BACN ROBE CLS RFI_20241121.pdf

Request for Information Contractor Logistics Support and Services for

Roll-On Beyond Line-of-Sight Enhancement (ROBE)

1. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. This is a Request for Information (RFI) being issued for information, planning, and market research purposes only. The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to provide Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) and Services for the Roll-On Beyond Line-of-Sight Enhancement (ROBE) system, also referred to as the AN/USQ-175 Communications Control Set (CCS) (NSN: 5895-01-540-3609, P/N: 195- A0175-2) Tactical Information Gateway Set (TIGS). CLS support shall include, but is not limited to, maintenance and repair, logistics, airworthiness, and in-plant engineering support. In addition to CLS, the contractor shall provide services such as cybersecurity and Subject Matter Expert (SME) support at Continental United States (CONUS) and Outside Continental United States (OCONUS) locations. This effort also includes tasks required for development, modification, and production in fulfillment of Government approved modification proposals and/or Engineering Change Proposals (ECP) as directed by the Government. The ROBE system is currently active on the KC-135 tanker in OCONUS locations supporting missions, and on the KC-46 tanker in CONUS locations supporting testing and exercises.

2. BACKGROUND: The ROBE system is a communications processor comprised of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) and Government Off the Shelf (GOTS) Line Replaceable Units (LRU) that receives Link 16 messages from Line-of-Sight (LOS) networks and Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) networks. The system displays the data from those networks and forwards them to other LOS Link 16 networks, Situation Awareness Data Link (SADL) networks, and BLOS networks as selected by the system operator. The ROBE system is a combination of aircraft infrastructure components and the ROBE TIGS as shown in the system overview below.

The TIG Set is partitioned into three equipment categories:

A. TIG Interface Group: Equipment permanently installed on the aircraft B. TIG Set: Equipment packaged for rapid roll-on installation C. Organic KC-135: Equipment present on the aircraft independent of the TIG System.

The TIG Interface Group equipment includes:

1. Multipurpose Interface Panel (MIP) for KC-135 and Communication Relay Equipment

Interface Panel (CREIP) for KC-46

2. Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) / Satellite Communications (SATCOM) / Global Positioning

System (GPS) antenna (with integrated GPS pre-amplifier)

3. Combination SATCOM Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA)/diplexer, and Radio Frequency (RF) relay

4. Dual-band (UHF/L-Band) antennas for Link 16 and SADL/Enhanced Position Location

Reporting System (EPLRS) communications (upper and lower)

5. Multipurpose Ethernet (Multinet) Hub

The TIG Set equipment includes:

1. Computer Case:

a) Airborne Executive Processor (AEP)

b) Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) GPS receiver

c) Power Distribution Unit (PDU)

d) 28 Volt Direct Current (VDC) Transformer Rectifier Unit (TRU)

e) High/Low SATCOM Antenna switch

f) USB Connection to AEP

g) Network Connection to AEP

h) MIL-STD-1553 bus monitor to AEP

2. Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Case:

a) MIDS – Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS - RT-2031)

b) MIDS Remote Power Supply (RPS)

c) MIDS Blower Fan

d) Cryptographic Input/Output Panel

e) Transmit and Receive path Notch Filters

f) MIL-STD-1553 Bus monitor

3. ARC-210 Case:

a) Very High Frequency (VHF)/UHF Receiver/Transmitter AN/ARC-210(V) RT-2036 (C)

b) RF High Power Amplifier (HPA) AM-7642

c) ARC-210 Red and Black Crypto fill input/output

d) ARC-210 Zeroize crypto switch

e) ARC-210 Remote Control Unit (RCU) maintenance outlet

f) MIL-STD-1553 Bus monitor

4. Monitor Case:

a) Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitor

b) Keyboard and Pointer

c) SADL Receiver/Transmitter RT-1720G (C)/G

d) SADL Power Supply Unit

5. Items not stored in cases:

a) Mission Commander Display (MCD)

b) Mission Hard Drive unit

This requirement is for maintenance and repair, logistics, in-plant engineering, cybersecurity tasks, and SME support. The projected quantities will be Best Estimated Quantities (BEQs) of 80 per year.

