HC/MC-130J Block Upgrade Modifications

Request for Information (RFI) in accordance with FAR 52.215-3 AFLCMC/WISM (HC/MC-130J Program Office) Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Ohio SUBJECT: HC/MC-130J Block Upgrade Modifications NOTE: This request is a Request for Information only. Please do not submit a proposal. GENERAL: (a) Disclaimer and Important Notes: The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Although "proposal" and "offeror" are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. (c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of Market Research. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in FedBizOpps. Responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to any subsequent solicitation. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in the response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). (d) Responses for Planning Purposes Only: Responses provided are strictly voluntary and will not affect the ability to submit an offer if or when a formal solicitation is released. The requested information is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a follow-on procurement action will be issued. No Government entitlement of direct costs or charges will arise as a result of the submission of information in response to this notice. The Government shall not be liable for, or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified proprietary information. INFORMATION REQUESTED: (a) Background: The Government is conducting market research to identify possible sources that may possess the expertise, experience, and capabilities to schedule, manage and modify HC/MC-130J aircraft. Upgrades add multiple capabilities to achieve new HC/MC-130J Block configurations. Possible activities include: 1. Install: crew station hardware, additional processing/computer hardware (for running unique mission software) and larger displays 2. Install a federated aircraft system 3. Install a secure mission network and communication suite 4. Install cargo ramp side anti-buffeting boards 5. Install significant capability upgrades (Block modifications) Contractors will be dealing with unclassified systems, 3rd party proprietary applications, and system architectures that will require confidentiality agreements; identify your ability and any inability to obtain nondisclosure agreements. (b) Roughly 50 aircraft will require modification at a planned rate of 4-6 ea. per year, funding availability may increase or decrease this number. Some individual modifications may be conducted at a flexible rate depending on parts availability and funding. Record type Time Compliance Technical Orders (TCTO's) will be used as instruction for performing modifications with access to available engineering drawings. Some modifications may require support from the Original Equipment Manufacturer when technical data is not readily available. Modifications do not require hangar facilities; however, access to an on-site hangar large enough to support an HC/MC-130J is desired. Completion of some Block modifications may require a limited Functional Check Flight (FCF). Possessing the capability to perform a FCF is not required; however, documentation of how you will arrange for a qualified FCF aircrew must be included. (c) Purpose: The purpose of this RFI is to assist the program office with ascertaining interest in competing for a single modification event that involves multiple TCTO's, to gain synergy and avoid downtime. Interested parties should respond to this RFI with capability statements which include/address the following information: 1. Describe your past experience of like activities (no more than five examples) to include: a) Program name and branch of service responsible for management of program b) Description of the effort c) Date and period of performance d) Contract information (number, POP, POC etc.) 2. Respondents to this RFI should assume the Government will be unable to provide a complete complement of HC/MC-130J support equipment (SE) required for sustainment of the aircraft during modification activities. Respondents should fully explain how they plan to obtain SE. Respondents should define how HC/MC-130J equipment and technical data will be stored /safeguarded to prevent unauthorized access and/or disclosure. 3. Respondents should identify their organizations ability to accommodate changes, their flexibility to increase/decrease quantities and timeliness to add scope. Additionally, the Government is interested in respondents' disposition towards accommodating third-party access during modification activities. 4. Respondents should briefly describe their internal quality assurance process. If respondent intends to make teaming arrangements to meet requirements, the RFI response should identify potential teaming arrangements and roles and responsibilities. The prime contractor will be responsible for the overall performance of this effort. 5. Responses should address any risks foreseen in performing this effort. Respondents should address any steps they would likely take to mitigate the risks. 6. Contractors responding to this announcement should indicate their size, particularly if they are a small business, a socially and economically disadvantaged business, a woman-owned business, a Historically Underutilized Business zone small business concern, Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, Native American-Owned Small Business, and should also indicate if the company is foreign-owned. (d) RFI Format: Interested sources must respond with a complete RFI package of no more than 10 pages, providing all information requested above. All parties are asked to provide a point of contact, a telephone number, and an e-mail address in their response. (e) Date Response required and Point of Contact: Responses should be received no later than 30 days from date of RFI submission. Responses should be sent electronically to Kevin.Bridges.1@us.af.mil; Ms. Katherine Hamblin at katherine.hamblin@us.af.mil; and Keith Pfeffer at keith.pfeffer@us.af.mil. One Hard copy should be provided to AFLCMC/WISK, 1895 5th Street; Room 210 WPAFB OH 45433. Technical questions concerning this RFI should be directed to Mr. Kevin Bridges (937-656-8511).