E-3 DRAGON EGI_RIC Modificaton Installation RFI (002).docx

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY

Request for Information for Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) Replacement of Avionics for Global Operations and Navigation (DRAGON)

Installation of Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS)/Inertial Navigation System/Radar Interface Card (EGI/RIC) Modification

E-3 Modernization Branch

AFLCMC/HBSM

3 Eglin St.

Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2100

Program Manager: Emily Mackey, NH-03, DAF Contracting Officer: Olivia Rogers, NH-03, DAF

1.0 Description

This is a Request for Information (RFI) as defined in FAR 15.201(e). This RFI is issued in order to assess industry interest for the installation of the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) Replacement of Avionics for Global Operations and Navigation (DRAGON) Installation of the Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS)/Inertial Navigation System/Radar Interface Card (EGI/RIC) modification. In accordance with (IAW) FAR 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes, this RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Air Force is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any 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 RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the SAM.gov website. It is the responsibility of the potential respondents to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

2.0 Background

The E-3 AWACS, operated by the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker AFB, OK provides the Air Force with airborne systems and personnel for theater surveillance, warning and control of strategic, tactical and special mission forces. The AWACS DRAGON program replaces aging, predominantly analog, non-sustainable equipment with modern, digital avionics systems that provide for future growth and enhanced operation, safety and reliability while reducing life cycle costs. Overall, this program uses a systems approach to aid pilot awareness and alleviate task saturation in high technology flight and combat environments. The requirement to reduce aircraft separation and implement other Air Traffic Management (ATM) procedures while maintaining or improving safety standards is met by using available aviation technology currently used in commercial and military aircraft. Essential technology elements of the new Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) environment are satellite-based navigation, increased use of data links for pilot/controller communication, and improved surveillance to enhance flight deck situational awareness. For the E-3 AWACS aircraft to operate in this new environment, replacement of 1970s vintage analog flight deck equipment with currently available modern digital avionics is required.

DRAGON also replaces existing E-3 AWACS avionics with commercial off the shelf (COTS) avionics to maintain mission readiness being affected by significant Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) impacts and to reduce life-cycle costs by addressing the most significant existing DMSMS issues.

3.0 Problem Statement

EGI: Provides the navigation data (attitude/heading) to both the flight deck and the mission system. The EGI generates a high-speed serial digital output that provides real-time navigation data to the RIC. There are two EGIs in the E-14 Rack for redundancy.

RIC: Provides high speed real-time navigation data to the radar mission systems. Originally designed to provide a logical input to the Control Power Supply (CPS) that would allow the Flight Deck to choose which EGI (either EGI-1 or EGI-2) would provide the radar with navigation data.

The AWACS has two EGI’s for system redundancy. The DRAGON design removed the GPS Integrated Navigation System (GINS) Source Select Control Panel from the Navigation Station Panel (P12) which included the EGI Select circuitry allowing manual selection of the primary EGI to the RIC. This EGI select circuitry was removed, which eliminated system redundancy to mission computing.

In the current configuration if EGI 2 fails, there would be no Time Azimuth Navigation Server (TANS) signal data provided to the missions system RIC. Ultimately renders mission system operation capabilities inoperative.

Boeing is responsible for the development of the design solution, installation drawings, and procurement of parts which will restore the EGI/RIC switchover capability back to the DRAGON design using a retrofit modification kit. The modification includes adding a new converter assembly box, using existing and new wire bundles, and adding a new circuit breaker on the flight deck.

4.0 Description of Requirements

Respondents will be required to perform the modification installation on all 16 AWACS aircraft and in the AWACS Avionics Integrated Support Facility (AISF) lab. The AISF is a Government owned lab used for testing software on Tinker AFB.

Respondents may need to have Associate Contractor Agreements in place with Boeing for aircraft installation and/or Collins for lab installation in order to obtain proprietary information for installation.

The modification will be performed at Tinker AFB, OK. Respondents must be able to obtain access to Tinker AFB. The Government anticipates the Period of Performance (PoP) will begin March 2025.

5.0 Responses

4.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper in Microsoft Word, which are due no later than 15 calendar days after the publication date of this RFI. Responses shall be UNCLASSIFIED and submitted via e-mail only to Ms. Oliva Rogers, DRAGON Contracting Officer, olivia.rogers.3@us.af.mil and Urban Soul, Contracts Manager, urban.soul@us.af.mil. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. Please be advised that submissions will not be returned.

4.2 Section 1 of the white paper shall provide administrative information and shall be limited to no more than 5 pages. Section 1 shall include at a minimum the following information:

4.2.1 Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact.

4.2.2 A statement that the respondent will or will not allow the Government to release its proprietary data to Government support contractors employed by companies listed in paragraph 4.5 below. In the absence of this statement, the Government will assume that the respondent agrees to the release of its submission to Government support contractors.

4.2.3 Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 336413 Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing with a size standard of 750 employees. Please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 19 for additional detailed information on Small Business Size Standards.

4.2.4 The facility security clearance of the respondent.

4.3 Section 2 of the white paper will address how the Contractor will meet the requirements as described in Paragraph 4.0, along with any other information deemed pertinent to providing this support. Also include all assumptions and risks factored into the response. Section 2 shall be limited to no more than 5 pages.

4.4 Section 3 of the white paper will include a cost estimate or rough order of magnitude of services provided based on the expected requirements of Paragraph 4.0 of this RFI. Include all assumptions factored into the response. Section 3 of the white paper shall be limited to no more than 5 pages.

4.5 Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS), Specialized Cost Services (SCS) and Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) contractors will be reviewing data submitted in response to this RFI. The primary companies providing technical and management support are Odyssey Systems, Astrion, HX5, Sumaria, Torch Technologies, DCS and the MITRE Corp. Employees of these respective companies have standard Non-Disclosure Agreements available to the Government contracting offices.

6.0 Industry Discussions

AWACS representatives may or may not choose to meet with potential respondents. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements.

7.0 Questions

Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contracting Officer. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered by e-mail; accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 10 days of the publication date of this RFI will be answered.

8.0 Summary

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION NOR IS IT AUTHORIZATION TO INCUR COST FOR WHICH REIMBURSEMENT WOULD BE REQUIRED OR SOUGHT. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI AND RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE ARE NOT OFFERS AND CANNOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO FORM A BINDING CONTRACT. ALL SUBMISSIONS BECOME GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AND WILL NOT BE RETURNED.