IRST_MOD_SSS_26 Jun 26.pdf

Sources Sought Synopsis for the F-15 Infrared Search and Track Modernization

Updated 26 June 2026

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) F-15 Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), Ohio is conducting a market assessment to identify potential sources, and companies that are capable of providing the following distinct capabilities:

1. Procurement, retrofitting, and provision of interim repair support for Legion IRST Pods in a 2.0, 2.5, and/or 2.5+ configuration.

2. Provision of logistical support, non-recurring engineering support, program management support, interim repair support, and retrofit integration support, in furtherance of the F-15 IRST Modernization Effort.

3. Procurement and delivery of componentry necessary to update the Air Force’s inventory of Legion IRST pods to a 2.0, 2.5, or 2.5+ configuration. This includes but is not limited to Infrared Receivers (IRRs), processors, Advanced Data Link (ADL) Radios, wiring harnesses, pod bodies, and retrofit materials.

4. Development/Delivery of technical data and computer software in furtherance of Legion IRST Pods in a 2.0, 2.5, or 2.5+ configuration.

PURPOSE:

This notice is part of Government Market Research, a process for obtaining the latest information on the ‘art of possible’ from industry with respect to their current abilities. All company proprietary information contained in the response shall be separately marked and properly protected from unauthorized disclosure. The Government will not use proprietary information submitted from any one firm to establish the capability and requirements for any future systems acquisition to not inadvertently restrict competition. Any material that is not marked proprietary will be considered publicly releasable.

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS (SSS) ONLY. This SSS 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 Sources Sought Synopsis does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. The intent of this notice is not a request for competitive proposals. Information received as a result of this notice will be considered solely for the purpose of determining the appropriate acquisition type for the procurement. A determination by the Air Force not to open the requirement to full and open competition, based on response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Air Force. Further, the Air Force is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this SSS; all costs associated with responding to this SSS will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this SSS does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a competitive solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on The Government Point of Entry (https://sam.gov). It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

OBJECTIVES:

The objectives of this SSS are to identify responsible sources and interested parties who have proven solutions that can meet the Government’s requirements for this effort.

BACKGROUND:

The Government is seeking qualified contractors to provide comprehensive manufacturing and procurement services under a robust Quality Management System (QMS). The companies need to be capable of providing the following:

1. Procurement, retrofitting, and provision of interim repair support for Legion IRST Pods in a 2.0, 2.5, and/or 2.5+ configuration.

2. Provision of logistical support, non-recurring engineering support, program management support, interim repair support, and retrofit integration support, in furtherance of the F-15 IRST Modernization Effort.

3. Procurement and delivery of componentry necessary to update the Air Force’s inventory of Legion IRST pods to a 2.0, 2.5, or 2.5+ configuration. This includes but is not limited to Infrared Receivers (IRRs), IRST processors, Advanced Data Link (ADL) Radios, wiring harnesses, Pod Bodies, and retrofit materials.

4. Development/Delivery of technical data and computer software in furtherance of Legion IRST Pods in a 2.0, 2.5, or 2.5+ configuration.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Manufacturing of IRST BLK 2.0, 2.5, & 2.5+ pods

a. The ability to build to the Technical Data Package (TDP) for the 2.0, 2.5, and 2.5+

Legion IRST configurations or procure Legion IRST pods in a 2.0, 2.5, or 2.5+ configuration. This includes complete sourcing and procurement of all parts listed on the BOM for the IRST BLK 2.0, 2.5, & 2.5+ units in addition to adequate facilities, equipment, and personnel to conduct manufacturing.

b. Execution of acceptance testing upon completion of manufactured units using approved procedures, software, and fixtures.

c. Execution of Environmental Stress Screening (vibration and thermal testing parameters) to certify unit durability.

d. The ability to procure technical data and computer software sufficient to enable manufacturing or procurement of IRST BLK 2.0, 2.5, and/or 2.5+ pods from non- Government sources.

2. Interim Contractor Support and Repair for IRST BLK 2.0, 2.5, & 2.5+ Pods and LRUs

a. The ability to conduct repairs in accordance with the Technical Data Package (TDP) for the 2.0, 2.5, and 2.5+ Legion IRST configurations. This includes complete sourcing and procurement of all parts listed on the BOM for the IRST BLK 2.0, 2.5, & 2.5+ units in addition to adequate facilities, equipment, and personnel to conduct repairs.

b. Execution of acceptance testing upon completion of repaired units using approved procedures, software, and fixtures.

c. Execution of Environmental Stress Screening (vibration and thermal testing parameters) to certify unit durability.

d. The ability to procure technical data and computer software sufficient to enable repair of IRST BLK 2.0, 2.5, and/or 2.5+ pods from non-Government sources.

3. Manufacturing or Procurement of IRST BLK 2.0, 2.5, and 2.5+ LRUs and Related Componentry

a. Manufacturing or sourcing of IRST BLK 2.0, 2.5, and 2.5+ LRUs and related componentry. This includes complete sourcing and procurement of all parts listed on the BOM for the IRST BLK 2.0, 2.5, & 2.5+ units in addition to adequate facilities, equipment, and personnel to conduct LRU manufacturing.

b. The ability to procure technical data and computer software sufficient to enable production of IRST BLK 2.0, 2.5, and/or 2.5+ LRUs and related componentry from non- Government sources.

