RFI W58RGZ ASE A-Kit

General Information

Sources Sought Notice

Set Aside:    Small Business, 8(a) Certified

PSC: 

• 1680 (Misc. Aircraft Accessories and Components)
• 5865 (Electronic Countermeasures, Counter-Countermeasures, and Quick Reaction Capability Equipment)

NAICS:

• Predominant: 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing)
• Secondary:
  • 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing)
  • 541330 (Engineering Services)

Contracting Office Address

Ashley Bowers

Army Contracting Command

4505 Martin Rd SW

Redstone Arsenal, AL 35808

Disclaimer

           THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY – This RFI is issued in accordance with (IAW) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(e), Exchanges with Industry before Receipt of Proposal; it is solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. Solicitations will not be accepted at this time. Unsolicited proposals will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever.  All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary; the United States Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the United States Government. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. Respondents shall not be obligated to provide the services described herein. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on https://sam.gov/. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

Background and Scope

           The United States Army and Program Management Office Aircraft Survivability Equipment (PMO-ASE) is seeking information from potential Contractors with the capability to source, manufacture, kit, and deliver aircraft system A-Kits. A-Kits consist of the necessary wiring, structural components, and aircraft modifications that are critical to interfacing the ASE or Air Warrior system B-Kits with military aircraft.

The modern battlefield presents a complex and evolving threat environment for Army aircrews. To ensure mission success and the safety of our personnel, Army aircraft are equipped with a suite of sophisticated systems that increase situational awareness and survivability. The quality and timely delivery of these A-Kits are paramount to the readiness of the fleet.

The Army is interested in identifying Contractors with the expertise and capacity to produce and deliver A-Kits for the following critical systems, as well as future and emerging systems:

1. OT-228/U Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM)
2. AN/APR-39E(V)2 Modernized Radar Warning Receiver (MRWR)
3. Improved Threat Detection System (ITDS)
4. Aircraft Wireless Intercom System (AWIS)
5. Aviation Information System (AIS) Demonstration Kit (ADK)
6. Heads-Up Display (HUD) and Helmet Display and Tracking System (HDTS)

Technical Drawing Packages are available upon request to approved Contractors.

System Descriptions

OT-228/U CIRCM: CIRCM is the Army’s laser-based infrared countermeasure system that interfaces with the Army’s Common Missile Warning System (CMWS), Limited Interim Missile Warning System (LIMWS), Advanced Threat Warner (ATW), and Improved Threat Detection System (ITDS) to defeat current and emerging missile threats to target rotary-wing, tilt-rotor, and small fixed-wing aircraft across the DoD. CIRCM receives hand-off from missile warning systems and employs a pointing and tracking system to track incoming missiles. CIRCM is a smaller, lighter form factor that requires less power and utilizes an Open Systems Architecture which allows flexibility with software and hardware refreshes to keep pace with future threats.

AN/APR-39E(V)2: AN/APR-39E(V)2 MRWR will detect, categorize, and prioritize Radio Frequency emitters to provide visual and aural alerts to the aircrew warning them of targeting by Radio Frequency (RF)-guided weapons.

Improved Threat Detection System: ITDS is the next generation Missile Warning and Threat Detection System. It will provide a higher resolution two color infrared sensor suite with a threat agnostic approach to aircraft survivability. ITDS will provide the capability to detect, classify, cue, and declare on existing and emerging Electro-Optical/Infra-red (EO/IR) threats. ITDS will deploy based on the threat classification and the appropriate countermeasure system (Directable Infrared Countermeasure and/or expendable countermeasure). ITDS also provides appropriate Hostile Fire Indications (HFI), differentiating between small arms and rocket threats.

Aircraft Wireless Intercom System: Aircrew Wireless Intercom System (AWIS). The Air Warrior system will provide cordless communications capability for crew chiefs, flight engineers, and aeromedical personnel operating inside and in close proximity of the medium cargo and utility aircraft in addition to normal corded intercom. The AWIS will have secure communications capability. The cordless intercom will adhere to Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) safe and electromagnetic interference emission standards. It also will allow the monitoring of aircraft radios.

Aviation Information System (AIS) Demonstration Kit (ADK): The Aviation Information System Demonstration Kit (ADK) provides situational awareness and improved communications between aviators and ground forces. The ADK is composed of a TSM radio, VBK, antennas, and GMR 1000, which it utilizes to connect to a larger network to share precise location information between users. It runs on 28 VDC power.

Helmet Display and Tracking System (HDTS): The AN/AVS-7(V) Heads-Up Display (HUD) takes aircraft data from numerous sensors and converts it to graphic files. This provides critical operational information superimposed as symbology onto the image the pilot sees through the ANVIS. The HUD minimizes the need for Pilots to examine cockpit instrument data, thus providing increased situational awareness outside the aircraft. The HUD system A-kit consists of the wiring harnesses, mounting brackets, and some additional sensors such as air data transducers, inclinometers, and thermocouple amps.

