ARC-260 EMD RFI.pdf

RFI for B-52 ARC-260 EMD

Request for Information (RFI)

For

B-52 ARC-260 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 ARC-260 EMD Times: (UTC-05:00) EASTERN STANDARD TIME Original Publish Date: August 07, 2025,17:00 pm EST Original Response Date: August 22, 2025, 17:00 pm EST Closing Date/Time: 15 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. 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 diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages (DMSMS), the B-52 SPO plans to integrate a modernized HF radio system into the B-52 platform.

This new modernized HF radio will continue to bring beyond line of sight (BLOS) communications capabilities in a satellite-denied environment. We are looking for innovative ways to complete this modification on the B-52 platform minimizing both the installation timeline and the integration costs.

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 aircraft until at least 2050.

5.0 Program Objectives. The AN/ARC-260 radio system is a modernized HF radio designed to replace the legacy AN/ARC-190 system on military aircraft. The AN/ARC-260 consists of a radio control unit (RCU) and receiver/transmitter (R/T), and the primary objective is to complete integration and qualification including verification/validation on the B-52 aircraft. The objective of the EMD program will be to deliver a production ready kit and a detailed Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO). Collaboration to support kit installation, ensuring the requirements align with B-52 mission objectives and government technical baseline requirements are met.

6.0 RFI Response Instructions. Request vendors provide potential B-52 ARC-260 solution(s) which vendors believe fit the above criteria. Marketing material is considered an insufficient response. Please provide formal UNCLASSIFIED responses to the tasks listed below. Address your capabilities to accomplish the below tasks and 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. What is your company’s past performance on USAF programs integrating components (such as aircraft high frequency and/or other radio communications systems) on aircraft similar to the B-52.

iv. Describe your company’s capabilities and experience with the aircraft avionics information system (AIS) and federated systems.

v. What initiatives have your company implemented in the past to successfully minimize development timelines? Please provide results of these actions.

vi. Describe how your company will keep the Government informed of cost and schedule information.

vii. Describe your company’s capabilities and experience to reuse and modify fixed-wing aircraft structure to accommodate hardware installation.

viii. Describe your capability to develop and conduct testing of the recommended solution.

ix. 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.

x. Describe your company’s experience and approach to designing, qualifying, and installing an aircraft radio system on the B-52 or similar aircraft.

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

xii. Describe your company’s experience in writing a detailed Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO) required for aircraft modifications.

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

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

xv. Describe you company’s experience with the with the United States Air Force Airworthiness Process on weapons systems similar to B-52 aircraft.

xvi. Describe your company’s experience with addressing cybersecurity requirements to support the integration of aircraft radio communications systems onto weapon systems similar to B- 52 aircraft.

7.0 Security Controls. The Contractor must show evidence of ability to manage and execute the security controls to receive, protect, and store USAF Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) data for defense and military technologies.

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 contract vehicle whose scope pertains to this effort 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/vendors;

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 and appropriately annotated. 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 Mr. Matthew Lesko at matthew.lesko@us.af.mil and Ms. Jill Post at jill.post@us.af.mil .

10.0 Primary Point of Contact:

Matthew I. Lesko Contracting Officer matthew.lesko@us.af.mil

Secondary Point of Contact:

Jill Post Program Manager jill.post@us.af.mil

Responses must be received no later than 17:00 EST 15 calendar days after release.

11.0 Administration. Respondents are responsible to confirm 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 contract. All electronic submissions and/or questions must include the above Project Number and Project Title in the subject line.

mailto:matthew.lesko@us.af.mil mailto:jill.post@us.af.mil mailto:matthew.lesko@us.af.mil mailto:jill.post@us.af.mil