CH-53K Electrical Optical (EO) / Infrared (IR) Sensor System Competition

26 August 2026 Notification 

Q&A responses from the formal RFP released on 17 July 2026 have been posted.  Proprietary Q&A responses will be sent via email.  Potential offers with previously approved DD Form 2345s will be provided access upon request.  Other potential offerors may request access and instructions will be provided.  

20 August 2026 Notification 

AMENDMENT 0001 UPDATES

RFP

• Section F Delivery Periods and Period of Performances Updated
• Section H Data rights clause: (b)(1)- delete “overhaul”, “modify”, “rework”, and “calibrate”
• Adding GFP clauses for MFCUs

CDRLs

• Corrected SOW references on A01A, A01B, A01C, and A01D.

SOW

• 12.7 removed “SLICWave” references to match CDRL A016 which requires compatible to SLICWave
• 12.8 updated SOW paragraph number referencing another section

SPEC

• 3.1.1.2.3 Corrected the Circular Error Probable (CEP) value to match existing value in 3.2.5.1
• 3.1.1.2.4
  • From: “The turret shall have an Inertial Point mode. The EO/IR Sensor imagery shall have zero drift with respect to an inertial frame of reference in wide FOV.”
  • To: “The turret shall have an Inertial Point mode.  The EO/IR Sensor imagery shall have a drift rate threshold 1.0 millirad/sec and the objective of 0.3 millirad/sec with respect to an inertial frame of reference in wide FOV.”
• 3.1.1.2.7 Remove “Heading Hold Mode Select” from the list
• 3.13.1.2 Added “The minimum maintenance requirement is remove and replace of the EO/IR Sensor.” to the existing paragraph

Technical Library

• MFCU ICD File Added

Section L

• Cross Reference Matrix Updated to correct references in 3.3
• 3.1 - System Design and Performance - Corrected the Circular Error Probable (CEP) value to match existing value in 3.2.5.1
• 3.3:
  • From: The Government requires maintenance capabilities sufficient to remove, replace, and test and check the EO/IR system on the aircraft.  The Offeror shall describe its approach to maintenance.  The Offerors may propose any maintenance capabilities above remove and replace.
  • To: The Government requires maintenance capabilities sufficient to remove, replace, and test the EO/IR system on the aircraft.  The Offeror shall describe its approach to maintenance.  The Offerors may propose any maintenance capabilities above remove, replace, and test the EO/IR system.

L-2 Matrices

• Cross Reference Matrix Updated to correct references in 3.3

J Attachment

• Added J Attachment for GFP (MFCU)

Security Classification Guide (SCG) available upon request.

21 July 2026 Notification

Please note the following for access to the solicitation and documents in PIEE once SAM.gov and DD Form 2345 requirements have been met:
1) Offerors must be logged in to PIEE to access 
2) Offerors MUST have the PROPOSAL manager role 
3) If the offeror still cannot see the attachments, they need to call PIEE help desk directly at (866-618-5988)

17 July 2026 Notification

*****This 17 July 2026 formal Request for Proposal (RFP) follows the prior EOIR_Sensor_System_Competition sources sought posting of 21 November 2025, and the draft RFP with Sections L and M release of 21 November 2025.

The Naval Air Systems Command, H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program (PMA 261), intends to issue a full and open solicitation for a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for the Electrical Optical (EO) / Infrared (IR) Sensor System for the CH-53K program. The contract will include non-recurring engineering, engineering support, program support, production (forward fit, retrofit, spare sensor systems and adapter plates (if necessary)), testing, logistics, data, and production reach back support. This effort has an estimated performance period of approximately seven (7) years. The place of contract performance is expected to be at the contractor’s facility.

The solicitation, including all attachments, is posted in the Solicitation Module of the U.S. Government PIEE website with restricted access and will only be made available to companies with a certified DD Form 2345 and verified via SAM.gov.

Companies that had requested and been granted access to the DRAFT Request for Proposal under Notice EOIR_Sensor_System_Competition, posted 21 November 2025, have already been provided access in PIEE to the formal Request for Proposal (RFP) under Notice N0001927R1000. The Government may also provide separately, via the dissemination method described below, technical documents to assist Offerors with developing their proposals. Potential Prime Contractors that had already requested and been provided the draft RFP technical library, already have the latest version and should not request the technical documents again.

