Request for White Paper - Heater Modernization

The Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) is issuing a Request for Whitepapers under 10 U.S.C. section 4022 Other Transaction Authority to identify a qualified performer for the H-1 Heater Modernization project at Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee. The primary objective is to restore a 40-year-old indirect-fired air heater system to its original design specifications. This scope of work includes the repair or replacement of primary process air isolation and control valves, the evaluation of existing ducting, and the implementation of a new Burner Management System (BMS) that must achieve a Safety Integrity Level (SIL) 3 rating. The selected performer will be responsible for the engineering, fabrication, installation, and commissioning of the upgraded system, ensuring that safety shutoff valves close in less than one second and that the system maintains continuous heating at original design points. Technical requirements emphasize compliance with NFPA 85 and 86, the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, and AAFB engineering standards for mechanical systems and welding. The project involves a rigorous design review process consisting of six stages, from the Contractor Readiness Review through the System Readiness Review. Performers must demonstrate expertise in combustion systems, SIL 3 BMS development, and industrial controls integration using Emerson RX3i PLCs and GE Simplicity HMI. Additionally, the government requires unlimited data rights to all technical data and software code, and the performer must provide engineering documents stamped by a Professional Engineer licensed in Tennessee. Submissions must be delivered in separate technical and business volumes by September 24, 2026, and the performer must maintain a Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) rating to handle controlled technical information.