BACN ROBE CLS RFI - Questions and Answers 12102024_Rv1.pdf

10 December 2024

1. Are there any proprietary components and will the government be providing data packages (e.g., drawings, bill of materials, firmware, software, functional and interface specifications) for these components?

Government Response: The drawings for the following items identified in Question 2 are copyright controlled by Northrop Grumman. The government has data packages for these components and can provide if an RFP is issued.

2. Specifically, are the following commercial or proprietary items, and are data packages available for the bidder’s library and the successful offeror upon contract award?

a. Airborne Executive Processor (AEP) Government Response: The AEP runs SPIDR software, which is government software. The AEP also runs Windows 10 LTSC. (Updated 12/10/24)

b. USB connection to AEP

c. Network Connection to AEP

d. 1553 Bus monitor to AEP

e. ROBE Gateway Software

f. Mission Command Display Software

g. BCS Software - Government Response: Confirm this refers to “BC3” software? BC3 is a Rockwell Collins commercial product.

The government has data packages for these components and can provide if an RFP is issued.

(Updated 12/10/24)

3. Will the government require Contractor to reverse engineer and normalize proprietary systems to mitigate vendor lock and expand the supply chain for sustainment and spares?

Government Response: No.

4. Is the Government interested in a successful bidder assisting in transitioning the ROBE system to an open, modular architecture achievable through identifying COTS/GOTS processors and redesigning system architectures to meet evolving standards, such as ABMS? This effort can be accomplished while maintaining current operational capabilities and ensuring alignment with future requirements.

Government Response: There are no funded requirements at this time (implementing these capabilities as cost-saving measures would be of interest to the government).

5. Does the Government anticipate standardizing a hardware/software interface approach for extending the ROBE capability to other USAF platforms, such as the KC-46, BACN, AWACS, RJ, and E-7, to integrate closed systems across diverse platforms, reducing costs and enhancing interoperability for joint and coalition missions?

Government Response: There are no funded requirements at this time (implementing this standardization as a cost-saving measure would be of interest to the government).

6. What priorities does the Government have for aligning the ROBE system with ABMS standards/architecture and supporting future communication technologies (e.g., AI-enabled decision-making and edge computing)?

Government Response: There are no funded requirements at this time.

7. The KC-46 solution presents a compelling opportunity to adopt an Open Systems Design, enabling enhanced combat capability and reduced life-cycle costs by minimizing proprietary elements and fostering a robust, competitive supply chain. This approach reduces risk of delay or technical challenges associated with integrating legacy systems into a forward-looking architecture. Is the government considering an alternative to separate the two requirements and procure the new capability for KC-46 and then eventually backfit the KC-135 fleet (if needed) with the new system?

Government Response: There are no funded requirements at this time (implementing these capabilities as cost-saving measures would be of interest to the government).

8. Does the government require the contractor to maintain software/firmware for the systems?

Can the government provide a list of the required software?

Government Response: Yes, with the exception of government-controlled SPIDR software. The government has a list of the required software and can provide during the RDP phase.

Commercial software upgrades due end-of-life/end-of-sale are expected.

9. Will the government host/facilitate an Industry Day and/or 1:1 Sessions with the government team to discuss specific elements of the program requirements and potential offering?

Government Response: To be determined based on RFI responses.

10. Is there a page limit for this RFI Response (if so, what is the limit excluding the Cover Page)?

Government Response: 5 pages, not including the cover page

11. Please clarify the intent of the statement "The projected quantities will be Best Estimated Quantities (BEQs) of 80 per year." Is this referring to support or production of Qty 80 ROBE systems per year?

Government Response: Support of up to Qty 80 ROBE systems per year

12. What specific "capacity" is the USG referring to in this section? E.g. lab space, resources for engineering, manufacturing, etc.?

Government Response: Maintenance and repair, logistics, in-plant engineering, cybersecurity tasks, and SME support.

13. We were wondering if you had intended to add an attachment for the BACN payload CLS portion of the effort, the attachment on the Sam.gov notice is specific only to the ROBE payload.

Government Response: No, an attachment for the BACN payload was not intended to be attached; this RFI is only related to the ROBE CLS effort.