C-17 DR SSS 27 Feb 24 FINAL to Post.docx

Sources Sought Synopsis C-17 Databus Recorder (DR) C-17 Capabilities Contracting Office

AFLCMC/WLMKB

Robins AFB GA

Caution:

This Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) is being conducted to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements for development, qualification, and production of the C-17 Databus Recorder (DR) effort. Industry is encouraged to review technical requirements for the DR expected to be competitively solicited. The level of security clearance and amount of foreign participation in this effort has not been determined. Contractors or institutions responding to this SSS are placed on notice that participation in this questionnaire does not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with participation in this SSS.

Instructions:

1. Below is a description of the C-17 DR effort and a Contractor Capability Survey, which allows you to provide your company’s capability.

2. If, after reviewing these documents, participation in this SSS is desired, then provide documentation that supports the company’s capability in meeting these requirements. Failure to provide documentation may result in the government’s inability to adequately assess the company’s capabilities. If sufficient experience is lacking in any area, please provide details explaining how to overcome the lack of experience or capabilities in performing that portion of the effort (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.).

a. Include a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) identifying your company’s estimated costs and timelines to meet the C-17 DR effort.

b. Include a breakdown of cost and schedule as it relates to supporting the entire C-17 fleet of 222 aircraft.

c. Submission should also include separate pricing for the LRU and SSD.

3. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to respond to this SSS. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.

4. Respondents are encouraged to consider use of commercial or non-developmental items to the greatest extent practicable.

5. Questions relative to this SSS should be addressed to the points of contact (POC) identified in the paragraph below.

6. Respondents must provide their responses no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on 19 March 2024. Responses should be submitted as follows:

a. Electronic responses: Submit responses to the following e-mail addresses:

i. PCO: Leon.Castellano@us.af.mil

ii. Buyer: Jasmine.Jordan.4@us.af.mil

iii. Buyer: Bobby.Mitchell.8@us.af.mil

iv. PM: Philip.Primmer@us.af.mil

Purpose The C-17A Globemaster III Program Office (AFCMC/WLM) is conducting a SSS to identify potential sources to develop and/or modify a Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) capable of serving as a databus recorder system for the C-17 aircraft.

Description The C-17 Program Office has a requirement for a system that is capable of capturing all data that is present across all data buses and fuel quantity computers of the C-17 aircraft. The contractor/institution shall provide a form, fit, function LRU hardware solution designed to be in compliance with current Air Force cybersecurity standards.

The LRU must have the following capabilities:

Technical Requirements Functional Requirements BUS Recording:

The Data Recorder (DR) shall be capable of recording data from at least (9) MIL-STD-1553 buses, (8) ARINC 429 buses, and (2) EIA-422 buses simultaneously.

No Writing Capability:

The DR shall not be capable of writing data to the busses.

Synchronization:

The DR shall provide synchronized, time-stamped data from each bus.

Data Storage:

Recorded data shall be stored on an accessible (without removal of the LRU), removable, solid-state device (SSD). The SSD must be an AF approved commercial off-the-shelf item.

Storage Capacity:

Storage capacity of the SSD shall be 4 TB.

Data Format:

Data shall be recorded to the SSD in a Chapter 10 Inter-Range Instrumentation Group (IRIG) format.

Cybersecurity:

The DR shall comply with USAF Cybersecurity standards.

Modifiable:

The DR shall be modifiable to provide wireless download.

Physical Requirements Weight:

The DR shall weigh no more than 17 pounds.

Size:

The DR shall have dimensions no greater than 16” 7” 7” (l w h).

Mounting:

The DR shall mount securely to the C-17 avionics rack without tools.

Aircrew Interface:

The DR shall have an aircrew/maintenance interface that can be used during ground and in-flight operation.

Output Interface:

The DR shall have an output interface that allows in-flight transfer of recorded data.

Manual Shut-off:

The DR shall be capable of being manually shut off by the aircrew or ground crew without removal of the LRU.

Electrical Requirements Current Draw:

The current draw of the DR shall not exceed 5 Amps.

Power Type:

The DR shall be compatible with a power supply of 28 Volts Direct Current.

Wiring:

The DR shall be compatible with the existing wiring harness.

Environmental Requirements Cooling:

The DR shall not require air flow greater than 8 lbm/min for cooling.

Environmental Qualification:

The DR shall be subject to qualification testing IAW MIL-STD-810H.

