Notice of Intent for Sole Source Solicitation for F-15 Infrared Search & Track (IRST)

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) F-15 Division, WPAFB, OH intends to issue a solicitation and award a sole source contract to The Boeing Company (Boeing-STL) for a state of the art, long range, integrated Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system. The scope of this effort will include IRST and Operational Flight Program (OFP) integration and test, Low Rate Initial Production, Full Rate Production, management, delivery of spare parts and support equipment, training, systems engineering, technical support, updated technical orders, and will provide Interim Contractor Support (ICS), support organic depot stand-up, and develop and deliver technical data. This IRST effort includes integration of F-15 aircraft-level OFP with one hundred twenty-five (125) IRST production aircraft pods (one hundred (100) to ACC and up to twenty-five (25) additional for ANG) and eight (8) Test Assets. The OFP integration is to ensure the IRST software in the mounted pods operate as designed without compromising any of the existing capabilities of the aircraft. After release of the request for proposal (RFP), Boeing-STL will be required to competitively select an IRST pod supplier which will meet the Air Force's IRST requirement. The competitive source selection will secure fixed pricing from the IRST pod supplier throughout integration and test, LRIP and FRP. The IRST pod hardware represents over half of the total contract price, thus providing competitive pricing for a majority of this effort. After an IRST pod supplier has been selected, Boeing-STL will proceed with integration of the selected pod. During this effort, Boeing-STL will begin the preliminary OFP software work, substantiate technical and integration risks, validate Critical Technology Elements (CTEs) and Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), and plan the program baseline through the preliminary design review and critical design review. The planned fielding of this IRST system is targeted to be late 2019. The F-15 Program Office believes that award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition and unacceptable delays in fulfilling the Air Force's requirements. The integration of the mission critical F-15 IRST pods is both complex and highly specialized as it must seamlessly integrate with multiple other mission systems on the aircraft, including but not limited to: APG-63(V)3 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, APG-82(V)1 AESA radar, Advanced Display Core Processor (ADCP) II mission computer upgrade, and the F-15 Aircraft OFP. Boeing-STL is currently the sole integrator managing each of these on-going F-15 modification programs. The F-15 IRST effort must specifically address complex Electromagnetic Interface (EMI), and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) interoperability. Due to Boeing-STL's position as the sole integrator of all other major F-15 subsystems, they are in the best position to ensure that IRST is interoperable with other F-15 subsystems. Duplication, or transference, of the capabilities possessed by Boeing would be cost and schedule prohibitive. Furthermore, during market research activities conducted for this program, all other vendors responded that they would not be capable of full integration of the IRST pod. All vendors indicated they would require assistance from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Boeing-STL. For information on the F-15 IRST requirements, please refer to the Sources Sought Synopsis posted by this office to FedBizOpps on 7 Nov 2014, which can be accessed at: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=procurement&mode=form&id=4cfc2af29fadc61d6d934892d3a75e26&tab=ntype All responses to the Sources Sought Synopsis were carefully considered and extensive market research was conducted. This is a notice of intent, not a solicitation. The Air Force does not intend to provide any further information on this requirement. Responsible sources, however, may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the Air Force if received within 15 calendar days of the posting of this notice. Any respondent is to specify in its response whether it is a large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a) concern, women-owned small business, HUBZone small business, veteran-owned small business or service-disabled veteran-owned small business. Respondents should also specify whether they are a U.S. or foreign-owned firm. Any responses will be fully evaluated by this office before a final decision is made to negotiate with only one source in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements." The Government is not responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice.