Request_for_Information_-_Thermal_Radiation_Resistant_Shades_KC-46.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

AFLCMC/WKK

THERMAL CURTAINS (KC-46)

This RFI does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposal (RFP), or Request for Quote (RFQ), nor does the issuance restrict the Government's acquisition approach. Any information received is considered market research and may be utilized by the Government in developing its Acquisition Strategy, Statement of Objectives and performance specifications and metrics. This market research will be used to assess the availability and adequacy of potential sources prior to issuing an RFP. The contract vehicle for this effort has not yet been determined. The Government will not respond to or conduct formal debriefings to businesses as a part of this RFI. In accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.202(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responses to this RFI will not result in a contract and will not obligate the Government in any way. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. Responses to the RFI will not be returned.

SECTION 1 – CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS

The KC-46 Program Office requests the vendor to design, develop and prototype thermal radiation resistant shades for all cockpit windows on the KC-46. The vendor shall explore design options and provide a recommended solution to the government, along with all necessary design information for fabrication and implementation. The vendor shall be able to produce thermal curtains in the timeline and quantities (approximately 179 shipsets plus spares) established by the government.

The thermal radiation shades shall be constructed using material as specified in SAE Aerospace Material Specification, AMS3673. The shades shall be constructed in such a way that they are installable and removable from the windows by the aircrew, during flight, and with no additional tools. The design must cover the windows entirely and block all external light. When installed, the shades shall be able to remain in-place throughout all phases of flight certified for the KC-46 (the entire flight envelope) without interference to the operation of aircrew controls. The thermal curtain design shall have no impacts to current aircraft design.

The vendor will also test and/or analyze the reflectance, transmittance and absorption of the KC-46 window composition as a function of wavelength using a solar spectrum from 0.3 to 2.5 microns. The vendor shall deliver the full technical design data package for the window shades and the results of the window testing/analysis.

SECTION 2 - INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESPONSE

Submit a fifteen (15) page (maximum) paper describing how your company can satisfy the requirements described in Section 1 above. The responses shall be formatted on 8.5 x 11 inch paper in Microsoft Office 2007 and Adobe Acrobat; foldouts and attachments are permitted, but will be assessed towards the total page count. Cover pages will not be counted against the fifteen (15) page limit. Company brochures will not be considered adequate responses. Pages shall be single spaced, single sided. The font shall be Times New Roman and the font size shall be no less than twelve (12) point. Use at least 1 inch margins on the top and bottom and ¾ inch side margins. Information must be in acceptable Adobe version and MS office products version.

Responses are due not later than 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time, 25 January 2016. The Government will not accept late submissions or extend this deadline. Send responses electronically to Contract Specialist, Devon Banks at devon.banks@us.af.mil; Commercial Phone: (937) 656-9375 and Contracting Officer, Delana J. Taylor at delana.taylor@us.af.mil; Commercial Phone: (937) 656-9323. As this is an RFI document, initial prospective business responses should be in the form of a Capability Statement. The Government recognizes that proprietary data may be submitted as part of this effort. If so, clearly mark such restricted or proprietary data. The Capability Statement should include the following elements in this format with the fifteen (15) page limit:

Prospective Business Identification

Identify company Cage Code, DUNS Number, size/socio economic status and provide any other information that the Air Force should consider in reviewing the response.

Identify whether company products or services are available through existing Air Force or GSA contracts and provide contract numbers.

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). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this action is 336413, size standard 1,000 employees; please indicate number of employees (or aggregate dollar amount) relative to the indicated size standard. All prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DoD contract. Note that 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.

No acquisition strategy has 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 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.

If a company is capable of some, but not all of the consolidated requirements stated in this sources sought synopsis, please provide a response that explains the requirements for which you are capable.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) as defined and discussed in FAR 9.5, Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest, is a concern in all acquisitions across the Department of Defense. Early involvement with our industry partners is a key element of the AFLCMC OCI process, and it is critical for the Government to be able to identify any potential OCI issues as early as possible for an acquisition. This would allow ample time to address and evaluate any potential OCI issues, if required, prior to contract award with minimal impact to critical acquisition schedules.

Interested contractors are requested to evaluate your potential OCI issues with regard to this requirement for prototype thermal radiation resistant shades for all cockpit windows on the KC-46., and the contractor is encouraged to identify any OCI issues, as stated in FAR 9.5 to the Contracting Officer (CO). This will assist the CO in determining if the contractor will need to submit an OCI Mitigation Plan for any solicitation that might result from this notice.

DUE DATE FOR RESPONSES

Capability packages are to be electronically submitted via e-mail to the Contracting Officer, Delana J. Taylor at delana.taylor@us.af.mil and the Contract Specialist, Devon Banks at devon.banks@us.af.mil no later than 3:00 PM EDT on 25 January 2016. Late responses may or may not be reviewed. Responses to this RFI will not be returned.

OMBUDSMAN

The Ombudsman hears concerns about specific issues in acquisitions, communicates those concerns to AFLCMC/CC, AFLCMC’s Deputy for Acquisition (DC(A)) or AFLCMC’s Deputy for Support (DC(S)) from industry or Government personnel, and assists in the resolution of those concerns. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes, nor does the Ombudsman diminish the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. When approached with an issue or query the Ombudsman independently assesses the situation and provides a response or initiates a resolution, and when requested, will maintain confidentiality as to the source of the inquiry. Contact information for the AFLCMC WPAFB Ombudsman is as follows:

Ms. Jill Willingham-Allen E-mail: jill.willinghamallen@us.af.mil

AFLCMC/AQP

COMM: 937-255-5472

DSN: 785-5472