APQ-166 RPU RFI.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

B-52 Radar Pressurization Unit (RPU) 1280-00-898-3679 The Government is conducting market research to identify potential non-commercial sources to develop a new source of procurement for the B-52 Radar Pressurization Unit (RPU).

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.

FAR 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997) applies to this request for information:

(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this request or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as provided in subsection 31.205-18 Bid and Proposal (B&P) Costs, of Federal Acquisition Regulation

(b) Although "proposal" and "offeror" are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

(c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of: informational planning and budgetary forecasting by the government.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. The document(s) below contain a description of the RPU development requirements and a Contractor Capability Survey. The Survey allows Contractors to provide their company’s capability.

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.)

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. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.

Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to Lt. Brenden Collins, Logistics Manager or via email at brenden.collins@us.af.mil.

PURPOSE

This RFI is being conducted to identify different potential non-commercial sources in determining if a future contract effort can be competitively awarded and/or awarded on a total or partial Small Business Set-Aside basis. The applicable North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this effort is 334511.

The original equipment manufacturer for the B-52 Radar Pressurization Unit (RPU) was Great Lakes Manufacturing Corp.; however, the Government does not own the technical data package (TDP) or the rights to the data required for manufacture. The Government has identified AeroControlEx Corp. as the only known current supplier for this NSN. To mitigate supply chain risks associated with a single source of supply and ensure long-term sustainment for the B-52 fleet, the Government's primary objective is to develop a new, qualified source for this item.

If the Government decides to award a contract for this or related effort, a solicitation will be published and posted on the System for Award Management (SAM) website. The Government will use this information solely to determine the appropriate acquisition strategy for this procurement. The Government is interested in all small business concerns.

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.

Interested sources may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirements. Interested sources must maintain facilities and cleared personnel for manufacturing, handling, storing, and maintaining information and operating systems with security classifications up to and including Secret.

DESCRIPTION

The National Stock Number (NSN), Part Number (PN), and quantity for a 10-year period is as follows:

The RPU routes air through a dehydrator to remove excess moisture and dust particles. The air is then pressurized with a two-stage, piston-type, electric-motor-driven air compressor before flowing through a filter. Pressure switches and relief valves help regulate the air pressure that is released out of the High and Low Pressure ports. RPU provides the primary motive force for circulating air throughout the radar system. Key technical specifications are as follows:

· Height – 7.75 in

· Length – 15.75 in

· Width – 7.90 in

· Weight – 22.5 lbs

· Output Pressures

· Low Pressure – 17.0 +/- 0.25 PSIA

· High Pressure – 24.75 +/- 0.25 PSIA

· Altitude Range – Sea level to 60,000 ft

· Ambient Temperature Range - -54°C (-65°F) to +71.8°C (+160°F)

· Power Requirements

· AC – 115 v, 1.8 amps, 400 cycle, 1 phase

· DC – 28 v, 0.9 amps

· Moisture Content

· Inlet Air – up to 154 grains moisture per lb

· Outlet Air – Dew point -20°F The B-52 RPU 1280-00-898-3679 must meet form, fit, function, and interface requirements as referenced in T.O. 15A3-3-24-3. The effort shall include providing a solution for obsolete parts and the engineering required to investigate future Deficiency Reports and Material Improvement Projects (MIPs).

CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

B-52 APQ-166 Radar Pressurization Unit (RPU) 1280-00-898-3679 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:

· Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code:

The applicable North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this effort is 334511 (Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing) with the Small Business Size Standard of 1250 employees.

Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

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

Please send email responses no later than close of business on 16 Sept 2026. Please email your response to:

Lt. Brenden Collins Logistics Manager Common Avionics

407 SCMS/GULBA

brenden.collins@us.af.mil 235 Byron St, Suite 19A Robins AFB, GA 31098-1670

Questions relative to this market research should be addressed to Lt. Brenden Collins, Logistics Manager or via email at brenden.collins@us.af.mil.

Part II. Capability Survey Questions General Capability Questions:

1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your manufacturing and testing facilities, specifically regarding high-reliability electromechanical and pneumatic assemblies. Include a description of your staff composition and engineering management structure.

2. Describe your company's experience on previous projects similar in complexity to this requirement (e.g., military-grade positive-displacement air compressors, environmental control systems, or high-altitude pressure-regulation systems). Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, and the customer agency/organization.

3. Describe your company’s experience in developing, manufacturing, and testing military-grade hardware in the absence of a complete, unlimited-rights Technical Data Package (TDP). What is your process for reverse-engineering or developing form-fit-function equivalents from physical samples, partial drawings, or technical manuals?

4. Describe your company's capabilities for generating, handling, processing, storing, and securing classified material and data (up to Secret classification) at your facility.

Manufacturing, Qualification, and Obsolescence Questions:

1. Describe your capabilities and experience in manufacturing electromechanical systems that utilize complex pneumatic seals, dual-stage compression cylinders, and precision pressure switches. What specific casting, precision machining, and assembly processes does your facility utilize?