4. Retrofit of IRST BLK 1.0 pods to a 2.0, 2.5, and/or 2.5+ configuration

a. The ability to conduct retrofits in accordance with the Technical Data Package (TDP) for the 2.0, 2.5, and 2.5+ Legion IRST configurations. This includes the facilities, equipment, and personnel required to perform these tasks.

b. Execution of acceptance testing upon completion of retrofitted units using approved procedures, software, and fixtures.

c. The ability to procure technical data and computer software sufficient to enable retrofits of IRST BLK 2.0, 2.5, and/or 2.5+ pods from non-Government sources.

d. The ability to conduct integration activities in support of pod retrofit activities.

5. Provision of non-recurring engineering, logistics, and program management support sufficient to perform the above requirements.

Please provide an estimated production asset procurement timeline; from production contract award to actual delivery (describe in detail the long lead components and their associated timelines). Please provide an estimate for the production throughput capacity for the IRST BLK 2.0, 2.5, & 2.5+ Units and Related Componentry, and describe significant factors that influence the throughput capacity.

Additionally, if a low quantity of assets are immediately available for procurement to aid the Government in assessments and tests, please indicate on-hand quantities that would be available immediately.

INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS

Interested parties should provide capabilities, qualification statements, and examples that demonstrate their ability to satisfy the requirements detailed in the REQUIREMENTS paragraph of this announcement. The Government recognizes that vendors may not possess all capabilities in-house. This market research is vital for determining the final acquisition strategy, including identifying potential prime/subcontractor teaming arrangements. Responses must clearly identify how each requirement will be addressed.

Companies or parties are to submit responses in Adobe Acrobat compatible electronic format. The maximum page limit per response is 10 pages, 8.5” x 11”, including attachments, figures, and/or drawings, and no smaller than size 12 font. Responses must include:

A) Company Name, Address, CAGE Code, Industry Point of Contact (POC) for technical and contractual issues to include name, position, telephone number, and e-mail address.

B) Detailed descriptions of how the respondent plans to fulfill all requirements as detailed in the REQUIREMENTS paragraph of this announcement. Specifically, these should address:

a. The respondent’s ability to meet each of the technical requirements as set forth in this announcement.

b. The respondent’s ability to meet these technical requirements in the absence of government provided technical data or computer software. This should include a plan for procuring or creating the requisite technical data and computer software necessary to complete the requirements. If the respondent plans to procure the technical data and computer software from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of Legion IRST, describe your relationship with the OEM and any special factors that may help facilitate your procurement of these data.

c. The respondent’s projected timeline for meeting these requirements and what, if any, integration or development testing would be needed to meet the requirements. The timeline should address each line within the requirement, what date the respondent would be able to meet each requirement, and what risks exist in the timeline.

C) Firms responding to this announcement should indicate whether they are an other than small business, small business, small disadvantaged business (SDB), woman-owned small business (WOSB), economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB), 8(a)-certified business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB), veteran-owned small business (VOSB), or Historically Underutilized Business Zone small business (HUBZone). All prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DoD contract.

The acquisition strategy has not yet been determined. Market research results will assist the Air Force in determining whether this requirement will be a full and open, a small business set aside, or a sole source acquisition. Note that, if there is sufficient demonstrated interested and capability among small business contractors, a key factor in determining if an acquisition will be a Small Business Set-Aside is that two or more potential small business prime contractors must be capable of performing at least 50% of the effort, as defined in RFO clause 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting. If it is determined that a small business set-aside is appropriate and your company anticipates submitting a proposal as the prime contractor for a small business set-aside, please provide specific details and rationale as to how compliance with FAR clause 52.219-14 would be achieved, including specific details regarding teaming arrangements, etc. If subcontracts are to be used, provide anticipated percentage of effort to be subcontracted and whether small or large businesses will be used. Teaming and/or subcontracting arrangements should be clearly delineated and previous experience in teaming must be provided.

If this effort is not set aside for small business, small business utilization will be considered. Request that large and small businesses provide a reasonable expectation for small business utilization as a percent of total contract value. Please provide supporting rationale for the recommended percentage.

Reponses to this SSS must be submitted no later than Monday, July 27, 2026 @ 5:00 PM EST, and shall be transmitted electronically to Ashton Kiplinger at ashton.kiplinger@us.af.mil.

DISCUSSIONS

The Government may elect to conduct one-on-one discussions with industry based on its analysis of the SSS responses, the quality of submission and the specifications in the information provided. The Government is under no obligation to conduct these sessions. The Government does not commit to providing a response to any comment or questions. Any revision to this SSS based on comments received remains solely at the Government’s discretion. These initiatives may ultimately result in the Government developing and issuing an RFP for respondents. The above information is for information gathering purposes only.

SPECIAL NOTICE

Respondent’s attention is directed to the fact that contractor consultants and advisors to the Government will review and provide support during review and evaluation of submittals. When appropriate, non- Government advisors may be used to objectively review a particular functional area and provide comments and recommendations to the Government. All advisors shall comply with procurement integrity laws and shall sign Non-Disclosure and Rules of Conduct/Conflict of Interest statements. The Government shall take into consideration requirements for avoiding conflicts of interest and ensure advisors comply with safeguarding proprietary data. Submissions in response to this SSS constitute approval to release the submittal to Government Support Contractors.

Per RFO 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes:

(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(b) Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this Sources Sought Synopsis, 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 collecting Government Market Research, a process for obtaining the latest information on the ‘art of possible’ from industry with respect to their current and near-term abilities

Contracting Office :

AFLCMC/WAQ (F-15 Division)

Primary Point of Contact:

Ashton Kiplinger Contracting Officer ashton.kiplinger@us.af.mil mailto:ashton.kiplinger@us.af.mil