F-16_DRWR_RF_Diplexer_Switch__SSS.docx

Sources Sought Synopsis

F-16 Program Office Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Hill Air Force Base, Utah

1.0 Description

1.1 The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Fighter/Bomber Directorate (WW), F-16 Program Contracting Office (WWMK), Hill AFB, UT is seeking information on a diplexer/RF switch effort to install on USAF F-16 aircraft with a digital radar warning receiver (DRWR) system.

1.2 The purpose of this Sources Sought is to conduct market research to determine if responsible sources exist, to assist in determining if this effort can be competitive and/or a total Small Business Set-Aside. The proposed North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) Code is 334419 which has a corresponding Size standard of 750 employees. The Government will use this information to determine the best acquisition strategy for this procurement. The Government is interested in all small businesses to include 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Hubzone, and Women-Owned small business concerns. The Government requests that interested parties respond to this notice if applicable and identify your small business status to the identified NAICS code. Additionally, please provide any anticipated teaming arrangements, along with a description of similar services offered to the Government and to commercial customers for the past three years. Any responses involving teaming agreements should delineate between the work that will be accomplished by the prime and the work accomplished by the teaming partners.

2.0 This Is A Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) Only

2.1 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 SSS does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. This is a sources sought only, which, as part of market research, is being issued in accordance with (IAW) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 15.201(e).

2.2 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 responding to this SSS. All costs associated with responding to this SSS will be solely at the interested parties’ expense.

2.3 Contractors must be either U.S.-owned or a U.S.-owned subsidiary with valid security infrastructure and clearances to handle SECRET data. All companies that believe they may have solutions to meet the requirements, please contact the U.S. Government Contracting Officer, Mr. Corey Muir at corey.muir@us.af.mil and Contract Specialist Mrs. Piper Martin at piper.martin@us.af.mil. Large businesses are encouraged to indicate the extent to which they intend to use small businesses.

2.4 Interested Contractors must notify the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist for permission to view the Technical Data Package (TDP). The Government will provide a link to the TDP and will mail the SECRET portion of the TDP.

2.5 Respondents should recommend small business utilization percentages as a percent of total contract value to be considered. This recommendation should include supporting rationale for the recommended percentage. Additionally, recommend any potential effort(s) that may be broken out of this requirement.

2.6 Not responding to this SSS does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

3.0 Background

3.1 The F-16 program office is looking to upgrade to a digital radar warning receiver (DRWR) system.

3.2 Part of the system is a matrix of receiving antennas on the aircraft.

3.3 There are two antenna arrays in multiple sectors. One of the two antennas is in the C/D band and the other is in the E-J band.

3.4 There is a requirement to switch between two E-J band antenna arrays using an RF Switch.

3.5 The outputs of the switch selected E-J band antenna and a C/D band antenna are combined in the diplexer.

3.6 The requirements for this Diplexer/ RF Switch assembly are:

3.6.1 Diplexer Requirements are stated in G719769 and G719770 (CONFIDENTIAL). Interested contractors must request a copy of these specifications from the Contracting Officer and Contracting Specialist. Note that requests for the CLASSIFIED specification will be subject to appropriate security screening prior to release (see Section 4.0).

3.6.2 Switch Requirements

3.6.2.1 Input Isolation equal to or greater than 120db. Isolation may be achieved by multiple series switches (ganged) to achieve desired 120db. Respondent should indicate approach to be used.

3.6.2.2 Switch time less than 30nS objective. It is understood that this requirement may not be achievable. Respondents should indicate their best performance for this parameter.

3.6.2.3 E-J Band (2 – 20Ghz)

3.6.2.4 Up to +40dBm input power

3.6.2.5 Insertion Loss: Respondent please provide typical insertion loss for potential solution.

3.6.2.6 Connector: MIL-STD-348A Notice 1, Figure. 3.1.3-4 (TNCA)

3.6.2.7 Size, Weight and Power: Current diplexer size is approximately 4”x4”x1”, current diplexer weight is approximately 2 pounds, RS-422 signal source or 28VDC input power is expected. Respondents encouraged to offer solutions that maintain approximate size and weight. Respondents encouraged to offer power options to reduce noise to a minimum.

3.6.2.8 Switching signal to item will be single ended RS-422 twisted pair voltage as a discrete signal on one wire of the twisted pair. This signal may be combined with an RS-422 power source. See section 3.6.2.7.

