CROCS EMD RFI.pdf

RFI for B-52 CROCS EMD

Request for Information (RFI)

For

B-52 C3BM Resilient Operational Capabilities Suite (CROCS) Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD)

1.0 Description. The Government is conducting market research and identifying, as potential sources, companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements of this contract supporting the United States Air Force, at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. The market research from this RFI will help in determining the Government’s Acquisition Strategy.

Program: B-52 CROCS EMD Times: (UTC-05:00) EASTERN STANDARD TIME Original Publish Date: May 13, 2025 10:00 am EST Original Response Date: June 13, 2025 17:00 pm EST Closing Date/Time: 30 days after release @ 17:00 pm EST

This is not a request for proposals and no contract will be awarded as a result of this sources sought.

Companies responding to this request are advised that participation does not ensure opportunities for participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The Government will not reimburse any company or individual for any expenses associated with preparation or participation in this request for information.

2.0 Ground Rules. All technical data shall be delivered IAW DFARS 252.227-7013.

3.0 Purpose. This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI is issued as part of market research to help develop an Acquisition Strategy. This is not a Request for Whitepaper (RFWP) or a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue a RFWP or RFP and/or to award an agreement for a prototype project as a result of this RFI. The Government will not pay respondents for information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFWP or RFP, if any are issued.

4.0 Program Overview. In response to urgent warfighter needs, the CROCs program connects B-52 to the DAF Battle Management Network (BMN) providing resilient Beyond Line-Of-Sight (BLOS) capability and an open computing environment. The program will integrate and install on the B-52 a rack, required antennas, and a government furnished open architecture box needed to connect B- 52 to the BMN system of systems enabling robust connectivity and data dissemination. Some integration software to make the components work with the aircraft will also need to be developed.

We are looking for innovative ways to complete this modification on the B-52 platform minimizing both the installation timeline and the cost to integrate.

The B-52 is a long-range bomber capable of delivering the widest variety of nuclear and conventional standoff and direct attack munitions in the Air Force. The Air Force plans to fly the B- 52 until at least 2050.

5.0 Program Objectives. The primary objective is to complete integration and verification/validation of the CROCS kit that connects B-52 to the DAF BMN and brings resilient and reliable BLOS capability and an open computing environment to the B-52H aircraft. The objective of the EMD program will be the delivery of a production-ready CROCS system design package. The contractor will identify system integration options that leverage ongoing and planned B-52 developments, reducing both cost and risk. Collaboration with the government will ensure that requirements align with B-52 mission objectives and ensure government technical baseline requirements are met. The placement of the Line Replaceable Units (LRU) must be assessed for potential interference, accessibility, and environmental conditions during operations.

6.0 RFI Response Instructions. Request vendors provide potential B-52 CROCS solution(s) which vendors believe fit the above criteria. Marketing material is considered an insufficient response. Please provide formal UNCLASSIFIED responses and address your capabilities to accomplish the below tasks. Provide highlights of successful experience on similar government or commercial contracts. Failure to provide documentation may result in the U.S. Government being unable to adequately assess capabilities.

i. Describe your company’s capabilities and experience involving military fixed wing aircraft.

If your company has experience with the B-52, describe that as well.

ii. Describe your company’s capabilities and experience with fixed wing Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD), including but not limited to:

a. Engineering capacity

b. Manpower

iii. Describe your company’s capabilities and experience with fixed wing Production and provide what your minimum and maximum monthly production capability. If resources are shared with other item/production lines, what are your company’s anticipated manufacturing lead times?

iv. Describe your company’s capabilities and experience with aircraft avionics systems and interfacing with the 1553 Bus.

v. Describe your company’s capabilities and experience with integration of command, control, and communications (C3) data links/networks software onto the B-52 or other similar aircraft.

vi. Describe your company’s capabilities and experience to modify fixed-wing aircraft structures to accommodate hardware install.

