RFI in support of the UH-60V Development Program

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide information in support of the UH-60V Development Program. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. The Utility Helicopters Project Office (UHPO) is seeking NO LESS THAN GOVERNMENT PURPOSE RIGHTS (GPR) for all data, and software design elements of the following UH-60V LRUs; Advanced Data Transfer System (ADTS), Ethernet Switch Hub (ESH), Multi-Function Display (MFD), Data Concentrator Unit (DCU) including any prototype systems built under a potential future Request for Proposal (RFP). The UHPO requires access to any artifacts necessary to commercially certified DO-178C operating systems, or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified Flight Management Systems in order to obtain Systems Readiness Directorate (SRD) approval for use. This RFI is part of Government Market Research seeking information on the interchangeable design and development feasibility for Full-Rate Production (FRP) of select UH-60V Black Hawk helicopter Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) systems, i.e. ADTS, ESH, MFD, DCU, and related software from existing application data models and newly created Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) data models. Partial responses are acceptable. The Army's goals are to promote reusability, reduce obsolescence impacts, and eliminate dependencies on the respective components with which they were initially developed to functionally integrate. Vendor responses will be based on information provided in related LRU Data Models and supplemental System Design Documents, Item Specifications, and Interface Control Documents (ICD). This RFI requests additional information related to development feasibility and/or integration support and requests feedback on Government Furnished Data (GFD). Any vendor recommendations for improved model definitions, integration approaches, or other design concepts are welcome. Responses to this RFI must be received no later than 15 calendar days after release of this RFI. Responses and technical questions should be directed via email to the Point-of-Contact (POC) listed. The subject line of the submission should be "REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FOR THE UH-60V BLACKHAWK ADTS, ESH, MFD, and DCU SUPPORT" and responses should be in Microsoft Word/PowerPoint/Excel format or general PDF format. The responses and email text must provide a Vendor POC, name, address, telephone/fax number(s), and email address. Vendors are requested to provide a Capabilities Statement in addition to providing responses to the following questions: Which existing ADTS components, in development or previously qualified, prescribe to the provided FACE Data Models and could operate with minimal integration effort and qualification impact using the existing Operational Flight Program (OFP) application model? Which existing ESH components, in development or previously qualified, prescribe to the provided FACE Data Models and could operate with minimal integration effort and qualification impact using the existing Operational Flight Program (OFP) application model? Which existing MFD components, in development or previously qualified, prescribe to the provided FACE Data Models and could operate with minimal integration effort and qualification impact using the existing Operational Flight Program (OFP) application model? Which existing DCU components, in development or previously qualified, prescribe to the provided FACE Data Models and could operate with minimal integration effort and qualification impact using the existing Operational Flight Program (OFP) application model? What content gaps are perceived with the provided FACE Data Models (FDMs) that contribute to any existing barriers preventing true interchangeability and backwards compatibility for previously qualified components and applications? What changes to the ADTS Data Model would you propose to further satisfy the stated goals for this RFI? What changes to the ESH Data Model would you propose to further satisfy the stated goals for this RFI? What changes to the MFD Data Model would you propose to further satisfy the stated goals for this RFI? What changes to the DCU Data Model would you propose to further satisfy the stated goals for this RFI? What impacts and challenges do you perceive to support FACE, DO-178C, and DO-331/332 requirements for model-based design and airworthiness traceability process? What level of support could you provide in supplying/replacing the respective LRU hardware (i.e. ADTS, ESH, MFD, DCU) with existing hardware systems and adapting to FACE conformant interface models; could this be done with newer systems? What is your experience with designing, developing, and certifying flight safety critical hardware and software applications for the U.S. Army? What additional information or enhancements would you recommend for the respective FDMs to help assess compatibility of alternative but equivalent solutions? What is your experience with Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) and development in a DO-178C framework? What MBSE tools do you have experience with and would use to develop and show compliance with the architecture and FACE standards provided? What deliverables would you propose be provided for reviewing models as opposed to SCADE project files or other text-based deliverables? What is your experience with FACE and the development of software using the FACE Standards? Have you executed projects where the architecture was FACE conformant and if so, to which version of FACE? See Attachment for additional information. The UHPO intends to engage with industry on their RFI submittals via future forums to be determined by the Government. The intent of the collaborative engagements will be to provide technical and operational feedback. Interested parties are reminded that the Government will not pay for or reimburse any cost pertaining to this RFI as a result of responding to this RFI. Any proprietary information should be clearly marked. No classified documents will be included in your responses. POC for this RFI is Deander Ferrell, Contract Specialist via email at deander.l.ferrell.civ@mail.mil or Clifton Nichols, Contracting Officer via email at Clifton.d.nichols.civ@mail.mil. All information submitted in response to the RFI becomes the property of the Government and will not be returned.