AIRCM Source Sought Announcement 03.30.26.docx

Sources Sought Announcement - Advanced Infrared Countermeasures (AIRCM)Helicopter Sustainment Branch

AFLCMC/WIHB

1.0 Notice

This Sources Sought is for informational purposes and market research only; it is not a solicitation. The Government will not reimburse any company or individual for expenses associated with preparing or submitting information in response to this notice. The Government may use the information provided to develop its acquisition strategy, statement of work/objectives, and performance specifications. Respondents are responsible for clearly marking any proprietary or competition-sensitive information contained in their submissions.

2.0 Background

The Helicopter Sustainment Branch is conducting market research to identify partners capable of executing the Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E), A-Kit production, integration, and installation required to incorporate an Advanced Infrared Countermeasures (AIRCM) system onto the HH-60W weapon system. The absence of a capable AIRCM system on this platform significantly increases the risk of infrared guided missile engagement, jeopardizing mission success, aircraft survivability, and crew safety.

For the purposes of this market research, the Air Force is seeking information on industry's capacity to undertake the complete and large-scale integration of either the Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) system or the Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasure (DAIRCM) system, which will be provided as Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE). This effort is focused on identifying vendors with the comprehensive engineering, manufacturing, and technical depth to execute the entire scope of work for a given solution. This includes designing all necessary aircraft modifications (A-Kit) through a full RDT&E effort, managing the production and delivery of the required A-Kits, and performing the complete system integration and final installation across the HH-60W fleet.

3.0 Scope

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Helicopter Sustainment Branch (WIH) at Robins AFB, GA, is conducting this market research to identify and assess potential industry sources capable of performing the integration and modification effort required for the HH-60W helicopter fleet. It is critical to note that the AIRCM system (either CIRCM or DAIRCM) will be provided to the contractor as Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE). This effort encompasses the entire project lifecycle for the integration of that GFE, including all RDT&E, A-Kit production, full system integration, and final installation.

The comprehensive scope of this requirement demands a fully integrated and sustainable solution. Key capability areas include:

· Platform-Specific Modifications: The contractor will be responsible for all structural, mechanical, and electrical modifications required for the HH-60W platform. This includes the necessary analysis, design, and testing to verify that all modifications do not adversely affect the aircraft's performance, structural integrity, or flight characteristics.

· System Integration and Interoperability: The effort requires the complete integration of the AIRCM system with all existing HH-60W avionics, mission computers, and data buses, ensuring the final solution does not degrade the performance of any existing system.

· Parts and Obsolescence Management: The contractor shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining a Parts Management Program in accordance with MIL-STD-3018.

4.0 Requested Information

Interested parties are requested to submit a capabilities statement package in response to this Sources Sought notice. Responses shall be limited to a maximum of 15 pages, single-spaced, 12-point font, and submitted in PDF format. The response should be organized into the following sections and provide the requested information for both the Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) and the Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasure (DAIRCM) systems, highlighting any differences in approach or capability.

4.1. Corporate Experience & Capability

· Project Summaries: Provide at least two (2) detailed project examples from the past seven (7) years that demonstrate your company's experience in performing Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) to design and integrate complex electronic systems onto military aircraft. For each project, describe the aircraft type, the system integrated, your specific scope of work (design, fabrication, integration, testing), and the period of performance.

· Systems Integration: Describe your corporate experience integrating complex mission systems, avionics, or electronic warfare/defensive systems onto military rotary-wing platforms.

4.2. Platform Familiarity

· HH-60W Experience: Detail your company's specific experience with the HH-60W platform. Describe your understanding of its mechanical, electrical, power, cooling, and data bus architectures (e.g., MIL-STD-1553).

· Relevant Experience: If direct HH-60W experience is limited, describe your experience with other H-60 variants (e.g., UH-60M/V, MH-60R/S) and detail how your knowledge of those platforms would be leveraged to mitigate risks on this program.

4.3. A-Kit Production & Supply Chain Management

· Manufacturing Capability: Describe your company’s in-house capabilities for manufacturing aircraft modification kits (A-Kits). List all relevant quality certifications (e.g., AS9100).

· Supply Chain & Parts Management: Provide an overview of your supply chain management processes. Describe your methodology for parts selection, counterfeit parts prevention, and managing Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS).

