MC-PAAU SSS 2024 - FINAL.docx

United States Air Force Aerospace Ground Equipment Multi-Capable Power & Air ACE Unit (MC-PAAU)

CAUTION:

This market survey is being conducted to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements for development, qualification, and production of the Multi-Capable Power & Air ACE Unit (MC-PAAU) for servicing United States Air Force aircraft. The level of security clearance and amount of foreign participation in this requirement has not been determined. 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. Below in this document contains a description of the Air Force’s objectives, a Contractor Capability Survey, and questions which allow you to provide your 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 capabilities. Failure to provide documentation may result in the government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.)

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

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

4. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to the Procuring Contract Officer, Robert Rollins. Email: robert.rollins.2@us.af.mil or the Program Manager, Jeremy Nable. Email: jeremy.nable@us.af.mil

Multi-Capable Power & Air ACE Unit (MC-PAAU)

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements for the development & production of one or more types of Multi-Capable Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) to conduct ground-servicing tasks on one or more types of United States Air Force aircraft. The MC-PAAU’s objectives are to provide the following capabilities:

· Aircraft/Ground Electrical Power

· Low-Volume High-Pressure Conditioned Air

· Pneumatic Power for Aircraft Servicing

· Convenience Power

· LED Workstation Lighting

· Unit Self-Propel for Maneuvering/Re-positioning

This is an effort to modernize Air Force AGE for a more agile deployable equipment option. This market survey is to obtain knowledge on the present state of the market and to identify opportunities to:

· Reduce the AGE logistics footprint needed to service aircraft

· Reduce pollution produced by operating AGE

· Increase the fuel economy of AGE

· Develop & identify modern solutions for USAF legacy AGE

· Modularize AGE for a bring what you need concept

MC-PAAU requirements are tailored to potentially serve as a developed solution and substitute for current aging USAF legacy AGE in the form of the A/M32A-60, A/M32C-10, & Low-Volume High-Pressure Cooling Carts. MC-PAAU is being structured around the agility concept of being easily moveable in theater, tailorable to meet Combatant Commands (COCOM) needs, and to support both 4th & 5th generation tactical and trainer aircraft platforms.

Potential requirements that can be considered for the MC-PAAU are identified below:

MC-PAAU is intended to be a multi-function cart designed and architected to provide standalone electrical power, standalone HVAC, standalone pneumatic power AND also provide simultaneous electrical power with HVAC or simultaneous electrical power with pneumatic power. Note: The Government intended design architecture is to support as minimal physical footprint as practically possible and to NOT mandate full 72kW/90kVA electrical capacity while simultaneously providing low volume high pressure HVAC or pneumatic power. Reduced continuous electrical output capacity during simultaneous output operation is expected.

This is a preliminary Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) intended to pulse industry regarding their current capability. Additional questions regarding electrical capacity, HVAC capacity, and pneumatic capacity are contained further down in this document. The Government anticipates additional engagement with industry wherein additional performance requirements may be shared.

· Output Capabilities/Requirements

· Aircraft Conditioned Cooling Air

· Intended to support servicing and maintenance of 4th and 5th generation tactical and trainer aircraft such as F-15, F-16, F-35, and T-38

· Aircraft Electrical Power

· Intended to support servicing and maintenance of 4th and 5th generation tactical and trainer aircraft such as F-15, F-16, F-35, and T-38 with output voltage types of 115/200 VAC at 400Hz and 270 VDC

· Solid state power conversion required

· 28.5VDC (Objective Requirement)

· Pneumatic Load/Power

· Intended to support Environment Control System (ECS) servicing and maintenance of 4th and 5th generation tactical and trainer aircraft such as F-15, F-16, F-35, and T-38

· Trainer aircraft (T-38) engine start (Objective Requirement)

· Convenience Power

· Single Phase 110/120VAC/60Hz w/ 20amp receptacles

· Single phase 115 VAC 400 Hz NEMA 10-30R receptacle

· Three phase 200 VAC NEMA L21-30R receptacle

· Workstation LED Light Bar/Spotlights/Flood Lights

· Low Pressure Convenience/Compressed Air (Objective Requirement)

· Cabin Pressure Tester Flow Capabilities (Objective Requirement)

· Size Constraints

· Whole system must not exceed 2 463L pallet positions; within 1 pallet position preferred

· Must be C-130 roll on/roll off transportable

· Must not exceed 10,000 pounds (dry)

· General Requirements

· Compliant w/ AS8090 for Type II, Group C mobility requirements

· Unit self-propel capabilities for single person re-positioning

· Line replaceable unit, LRU, modular construction The objectives discussed within this survey are not to be considered the final requirement for the MC-PAAU. Responses to this survey will be utilized to capture technological trends, and updates to technology developed in the market. This survey is intended to identify manufacturers who have experience with power, conditioned air, and pneumatic power aircraft servicing equipment relating to the MC-PAAU. This survey seeks to identify potential solutions that are either presently in the market or will/could be available within the next 12-18 months.