Access to Solicitation/ Solicitation Attachments (For Companies that had not already requested and been granted access to the DRAFT Request for Proposal under Notice EOIR_Sensor_System_Competition, posted 21 November 2025, Solicitation documents may contain Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

Requests for access to the solicitation and solicitation attachments in the Solicitation Module of the U.S. Government PIEE website must be in writing and include: Company name, address, and Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code (as it appears in SAM.gov and as registered in the PIEE Solicitation Module), and a certified DD Form 2345.

Upon review of and approval of the potential Offerors (including subcontractors) written request, certified DD Form 2345, and verification of Offerors status in SAM.gov, the Government will provide the Offeror access to the Solicitation and Solicitation Attachments in the Solicitation Module of the U.S. Government PIEE website. Each potential Offeror (including subcontractors) shall transmit via email its written request for access to solicitation and solicitation attachments in the Solicitation Module of the U.S. Government PIEE website to Government Points of Contact, Ms. Kym Leyva, at kimberly.r.leyva.civ@us.navy.mil, and Mr. Chris Harritt, at christopher.j.harritt.civ@us.navy.mil.  

Some of the formal RFP documents may contain information whose export is restricted by the Arms Export Control Act (Title 22, U.S.C. Sec 2751, et seq.) or the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (Title 50, U.S.C. App. 2401 et seq.). Accordingly, all requests for access to formal RFP documents must be in writing and shall include: Statement that the company intends to submit as a prime contractor; A certified copy of a DD Form 2345, Military Critical Technical Data Agreement.

To obtain certification, contact Defense Logistics Information Service at (800) 352-3572 or https://www.dla.mil/Logistics-Operations/Services/JCP/#joint-certification-program-jcp-office; Company name, address, and CAGE code (as it appears in SAM.gov and as registered in the PIEE Solicitation Module). After obtaining a certified DD Form 2345, each Offeror shall transmit via email its written request for access to the formal RFP documents, with the certified DD Form 2345 attached to the email, to the aforementioned Government Points of Contact. Prior to granting access to formal RFP documents, the Government will verify that the company requesting the data has an active registration in SAM.gov based on the CAGE code provided.

Each potential Offeror shall certify that no dissemination of any export-controlled solicitation attachments and technical documents containing CUI subject to this requirement will occur in a manner that would violate applicable export control laws and regulations via submittal of their approved DD Form 2345. Upon review of the Offerors written request and approved DD Form 2345, the Government will provide the Offeror access to the technical documents via the DoD SAFE website (previously AMRDEC) - https://safe.apps.mil/. The data custodian listed in Block 3 of DD Form 2345 will receive a link, via e-mail, to the package download page as well as a password. The password is unique for each recipient and will be disabled once SAFE detects that the user successfully downloaded each file within the package. Distribution of CUI by an Offeror to that Offerors team members, partners, subcontractors, suppliers and/or vendors shall be the responsibility of the Offeror and shall be limited to a need to know basis. All guidance contained herein with regard to handling, distribution and destruction of CUI data shall be flowed down to all subcontractors and team members. Those who access or take receipt of any technical data shall comply with all laws, export controls and distribution statements associated with the document.

Classified Documents. Potential Offerors with a certified DD Form 2345 and an active registration in SAM.gov may submit their request to the Government Points of Contact listed above for instructions.

Deadline for Industry Questions. Interested parties may submit questions using the Enclosure (1) Industry Worksheet Excel file no later than 12:00pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 28 July 2026 to ensure Government responses are provided. The Government cannot guarantee any subsequent questions will be addressed. It is the responsibility of the Offeror to ensure timely Government receipt. The Government is not responsible for responses to questions for which the Offeror did not receive submission confirmation from the Government. 

Proposal Deadline.   Proposals must be submitted in accordance with all solicitation requirements no later than 5:00pm EST on 15 September 2026. Proposals received after this deadline will be excluded from consideration.*****