2. This unit contains custom components (e.g., fractional-horsepower 400 Hz electric motors, specialty desiccants, and calibrated pneumatic relief valves). How do you identify, mitigate, and resolve component obsolescence and Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) issues for these specialized parts?

3. Discuss your proposed engineering process for addressing any fit, form, function, or environmental interface issues that may arise when qualifying this replacement pressurization unit inside the AN/APQ-166 Radar System.

4. In the absence of original Great Lakes Manufacturing test procedures, describe how your organization will develop and qualify rigorous pneumatic screening and qualification protocols (e.g., leak-rate testing under vacuum, performance validation at 60,000 ft simulated altitude, vibration testing, and outlet air dew point verification at -54°C).

5. Describe your process for maintaining inventory records and reporting manufacturing, testing, and delivery schedules to the Government.

6. If your organization cannot manufacture the RPU entirely in-house, state which portions (e.g., chassis casting, motor winding, desiccant chamber fabrication, assembly, or environmental screening) you would intend to subcontract.

Commerciality Questions:

1. Are there established commercial catalog or market prices for equivalent military-grade or high-altitude aerospace pressurization and air-dehydration units?

2. If you offer similar products and/or design services to both U.S. Government and commercial sources, is the same engineering and manufacturing workforce utilized?

3. Describe your standard warranty, return, and failure analysis process for mechanical/pneumatic assemblies furnished to the Government.

Continuity of Operations and Cybersecurity:

1. Does your company have an active Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) or equivalent in the event of a natural disaster or other catastrophic event that causes facilities or operations to be disrupted?

2. What mitigation strategies are in place for your company to resume operations and prevent further supply chain disruptions?

3. What customer notification and reporting processes are in place to provide company operational status updates to your clients?

4. Does your company have primary and secondary transportation modes to ship and track heavy, sensitive electromechanical assets?

5. How does your company manage traceability for shipments, raw cast materials, and sub-tier pneumatic components (both domestic and international)?

6. What records management procedures are in place to ensure that lifecycle technical knowledge of the qualified unit is not lost when key design or manufacturing employees leave the company?

7. Is your company currently facing any financial disruption, impending mergers, acquisitions, and/or foreign investment?

8. Has your company ever experienced a cyber or operational disruption resulting in a threat to National Security?

Foreign Influence:

1. Describe any affiliations your company has with foreign countries, or companies owned by entities in foreign countries, at the primary company and sub-vendor levels. Are any of your sub-vendors or affiliates in countries barred from doing business with the United States (U.S.)? See the OFAC Sanctions Programs for reference.

2. Describe any affiliations your company has with foreign nationals and/or blocked persons. See the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List for reference.

3. If there is Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) present in your company, what percentage of the company is owned by the foreign entity(ies)? Which foreign country(ies)/entity(ies) owns part or all of your company?

4. Are any of your company's primary engineering or manufacturing functions performed in foreign countries? If so, is there an on-site Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) representative?

5. If any sub-assembly or machining functions are performed by an overseas vendor, what quality control, inspection processes, and export controls (ITAR/EAR) are implemented?

6. How does your company incorporate proactive risk management and counterfeit parts prevention (e.g., AS5553 compliance) into your microelectronic, electrical, and raw material procurement processes?

Cybersecurity:

1. Does your company have a formal policy/plan for preventing and mitigating risks associated with internal and external information systems security?

2. Identify actions your company has taken to prevent unauthorized access to design servers, CAD/CAM data lakes, and inventory databases, and describe the results of those actions.

3. Does your company have procedures to ensure server security in a cloud environment that utilizes Government information? If so, is it in compliance with DFARS 252.239-7010?

4. Has your company implemented the cybersecurity requirements set forth in DFARS clause 252.204-7012, "Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting"?

5. Does the company maintain a secure Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) or a list of vendors providing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software embedded in any programmable logic or electronic controllers utilized in the pressurization unit?

6. What procedures does your company (or your vendors) follow to perform technical vulnerability assessments and mitigate identified risks?

7. Provide a brief description of the strategy your company uses to continuously monitor the effectiveness of cybersecurity controls to detect and defend against attacks protecting sensitive technical drawings.

8. What is the frequency schedule to perform cybersecurity assessments (annual, semi-annual, quarterly, etc.)? Reference DoDI 8510.01.

9. Does your company evaluate the cybersecurity practices of lower-tier component vendors, metal fabricators, and sub-assembly suppliers before subcontracting to them?

10. Is your company current with the Contractor Self-Assessment against the Basic National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SP 800-171 controls, and is that assessment reflected in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS)?

11. Does your company have an active Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) to remediate any deficiencies related to the Basic NIST SP 800-171 controls?

12. Has your company employed microelectronics and supply chain protections that manage risk for components or subcomponent products (e.g., integrated circuits, switches, relay controllers, printed circuit boards) when they are identifiable (to the supplier) as having a Department of Defense (DoD) end-use? Reference: DoDI 5200.44, para 4.c.(2).