3.6.2.9 Switch will provide a single discrete status indicating the selected input and that the switch is in a steady/settled state ready for sampling. This status will be provided on one wire of a RS-422 twisted pair.

3.6.2.9.1 Threshold requirement: indicate switch state as stated in previous section

3.6.2.9.2 Objective requirement: Indicate switch state as mention above and an additional fault state.

3.6.2.10 Respondents encouraged to offer alternatives to command/status under assumption that switching time is to be optimized and that the device being interfaced to is an RS-422 UART.

3.6.3 General Requirements

3.6.3.1 Threshold: Diplexer and switch as two separate units

3.6.3.2 Objective: Combine diplexer and switch into a single integrated assembly

3.6.3.3 Both components are subject to F-16 Environmental Specification 16PS011E for a location inside equipment bays not subject to exposed aerodynamic airflow (see Table II of Environmental Specification). Components will be located in the “Aft Equipment Bay” of the aircraft and subject to harsh gun muzzle shock and vibration in area 1B (reference Figure 6 in Environmental Specification). Components may also be located in Aircraft Rudder Section. Under both circumstances, no cooling will be provided.

3.6.3.4 Contractor shall indicate if the threshold and objective are developmental or off-the shelf efforts.

3.6.3.5 Contractor shall provide and approximate build time for the RF switch and diplexers (separate units) and RF Switch/Diplexer integrated unit.

3.6.3.6 Contractor shall provide no less than Government Purpose Rights or indicate lesser rights for COTS solutions.

3.6.4 Contractor Specific Requirements

3.6.4.1 The manufacturer’s development and production facilities are located within the United States.

3.6.4.2 The manufacturer’s production facilities have sufficient maturity to support a minimum of 12 First Article Assemblies by 2nd Qtr FY 2018. The projected production quantities are in a range of 238 units (min) – 4176 (max), with production orders beginning in 3rd Qtr FY 2019 and ending in TBD.

3.6.4.3 The manufacturer must meet US DoD security protection requirements.

3.6.4.4 The contractor must have a solution that meets the following minimum requirements:

3.6.4.5 Has a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 or higher that is ready for integration and final development starting in 2nd Qtr FY18.

3.6.4.6 Provide cost and schedule delivery estimate to enable future U.S. Government sustainment including, but no limited to, data rights and any unique developmental environment requirements.

3.6.4.7 Provide a list of documentation, Government Furnished Equipment, and Government Furnished Information the contractor requires from the U.S. Government, as well as the dates by which they are needed.

3.7 Due to security access, system attributes, and concept of operations, foreign contractor participation is not permitted at the prime contractor level. United States contractors must build hardware in the United States of America.

4.0 The Contractor will be screened through the Industrial Security Facility Database (ISFD) by the F-16 Security Officer, Mr. Jimmy Perkins, to verify the Contractor’s ability to handle SECRET information. Additionally, contractor shall provide a CAGE code, and a completed DD form 2345. Also a DD Form 254 may be required to gain access to the TDP in Joint Controlled Program (JCP) and Defense Logistical Information Screen (DLIS).

4.1 The contractor shall provide a CLASSIFIED shipping address to the Contracting Officer, Contract Specialist, and Program Manager. Once the SECRET portion of the TDP is shipped on a CD, the Contractor will sign an AF Form 310 to acknowledge receipt of shipment. The Contractor will destroy the CD and all copies after a response to the SSS is given to the Government or immediately if no response will be given.

4.1 Industry Discussion

4.1.1 The F-16 Program Office (AFLCMC/WWM) representatives may or may not choose to hold Industry Days. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements.

5.0 On the following pages is a description of the Diplexer/ RF Switch assembly response requirements, and the Contractor Capability Survey which allows you to provide your company’s capability.

6.0 If, after reviewing this information you desire to respond to the SSS, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability to meet these requirements. Companies may be contacted for further information or clarification; however, failure to provide documentation may result in the U.S. Government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how your company would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.). Documentation describing your company’s capability should be provided in the form of a white paper.

7.0 Questions related to this market survey should be addressed to the Program Manager, Davey Meguro at davey.meguro@us.af.mil, Contracting Officer Corey Muir at corey.muir@us.af.mil, and Piper Martin at piper.martin@us.af.mil. Questions regarding classified communications shall be addressed by the Security Officer, Jimmy Perkins, at (unclassified) jimmy.perkins.1@us.af.mil , for directions to a classified phone line.

