MLH RFI UH-60L Conversion Effort.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

MEDIUM LIFT HELICOPTER (MLH)

Table of Contents

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

MEDIUM LIFT HELICOPTER (MLH)

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This is an RFI released pursuant to FAR 15.201(e). This RFI is issued solely for information, planning purposes and market research only; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP or Broad Area Announcement (BAA). This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. CBP is not at this time seeking proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP or BAA. If a solicitation is released, it will be via the SAM.gov website (www.sam.gov). It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this website for any information that may pertain to this RFI. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government, and will not be returned.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Air and Marine Operations' (AMO) mission is to serve and protect the American people. The organization applies advanced aeronautical and maritime capability and employs its unique skill sets to support the overarching Department of Homeland Security (DHS) strategic goal. AMO's Vision 2025 supports the DHS and CBP strategic guidance. This enables AMO to maintain functional alignment with other DHS component partners and stakeholders while providing pertinent and complementary guidance within AMO. The airborne lift activities, which include the UH-60 Black Hawk align directly with the DHS missions, CBP goals, and AMO goals. The UH-60 Black Hawk specifically aligns with CBP missions and DHS missions by providing three core sets of capabilities: tactical relocation, tactical response and investigative surveillance.

AMO currently operates a mixed fleet of Sikorsky H60 Blackhawk helicopters, several of which are approaching their service life. CBP management has directed replacing aging units within the fleet with lower time aircraft while simultaneously reducing the disparate aircraft types into a single “Lima” platform to promote fleet standardization and reduce operating costs.

The Medium Lift Helicopter (MLH) fleet is a vital platform used for emergency response, rescue, enforcement, transport, and surveillance. In addition, the UH60L-Prime will serve as a force multiplier for law enforcement and emergency personnel by providing rapid-response deployment of equipment, canines, and people.

AMO seeks a lower time, standardized MLH fleet to improve aircraft safety and reliability, improve mission effectiveness and be more cost effective to operate and maintain. These characteristics translate into improved operational effectiveness and enable AMO to provide expeditious, effective, and reliable support.

2.0 REQUEST

CBP is seeking information and feedback from contractors on an approach to conduct a full conversion of 15 UH-60L and 2 HH-60 (17 total) aircrafts to the UH-60L Prime variant, in accordance with the planned modifications listed below. CBP will require aircraft to undergo a Phase Maintenance Inspection (PMI), both PMI-1 and PMI-2, prior to the conversion process beginning. CBP will provide the UH-60L base as government furnished equipment (GFE), along with the items listed below, to the contractor to conduct the modifications. Material costs beyond the GFE provided material will be procured by the contractor. In addition to the modifications listed below, CBP is interested in understanding the long-term aircraft storage capacity at the contractor’s facility and the cost and storage durations if CBP pursues this.

In addition to the request above, CBP is interested in understanding the contractors capability to perform a separate PMI, from the above modification, for in-service aircraft for up to 5 aircraft at time and the cost and duration associated with the PMI.

3.0 DRAFT PLANNED MODIFICATIONS

The following systems and upgrades are planned to be installed during the modification from a stock US Army UH60L to the CBP variant UH60L-Prime:

· Dual Garmin 750Xi GPS / Comm / Nav units

· Dual Astronautics “Roadrunner” Digital ADI / HSI units

· Garmin 345RT Transponder unit

· TDFM 9300 Secure Mission Radio

· Eagle ICS Router and Audio Panels (6ea).

· Shotover Mission Management / Moving Map system

· Macro Blue Mission Management Display Screen

· L3 ESI-500 EFIS Standby Instrument

· Shadin Dual Engine Fuel Flow System

· Robertson 200 Gallon Internal Auxiliary Fuel Tank System

· FRIES Fast Rope Bar System

· Martin Baker Gunner’s Seats with Floor Pallet

· Outerlink CP3i Satellite Tracking Device

· 406 MHz ELT

· Motorola APX Handheld Radio Cradle

· HEELS Cabin Emergency Lighting system

· Integrated Rescue Hoist Mount system

· Breeze Eastern Electric Rescue Hoist

· Trakkabeam Searchlight system

· Meeker Sponson Mounts and Steps

· Aft Transition Area Avionics Door

· Antenna For New Radios

· Aircraft Paint Per CBP Paint Scheme

4.0 RESPONSES

CBP is seeking feedback on the approach and capability of the conversion scope to determine industry interest and capabilities to submit competitive proposals for a potential Medium Lift Helicopter (MLH) procurement contract. As part of the response to this RFI please address the following items:

Section 1: Input and Feedback on Draft Modifications

1. Vendor’s comments and feedback on the approach and capability to perform the above modifications to the UH-60L aircraft. Comments should address opportunities for clarification or improvement.