vii. Describe your company’s capability to facilitate the modification of the B-52, including but not limited to:

a. Facility space

b. Runway

c. Resources

d. Partnerships

viii. Describe your company’s experience in developing or updating Technical Data Packages (TDPs). Include information regarding your company’s policy in providing TDPs to the Government and the data rights allotted.

ix. Describe your company’s ability to reverse engineer existing aircraft structure, hardware, interfaces, etc. in the absence of technical data.

x. Describe your company’s experience with the United States Air Force Airworthiness Process.

xi. Describe your company’s ability to develop a product sustainment plan that minimizes future capability limitations due to Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages

(DMSMS).

xii. Describe your company’s experience managing suppliers on weapon systems similar to the B-52 aircraft.

xiii. Describe your company’s experience with Human Systems Integration and systems architectures associated with multiple aircrew workstation environment like the B-52.

xiv. Describe your company’s capability and experience in designing, qualifying, and installing an equipment rack with applicable equipment on the B-52 or similar aircraft.

xv. Does your company have experience installing and integrating a SATCOM terminal, antenna, and required faring adapters with the communications subsystems on an aircraft?

xvi. What is your company’s past performance on USAF programs integrating components (such as satellite/radio communications and antennas) on aircraft similar to B-52.

xvii. Describe your plan to address program protection associated with integrating the B-52 CROCS System into the B-52 System environment.

xviii. Describe your company’s experience with handling and storing Communications Security (COMSEC) to support integration of secure communications onto B-52 aircraft or similar aircraft.

xix. Describe your cybersecurity plan associated with integrating the B-52 CROCS System into the B-52 System environment.

xx. Describe your company’s experience with integrating Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) into an aircraft as well how your company tracks and maintains GFE while in contractor custody.

7.0 Security. The Contractor must show evidence of ability to manage and execute security controls to protect USAF Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or up to include Top Secret (TS).

8.0 Submission Instructions. Please provide your response electronically on no more than thirty (30) single-sided, single-spaced pages using 11-point, Times New Roman font, and minimum one-inch margins, in Microsoft® Word or compatible format. All responses shall be UNCLASSIFIED and reviewed to ensure consideration of operational sensitivities. Please include a cover page with the following information (not included in the page count):

• Company/Institute Name:

• Address:

• CAGE Code/DUNS:

• Point of Contact:

• Phone Number:

• E-mail Address:

• State any existing Multi-Agency Contract (MAC) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity

(IDIQ) Contracts, Other Transaction (OT) Consortia, and/or other contract vehicle whose scope pertains to this effort, and that your company is currently engaged as a participant.

• State if you intend to submit as the Project Level Performer (PLP) or as a subcontractor (identify the PLP with whom you will be a subcontractor).

• Provide a statement as to whether your company is domestically owned or foreign owned or foreign controlled (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership). Also, identify if you plan to propose the use of any foreign owned or foreign controlled subcontractors/vendor;

and, if so, identify the country of ownership.

• What additional information would you need if this requirement turned into an RFP?

9.0 Points of Contact. Potential sources are requested to provide detailed information demonstrating how their capabilities meet the required criteria identified above. Responses shall be provided as unclassified email attachments. No telephone responses will be accepted. All information provided will be adequately protected. Any proprietary information must be identified. The Government reserves the right to request further clarification or request presentations to enhance its understanding of the respondent’s submittal. Submit electronic RFI responses and questions to Ms.

Lauren VanHook

Primary Point of Contact:

Lauren E VanHook Contracting Officer lauren.vanhook@us.af.mil mailto:matthew.lesko@us.af.mil

Responses must be received no later than 17:00 EST 30 days after release.

10.0 Administration. Respondents are responsible for confirming receipt by contacting USG POCs. The

Government is not responsible for undelivered documents. If additional information is needed, questions can be directed to the above points of contact. All electronic submissions and/or questions must include the above Project Number and Project Title in the subject line.