Sources Sought Synopsis_CIP.pdf

Engine Component Improvement Program Follow-On ID/IQ Contract Sources

Sought Synopsis/Capability Request for Information

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 541715 Research and

Development in the Physical, Engineering and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and

Biotechnology)

I. THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL OR

QUOTE. For the purposes of this document, the terms Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS), and

Request for Information (RFI) are used interchangeably. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. It does not constitute a procurement commitment by the United States Air Force, implied or otherwise.

No contract will be awarded from this notice. Responses to this RFI will not be returned.

Not responding to this SSS does not affect eligibility for future solicitations. It is the intent of the Program Office to use the information collected for market research purposes only. If a formal solicitation is released, it will be via the System for Award

Management (SAM) website (http://www.sam .gov). The Government shall not reimburse the costs of preparing responses to this RFI. Only responses from US companies will be accepted. Any information provided by the Government at this time is preliminary and may be updated or changed prior to the formal release of a Request for Proposal.

II. BACKGROUND:

Engine Component Improvement Program (CIP) is the only source of sustaining engineering for improvement to the active inventory of Air Force gas turbine engines which date to the mid-1950s. This Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation program develops, tests and delivers solutions to the warfighter that increases safety of flight, correct operational deficiencies, improves Reliability & Maintainability (RM) reliability, durability, operability, supportability, maintainability, electronic parts obsolescence, and reduces total ownership costs for fielded aircraft engines. Deliveries to the warfighters include redesigned components, new engine maturation, repair procedures, testing, software, RM improvements, new technology insertion, and engine service life extension programs to support this tri-service program with involvement from the Army and Navy and includes Foreign Military Sales customers. Engine CIP does not include the purchase or implementation of modified hardware, resolve warranty issues, or provide performance enhancements except as a by-product of actions necessary to resolve maintainability, reliability, durability, or an operational support problem.

III. REQUIREMENTS:

The Contractor shall conduct a continuing engineering and test program at the Contractor's facilities at Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center (OC-ALC) Tinker Air Force Base OK, San Antonio Air Logistics Center (SA-ALC) Kelly Air Force Base TX, Air Force Flight

Test Center (AFFTC) Edwards Air Force Base CA, Eglin Air Force Base Climatic Test

Facilities Eglin Air Force Base FL, Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC)

Arnold Air Force Base TN, or other facilities as required to support CIP testing. The

Contractor shall identify, fabricate, qualify, and deliver the first article, or limited prototypes, as identified under the Government approved Engineering Project Description process to support engine related changes, complex and non-complex support equipment, and overall improvements in system sustainment, performance, reliability, and maintainability.

CIP establishes a prioritized list of projects each fiscal year for engineering and test support as defined and agreed to by senior leaders for each Type/Model/Series as agreed to by the

Major Commands. Projects include developing engineering changes to the engines, developing organizational, intermediate and depot level repairs as needed, and designing modifications to existing support equipment as well as initiating new support equipment designs as required by engine driven changes. CIP also provides support to resolve field related deficiencies and maintain or extend the life limits of aircraft engines.

IV. OBJECTIVE: The Air Force Material Command, Air Force Life Cycle Management

Center (AFLCMC), CIP Branch at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio is seeking potential responsible business sources to provide optimal solutions to the objectives of Engine CIP.

The Government is seeking responsible firms to furnish the following information:

1) Company name, address, point of contact, telephone number, email address and Web

Page URL.

2) Federal CAGE Code, and Data Universal Numbering System number.

3) Business size (if 8(a) provides proof of certification, etc.) under NAICS 541715

a. Small Business

(Yes / No)

b. Woman Owned Small Business

(Yes / No)

c. Small Disadvantaged Business

(Yes / No)

d. 8(a) Certified\HUBZone Certified (Yes / No)

e. Veteran Owned Small Business

(Yes / No)

f. Service Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No)

g. SAM Registration

(Yes / No)

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

5) Under which NAICS code does your company usually provide the services identified above? Do you consider a NAICS code other than 541715 to be more appropriate as a classification for the services identified above? Please include the rationale for your answer.

6) Which of the following would you see as your role in the performance of a potential requirement of this nature:

a. Prime Contractor

b. Subcontractor

c. Other, and please describe.

7) Teaming and/or subcontracting arrangements should be clearly delineated.

8) What contract type do you recommend for the established requirements and why?