2. Vendor’s questions regarding modifications and/or overall approach

3. Vendor’s recommendations on improvements to modifications and/or overall approach.

4. Vendor’s recommendations on risks associated with the modifications/conversions.

All comments, questions and recommendations shall include reference to specific modification requirements being commented on.

Section 2: Interest and Capabilities:

1. Vendor’s capabilities to conduct aircraft modifications and mission system integration on a UH-60L aircraft.

2. Vendor’s feedback on contract type (i.e. Firm Fixed Price vs. Cost Plus, etc.)

3. Vendor’s price estimate for the first and then for follow on delivered aircraft, to include incremental quantity discounts.

4. Vendor’s schedule estimates for time from award to delivery of the first aircraft and then for following delivered aircraft.

Section 3: Technical Approach Document:

Interested sources should submit a technical approach document covering the areas enumerated below. Additionally, the technical approach should reflect a clear understanding of the nature of work being undertaken and should discuss any perceived areas of risk.

1. The technical capability shall provide the general background, experience, certifications and qualifications of the vendor.

2. Venders approach to the modifications must comply with U.S. Army Systems Readiness Directorate (SRD) requirements.

3. The vendor’s systems engineering process.

4. A discussion of the experience and knowledge of the vendor’s management, engineering, and production personnel for similar work.

5. The vendor’s current production capacity.

6. Proof of the vendor’s proven track record in production line work and quality workmanship.

Section 4: Experience:

In addition to the above your response should address the following questions:

1. Does your facility have previous experience conducting UH-60L aircraft modifications?

2. Does your facility have previous production experience involving U.S. Army SRD approval?

3. How much lead time do you estimate your facility would require prior to the delivery of the first aircraft?

4. Does your facility have the storage capacity, if needed, for multiple UH-60L Prime aircraft during production?

5. Does your facility have ready access to a helicopter pad for the acceptance/delivery of aircraft?

6. Specialized experience with assessing the impacts the addition of mission equipment will have on the aircraft’s baseline power?

The maximum number of pages to be submitted shall not be more than 30 (8 ½ x 11 inches). This does not include charts or drawings.

Please provide a cover page with the following:

1. Company name and address

1. Primary point of contact and one alternate

1. Telephone number and e-mail address

1. UEI and CAGE numbers for SAM.gov registration

1. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes

1. Socioeconomic category, if applicable

5.0 RFI SUBMISSION REQUIREMENT

Companies may submit questions regarding this RFI to the Government and are due no later than 3:00 P.M. (EST) on December 6, 2024. Response submissions to this RFI should be identified with AM-RFI-11182024 and should be submitted via e-mail to: Michael.A.Hall@cbp.dhs.gov. Please submit all technical questions to this RFI via e-mail to the Contracting Officer, Michael Hall. Verbal (telephonic) questions will NOT be accepted. All received questions will be answered by posting answers to the SAM.gov website (www.sam.gov). Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after November 25, 2024 will be answered. The Government will review all RFI submissions upon receipt and will seek further clarification from respondents as appropriate.

Acknowledgment of receipt of responses will not be made, nor will respondents be notified of the Government's evaluation of the information received. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this RFI or the Government's use of such information as either part of an evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement.

Electronic submissions in response to this RFI must be viewable in Microsoft Word or Acrobat Reader 10.0. All submissions (email including attachments) must be less than 50MB. Oversized submissions will not be delivered by the DHS/CBP E-mail system.

This Request for Information (RFI) is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Government to issue a Request for Proposal or to award a contract. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses to this RFI or otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted. The Government's use of such information is at its sole discretion and is not accepting proprietary information. Sources responding to this RFI shall submit the minimum information necessary for the government to make a determination that the source is capable of satisfying the desired requirements.

The Government will not publicly disclose vendor proprietary information to the extent that it is consistent with the Government’s legal obligations. Any information submitted in response to this RFI, including information marked as limited rights data, restricted computer software, being subject to limited rights, and/or being subject to restricted rights, will be shared by the Government with current and future support contractors hired to assist the Government. The Government’s support contractors that have been, or may be hired, are required to sign non‐disclosure agreements restricting them from unauthorized use and disclosure of information that may be proprietary to third party companies. By submitting information in response to this RFI, vendors agree to allow the Government to share information they submit with Government support contractors who are, or will be, covered by a non-disclosure agreement.

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