8.0 Please include two (2) complete hard copies of the response, no longer than 25 pages each. In addition, please send one copy by e-mail (no more than 7MB) no later than 6:00 pm MST on 30 January, 2017 to the Contracting Officer at corey.muir@us.af.mil and the Contract Specialist at piper.martin@us.af.mil.

Address Attention: Piper Martin 6072 Fir Ave Bldg. 1233 Hill AFB, UT 84056-8538

Be advised that all correspondence sent via e-mail shall contain a subject line that reads “F-16 DRWR Diplexer/RF Switch- SSS.” Note that, e-mail filters at Hill AFB are designed to filter e-mails without subject lines or with suspicious subject lines and/or certain attachments (i.e., .exe or .zip files). Therefore, if this subject line is not included, the e-mail may not get through the e-mail filters. Also be advised that .exe or .zip files are not allowable attachments and may be deleted by the e-mail filters at Hill AFB. If sending attachments with e-mail, ensure only .PDF, .doc, or .xls documents are sent. The e-mail filter may delete any other form of attachments.

CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

DRWR Diplexer/RF Switch Assembly

Part I. Business Information

Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

· Phone Number:

· E-mail Address:

· Web Page URL:

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

*NOTE: All prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DoD contract. The NAICS code for this requirement, if applicable to the company’s capabilities, should be included in the company’s NAICS code listing in SAM.

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

Part II. Capability Survey Questions

Please provide the following business General Capability information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

1. General Capability Questions

a. Describe briefly the capabilities of your facility and the nature of the goods and/or services you provide.

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

c. Provide data to support/prove the required TRL has been achieved (if already at TRL 6 or higher) or is achievable within the aforementioned timeline.

d. Briefly describe how your company would use small business to support this potential effort.

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

f. Does your company have the ability to work at the classified level to support this development?

g. Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating technical data, engineering drawings, and manuals. Identify what software programs used to generate these data products and what formats are available for delivered items.

h. What is your company’s current maximum production capacity per month?

i. Provide information on any facility reserves you may possess to increase production capacity in the event of an immediate need due to critical operational mission requirements.

j. Describe any options that exist to shorten the production timeline (to include long lead parts).

k. Are there specific requirements in the documentation that the U.S. Government provided that would currently preclude your product from being a viable solution to our requirement?

l. Describe your company’s proposed contract type and anticipated period of performance as it relates herein.

2. Hardware Production Questions:

a. Describe your capability and experiences in the manufacturing/fabrication of Diplexer / Switch components.

b. What quality assurance processes and test qualification practices does your company employ? Please provide a description of your quality program (ISO 9000, QS-9000, EIA-599, or otherwise).

c. Does your product require support equipment?

d. What type of cooling is required for your product?

e. Has environmental testing to F-16 standards been completed on your product?

3. Repair Questions:

a. Describe your capabilities and experience in developing/modifying repair or maintenance procedures. Include associated upgrade of technical orders and preparation of new technical orders.

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

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

4. Non-Commerciality / Commerciality Questions:

a. Do you consider your solution non-commercial or commercial? Are there established catalog or market prices for our requirement? If your company offers 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? Is our requirement offered to both under similar terms and conditions? Briefly describe any differences.

b. Describe your standard warranty and return process for goods and services furnished to the U.S. Government for items similar in nature to this requirement.

PROPRIETARY DATA

F-16 DRWR Diplexer /RF Switch

1. Proprietary Information (PI) or Intellectual Property (IP) should be minimized and clearly marked:

a. Segregate PI and IP information to the maximum extent practical.

b. Proprietary Data Protection Agreement should be in place that would permit F-16 program office support contractors to view proprietary information. The following is a list of support contractors, who will review the responses.

2. The U.S. Government will secure Non-Disclosure Agreements from contractors supporting the F-16 Program Office (AFLCMC/WWM) as identified above. Interested parties, if unwilling for the U.S. Government to release their proprietary data to support contractors, shall provide a statement detailing their position.

3. In the absence of either of the foregoing, the U.S. Government will assume that the respondent does not agree to the release of its submission to U.S. Government support contractors.

4. The respondent must provide a facility security clearance prior to any point-to-point classified discussions.

Summary

THIS IS AN SSS ONLY to identify sources that can provide a DRWR Diplexer/ RF Switch Assembly. The information provided in the SSS is subject to change and is not binding on the U.S. Government. The Air Force has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this SSS should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become U.S. Government property and will not be returned.