Request for Information - Replacement Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) for E-3 AWACS Aircraft

This RFI revision corrects the NSN for the ELT FROM: 5826-01-307-7380, TO: 5821-01-307-7380 The Government is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to industry for the identification of potential sources of supply/services (Primary NAICS Code: 541330 (supplemental NAICS codes: 334511/334419) to provide and integrate a replacement Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) [AKA Crash Position Locator (CPL)] utilized on the USAF E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) which is a highly modified Boeing 707 commercial derivative airframe. Industry responses to this RFI will be utilized pursuant to FAR Part 10, in support of Market Research to identify potential sources for the replacement of E-3 ELT Transmitter, NSN 5821-01-307-7380, E-3 ELT Antenna, NSN 5985-01-199-0844; and replacement or modification of E-3 ELT Control Panel, NSN 5895-01-207-7100. The current ELT consists primarily of the following components: Transmitter, Antenna, Control Panel, & Wiring (between transmitter and control panel, & transmission cable between transmitter and antenna). The ELT will be a Form-Fit-Function and Interface (3FI) replacement with the ability to be mounted at the same location as the existing unit (could use different mounting method as long as - FAA approved). The control panel should also fit in the same location in the cockpit where it currently resides. The antenna should - withstand typical commercial airliner environment to include speeds of approximately .8 Mach at about 37,000 feet (this typically means some sort of - fin antenna vice some sort of - rod/whip antenna will be necessary). The replacement ELT and supporting components must be compliant with all Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) Regulations to include AC 91-44 A, CHANGE 1, which requires all ELTs to transmit distress signal on 406 MHz. When activated, the ELT system should be visible to the international satellite Cospas-Sarsat detection system. Each vendor responding to this RFI, must be able to demonstrate its capability to provide the replacement kits (which includes the ELT and supporting components), installation instructions as well as the supporting engineering capability to integrate and support the Operational Safety, Suitability and Effectiveness (OSS&E) requirements for the recommended replacement ELT system on the E-3 aircraft. CAPABILITIES STATEMENT: Companies interested in responding may submit a capability statement to include the following information and/or documentation that demonstrate technical capability in the 20 areas listed below. These areas are considered critical for achieving successful technical performance. Include in your company's description/documentation (for each area below), whether your company has performed as a prime or as a subcontractor; and identify the projected personnel planned/proposed to work this project, have at least three years of recent experience. 1. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's knowledge and experience with integrating aircraft ELT systems that operate on all emergency frequencies (121.5, 243.0 and 406 MHz) where the 406 MHz is capable of being monitored by the COSPAS/SARSAT satellite system. 2. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's ability to select a replacement ELT system that was installed on military or commercial derivative military aircraft in less than 25 man-hours without impacting other systems. 3. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's ability to use the same equipment mounting location and holes to the maximum feasible extent with your company's proposed selection. 4. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's knowledge and ability to select and provide a modification kit-drawing package for replacement of ELT systems to include modification/de-modification instructions. 5. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's knowledge and ability to provide on-site engineering for trial installation and checkout (with Government oversight), of ELT replacement systems on military or commercial derivative military aircraft. 6. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's ability to provide all necessary ELT parts, spares, and special tools required to sustain the USAF E-3 Fleet of 31 aircraft, including connector de-pin and re-pin tools. 7. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's ability to provide ELTs that include an internal battery with a minimum 5-year lifespan, that is field replaceable. It is highly desirable to avoid use of any Lithium chemistry based batteries. 8. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's knowledge and ability to provide an ELT that has capability to connect to the on board aircraft GPS systems, with the ability to incorporate latitude/longitude information from the aircrafts navigation system, and embed that information in its digital transmission. 9. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's knowledge and ability to provide updated engineering drawings, source data for TOs, and Technical data for unlimited use by the Government program office. Include wiring schematic diagrams, wire routing diagrams, Illustrated Parts Breakdown (IPB), and maintenance manual data formatted for USAF Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs) as identified in the attached E-3 ELT Technical Manual Contract Requirements (TMCR) 10. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's knowledge and ability to provide Environment Qualification Test Reports (Mil-Spec or FAA Technical Standards Order (TSO) Qualification Reports) including, at minimum: Temperature, Stress Analysis, Damage Tolerance Analysis, Weight and Balance Analysis, Human Factors Analysis, System Safety Analysis, EMI/EMC Test Reports, Electrical Load Analysis, Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Fuel (HERF) Analysis, and High Intensity Radio Frequency (HIRF)/Lightning Analysis. 11. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's knowledge and ability to provide rugged, waterproof test sets capable of reading the transmitted code of a 406 MHz Cospas-Sarsat ELT, that ensures beacon ID and all encoded data are displayed on a test set reader to establish ELTs are working properly. Also that time-stamped test data can be saved to an ELT system database for later review, and provide ELTs with self-test capability. Provide re-programming ability for ELTs, including tools to support ELT reprogramming in the field and operating locations. 12. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's knowledge and ability to provide a comprehensive engineering and sustainment data package, with unlimited data rights or at a minimum Government Purpose Rights, for follow-on sustainment of the replacement ELTs. The Government expectation is at least 15 years. 13. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's knowledge and ability to provide artifacts in support of USAF's airworthiness/certification effort, including all software and associated licenses, a completed Modified Airworthiness Certification Criteria (MACC), necessary data to complete USAF OSS&E checklists and gain approval by the USAF Configuration Control Board (CCB) process. 14. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's knowledge and ability to provide a control panel for the replacement ELT with an ON/OFF/TEST switch that is easily accessible by the aircrew. 15. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's knowledge and ability to provide ELTs that are FAA TSO certified, comply with TSO-C-1266, FAA AC 91-44A, & 14 CFR 91.207. 16. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's knowledge and ability to provide data that supports the DOD/USAF provisioning and cataloging process for ELT parts, spares, and test equipment. 17. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's knowledge and ability to provide an ELT system capable of an upgrade to the second-generation beacon (2GB) program, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the Global Aeronautical Distress Safety System (GADSS). 18. (CRITICAL) Describe your company's quality control programs to ensure the quality of the product. Indicate if your company is AS9100 and or ISO 9001-2015 certified. 19. (CRITICAL) List RELEVANT Government and/or commercial contracts that demonstrate the capabilities described in this RFI, with the following information: a. Contract number and description of services. b. Contracting officers' names, addresses, and telephone numbers. c. Program managers', project leads', and/or technical leads' names, addresses, telephone numbers and lists of tasks performed for these personnel. 20. (CRITICAL) Describe relevant technical data in your company's possession that supports integrating a revised ELT system into E-3 aircraft. If all necessary technical data is not in firm's possession, state capability/plan to obtain.