4.4. Technical Approach

· Integration & Installation Process: Describe your end-to-end process for both a single prototype/first-article installation and for scaling to production-rate installations across a fleet.

· Data Rights: Describe your company's standard approach to intellectual property and data rights on government contracts. State your willingness and ability to provide the U.S. Government with the necessary data rights to support long-term organic sustainment and future modifications. Experience with Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) is of significant interest.

4.5. Program Management

· Draft Schedule: Provide a high-level, notional program schedule for the RDT&E, A-Kit production, and integration of a single system (either CIRCM or DAIRCM) that aligns with a potential contract award in the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2027.

· Partnerships: Describe your strategy for teaming or subcontracting to deliver a complete, integrated solution. Identify key partners and their anticipated roles.

4.6. Partnerships and Subcontracting Opportunities

Respondents shall describe relevant existing or potential partnerships, including opportunities for Small Business subcontracting.

4.7. Capability Statement

Respondents shall provide a detailed capability statement that provides evidence of their ability to successfully execute the following core tasks: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E), A-Kit Production, System Integration, and Installation. The statement must address the following areas:

· RDT&E Experience: Describe your company's experience in designing and developing structural and electrical modifications for military aircraft. Provide at least two examples of past RDT&E projects, detailing the scope, the aircraft involved, and the outcome.

· A-Kit Production Capability: Describe your company's manufacturing capabilities for producing aircraft modification kits. Include information on relevant quality certifications, facilities, and supply chain management processes for similar production efforts.

· HH-60W Platform Familiarity: Detail your company's specific experience with the HH-60W platform. Describe your understanding of its mechanical, electrical, power, and data bus architecture. List any previous contracts or projects involving the HH-60W.

· Integration and Installation Experience: Provide examples of integrating complex electronic systems (e.g., defensive systems, mission computers, avionics) onto rotary-wing aircraft. Describe your process for both prototype and production-level installations.

4.8. Data Rights and Licensing

Respondents shall describe their proposed data rights and licensing structure for this effort. The U.S. Government (USG) requires sufficient data rights to support long-term organic sustainment, future competitive procurements, and third-party modifications. This includes, but is not limited to:

· Technical Data (Hardware): This encompasses all technical data related to the A-Kit and system installation, including models (e.g., CAD/SysML), drawings, specifications, structural/electrical analysis data, and manufacturing/installation processes necessary to fabricate, install, and maintain the hardware components.

· Computer Software & Documentation: This includes all software/firmware deliverables and associated documentation, such as executable code, source code, software description documents (SDDs), databases, design details, flow charts, and all related materials necessary to reproduce, recreate, or recompile the software.

Of significant interest to the USG is the contractor's approach to a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA). Please describe how your proposed data rights and licensing strategy aligns with MOSA principles to enable rapid, affordable, and flexible system updates throughout the lifecycle of the weapon system.

4.9. Schedule Information

Respondents shall provide a program schedule, including timelines for system availability for lab and mission system integration, and overall system lead times.

· Target Schedule: For planning purposes, the Government's target is to have a contract awarded for the second quarter of FY27.

The Government's primary objective is to field this capability as efficiently and rapidly as possible. While the target schedule provides a baseline, respondents are strongly encouraged to provide an alternative, accelerated schedule if one is feasible. If proposing an accelerated schedule, you must clearly identify:

· The key drivers enabling the acceleration (e.g., early investment in long-lead materials, mature existing designs, streamlined testing).

· Any assumptions or required Government actions necessary to achieve the accelerated timeline.

4.10. Company Information

· Company Name, Address, Point of Contact (include phone number and email address), CAGE Code, Web Page URL.

· State the country of ownership for the company.

· State whether the company is a non-traditional defense contractor.

4.11. Business Classification

· Based on the 336411 NAICS Code, state whether your company is a Large Business, Small Business, Woman Owned Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, 8(a) Certified, HUBZone Certified, Veteran Owned Small Business, or Service-Disabled Veteran Small Business.

· Provide your System for Award Management (SAM) status.

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

· If you are a Small Business of any type, explain whether your company would be capable of meeting the requirements of FAR 52.219-14, limitations on subcontracting.