The Air Force is contemplating setting this acquisition aside for Small Businesses if there is sufficient, demonstrated interest and capability. Note that a key factor in determining an acquisition to be a Small Business Set Aside for services is that at least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the concern, as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, (OCT 2022). If it is determined that a small business set aside is appropriate, FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, will apply. Please provide rationale as to how compliance with these limitations would be achieved, including specific details regarding teaming arrangements, etc. If subcontracts are to be used, provide anticipated percentage of effort to be subcontracted and whether small or large businesses will be used.

Please be advised that the rules governing affiliation and ostensible subcontracting apply when determining size under the Limitations of Subcontracting. Respondents should consider how the primary tasks identified in this RFI will be broken out between prime and sub-contractors to avoid ostensible subcontracting, and address in their response if necessary. Please recommend a reasonable expectation for small business subcontracting as a percentage of total contract value, as well as supporting rationale for the recommended percentage. If your company is capable of meeting some, but not all the requirements stated in this RFI, please provide a response detailing the requirements you are capable of meeting. This allows an assessment of whether breaking out a portion of the requirement for Small Business is possible and practicable. Any issues regarding Limitations on

Subcontracting including issues of affiliation should be considered in your response.

Submission of Proprietary Information Caution: The government appreciates that interested firms may not be able to respond to this Sources Sought without disclosing information deemed "proprietary" or "competition sensitive." Data submitted in response to this

Sources Sought will be widely distributed and discussed within the government as it will be used to assist in developing an acquisition strategy. It is the responsibility of respondents to clearly mark submitted information with appropriate restrictive markings. The

Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified information. Respondents are further advised that the government's analyses of your responses may require disclosure to Advisory and Assistance Services contractor personnel. All members of the evaluation team will be reminded of their obligation to protect such information to the maximum extent permitted or required by the Economic

Espionage Act, 18 U.S.C. 1831 et seq., and other applicable statutes or regulations. In addition, Government members will be reminded of their obligations to afford protection under the Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. 1905. All support contractor members are required to protect the information by the terms of their contracts. The Government has also determined that the support contractor personnel have no organizational conflicts of interest that could adversely affect protection of the information. The government's support contractors will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement concerning proprietary information prior to being granted access to your data.

V. General Capability Questions:

1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your facility and the nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure.

2. What are your capabilities/strengths with respect to performing the Engine CIP mission?

3. Describe your company’s systems engineering process capabilities and experience in new development of redesigns, redesigns to modify existing systems/equipment (hardware and software), repair development to solve maintenance and support equipment, developing/modifying repair or maintenance procedures/technical data addressing, and not limited to, the following:

a. Safety/Risk Management MIL STD 882 (most recent version)

b. Configuration Management

c. Parts Obsolescence and Diminishing Manufacturing Sources

d. Quality Assurance

e. Validation/Verification/Qualification Testing

f. Implementation Planning

g. Program Protection

h. Cyber Security

4. Describe your company’s experience on previous projects similar in complexity to performing the Engine CIP mission. 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).

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

6. Describe your experience in project planning, work breakdown structures, resource allocations, schedule tracking, risk analysis and cost management.

VI. AFLCMC Ombudsman

The primary ombudsman is Col Paul Tinker, Deputy Director, Acquisition Excellence and

Program Execution Directorate, AFLCMC/AQ-AZ. The ombudsman has the flexibility to quickly resolve concerns and foster communication between government and industry while remaining independent of established protest and dispute processes. All questions and concerns will be directed to the ombudsman.

VII. RESPONSES AND PAGE LIMITATIONS: Responses to this RFI must be received no later than 2 September 2025, 1600 EST. Information packages may be submitted to PCOs

Jennifer Baxter at jennifer.baxter.2@us.af.mil, Mary Ann Greene at mary_ann.greene@us.af.mil, and Contract Specialist Melissa Donald at melissa.donald@us.af.mil in Adobe or MS Word compatible format. Submissions shall not exceed 8 pages (8" X 11"). Font shall be 12-pitch with one-inch borders. Industry is encouraged to respond with information not constrained by proprietary data rights:

however, if any information submitted is considered proprietary, then the pages containing such information must be marked accordingly. The capabilities package should be brief and concise yet clearly demonstrate an ability to meet the stated requirements.

mailto:jennifer.baxter.2@us.af.mil mailto:mary_ann.greene@us.af.mil mailto:melissa.donald@us.af.mil