High Frequency Nampack Radios

The 319th Contracting Squadron at Grand Forks AFB, ND intends on awarding a sole source acquisition to Harris Corporation for 2 AN/PRC-150 (C) High Frequency Manpack Radios, and 2 RF-5800H-B001 150W Base Station Adapter IAW FAR 6.302-1; only one responsible source, no other supplies or service will satisfy agency request. The sole source purchase of AN/PRC-150 (C) is due to the following reasons: The Command Post mission uses the PACER BOUNCE system for long haul High Frequency communications for command and control. In the early 1980s the USAF awarded Harris Corporation the PACER BOUNCE contract for HF radios. Since then, PACER BOUNCE systems have been providing reliable service, but they are reaching the end of their life cycle and new technical advances cannot be incorporated into the old system design. Maintenance parts are no longer being manufactured. Harris has developed a new generation of tactical radios, the Falcon II family. Included in this family are our AN/PRC-150(C) and RF-5800H-MP man packs. These radios utilize the latest technology to embed many advanced features that used to require separate components, such as Automatic Link Establishment (ALE), high-speed modems, and encryption. Being a software-defined radio helps make the Falcon II radios future proof. As new technology and waveforms are developed, you can upgrade your Falcon II systems to be compatible with future radios such as the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) radios. They will also remain compatible with radios currently in the field. The Harris family of HF radios are the only series of radios taught at Ground Radio Communications technical school. Since training of maintenance on non-Harris radios would cost thousands of dollars and airmen arriving from technical school are already trained on Harris radios, it would save money and time using Harris radios. Purchasing these Harris Company products will also ensure compatibility with existing infrastructure. Currently the radios on hand are a Harris RT-1446 Transceiver at a price of $20,528.00, Harris AM-7223, HF 500W Amplifier priced at $5,680.00, and the C-11329/URC Remote Control Unit priced at $3,010.00. This military approved HF radio integrates into the existing military radio architectures IAW MIL Standards (MIL-STD-188-141B and MIL-STD-188-110B App. C) , DOD Joint Technical Radio System architecture, and NSA approved encryption for classified communications. While other HF radios are commercially available, they do not meet minimum standards to operate in a military environment. The AN/PRC-150(C) is the only HF radio with embedded communications security that has been certified for transmission of U.S. classified information. Along with the Harris AN/PRC-117F(C) multiband, multimission radio, the AN/PRC-150(C) has been a vital means of tactical Beyond Line of Site (BLOS) radio communications for U.S. forces deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. This provides for interoperability and training for both our in-garrison and deployed aircrews. In addition, military radio maintenance personnel are formally trained on these military approved radio systems. The radios are logistically supportable (parts, test equipment, training). Another commercial radio will not be logistically supportable and cost at a minimum of $75,000 to support. The 319 CS personnel would need to be sent to formal training at a cost of $5,000/person to maintain another type of radio. All current/future military radio purchases will be Joint Tactical Radio Systems (JTRS) approved. The AN/PRC 150 requested is JTRS approved. Considered a pivotal Department of Defense (DoD) transformational program, JTRS is a Defense Department-wide initiative to develop a family of revolutionary software-programmable tactical radios would provide the warfighter with voice, data and video communications, as well as interoperability across the joint battlespace. Existing radio systems lack interoperability across the spectrum and insufficient bandwidth to meet existing and future communications challenges. The solution for interoperability was an all service radio and a new wideband networked waveform with the ability to provide mobile networked-connectivity across the battlespace while providing compatibility with the current waveforms in use by the DoD today. Harris was awarded sole contract to provide tactical secure radios to DOD agencies. No other contractor is available who has met the MIL Standards and NSA certification requirements.