B-52 M-Code Integration RFI.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

The Government is conducting market research and identifying, as potential sources, companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements of a contract supporting the United States Air Force, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), OHIO. The requirements are currently encompassed within the following document:

Program: B-52 Military Code (M-Code) Integration Times: (UTC-05:00) EASTERN STANDARD TIME Original Publish Date: MAY 22, 2023 10:30 am EST Original Response Date: APR 6, 2023 5:00 pm EST Closing Date/Time: 15 days after release @ 5:00 pm EST

This is not a request for proposals and no contract will be awarded as a result of this RFI.

Companies responding to this request are advised that participation does not ensure opportunities for participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The Government will not reimburse any company or individual for any expenses associated with preparation or participation in this request for information.

DESCRIPTION:

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI is issued as part of market research. This is not a Request for Whitepaper (RFWP) or a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue a RFWP or RFP and/or to award an agreement for a prototype project as a result of this RFI. The Government will not pay respondents for information or administrative costs 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 RFWP or RFP, if any are issued.

The purpose of the B-52 Military Code (M-Code) Integration program is to integrate the Military’s new Global Positioning System (GPS) signal code onto the B-52 Fleet. M-Code is a Next-Gen Encrypted GPS signal system that provides a robust signal acquisition and enhances security and Anti-Jam/Anti-Spoof capabilities, enabling future adaptations to the GPS data message as military applications, technologies, and mission requirements evolve. The FY2011 NDAA, Public Law 111-383 mandated all Air Force Military GPS User Equipment (MGUE) purchases after FY2017 must be M-Code capable.

SCOPE OF EFFORT:

The scope of effort shall be to provide an engineering analysis of technical risks and potential mitigation options with integrating an M-Code capable GPS receiver on the B-52 in current configuration (FY23). This effort will include, but not limited to, the following:

a) Research, identify, and report on the systems and subsystems necessary to integrate and install an M-Code capable GPS Receiver (GFE). The Government is still analyzing one of the following material solutions:

1. Miniature Airborne GPS Receiver 2K-Modernized (MAGR-2K-M), or

2. Resilient Embedded GPS/INS System (R-EGI).

b) Identify B-52 functions that use GPS data and determine the criticality of the functions supported (e.g., Safety-Critical Functions vs. Mission-Critical Functions).

c) Provide additional platform-unique recommendations as deemed appropriate.

d) Provide a plan to integrate M-Code on the B-52 platform.

REQUIREMENTS:

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

The M-Code system shall be utilized by all current operational B-52 units. The following subparagraphs list the operational requirements of the M-Code GPS system on the B-52.

1. Mission Planning:

There are no specific mission planning requirements for the B-52 M-Code Integration program. The M-Code GPS system shall not affect current mission planning requirements.

2. System Reach:

There is no system reach specific requirements for the M-Code GPS system. The M-Code GPS system shall not decrease the current B-52 combat radius.

SECURITY REQUIREMENTS:

3. Program Protection:

The B-52 M-Code integration design shall be developed in accordance with the B-52 Program Protection Plan (PPP) and applicable annexes.

The B-52 M-Code Integration hardware shall be free of counterfeit components and malicious functions. (SAE AS5553-Counterfeit Electronic Parts: Avoidance, Detection, Mitigation, and Disposition)

Foreign (Non-US) components with persistent memory elements shall not be used in any critical components of the M-Code system.

4. Cybersecurity:

The M-Code system shall meet the cyber security certification requirements of DODI 8500.01 and CNSSI 1253.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

5. Nuclear Safety:

The B-52 M-Code Integration design shall maintain the nuclear certification of the aircraft in accordance with AFI 91-107, AFMAN 91-118 and AFMAN 91-119. Any interface with critical nuclear functions shall be analyzed to maintain the existing level of nuclear safety and surety.

6. Airworthiness:

The B-52 M-Code Integration design shall comply with airworthiness certification requirements in accordance with AFI 62-601 and the B-52 Tailored Airworthiness Certification Criteria (TACC) using MIL-HDBK-516C.

7. Authority to Connect (ATC) The B-52 M-Code Integration design shall comply with DoDI 8510.0, “Risk Management Framework for DoD Systems.”

RFI RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS:

Request vendors provide potential B-52 M-Code solution which vendors believe fit the above criteria. Marketing material is considered an insufficient response.

Please provide formal UNCLASSIED responses to the tasks listed below. Address your capabilities to accomplish the below tasks and provide highlights of successful experience on similar Government or commercial contracts. Failure to provide documentation may result in the U.S. Government being unable to adequately assess capabilities.

1. Describe your company’s capabilities and experience involving military fixed wing aircraft. If your company has experience with the B-52, describe that as well.

2. Describe your company’s capabilities and experience with aircraft federated systems and interfacing with the 1553 Data Bus.

3. Describe your company’s experience in developing or updating Technical Data Packages (TDPs). Include information regarding your company’s policy in providing TDPs to the Government and the data rights allotted.

4. Describe your company's process for tracking program risks and mitigation steps utilized on past contracts that reduced risks to an acceptable level.

5. Describe your company’s ability to reverse engineer existing aircraft structure, hardware, interfaces, etc. in the absence of technical data, if required and if given access to a B-52.

Please include a cover page with the following information (not included in the page count):

1. Company/Institute Name:

2. Address:

3. CAGE Code/DUNS:

4. Point of Contact:

5. Phone Number:

6. E-mail Address:

7. State if you intend to submit as the Project Level Performer (PLP) or as a subcontractor

(identify the PLP with whom you will be a subcontractor).

8. A statement as to whether your company is domestically owned or foreign owned or foreign controlled (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership). Also, identify if you plan to propose the use of any foreign owned or foreign controlled subcontractors/vendor; and, if so, identify the country of ownership.

9. What additional information would you need if this requirement turned into a RFWP or

RFP?

Please provide your response electronically on no more than fifteen (15) single-sided, single-spaced pages using 12-point, Times New Roman font, and minimum one-inch margins, in Microsoft® Word or compatible format. All responses shall be unclassified and reviewed to ensure consideration of operational sensitivities.

RFI Responses are due to USG no later than 15 days after release, no later than 5:00 pm, EST, in accordance with the following procedures:

Only electronic submissions to the USG.

Primary Point of Contact:

Ms. Jamie Parks

Contracting Officer Jamie.parks@us.af.mil Phone: (937) 713-6366

Secondary Point of Contact:

Ms. Amanda Shoopman Program Manager Amanda.shoopman@us.af.mil Phone: (937) 713-6137

• Members are responsible to confirm receipt by contacting USG POCs.

• USG is not responsible for undelivered documents.

• Questions can be directed to the above POC’s.

• All electronic submissions and/or questions must include the above Project Number and

Project Title in the subject line.

• If additional information is needed, reach out directly to the mentioned points of contact.

mailto:Jamie.parks@us.af.mil