Sources Sought.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

48TH FIGHTER WING (USAFE)

SOURCES SOUGHT (SS)

Avian Radar Upgrade

48th CONTRACTING SQUADRON

Issue Date: 7 August 2025 Response Due Date: 22 August 2025 NAICS Code: 334511 Subject: Radar systems and equipment manufacturing

Sources Sought (SS) – Avian Radar

GENERAL INFORMATION

Background:

The Government is seeking to upgrade its current radar system to provide more advanced support to help with avian detection on and around the flightline.

Description:

The Contractor shall upgrade the existing Avian radar system at RAF Lakenheath. This upgrade shall include a Bird & Drone Detection Radars (BDR-DDR) with AI drone target classification system & DroneWatcher C2 data system. Two Radar-controlled Electro-Optic, Infrared (EOIR) camera systems with dedicated video analytics server for automatic video tracking and target identification. A DroneWatcher RF (Radio Frequency) Omni Directional UAS scanner with integration with C2 system. The contractor will need to install all the aforementioned items at either the existing radar site, on the tower cab, or both as dictated by mission requirements. Any ancillary hardware (nuts, bolts, screw, etc.) to complete the installation should be included. The contractor will be expected to set up and calibrate the entire radar system and associated software suite.

48 FW will provide the support infrastructure to include the following:

1. Equipment foundation/pad

2. Utilities (power, internet connectivity, and fiber optics)

3. Site Access

Current system: Merlin System by Detect Inc -Horizontal radar -Vertical radar -Normal terrain info

General Information:

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT A SOLICITATION AND IS BEING USED FOR THE

PURPOSE OF MARKET ANALYSIS ONLY. This notice is being published in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 5.101 requiring dissemination of information for proposed contract actions and FAR 10.001(a)(2)(ii) which requires conducting market research before soliciting offers for acquisitions with an estimated value in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold or to assist in defining requirements within commercial standards. The Government is seeking industry's input to determine the availability of qualified sources with the technical capability to fulfill the Avian radar and install requirement described above. No contract awards will be made from this notice and no solicitation is available on SAM.gov or any other bulletin board, posting room, or clearinghouse at this time. In order to develop a sound acquisition strategy, early industry participation is highly encouraged; however, participation in this effort is strictly voluntary. All costs associated with responding to this sources sought will be solely at the interested party's expense. The Government will not reimburse costs and will not be liable for any costs associated with responses to this sources sought. Respondents will not be notified of the responses to this notice. Responses to this notice are not considered offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.

All sources sought responses will be used in whole or in part for determining the most effective acquisition strategy for future acquisitions of similar requirements. Requested information will be used within the Air Force to facilitate decision making and will not be disclosed outside the agency.

Response Guidelines:

All responses to this sources sought must be provided as an attachment in an e-mail message addressed to the Primary Point of Contact (POC), below with the subject line "Response to Sources Sought" no later than 22 August 2025 at 2:00 PM BST. Only electronic responses will be accepted. Responses submitted by any other means will not be considered.

Requested Information:

The following is requested from interested companies;

1. Please indicate if your company is willing/able to provide the above mentioned upgrades or if there are any reasons that prevent your company from providing a quote/proposal for these upgrades should a formal solicitation be issued.

2. Provide the specific software/hardware upgrades that would be used to meet the Government’s intent and demonstrate/describe how your company will ensure its proposed upgrades are compatible with the current system. Ensure ability to use previous data collected with Merlin system.

3. If your company cannot provide upgrades due to compatibility issues, please provide a quote for an entirely new system which includes the capabilities that the Government is seeking through upgrades to the existing system.

4. Please provide brochures/descriptive literature commonly provided to the general public;

if available, please provide your NCAGE/UEI information and confirmation if your company is SAM.gov registered.

5. Please submit a written response and any other information via scan/email-attachment on company letter head to points of contact listed below.

POINTS OF CONTACT:

Primary POC: 2d Lt Hunter Copp, Contracting Specialist Email: hunter.copp.1@us.af.mil Secondary POC: Claire Switzer, Contracting Officer Email: claire.switzer.gb@us.af.mil