Contractor Capability Survey Part I. Business Information Company/Institution Name:

CAGE Code:

Company Web Site URL:

Company Point of Contact:

a. Name:

b. Telephone number:

c. E-mail address:

d. Mailing address for primary work location:

Business Size:

Contemplated NAICS for this potential effort include 334511: Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (with a Small Business Administration size standard of 1,500 employees or less). By this reference, please indicate your company status:

· Large Business

· Small Business (If a Small Business, please check all that apply):

· Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

· Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

· Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB)

· 8(a)-certified business

· Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)/Veteran-Business Enterprise (VBE)

· Historically Underutilized Business Zone Small Business (HUBZone)

Part II. Survey Questions General Capability:

1. Briefly describe the capabilities of your facility and the nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure.

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

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

4. 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.

5. Are there specific requirements in the documentation that we provide that would currently preclude your product from being a viable solution to our requirement? If so, provide details.

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

a. Provide an outline of the proposed process, including inspections.

7. Describe the type of warranties that are provide? What is the scope of the warranties provided, and does it include technical support? Describe the warranty return process for items similar in nature to this requirement.

8. What would be the level or extent of coverage in your company’s standard warranty for the DR units of this configuration?

9. Describe how you support your product after it has been sold and delivered to the customer (i.e., resolving parts problems, design practices which avoid parts obsolescence, developing manual updates, product recalls, etc.).

10. Describe your capabilities and experience in configuration management to uphold Operational Safety, Suitability, and Effectiveness (OSS&E) on the DR and/or capabilities similar in complexity.

11. What continuous quality assurance monitoring practices/procedures does your company employ? Please provide a description of your quality program (IAW ISO 9001:2015 or otherwise).

Manufacturing Capability:

1. Based upon the experience and composition of your company, what is your best estimate of production time for one (1) first article DR?

2. Based upon the experience and composition of your company, what is your best estimate of production time for one (1) first article DR to support immediate emergency surge needs of the government?

3. Describe your capability and experiences in the manufacturing/fabrication of the same of similar components.

4. What would be the production lead-time for the DR? Do you have to establish a new production line? Also, list any long lead time items (and estimated time) that may impact production.

5. What is your shortest production lead-time After Receipt of Order (ARO) to support immediate emergency surge needs of the government?

6. Based upon your current facilities, staffing, and resources, what is your best estimate of maximum monthly production capacity of DRs?

7. What is your maximum monthly production ARO of DRs to support immediate emergency needs?

8. Describe how you would fill any short-term emergency (surge) needs the Government may have without impacting the sustained production rate. What is your maximum surge capacity?

Technical Capability:

1. Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating, changing, controlling and distributing technical data, engineering drawings, test reporting, technical order development, and generating provisioning data. Identify what software programs are utilized to generate these data products and what formats are available for delivered items to include 3D modeling.

2. Identify the limitations, if any, your company’s DR solution has to record data in an IRIG format.

3. What information will be required ensure compatibility with existing avionics and wiring?

a. What considerations should be made for seamless integration of your LRU into the existing wiring system?

b. Are there any specific adaptors or modifications required to seamlessly integrate your LRU into the existing wiring system?

c. Provide a high-level schematic description outlining the connectivity points of your LRU within C-17’s wiring framework.

4. Are there any limitations to record data in an IRIG format?

5. How is the LRU designed to interact with various electrical systems and components within the aircraft?

6. Explain how the proposed data recorder is powered.

Repair Questions:

1. Describe your capabilities and experience in modifying existing systems/equipment to solve maintenance and support problems.

2. Describe your capabilities and experience in developing/modifying repair or maintenance procedures to include process of validating new requirements.

3. Describe your configuration management processes and how you identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems?

4. Describe your process for maintaining inventory records and reporting on hand/in work balances and repair status to your customer.

Sustainment Questions:

1. Identify if there are any sustainment activities associated with this requirement. If so, please describe your solution.

2. Identify whether your sustainment costs are fixed or variable. If variable, provide your cost estimate based on the number of aircraft the solution is installed on.

3. What is your company’s parts obsolescence mitigation plan?

Government Questions:

1. Considering the post-COVID environment, would your company be willing to provide proposed pricing on a Firm-Fixed-Price, requirements-type contract for longer-term contracts? (i.e., 5, 8, 10 years). If not, what is the longest amount of time your company would be willing to propose pricing for?

2. Do you foresee your company seeking Government contract financing for an effort of this complexity and length?

3. Considering the post-COVID environment, would the addition of an Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause alleviate longer-term contract pricing concerns?

4. What is your risk mitigation plan to calculate pricing for a Firm-Fixed-Price contract, given the volatile market and global raw material shortages? Please explain.

5. If the Government does not include contract financing or an EPA clause, how would your company mitigate the volatile market and global raw material shortages?

6. Do you anticipate using significant subcontractors? What aspects do you plan to use subcontractors for? What percent of total cost would be through each significant subcontractor?