Request for Informartion AN/ALQ-172 Traveling Wave Tubes

Overview This is not a solicitation, but rather a Request for Information (RFI) to determine potential sources for information and planning purposes ONLY. This request does not constitute a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP) or an Invitation for Bid (IFB), nor does this issuance restrict the Government's acquisition approach. There is no solicitation available at this time. Contractor proposals will receive no response. Your response to this RFI will be treated as information only and shall not be used as a proposal. Contractors and/or Institutions responding to this RFI are placed on notice that participation may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The Government will neither award a contract solely on the basis of this synopsis nor will it reimburse the contractor for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. This RFI is being conducted to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements of Traveling Wave Tubes in the ALQ-172 and ALQ-184 system. Below is a document containing a description of the AN/ALQ-172 and AN/ALQ-184 Parts and a Contractor Capability Survey. If, after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in this RFI and market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company's capability in meeting these requirements. Failure to provide documentation may result in the government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.). Identify any areas of work that your organization believes should be broken out exclusively for Small Business and any potential competition barriers. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged. 4. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to John Middlebrooks as indicated. Purpose This RFI is being conducted to identify different potential sources in determining if a future contract effort can be competitively awarded and/or awarded on a total or partial Small Business Set-Aside basis. The applicable North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes assigned to this effort are 334418, 334419, 334511, 336411, 541330, 541715 (Aircraft assemblies, subassemblies, and parts (except engines) manufacturing) with the Small Business Size Standard of 1,250 number of employees. This potential source should possess the expertise and capability to facilitate the repair and test of the Traveling Wave Tubes. The Traveling Wave Tube parameters can be found below in the description section. The potential source should have a good knowledge of the specific information required to repair the Traveling Wave Tubes. If the Government decides to award a contract for this or related effort, a solicitation will be published and posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website. The Government will use this information solely to determine the appropriate acquisition strategy for this procurement. The Government is interested in all small business concerns. Description The AN/ALQ-172(V) radar jammer is described as being a "combat proven" equipment that is installed aboard US Air Force (USAF) B-52H strategic bombers (ALQ-172(V)2), special operations MC-130H 'Combat Talon 'II' transports (ALQ-172(V)1) and-130U (ALQ-172(V)1) gunships. The Mid/High Band Traveling Wave Tube (TWT) is integral and critical to the functionality of the AN/ALQ-184 Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) Pod. The AN/ALQ-184(V) Electronic Attack (EA) Pod provides primary self-defense against enemy radar-guided air defense systems for the A-10 and F-16 aircraft. This survey covers the following item: NOUN NSN Traveling Wave Tubes 5960-00-007-7071EW Traveling Wave Tubes 5960-01-021-0656EW Traveling Wave Tubes 5960-01-021-0657EW Traveling Wave Tubes 5960-015-04-3415EW Traveling Wave Tubes 5960-01-185-1885EW The original design activity for the ALQ-172 system is Harris (Exelis). Harris doesn't repair the Traveling Wave Tubes. The last 2 contracts were with CPI and they have been repairing it. We have asked for the data but have been unsuccessful in having CPI sell it. Communications and Power Industries (CPI) is the only approved source capable of repairing the Traveling Wave Tubes for the associated NSN's stated above. The Government does not possess the technical data to repair the Traveling Wave Tubes or its respective components. Parties expressing interest in this requirement must have the capability to access pertinent technical data needed for qualification and repair. Interested parties must also be able to repair the Traveling Wave Tubes in accordance with applicable drawings, data, and engineering requirements and provide to the Government (or designated inventory) in serviceable condition that meets or exceeds the manufacturer's specifications. Interested sources may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirements. Interested sources must maintain facilities and cleared personnel for producing, handling, storing, and maintaining information and operating systems with security classifications up to and including Secret. Interested parties must be capable of providing repair status on a monthly basis and must be capable of addressing deficiencies through Joint Deficiency Reporting System (JDRS), in accordance with the USAF Deficiency Reporting, Investigation and Resolution Process (ref. T.O. 00-35D-54). The ONLY information that the Government possesses is the top level outline drawing and the