Core Capabilities

Interested Contractors should demonstrate expertise in one or both of the following core capabilities. Respondents should clearly indicate which capabilities they possess.

1. Build-to-Print Manufacturing: Proven capability to manufacture, assemble, test, and kit components from a government-provided Technical Data Package (TDP). Key areas of expertise must include:

• Electrical Fabrication:
  • Complex wire and cable harnesses (e.g., Twisted Pair, RF, Fiber Optic)
  • Adherence to AS50881 wiring standards
• Structural Fabrication:
  • Standard components (Avionics Trays, Shelves, Blanking Plates)
  • Precision-machined mounts for airframe and sensor applications
  • Composite and carbon-fiber components (e.g., fairings, mounts)
• Required Manufacturing Processes:
  • Precision 5-axis CNC machining
  • Aerospace-grade finishing (e.g., chemical conversion, paint)

2. Mechanical and Electrical Design, Integration, and Qualification: End-to-end capability to design, integrate, and achieve airworthiness qualification for new A-Kits on Army aircraft. Key engineering disciplines must include:

• System Design and Analysis:
  • Structural & Mechanical: Stress, fatigue, vibration (modal), thermal, and aerodynamic (drag) analysis.
  • Electrical: Electrical Load Analysis (ELA) and EMI/EMC analysis.
  • Human Factors: Cockpit and maintainer human factors analysis.
  • Data Capture: 3D scanning of aircraft structures for precision modeling.
• Technical Data Package (TDP) Development:
  • Expertise in MIL-STD-31000 and ASME Y14 standards for drafting and modeling.
  • Formal Configuration Management (CM) and Bill of Materials (BOM) management processes.
• Integrated Logistics Support (ILS):
  • Development of modification and maintenance documentation (MWOs, IETM change pages).
  • Logistics and maintenance analysis (Level of Repair, Maintenance Task Analysis).
  • Development of operator manuals and provisioning/spares lists (RPSTL).

Contract Requirements

The USG intends to solicit additional industry input for contract type and other acquisition information in a future request for information.

Requested Information

PMO-ASE is seeking the following information:

1. Provide a brief overview of your company, including size, location (manufacturing and design facilities), and relevant experience in sourcing, manufacturing, and designing aerospace or defense-related components.
2. Please specify whether your company will seek contracts for Manufacturing, Design, or Both.
3. The Army encourages participation from small businesses, including those in the 8(a) Business Development program, Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB), and other small, disadvantaged businesses. Please indicate if your company qualifies under any of these categories and describe your experience in federal contracting.
4. Detail your company's production capacity and ability to scale to meet potential government demands. Additionally, describe your company’s quality management process and any relevant certifications.
5. Do you currently possess the necessary tooling, equipment, and personnel for the fabrication of aircraft-grade wiring harnesses and structural components? If not, do you plan to procure the necessary tooling and equipment, outsource to another Contractor, or plan to use novel manufacturing processes?
6. What are your in-house testing capabilities for electrical and structural components (e.g., continuity testing, pull testing, vibration testing)?
7. Describe your experience with the systems above, if any. Or describe your experience with related systems. Additionally, describe your experience with the specific Army aviation platforms that would receive these A-Kits (e.g., AH-64, UH-60, CH-47)?
8. Describe your company's security and cyber-security posture by providing the following:
   • Your current Facility Clearance (FCL) level, if any, and your CAGE code.
   • Your summary level score from your NIST SP 800-171 self-assessment as recorded in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS). See also, Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification.

Response Instructions

The response date for this market research is no later than 1500 CST, 8 June 2026. All interested parties shall send company and/or descriptive literature along with responses to the questions and any comments or questions via email to Ashley Bowers, contact@example.gov, AND Lindsay Layne, contact@example.gov with the subject line of the submission as “Response to RFI W58RGZ ASE A-Kit”.

Responses should be no more than four (4) pages in length and submitted in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. Font size shall NOT be smaller than 12-point Times New Roman or Arial.  Respondents should label any information contained in the response that is considered proprietary.

Interested offerors shall provide Contact Information to include:

• Name of Company
• Point of Contact’s Business Title, Email Address and Phone Number
• Company’s Business Size and Type
• Company Unique Entity ID and CAGE Code
• NAICS Codes

All questions and comments must be in writing. Electronic email responses are the only form of submission. Questions must be provided within five (5) business days of RFI issuance to allow USG to respond in a timely manner. This announcement supports FAR Part 10 Market Research.