144kW RFI.docx

Request for Information (RFI) 144kW Ground Power Unit (GPU) 144kW Universal Load Bank (ULB)

(NSN: TBD)

CAUTION:

This market survey is being conducted to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements to design, test, and produce the

1. 144 kilo-watt (kW) Ground Power Unit (GPU), and

2. 144 kW/180 kilovolt-ampere (kVA) Universal Load Bank (ULB), for use by United States Air Force (USAF) personnel. The level of security clearance shall be Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and the amount of foreign participation has not been determined. Contractors/Institutions responding to this market research are placed on notice that participation in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The Government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this survey. See FAR 52.215-3.

Contractors may submit survey responses for one or both of these items.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Below is a document containing a description of the 144kW Ground Power Unit (GPU) and 144 kW/180 kilovolt-ampere (kVA) Universal Load Bank (ULB) requirement and a Contractor Capability Survey, which allows you to provide your company’s capability. The attached Statement of Work, Purchase Descriptions and amendments (available upon registration) contain the detailed requirements.

2. If, after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in the market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting these requirements. Failure to provide documentation may result in the Government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.)

a. Identify any areas of work that your organization believes should be broken out exclusively for Small Business.

3. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research for either or both of these end items. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.

4. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to the Contract Specialist, Mr. Jeffry Johnson at jeffry.johnson.2@us.af.mil, and the PCO Ms. Amanda Ragan at amanda.ragan.1@us.af.mil.

144 kW Ground Power Unit (GPU)

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION

The Government is conducting market research to determine an acquisition strategy to design, develop, test and produce immediately a minimal mission essential quantity of 6 144kW GPU (of a total fleet of 250) units. This includes identifying potential sources that possess the expertise, capabilities and experience to design, test, and produce a 144kW GPU for the DoD. The potential acquisition strategies being considered range from an Undefinitized Contracting Action (UCA) for a minimum mission essential quantity of 6 completed/tested units. The 6 units would be comprised of 2 prototypes to be available not later than July 30, 2025 and 4 production units to be available not later than 1 October 2026. Other options include awarding a long-term contract, to multiple contracts for design, with a down select prior to production for the balance of 244 units. The Government seeks to maximize the use of non-developmental items.

This requirement for a 144 kW/180 kilovolt-ampere (kVA) generator set, hereinafter referred to as the 144kW GPU, defined by PD21WRWZEA007, is used to provide 115/200 volts alternating current (VAC), 400 Hertz (Hz), 28.5 volts direct current (VDC), and 270 VDC external ground power, at locations world-wide, for multiple external power receptacle United States Air Force (USAF) aircraft such as the E-3, E-4, E-8, EC-130, KC-46, OC/RC-135, and other specialized aircraft for various ground-based maintenance activities. Simultaneously with all other outputs, the GPU shall be capable of providing low amperage single phase, 120 VAC, 60 Hz and low amperage three phase 208 VAC, 60 Hz. The GPU shall be the latest state of the art design and shall comply with the requirements of the Purchase Description unless specified otherwise by the governing contract.

Attached also is a Statement of Work used for the original procurement and a Purchase Description and its amendments (available upon registration) identifying the requirement for which we are seeking industry input. The USAF is seeking to maximize commercial and existing DoD technologies as much as possible. The USAF is also seeking information concerning the production capacity that currently exists.

CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

144 kW Ground Power Unit (GPU)

Part I. Business Information

Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

· Company/Institute Name:

· Address:

· Point of Contact:

· CAGE Code:

· Phone Number:

· E-mail Address:

· Web Page URL:

· Government Proposed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 335312 Based on the Government proposed NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

· Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) (Yes / No)

· A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership).

Responses to the Capability Survey Part I and Part II must be received no later than close of business 15 November 2024. Please ensure data is in a readable electronic format that can be received through a firewall. Attachments shall not to exceed 10 MB per email. Multiple emails are acceptable. Responses must be sent via email to the Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO) Ms. Amanda Ragan, amanda.ragan.1@us.af.mil and Contract Specialist, Jeffry Johnson, jeffry.johnson.2@us.af.mil.

· Questions relative to this market research should be addressed to the PCO and the PM.

· Name and email address for the PM: Mr. Rick Grant relious.grant.2@us.af.mil

· Person responsible for reviewing responses: Mr. David Holloway david.holloway.12@us.af.mil

Part II. Capability Survey Questions

A. General Capability Questions:

1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your company and nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure.

2. Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating technical data, such as, engineering analyses, test procedures, test reports, engineering drawing/configuration management data, and spare parts provisioning data. Identify what software programs are utilized to generate these data products and what formats are available for delivered items.

3. Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating technical manuals. If you have delivered technical manuals to the USAF within the last 5 years, please provide the technical manual numbers for up to 5 of the most relevant manuals. Do you typically subcontract out USAF Tech Order development or produce them in house? Please provide the last contract in which you produced USAF TOs.

4. What quality assurance processes and test qualification practices does your company employ? Provide a description of your quality program (ISO 9001, AS9100, etc.).

5. Include a detailed listing of facilities and equipment, including quantities, required to satisfy the requirements of this effort.

6. Identify the workforce to be utilized in the process of design, development, test, and production of this effort.

The Government is considering the issuance of a 3 year contract for production. Do you have any issues with quoting firm-fixed prices?

7. Do you have the ability to package IAW military standards?

B. Commerciality Questions:

1. Are there established catalog or market prices for products similar to our requirement?

2. If you offer GPUs to both Government and commercial sources, is the same workforce used for both the U.S. Government and general public?

3. Is our requirement offered to both Government and commercial sources under similar terms and conditions? Briefly describe any differences for the areas of

· Maintenance support

· Financing and discounts

· Marking and packaging

· Inspection and acceptance processes

· Insured/bonded/licensed requirements

· Payment plans

4. Describe your standard warranty and return process for goods and services furnished to the Government for items similar in nature to this requirement, and identify any differences between what is offered to the Government versus commercial customers.

5. What product(s) does your company produce that fully meets, partially meets, or may be able to meet with a modification, the requirements within the PD. For any product that may be able to meet the PD requirements after modification, define the extent of the required modifications, and an estimated amount of time needed to make the required modifications.

6. What aspects of the PD would drive the most significant developmental efforts? What aspects of the PD are the most technically complex?

7. Provide datasheets for any existing equipment that is similar to the GPU described in the PD.

C. Manufacturing Questions

1. Describe experience for any similar GPU contracts, which in the last 5 years, your company has provided in the commercial and/or military environment. Please provided the following information:

a) Contract Number

b) Procuring Agency/Company

c) Contract Value

d) GPUs Delivered

2. Please describe how your company will identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems?

3. Do you have experience incorporating the Cummins QSB L9 engine into your GPU? If the Government were to specify the Cummins QSB L9 engine, would you have any issue in proposing for this requirement?

4. The Government has had reliability issues with generator sub-assemblies. What generator sub-assembly do you typically use? Do you have experience with other generator sub-assemblies?

5. What is the maximum number of GPUs your company can produce each month? And, what is the number of shifts required to produce this number? Provide information on any facility reserves you may possess to increase capacity in the event of an immediate need do to critical operational mission requirements.

6. List the DoD aircraft that are receiving power from GPUs that your company is currently producing, as well as produced in the last 5 years. Please identify any GPU that has been approved to provide 270 VDC to both the F-22 and the F-35.

7. Describe your fabrication experience with aluminum enclosures? Describe your experience with powder coating steel and aluminum?

8. State any technology insertion ideas for the item that would be suitable for this effort.

9. Given the very aggressive schedule (2 prototype units in less than one year; 4 production models not later than 1 October 2026), what do you see as the risks associated with such an approach?

144 kW Universal Load Bank (ULB)

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION

The Government is conducting market research to determine an acquisition strategy to design, develop, test and produce immediately a minimal mission essential quantity of 6 144 kilo-watt (kW) ULB (of a total fleet of 300) units. This includes identifying potential sources that possess the expertise, capabilities and experience to design, test, and produce a 144kW ULB for the DoD. The potential acquisition strategies being considered range from an Undefinitized Contracting Action (UCA) for a minimum mission essential quantity of 6 completed/tested units. The 6 units would be comprised of 2 prototypes to be available not later than July 30, 2025 and 4 production units to be available not later than 1 October 2026. Other options include awarding a long-term contract, to multiple contracts for design, with a down select prior to production for the balance of 294 units. The Government seeks to maximize the use of non-developmental items.

This requirement, as defined by PD21WRWNZEA009, is for a 144 kW/180 kilovolt-ampere (kVA) ULB, hereinafter referred to as the ULB. The ULB is used as a mobile test set for periodic maintenance and troubleshooting of United States Air Force (USAF) flightline generator sets including the Ground Power Units (GPUs) defined by PD21WRWZEA008, motor generators, solid-state frequency converters, solid-state direct current (DC) power supplies, and the B-52H Stratofortress aircraft’s on-board alternating current (AC) generators. The ULB shall be the latest state of the art design and shall comply with the requirements of this document unless specified otherwise by the governing contract.

