T38 Engineering Services

Sources Sought Synopsis F-5/T-38 Engineering Services This announcement constitutes a Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS), no solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) or an Invitation for Bid (IFB), nor is it to be construed as a commitment by the US Government to form a binding contract. Companies that respond will not be paid for the information submitted. The Air Force is hereby soliciting capability statements from interested sources for the Engineering Services Contract in support of the F-5 and T-38 aircraft assigned to the F-5 and T-38 System Program Offices (SPOs) located at Hill AFB, UT. 1. PURPOSE: The purpose of this SSS is to gather comments and potential sources for providing engineering and associated technical activities which may include, but are not limited to, the following tasks: develop/provide analysis, assessments, studies, component and system-level component design or testing to substantiate a new or improved component or sub-system capability, and provide configuration management support. Services may include, but are not limited to, ancillary engineering support activities such as developing and validating troubleshooting/isolation faults in a current design configuration, providing Non-destructive Inspection (NDI) improvement and capabilities studies, methods developments, and general consultation. 2. BACKGROUND: The F-5 and T-38 are mature and proven aircraft, requiring specialized engineering to ensure system sustainment. The F-5 is currently not in use by the USAF, but it supported by the USAF through the Technical Coordination Group (TCG). The T-38 aircraft is in active use by the USAF, with a programmed retirement starting in 2020. To sustain the T-38 weapon system, the USAF fleet has undergone a number of modification programs since its initial acquisition and fielding by the AF in 1961. These include Pacer Classic I and II, the Avionics Upgrade Program (AUP), and the current Propulsion Modernization Program (PMP) and Escape System Upgrade Program (ESUP). Each of these programs has either replaced or repaired major structural and legacy systems and components. 3. POTENTIAL OFFERORS: Interested parties need to provide demonstrated experience and knowledge associated with the following tasks: A. Working to the guidelines of the USAF's Operational Safety and Suitability Effectiveness (OSS&E) requirements. B. Configuration management methodology and procedures for managing USAF aircraft specific baselines. C. Data rights: Licensee/Licensor challenges, providing examples of strategies used for developing arrangements with Northrop Grumman Corp (NGC) the OEM for F-5 and T38 aircraft for use of their proprietary data: a. NGC retains legacy data and experience for the F-5 and T-38 platforms b. NGC Proprietary Data: Process specifications, limited rights on drawings, tooling design and technical know-how c. 2004 Data Rights Agreement: License Agreement between the USAF and NGC D. Active contributions and participation in the specialized engineering fields of Aircraft Structural Integrity Program (ASIP), Mechanical Equipment and Sub-System Integrity Program (MECSIP), Avionics Systems Integrity Program (AVIP), and the Landing Gear Integrity Program (LGIP). E. Expertise in Non-destructive Inspection (NDI) studies, component/airframe teardown studies, failure and metallurgical analyses, and materials properties and component testing. F. Examples of managing technical documentation with regard to Technical Orders (TOs) and Time Compliance Technical Orders (TCTOs) and providing source data for these documents. G. Expertise and direct experience with engineering analyses on aerospace systems to include: classical elastic and plastic analysis, static and margin-of-safety evaluations, and finite element modeling/analysis. H. Experience with flight testing and flight load data recorders. I. Experience supporting/participation with analysis on Class A mishap investigations. 4. INFORMATION/FORMAT: Potential offerors are requested to provide information on current services meeting the needs of the Air Force in supporting the F-5/T-38 weapon system, or relevant history and evidence of past performance/capability. The Air Force is expecting that the requirement to provide information on current or past services meeting the needs of the Air Force will demonstrate that the offeror's infrastructure and integration capability exists to provide all aspects of this task to include the following: - Company name and associated CAGE code - Point of contact name and number - Business status (8(a), Small, HUBZone, Woman-owned, etc.) - Qualifications/Certification/Aircraft Experience level of employees 5. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS: Please submit two copies of your response to the Sources Sought Synopsis in an executive summary format not to exceed five (5) pages. If your response includes information you consider proprietary, please mark the information in accordance with regulatory guidance. Please do not include company brochures or other marketing information. Please see below for contact information. Capabilities statement should be submitted via e-mail to the following: lisa.miller2@hill.af.mil, hector.sanchez@hill.af.mil and Terri.nelson@hill.af.mil no later than 4:00 pm Mountain Standard Time (MST) on Wednesday, 08 Jan 2010.