The Government’s need for the above-mentioned services is required to support the Air Force Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Center (AFC2ISRC) by providing tactical data link relay connectivity. ROBE is a non-integrated airborne tactical data link node flown onboard the KC-135 and KC-46 tanker aircrafts. The system permits range extension and data forwarding between disparate LOS networks such as Link 16 and Situation Awareness Data Link (SADL). ROBE also provides beyond LOS connectivity over satellite networks utilizing the Joint Range Extension Application Protocol (JREAP) -A and -C. The program office has fielded 25 ROBE systems that can be moved on and off 40 modified KC-135 and every fielded KC-46 tanker (currently 88 aircraft) equipped with antennas and a multi-purpose interface panel.

Near-term future ROBE expansion includes enabling non-traditional C2 exclusively on the KC- 46 tanker via Battlespace Command and Control Center (BC3). BC3 is combat proven software that augments the operational picture in real-time and bolsters air crew situational awareness

(SA) by fusing radar Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)/data link sources from remote sensors.

Scheduled for CY25/26, expansion efforts include integrating BC3 with the ROBE JREAP- C/Link-16 bridge in a demonstration/exercise configuration to combine available TDLs and maximize effectiveness. ROBE will synthesize this information from multiple TDL networks, critical to BC3 mission success, then deliver it to the cockpit and Link-16 network.

3. DATA SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: The Government requests that interested vendors provide the following documentation in a vendor selected format Not Later Than (NLT) 13

December 2024 at 1:00PM EST via e-mail to the Contracting Officer, Pamela DuBrey, pamela.dubrey@us.af.mil and Contract Specialist, Regina Flesner, regina.flesner@us.af.mil. The

Target Date for submittal of questions is 27 November 2024 at 4:00 PM EST. Questions received after the target date may not be answered. The Government, to the extent it determines practicable, will respond to questions from vendors. Any question submitted to the Government will be posted along with the Government’s response and available for review by all potential vendors.

(1) A Statement of Interest (SOI) in the subject effort along with a system concept describing the envisioned technical solution and strategies to support the ROBE CLS capability sought

(2) The Government requests interested and qualified vendors to respond to the following.

General Capability Questions:

a. Describe your company’s facility and nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure.

b. Describe your company's experience on previous projects similar in complexity to this requirement. Include contract numbers, a description of the work performed, period of performance, agency/organization supported, and individual point of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager).

c. Describe your company’s experience in repairing the Part Number/NSNs listed above that make up the ROBE system.

d. Describe your company’s experience in DoD data links, specifically with MIDS- JTRS, SADL, and ARC-210 (SATCOM).

e. Describe your company's capabilities for generating, handling, processing and storing classified material and data.

f. Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating technical data, engineering drawings and manuals. Identify what software programs are utilized to generate these data products and what formats are available for delivered items.

g. What is your company’s current maximum capacity per month for this requirement?

Provide information on any facility reserves you may possess to increase capacity in the event of an immediate need due to critical operational mission requirements.

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

Provide a detailed quality plan implementing AS9100 (or equivalent).

h. Describe your company’s cybersecurity risk management process.

i. Describe your company’s capability to provide cybersecurity continuous monitoring services to lab and operational assets.

j. Describe your company’s capability to develop and maintain Risk Management

Framework (RMF) documentation in support of ROBE Authority to Operate (ATO).

k. Describe your company’s capability to resolve cybersecurity vulnerabilities in a timely manner.

l. Describe your company’s capability to maintain airworthiness capabilities and certifications.

m. How would your company address the absence of drawings, specifications, technical data, test procedures?

Repair Questions:

a. Describe your company’s capabilities and experience in repairing existing systems and equipment (hardware and software) to solve maintenance and support problems in the depot environment.

b. Describe your company’s capabilities and experience in developing/modifying repair or maintenance procedures. Include associated upgrade of technical orders and preparation of new technical orders. State the types of diagnostics and troubleshooting tools utilized for this type of effort.

c. Demonstrate your company’s ability and experience in repair of the same or similar components, which are currently in use on military aircraft by providing the following information on the same or similar items:

1. Contract Number

2. Procuring Agency

3. Contract Value

4. Number of assets shipped Provide your commercial manual(s) or Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) and your rights to these manuals and or ATP used in the depot level repair and functional check of these or similar assets for Government engineer review.

d. Describe your company’s capabilities and experience in test, evaluation, repair or maintenance procedures.

e. Describe your company’s configuration management processes and how you identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems?

f. Describe your company’s process for addressing any fit, form, and or function issues that may arise out of this effort.

g. Describe your company’s process for maintaining inventory records and reporting on hand/work-in- process balances and repair status to your customer.