Attached is a Statement of Work used for the original procurement, and a Purchase Description (PD) and its amendments identifying the requirement for which we are seeking industry input. The USAF is seeking to maximize commercial and existing DoD technologies as much as possible. The USAF is also seeking information concerning the production capacity that currently exists.

CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

144 kW Universal Load Bank (ULB)

Part I. Business Information

Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

· Company/Institute Name:

· Address:

· Point of Contact:

· CAGE Code:

· Phone Number:

· E-mail Address:

· Web Page URL:

· Government Proposed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 334515 Based on the Government proposed NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

· Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) (Yes / No)

· A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership).

Responses to the Capability Survey Part I and Part II must be received no later than close of business 15 November 2024. Please ensure data is in a readable electronic format that can be received through a firewall. Attachments shall not to exceed 10 MB per email. Multiple emails are acceptable. Responses must be sent via email to the Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO) Ms. Amanda Ragan, amanda.ragan.1@us.af.mil and the Contract Specialist, Jeffry Johnson, jeffry.johnson.2@us.af.mil.

· Questions relative to this market research should be addressed to the PCO and the PM.

· Name and email address for the PM: Mr. Rick Grant relious.grant.2@us.af.mil

· Person responsible for reviewing responses: Mr. David Holloway david.holloway.12@us.af.mil

Part II. Capability Survey Questions

D. General Capability Questions:

1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your company and nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure.

2. Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating technical data, such as, engineering analyses, test procedures, test reports, engineering drawing/configuration management data, and spare parts provisioning data. Identify what software programs are utilized to generate these data products and what formats are available for delivered items.

3. Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating technical manuals. If you have delivered technical manuals to the USAF within the last 5 years, please provide the technical manual numbers for up to 5 of the most relevant manuals. Do you typically subcontract out USAF Tech Order development or produce them in house? Please provide the last contract in which you produced USAF TOs.

4. What quality assurance processes and test qualification practices does your company employ? Provide a description of your quality program (ISO 9001, AS9100, etc.).

5. Include a detailed listing of facilities and equipment, including quantities, required to satisfy the requirements of this effort.

6. Identify the workforce and its experience to be utilized in the process of design, development, test, and production of this effort.

The Government is considering the issuance of a 3 year contract for production. Do you have any issues with quoting firm-fixed prices?

7. Do you have the ability to package IAW military standards?

E. Commerciality Questions:

8. Are there established catalog or market prices for products similar to our requirement?

9. If you offer ULBs to both Government and commercial sources, is the same workforce used for both the U.S. Government and general public?

10. Is our requirement offered to both Government and commercial sources under similar terms and conditions? Briefly describe any differences for the areas of

· Maintenance support

· Financing and discounts

· Marking and packaging

· Inspection and acceptance processes

· Insured/bonded/licensed requirements

· Payment plans

11. Describe your standard warranty and return process for goods and services furnished to the Government for items similar in nature to this requirement, and identify any differences between what is offered to the Government versus commercial customers.

12. What product(s) does your company produce that fully meets, partially meets, or may be able to meet with a modification, the requirements within the PD. For any product that may be able to meet the PD requirements after modification, define the extent of the required modifications, and an estimated amount of time needed to make the required modifications.

13. What aspects of the PD would drive the most significant developmental efforts? What aspects of the PD are the most technically complex?

14. Provide datasheets for any existing equipment that is similar to the ULB described in the PD.

F. Manufacturing Questions

1. Describe experience for any similar ULB contracts, which in the last 5 years, your company has provided in the commercial and/or military environment. Please provided the following information:

e) Contract Number

f) Procuring Agency/Company

g) Contract Value

h) ULBs Delivered

2. Please describe how your company will identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems?

3. What is the maximum number of ULBs your company can produce each month? And, what is the number of shifts required to produce this number? Provide information on any facility reserves you may possess to increase capacity in the event of an immediate need do to critical operational mission requirements.

4. Describe your fabrication experience with aluminum enclosures? Describe your experience with powder coating steel and aluminum?

5. State any technology insertion ideas for the item that would be suitable for this effort.

6. Given the very aggressive schedule (2 prototype units in less than one year; 4 production units not later than 1 October 2026), what do you see as the risks associated with such an approach?