specifications. Contractor Capability Survey Part I Business Information Provide the following business information for your company and for any teaming or joint venture partner. - Company/Institute Name: - Address: - Point of Contact: - CAGE Code: - Phone Number: - E-mail Address: - Web Page URL: - Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes: 334418, 334419, 334511, 336411, 541330, 541715 Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is: o Small Business (Yes / No) o Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No) o Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No) o 8(a) Certified (Yes / No) o HUBZone Certified (Yes / No) o Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No) o Service Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No) o Registered in System for Award Management (SAM) (Yes / No) - A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership). Part II Capability Survey Questions and Requested Information General Capability Requested Information 1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your facility and the nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure. 2. Describe your company's past experience on previous projects similar in complexity to this requirement. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, agency/organization supported, and individual point of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager). 3. Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating technical data, engineering drawings and manuals. Identify what software programs are utilized to generate these data products and what formats are available for delivered items. 4. For the Traveling Wave Tubes; what is your company's current maximum repair capacity per month? Provide information on any facility reserves you may possess to increase repair capacity in the event of an immediate need do to critical operational mission requirements. Hardware Production Requested Information 1. Describe your capability and experiences in the repair of this Traveling Wave Tubes. 2. What quality assurance processes and test qualification practices does your company employ? Please provide a description of your quality program (ISO 9001, QS-9000, EIA-599, or otherwise)? 3. Demonstrate your ability and experience in the repair of the same or similar components, which are currently utilized in the commercial or military environment by providing the following information on the same or similar items: Contract Number Procuring Agency Contract Value Number of assets shipped 4. Describe your capabilities and experience in test, evaluation, and repair processes/procedures with regard to repairing these items. 5. Describe your configuration management processes and how you identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems? 6. Discuss your process for addressing any fit, form, and or function issues that may arise out of the requirements of this effort. 7. Describe your process for maintaining inventory records and reporting on hand/work-in-process balance and repair status to your customer. 8. Include a detailed listing of facilities and equipment, including quantities, required to satisfy the requirements of this effort. 9. How will your organization address the absence of drawings, specifications, technical data, test procedures, etc. 10. State any technology insertion ideas for the item that would be suitable for this effort. 11. Discuss any reverse engineering or item replacement opportunities that may be present. Requested information 1. Describe your configuration management processes and how you identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing source's problems. 2. Describe your process for maintaining inventory records and reporting on hand/in work balances and repair status to your customer. 3. Describe your ability to repair this Traveling Wave Tubes and your processes for repair. 4. Describe your ability to repair assets, provide test plans, and test data/results. 5. Describe testing equipment used to perform such testing. 6. Describe your level of expertise and confidence to repair these Power Supplies. Commerciality Requested Information 1. Is there established catalog or market prices for our requirement? 2. If you offer this product and/or service to both U.S. Government and commercial sources, is the same workforce used for both the U.S. Government and general public? 3. Is our requirement offered to both under similar terms and conditions? Briefly describe any differences. 4. Describe your standard warranty and return process for goods and services furnished to the Government for items similar in nature to this requirement. Submissions in response to this RFI 1. Responses must be submitted to John Middlebrooks, Contracting Officer, AFSC/PZABB at john.middlebrooks@us.af.mil no later than 4:00 PM Eastern, Friday, 18 March 2019. Late submissions will not be considered. 2. Files may not exceed 5 MB and must be submitted in Adobe PDF format. 3. If the response includes proprietary information, mark the information in accordance with regulatory guidance. 4. Please do not include company brochures or other marketing information. All correspondence related to this RFI must be submitted electronically; phone calls will not be accepted. Correspondence regarding this RFI may be submitted to John Middlebrooks, Contracting Officer, AFSC/PZABB at john.middlebrooks@us.af.mil no later than 4:00 PM Eastern, Friday, 18 March 2019.