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

i. Provide an outline of the proposed process, including inspections. State the type of test procedures anticipated for this effort. State the type of inspection processes anticipated for this effort (e.g. NDI/T, Destructive testing/inspection).

j. If the item cannot be repaired in total, state what your company can repair.

k. Discuss any reverse engineering or item replacement opportunities that may be present.

l. Discuss your company’s process for addressing any fit, form, and or function issues that may arise out of the requirements of this effort.

m. Describe your company’s capabilities and experience in test, evaluation, and repair processes/procedures regarding COTS & GOTS items.

Services Questions:

a. Describe your company’s services capabilities and experience regarding the requirements of this effort.

b. Describe your company’s services capabilities and experience operating in OCONUS location.

c. Describe your company’s services capabilities and experience supporting testing and exercises.

d. Describe your company’s experience providing maintenance/CLS support services for Link-16 and SATCOM systems that may be analogous to ROBE.

e. Describe your company’s ability to provide help desk support to users of the ROBE system.

f. Describe your company’s ability to provide scheduled/unscheduled on-equipment maintenance and depot level maintenance for the ROBE system. The Government possesses full drawing and technical manual documentation.

g. Describe your company’s knowledge and capabilities with regards to Cyber-Security processes and ability to maintain and update ROBE’s authority to operate.

h. Describe your company’s capability to provide Engineering Change Proposals and/or support integration of Government Furnished Information (i.e. Software) Block Cycle Changes.

i. Describe your company’s capability to update technical manuals and engineering drawings.

j. Describe your company’s ability and experience in providing training to U.S. DoD military and non- military personnel

k. Describe your company’s capabilities and experience in developing/modifying procedures. Include associated upgrade of technical orders and preparation of new technical orders.

l. Demonstrate your company’s ability and experience for the same or similar services, which are currently provided in the commercial and/or military environment by providing the following information on the same or similar items:

1. Contract Number

2. Procuring Agency

3. Contract Value

4. Services Provided

m. Describe your company’s capabilities and experience in any required test, evaluation, and repair processes/procedures regarding the required items.

n. Describe your company’s process for identifying and resolving parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems?

o. Describe your company’s process for addressing any fit, form, and function issues that may arise out of the requirements of this effort.

p. Describe your company’s process for maintaining inventory records and reporting on hand/work-in- process balance and manufacturing status to your customer as required.

If your company can not perform the entirety of the requirement what part could or would your company be able to perform. Provide specific info on what could be broken out for your company’s performance.

(3) Identify the names of company contracting personnel (including phone number and e-mail address) who may participate in discussions with the Government

(4) Physical Address and Performance Address

(5) Web Page URL

(6) CAGE Code

(7) DUNS Number

(8) DSS Authority Office (if known)

(9) Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

Code 541330 Engineering Services (small business standard is less than $25.5M)

(10) Small Business Classification (if any)

(11) Identify any Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract vehicles or

Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA) the company is on.

4. The Government is not obligated to and will not pay for any information received from potential sources responding to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. This notice does not constitute a solicitation for bids and proposals and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. Your response to this RFI will be treated as information only. The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a contract. No solicitation regarding this announcement is available. Please be aware that all unclassified information submitted in response to this request, whether written, oral, electronic, graphic, or any other medium, may be subject to disclosure upon receipt of a proper Freedom of Information Act request from any person. The Government will not pay for any material provided in response to this RFI and submittals will not be returned to the sender. A response to this RFI constitutes an acknowledgement that you are interested in and will possibly submit a proposal for any prospective solicitation.

Primary Points of Contact:

Pamela DuBrey, Civ, DAF Contracting Officer

AFMC AFLCMC/HNAK

E-mail: pamela.dubrey@us.af.mil Phone: 781-225-4349 or

Regina Flesner, Civ, DAF Contract Specialist

AFMC AFLCMC/HNAK

E-mail: regina.flesner@us.af.mil Phone: 781-225-1133

Contracting Office Address:

5 Eglin Street, Building 1624 Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts 01731