C-5 Data Link Printer Request For Information.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

C-5 Data Link Printer

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the repair data, expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements to repair the C-5 Data Link Printer. The National Stock Numbers (NSN) and Part Numbers (PN) are as follows:

Item NSN PN Data Link Printer 7025-01-490-0096UC 8055515-4501

The Data Link Printer is currently repaired by AstroNova Aerospace (CAGE 54318) under contract FA8538-20-D-0006. The RMC/ RMSC code for the Data Link Printer is R3/R. This service has been performed multiple times by AstroNova Aerospace, which is the original manufacturer of the Data Link Printer. The technical data required to organically repair or compete the repair is not owned by the Government, and is uneconomical to acquire the data by purchase or to reverse engineer the item. No samples are available for potential suppliers to evaluate.

Contractor shall furnish all material, support equipment, tools, test equipment, and services. The contractor is responsible for providing, maintaining, and calibrating all support equipment required at their facility or a subcontractor’s facility. Contractor furnished material or parts used for replacement shall equal or exceed the quality of the original material or parts.

AstroNova Aerospace is the manufacturer of the Data Link Printer and the known sole source contractor for repair of this item. 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 proposal:

(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 Data Link Printer repair 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.)

a. 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.

4. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to Matthew White, Program Manager, via email at matthew.white.48@us.af.mil.

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements to provide depot-level test and repair of the C-5 Data Link Printer. The National Stock Numbers (NSN) and Part Numbers (PN) are as follows:

Item NSN PN Data Link Printer 7025-01-490-0096UC 8055515-4501

The Data Link Printer is a Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) on the C-5. Each aircraft has one Data Link Printer installed. The C-5 aircraft is used for transporting equipment and supporting the Air Force’s missions. The Data Link printer is a high performance, thermal line printer used to print messages and report logs and uplink messages in the DataLink Communications subsystem. The printer is located in the center console to provide accessibility for the pilot, co-pilot and observer.

The service shall include providing obsolete parts resolution along with the necessary engineering to investigate Deficiency Reports and Material Improvement Projects (MIPs).

The C-5 Data Link Printer must meet form, fit, function, and interface requirements as referenced in per T.O. 1C-5A-4-7. However, the Government does not own the data or the rights to the data needed to compete the repair of this part. It has been determined to be uneconomical to reverse engineer the data, qualify a new source, or buy the data and/or data rights. AstroNova Aerospace is the only source of known repair for this system and has been since it was fielded.

CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

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:

NAICS Code 336413 – Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment

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

• Small Business (Yes / No)

• Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

• Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No)

• 8(a) Certified (Yes / No)

• HUBZone Certified (Yes / No)

• Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

• Service Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No)

• Central Contractor Registration (CCR). (Yes / No)

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

Written responses, no facsimiles or e-mails please, must be received no later than close of business 28 March 2024. Please mail two (2) copies of your response to:

Matthew White Program Manager C-5 Avionics Section

409 SCMS/GUMAA

235 Byron St, Suite 19A Robins AFB, GA 31098-1670

Questions relative to this market research should be addressed to Matthew White, Program Manager, via email at matthew.white.48@us.af.mil.

Part II. Capability Survey Questions

A. General Capability Questions:

1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your facility and 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, and agency/organization supported.

3. Describe your company’s experience in repairing the C-5 Data Link Printer.

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

5. What is your company’s current maximum capacity per month for this particular type of requirement? Provide information on any facility reserves you may possess to increase capacity in the event of an immediate need do to critical operational mission requirements.

B. Repair Questions:

1. Describe your capabilities and experience in repairing existing systems/equipment (hardware and software) to solve maintenance and support problems in the depot environment.

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

3. Discuss your process for addressing any fit, form, and or function issues that may arise out of this effort.

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

5. How will your organization address the absence of drawings, specifications, technical data, test procedures, etc.

6. If the item cannot be repaired in total, state what your organization can repair.

C. Commerciality Questions:

1. Are there established catalog or market prices for our requirement?

2. If you offer this product and/or service to both U.S. Government and commercial sources, is the same workforce used for both the U.S. Government and general public?

3. Describe your standard warranty and return process for goods and services furnished to the government for items similar in nature to this requirement.

D. 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 to prevent further disruptions?

3. Is your company facing financial disruption, impending merger, acquisition and/or foreign investment?

4. If there is Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) of 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?

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

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