommended that this request be submitted at least 10 working days in advance of the date and time specified in Sources Sought period ending, to ensure adequate time to process the request. When the PCO or the CS generates a drop-off request for you, the Offeror will receive an email with a link to submit its drop-off. This link is valid for 14 days, for a one-time submission. The submission must be sent to both the PCO and the CS. Note: DoD SAFE restricts the maximum file submission up to 8 GB or 25 individual files. If the Offeror anticipates multiple submissions could be necessary, the number of links required should be specified in the request. 3.1 Corporate Information Company's name and address. Company's cage code and Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number. Company point of contact including email address and phone number. Company's business size based on North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 336413. Company's list of NAICAS codes under which goods and services are provided. Company's business status (Socio-Economic Factors: 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business, etc.) 3.2 Specific Sources Sought Information Requested Proposed approach to meet the Government's complete requirements for the upgrade to the Block 6.5-2 Operational Flight Program (OFP) and to modify three (3) Kuwait Air Force (KAF) KC-130J aircraft described in paragraphs 1 and 2 above. Potential teaming arrangements. Related past performance within the past five years. Specific contract numbers with similar work scope. Experience handling customs and clearances processes in foreign countries, specifically with Kuwaiti import/export licenses. 3.3 Specific Commercial Information Requested a. Are any of these items/services Commercial Items per FAR 2.101(b)? YES NO b. If YES to #3.3a above are these items available is a PUBLISHED Catalog/Price List? YES NO c. If YES to #3.3b above can you supply us with a copy of your Price List? YES NO d. If NO to #3.3a above - if these items are not currently in the commercial market place, will these items be available in the commercial market place in time to satisfy the government's delivery requirements on this project? YES NO e. If YES to #3.3a above can you provide UNREDACTED commercial sales history, listing in catalogs or brochures, known established price list to commercial market place, availability or announcement to the general public? YES NO f. The Government, and the Government only, must determine not only if an item is commercial but also if the commercial prices are fair and reasonable. This is usually accomplished through proof that commercial market forces have driven the setting of the commercial price. Such proof would describe the commercial market acceptance of the price or, more plainly, invoices proving that the item has been sold commercially at like prices, for like quantities. Is your company willing and able to provide such proof, if the government determines it is needed to verify price reasonableness? YES NO 4. RESPONSES Inquiries regarding this Sources Sought shall be addressed to Ms. Shauna Fitzgerald at shauna.n.fitzgerald.civ@us.navy.mil. Email all information in response to this sources sought to Ms. Shauna Fitzgerald at shauna.n.fitzgerald.civ@us.navy.mil, 21936 Bundy Road Patuxent River, MD 20670. Responses are due 5:00pm Eastern Daylight Time, 02 November 2021.