RFI ASARs.docx

CAUTION:

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the repair data, expertise, capabilities, manufacturing, engineering, software development, maintenance and experience to meet qualification requirements to repair and sustain the Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System (ASARS)-2 components and ground support equipment. The level of security clearance and amount of overseas continental United States participation in this requirement has not been determined. The Government does not own or have access to the data for the ASARS-2 sensor. The Government has determined that this system is a noncommercial item.

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.

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.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. The document below contains a description of the ASARS-2 requirement 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.

3. ATTENTION: SMALL BUSINESS RESPONDENTS who are interested in participation in this effort:

a. No set aside decision has been made; however, the Government will determine the final strategy after thorough analysis of the small business responses and other market research available, considering the demonstrated interest and capability. Please ensure that you provide a thorough response to each question. If your company does not currently possess the full capability required to fulfill the entire requirement, what teaming/partnership/joint venture/subcontracting arrangement do you have in place to fulfill the Government’s needs? Providing evidence of this arrangement, e.g., emails, letters, etc. that demonstrate a united response to this RFI is highly encouraged but not required. The evidence should state the type of arrangement and the role each member will fulfill. If you are only interested in being a subcontractor to the future awardee, state the portion of the work that your organization has capability of fulfilling.

b. Identify any areas of work that your organization believes should be broken out exclusively for Small Business.

4. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.

5. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to the Program Contracting Officer POC: Melissa Wells, melissa.wells.5@us.af.mil or Sharnarra Reid, sharnarra.reid.1@us.af.mil

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION:

The Government anticipates soliciting a two (2) year contract extension of the original Support and Sustainment 5-year Contract, that spans from 30 September to 30 September 2028, from a sole source for the operation, maintenance and repair of the U-2 ASARS-2. The work is currently being performed by Raytheon, Cage: 4U884 under current contract FA8528-20-D-0023. The Government does not own data rights or system specifications to the ASARS-2 sensor.

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements to repair and sustain the U-2 ASARS-2 components listed below:

The Air Force requires long-term support and sustainment of the ASARS-2, which provides near-real-time high-resolution, long-range imagery from ground returns during day or night, in all weather conditions. Air Combat Command A5 requirements provide for an over-arching sustainment program for the U-2. The Contract Logistics Support (CLS) includes engineering support, the repair of spare assets, resolution of system failures and issues to ensure availability, reliability, and maintainability of the fielded equipment and software. This effort requires cybersecurity support and sustainment in accordance with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SP 800-171, NIST SP 800-53, Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 503, and the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) process, Cybersecurity Impact Evaluation Recommendation (CIER) for all changes and modifications of this effort to incorporate in the U-2S Approval to Request for Information FA8528-23-R-ASARS2 for U-2 Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System -2

Operate (ATO) package, Cybersecurity Authorization Package (CAP), Risk Management Framework (RMF), Interim Authority to Test (IATT), Interim Authority to Connect (ATC), and/or separate ATO, as applicable and requested by the Government. This effort also requires Depot Maintenance Support Teams (DMST) to support the following sustainment activities: mission software updates; Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) engineering; engineering change proposals; configuration management (hardware and software); integration with ASARS-related systems on the U-2 platform; data management; technical data (such as technical manuals and reports) development and maintenance; in-plant Specialized Repair Activity and sparing; technical and engineering actions for calibrating ASARS-2; resolving system failures/issues in a timely manner; and planning/preparation/implementation of system sustainment improvements.

Figure 1 (ASARS-2A Airborne Radar Set)

The ASARS-2A is the Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System for the high-altitude U.S. Air Force U-2 aircraft. It is a high-resolution reconnaissance system with all-weather, day-night, long-range mapping capabilities. ASARS-2A detects and accurately locates fixed and moving ground targets by collecting and processing Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) hit data. ASARS-2A is normally employed in a tethered mode of operation, which allows collection and transmission of data in near real time via data link for exploitation of the collected data.

ASARS-2A provides multiple imaging modes with various degrees of resolution, coverage, and gives the Air Force superior surveillance capabilities. The ASARS-2A has been operational since 1985 and is still one of the major assets in the Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) inventory.

The purpose of this request is to conduct Market Research activity to gather information on whether any additional sources can meet this requirement.

Requested Information:

Please provide responses to the following:

1. Does your company possess the necessary drawings, data, and other information required to support and sustain the U-2 ASARS-2 and associated components? If yes, please provide supporting rationale and documentation. If not, how will your organization address the absence of drawings, specifications, technical data, test procedures, etc.?

2. Do you have the infrastructure to support the production and sustainment of the U-2 ASARS-2? If yes, please provide supporting rationale and documentation.

3. Do you have the capability to reverse engineer the U-2 ASARS-2 and related components/infrastructure to support the sustainment and production of the U-2 ASARS-2 and associated components?

