COTS or NDI electrical generator solution to replace the generator system within the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Air Vehicle fleet

Synopsis: The U.S. Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Project Office is seeking information, performance capabilities, and technical data on a Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) or Non-Developmental Item (NDI) to replace the current alternator/electrical generator system for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Aircraft. A presented COTS/NDI electrical generator system should require little to no platform integration effort. In addition to performance capabilities and technical data, the US Government would like estimated costs, schedules, system reliability, and risks identified for any presented electrical generator solutions for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Aircraft. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and to identify interested sources. It does not constitute an invitation for bid, a Request for Proposal (RFP), a solicitation, a request for quote or a promise to issue such documentation in the future. Funding is not available at this time and this request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. Further, the U.S. Army 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 responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The U.S. Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI shall not be construed as 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. Additionally, responses may include data that the respondent does not want disclosed to the public for any purpose or used by the Government except for informational purposes. If your company wishes to restrict use of the data, the response must be marked appropriately. The Government will utilize non-Government personnel (Government support contractors) to review and evaluate all responses to this RFI. If any respondent requires a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) permitting the PM UAS support contractor(s) listed below to review the respondent's RFI submission, the respondent is encouraged to execute NDAs and provide a copy to the Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) prior to submittal of the RFI response. If the respondent remains silent in terms of requiring an NDA, it will be assumed that one is not required and the below support contractors will review the submittals. In any event, any markings on the submissions in response to this RFI should reflect that the information is releasable to the identified contractors solely for the purposes stated herein. The support contractors listed below will be precluded from submitting a response to this RFI or any subsequent solicitation for this effort. Respondents shall only contact the "NDA POC" personnel below to establish appropriate NDAs and shall not contact the personnel listed in the "support contractor" or "NDA POC" columns below to discuss the content of this RFI. Any inquiries pertaining to the subject matter of this RFI shall be submitted through the PCO listed as the POC for this RFI. The following is a list of support contractors who will review and evaluate all RFI responses: Company Support Contractor NDA POC Telephone Email Address Sigmatech Marshall Musser Lisa Willett (256) 319-9212 lisa.willett@sigmatech.com Sigmatech Andrew Giddings Lisa Willett (256) 319-9212 lisa.willett@sigmatech.com Sigmatech Matthew Burke Lisa Willett (256) 319-9212 lisa.willett@sigmatech.com CAS, Inc./KBR Wyle Beth Ambroz Mark Pearsall (256) 971-6126 mark.pearsall@wyle.com CAS, Inc./KBR Wyle Sam Huffstetler Mark Pearsall (256) 971-6126 mark.pearsall@wyle.com Description: The US Government requests information for a COTS or NDI electrical generator solution to replace the generator system within the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Air Vehicle fleet. As such, the US Government is interested in obtaining information on electrical generator capabilities, reliability, costs, and risks for materiel solutions that could serve as a replacement to the current MQ-1C Gray Eagle Air Vehicle electrical generator (alternator) system. The MQ-1C electrical generator system comprises dual redundant, +28VDC busses, where each bus presently utilizes two alternator power sources. These alternators are physically mounted and gear driven at 7,000-20000rpm by the MQ-1C engine gearbox, and provide power to downstream components that regulate generator power output onto each +28VDC bus. Requirements: The US Government intends to focus on electrical power generator solutions that meet military/airworthiness requirements. The primary goal/focus area of this effort is to improve reliability and availability of the existing electrical generator on the MQ-1C air vehicle platform. However, presented vendor solutions can exceed the stated minimum requirements below, which will support planned growth and incorporation of future payload requirements on the platform. At a minimum, electrical power generator conformance or equivalency with the following specifications and/or current capabilities are requested: Gear driven at maximum speed of 20,000 rpm at 5kW with a 28VDC output. Please describe if the system is capable of providing 7.5kW or greater (i.e. describe the power margin in the presented design). Minimum output of 3kW at 7500rpm. Generator must be capable of sustaining 27,000 rpm for 5 minute without mechanical failure. Conform to envelope dimensions along axis approximately L= 7 inch, and within approximately 8 inch diameter. Mechanical interface to gearbox: 4.85" Dia. Quick Disconnect Flange with 3.95" Dia. pilot shaft. Gear driven. Able to operate in a temperature range of at least -26 F to 148 F Cooling air available is ambient air with approximate 2" diameter duct. Able to operate at an altitude of 30,000' Mean Sea Level (MSL) Design life of greater than 2,200 hours In order for the electrical generator to receive a qualification test (QT) rating for production release it must meet airworthiness qualification requirements per the Aviation Engineering Directorate (AED). Respondents should explain how the presented solution meets typical airworthiness requirements. Requirements for electrical generators typically include the following types of tests: - Simulated operation functional cycle tests at various temperature - Applicable tests per 14 CFR part 23 and 33 - Environmental tests per MIL-STD-810 - Electromagnetic Interference per ADS-PRF-37 - Power Quality per MIL-STD-704 - Special Tests: Pressure wash, Drive Shear (MIL-G-6162), Paralleling Aid Device (MIL-STD-705), Parallel Operation Test (MIL-STD-705), Bearing Failure (MIL-G-6162) - Component Specific Tests: Over speed, Load and Containment - Reliability Development and Growth - Maintainability Responses should also include the following: The weight of the presented 5kW system as well as the weight of a 7.5kW + system (if available). The following Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability metrics for the presented electrical generator solution, with explanation/substantiation of how these metrics were determined - Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) - Probability Density Function (PDF) for Failure - Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) - Median Corrective Maintenance Time (MdCT) The electrical power generator's current Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) and the basis for the stated TRL and MRL Description of effort and a Rough Order Magnitude (ROM) of projected cost for prototyping, integration, and testing of the presented electrical power generator into a MQ-1C Gray Eagle Notional schedule for prototyping, integration, and testing ROM for projected production costs Estimated lead-time to begin production Information/documentation on electrical power generator reliability, qualification, life analysis and certification data If the presented electrical power generator does not meet the current electrical power generator specifications provided above, describe how the presented electrical power generator and system can be made to satisfy current requirements Information on scalability, growth, and improvement opportunities of the generator system design for current MQ-1C Gray Eagle system Any additional information or capabilities that a presented electrical generator system solution provides (e.g. motoring) that could provide an increased capability to the platform. Technical Data: The Government does not possess a Technical Data Package (TDP) for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range aircraft and related hardware and cannot provide as part of this request for information. Security Requirements: If needed, the Contractor may have access to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or information marked For Official Use Only (FOUO). Contractor will comply with the requirements of DoDM 5200.01, Volume 4, (pages 11-18), Section 2, for the protection of CUI in this effort. Responses: Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper, single spaced, no more than 10 pages in length (cover page does not count against the 10 page total), describing the responder's capabilities and potential material solution that meets the criteria referenced in this document. Responses are due no later than 15 April 2019, 5:00 PM CST. Contracts Points of Contact (POC): Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contracting Officer, Anthony L. Jones, anthony.l.jones295.civ@mail.mil or Contract Specialist, Michael S. Allison, michael.s.allison.civ@mail.mil. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 15 April 2019 will be answered.