An analysis of alternatives may be conducted to determine tradeoffs between various solutions. It is possible acquiring more than one type of MC-PAAU is in the best interest of the US Air Force. Additionally, responses may be utilized to identify sources for participation in Industry Days to further develop knowledge of this market.

CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

Multi-Capable Power & Air ACE Unit (MC-PAAU) Capability

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:

· Government Proposed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 335312

Responses to the Capability Survey Part I and Part II must be received no later than close of business 17 May, 2024. Please ensure data is in a readable electronic format that can be received through a firewall. Attachments shall not exceed 10MB per email. Multiple emails are acceptable. Responses must be sent via email to the following:

· Robert Rollins. Email; robert.rollins.2@us.af.mil

· Jeremy Nable. Email; jeremy.nable@us.af.mil

Part II. Capability Survey Questions

A. General Capability Questions:

1. What product(s) or component(s) does your company produce that fully meets, partially meets, or may be able to meet with modification, the projected requirements outlined in this Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS)?

a. List any USAF/DoD/Partner nation aircraft that are approved for receiving power, conditioned air, or pneumatic power from these products that your company is currently producing, as well as produced in the last 5 years. Please identify any units or equipment that have been approved to provide 270 VDC to the F-22 and/or the F-35. Please provide data sheets/brochures/website direct link URL if available.

2. Did your company identify any areas in the projected requirements that presented any significant cost, schedule, and performance risks? If so, please provide detailed information.

a. Can you provide cost (i.e. non-recurring engineering estimation, end item production costs, etc.) trade space?

b. Can you provide schedule (i.e. any developmental lead time estimations, reutilization of components, supply chain management, etc.) trade space?

c. Can you provide performance (i.e. component selection, physical size, etc.) trade space?

3. The MC-PAAU’s primary objective is to provide electrical power and conditioned air or pneumatic power simultaneously. Based on your system architecture (or projected system architecture), how much standalone electric power can be achievable without oversizing components (i.e. engine, power converter, etc.)?

4. Based on your solid-state power conversion architecture (or projected), what are your inrush current limitations? Does or could your architecture lend itself to scalable inrush requirements without oversizing every component? If the traditional 72kW/90KVA continuous output rating requirement was reduced to 35kW/45KVA but with a requirement for 400% overload capacity to meet short duration, high inductive load requirements, how would your system architecture change and could this lead to an overall smaller equipment footprint?

5. Would inclusion of pneumatic power capabilities create any challenges from a design, capabilities, and/or manufacturing standpoint?

a. If so, how would your company overcome these challenges to meet projected requirements for MC-PAAU?

6. Provide details on your ability to meet a variable output blower architecture to support the requirements stated herein (i.e. Variable flow (10 to 200 SCFM), variable pressure (2-8psi)).

7. What method of conditioned air would you plan to utilize to support this requirement? If utilizing refrigerant-based systems, what future proofing methods would you integrate into your design for lifecycle sustainment and unit maintenance?

8. Does your company have suggestions or design thoughts on how to best integrate LED workstation lighting?

9. The Air Force is very interested in self-propelled equipment concepts for single airman repositioning. Does your company have any experience with these concepts? If so, please provide details on experience, current/future application, and design/concept approaches.

10. From your company’s perspective, are there any suggested potential add-on capabilities not identified in this document that could be incorporated into the MC-PAAU concept that adds value but does not drastically impact physical and operating footprints?

11. Does your company have any other design, configuration, and/or concept suggestions or potential solutions on how the MC-PAAU concept could be accomplished? If so, please identify.

12. The Air Force continues to build its capabilities and experience with Digital Materiel Management concepts to improve communication to and from industry and shorten acquisition timelines. Describe your use of modelling and simulation in the development and testing of your products. Describe your experience, if any, with using Models Based Systems Engineering to develop and manage systems, particularly your experience with Systems Modelling Language compliant software (e.g. Cameo Systems Modeler, Catia Magic Draw).

13. Would your company be willing or interested in joint venture or teaming arrangements for this requirement? What experience or participation, if any, in joint ventures or teaming arrangements does your company have?

a. Do you project that a joint venture or teaming arrangement would be required to meet this requirement to include both design development and eventual equipment production? If so, do you have any identified partners?