Part I. Business Information

Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners. The Government intended North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541330 which represents Engineering Services, Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons and is what the system is classified under. The size standard for NAICS Code 541330 is $25.5M.

1. Company/Institute Name:

2. Address:

3. Point of Contact:

4. CAGE Code:

5. Phone Number:

6. Email Address:

7. Web Page URL:

8. Government Proposed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 541330

9. Based on the Government proposed NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

9i. A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership).

Responses to the Capability Survey Part I and Part II must be received no later than close of business at 5:00 PM EST on November 13, 2026. Please ensure data is in a readable electronic format that can be received through a firewall. Attachments shall not exceed 10 MB per email. Multiple emails are acceptable. Responses must be sent via email to the following POC:

· Melissa Wells, Contracting Officer, melissa.wells.5@us.af.mil

· Sharnarra Reid, Contracting Officer, sharnarra.reid.1@us.af.mil

Part II. Capability Survey Questions A. General Capability Questions:

1. Briefly describe 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 experience on previous projects similar in complexity to this requirement. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, agency/organization support, and individual point of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager).

3. Describe your company’s experience in repairing the Part Number/NSNs listed above that make up the ASARS-2.

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

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

6. 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 due to critical operational mission requirements.

7. What quality assurance processes and test qualification practices do your company employ? Provide a description of your quality program (ISO 9001, AS9100, etc.).

a. Provide a detailed quality plan implementing AS9100 (or equivalent).

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

a. State the types of diagnostics and troubleshooting tools utilized for efforts such as this.

3. Demonstrate your ability and experience in repairing the same or similar components, which are currently in use on commercial or military helicopters by providing the following information on the same or similar items:

a) Contract Number

b) Procuring Agency

c) Contract Value

d) Number of assets shipped

4. Provide your commercial manual(s) or Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) and your rights to these manuals and/or ATP used in the depot level repair and functional check of these or similar assets for Government Engineer review.

5. Describe your capabilities and experience in test, evaluation, repair, or maintenance procedures.

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

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

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

9. Include a detailed list of facilities and equipment, including quantities required to satisfy the requirements of this effort.

a. Provide an outline of the proposed process, including inspections.

i. State the type of test procedures that are anticipated for this effort.

ii. State the type of inspection processes that are anticipated for this effort.

1. NDI/T.

2. Destructive testing/inspection.

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

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

12. State any technology insertion ideas for the item that would be suitable for this effort.

13. Discuss any reverse engineering or item replacement opportunities that may be present.

C. Commerciality Questions:

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

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. Is our requirement offered to both under similar terms and conditions? Briefly describe any differences.

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

D. Manufacturing Questions

1. Describe your capabilities and experience in manufacturing regarding the requirements of this effort.

2. Describe your capabilities and experience in developing/modifying manufacturing procedures. Include associated upgrade of technical orders and preparation of new technical orders.

3. Demonstrate your ability and experience in the manufacture of the same or similar components, which are currently utilized in the commercial or military environment by providing the following information on the same or similar items:

a) Contract Number

b) Procuring Agency

c) Contract Value

d) Number of assets shipped

4. Provide your commercial manual(s) or Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) and your rights to these manuals and or ATP used in the manufacture and functional check of these or similar assets for Government Engineer review.

5. Describe your capabilities and experience in test, evaluation, and repair processes/procedures regarding manufacturing items.

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

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

8. Describe your process for maintaining inventory records and reporting on hand/work-in-process balance and manufacturing status to your customer.

9. Include a detailed list of facilities and equipment, including quantities required to satisfy the requirements of this effort.

a. Provide an outline of the proposed process, including inspections.

i. State the type of test procedures that are anticipated for this effort.

ii. State the type of inspection processes that are anticipated for this effort.

1. NDI/T.

2. Destructive testing/inspection.

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

11. If the item cannot be manufactured in total, state what your organization can produce.

12. State any technology insertion ideas for the item that would be suitable for this effort.

13. Discuss any reverse engineering or item replacement opportunities that may be present.

E. Engineering Services Questions (Engineering, advisory & assistance services, contractor logistic support, other services not listed)

1. Describe your service capabilities and experience regarding the requirements of this effort.

2. Describe your capabilities and experience in developing/modifying procedures. Include associated upgrade of technical orders and preparation of new technical orders.

3. Demonstrate your ability and experience for the same or similar services, which are currently provided in the commercial and/or military environment by providing the following information on the same or similar items:

a) Contract Number

b) Procuring Agency

c) Contract Value

d) Services Provided

4. Describe your capabilities and experience in any required test, evaluation, and repair processes/procedures regarding the required items.

5. Describe how you/your organization will identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems?

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

7. Describe your process for maintaining inventory records and reporting on hand/work-in-process balance and manufacturing status to your customer as required.

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

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