E4B LFTS

Sources Sought for E-4B LFTS This Sources Sought is to inform the business community that the United States Air Force, through the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Special Duty Branch (AFLCMC/WLVSA), is conducting market research to determine qualified, experienced and interested potential sources to replace the E-4B NAOC Very Low Frequency/Low Frequency (VLF/LF) Transmit System with a Low Frequency Transmit System (LFTS) capable of transmission with 100 kW output power over the frequency range of 28-60 kHz, leveraging the E-6B High Power Transmit System (HPTS) design. Part of the market research is to publish on FedBizOpps a Request for Information (RFI) seeking market information on businesses capable of providing the services. The information requested in this RFI will be used within the Air Force to facilitate decision-making and will not be disclosed outside the agency. Firms choosing to respond to this RFI are cautioned that THIS SYNOPSIS/RFI IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. This is NOT a formal notice of solicitation. Telephone or facsimile inquiries and/or responses will not be accepted. The Government is not obligated to and shall not pay for any information received from any sources responding to this RFI and will not provide any feedback or carry on discussions with non-federal government activities regarding the information provided in response to this RFI. Responses to this notice are not offers and can not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. A brief description of the requirement is as follows: 1. Introduction The E-4B is a fleet of 4 highly modified Boeing 747-200s. Due to the small fleet size, aircraft availability is of primary importance to the E-4B community and should be thoroughly considered by prospective offerors. The E-4B serves as the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC) for the National Command Authorities (NCA) and provides a worldwide-deployable, enduring node of the National Military Command System (NMCS) to fulfill national security requirements throughout the full spectrum of conflict. It is a modern, highly survivable, command, control and communications center to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders and coordinate civil authorities' activities, including national contingency plans. Please keep in mind that this is a general description of the scope of work that could be required and does not define the final requirement. However, contractual requirements may include: program management; Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) agreements for airframe, weight and balance, stress and structures, electrical loads analysis, airworthiness certification, and communication systems currently on the aircraft; strategic planning, risk management and mitigation, earned value management, budgeting and execution of government approved plans and programs. Modification requirements may include removal of existing VLF/LF Transmit System, development, installation, integration, and qualification of a prototype LFTS, as well as development of dedicated ground support equipment, training equipment and materials, identification of maintenance requirements, and updates to E-4B Technical Orders. Additional requirements may include: training, electrical/power load, environmental control systems, stress and structural, physical configuration, wiring and other reference designators, systems engineering support, detailed design engineering, design change analyses, system and subsystem integration, technical analyses, drawing and technical data maintenance, software development, technical order development, Government Furnished Property maintenance, Engineering Change Proposal preparation and submission, flight safety analyses, reliability and maintainability analyses, ground and flight test support, program analyses, schedule development, failure analyses, and configuration management. Qualified contractors and/or subcontractors must demonstrate experience with airborne trailing wire antenna systems. Qualified contractors and/or subcontractors should have knowledge of E-6B HPTS engineering, Boeing 747-200 design, structures, and power systems, along with access to E-4B specific engineering, configuration, sustainment, aerodynamics, electronics, hardware, software, support equipment, training devices, system integration, and communication systems. The Government does not have unlimited rights to Contractor-Owned data and cannot provide it to Offerors. Any potential offeror must provide valid Letters of Intent (LOIs) from the owners of these documents as a response to this RFI. Contractors must have access to all data and suitable facilities, tools, equipment, and personnel to provide all E-4B services and have the ability to certify or get certification to Military, commercial, or FAA airworthiness standards as required. 2. Requested Information a. A document briefly stating the company's capabilities, including at a minimum the following: 1. Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number and e-mail of designated point of contact 2. Company information (include CAGE Code and DUNS) 3. Anticipated Teaming Arrangements (highly encouraged if necessary) 4. Typical terms and conditions for this type of work (i.e., lead time, warranty, etc.) 5. Identify Major Risks: general information that identifies any major risks anticipated and/or associated with this type of effort 6. Evidence of top secret security clearance b. Optional - Non-binding Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) 3. Questions Questions regarding this notice shall be submitted via e-mail to Mr. Clyde Fosdyke, Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO) at clyde.fosdyke@us.af.mil Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered by posting answers as an attachment entitled Questions and Answers to this notice; accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. A draft SOW is available upon request by respondents who are authorized to handle export controlled data. The Specifications will be released in the event the Government issues a formal RFP. The Government will answer all questions received by 25 July 2013 4:30 P.M. Any questions received after this date and time will not be accepted. 4. Responses Responses shall be written using Microsoft Word and limited to 8 pages, typed in Times New Roman, Font 12. Responses shall be written and via E-mail to Mr. Clyde Fosdyke, Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO), clyde.fosdyke@us.af.mil by 25 July 2013 at 4:30 P.M. Contractors responding to this Sources Sought shall submit the requested information in writing and electronically no later than July 25, 2013, 4:30 PM EST to Clyde Fosdyke at Clyde.Fosdyke@us.af.mil. Late submissions will not be accepted.