Request for Information_WIS_WIU Market Research_FINAL_Mar 25_SMV.pdf

Table 1: WIS/WIU Support Requirements

ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SUPPORT

FOR THE AC, HC, AND MC -130J FLEETS

US Air Force Special Operation Forces and Personnel Recovery (SOF/PR) Program Office

INTRODUCTION

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center SOF/PR Division (AFLCMC/WIS and AFLCMC/WIU) released a Request for Information (RFI) in February 2023. The Government is posting a second RFI to continue its market research. The market research will confirm industry capabilities to plan, execute, and deliver capability modifications, and to provide a range of engineering, logistics, and analytical supplies and services for its special mission variant fleets. This support will encompass AC/HC/MC-130J requirements originating at Wright-Patterson and Robins AFBs.

This announcement constitutes a Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) only. AFLCMC/WIS is issuing this SSS to explore cost-effective options to provide the specified supplies and services and to obtain valuable industry feedback. The Government is issuing this SSS solely for information and planning purposes. The Government will consider responses to determine the acquisition strategy for a prospective contract.

BACKGROUND

This market research encompasses the requirements documented in Table 1 below.

These requirements and associated descriptions are designed to provide context for industry consideration. Revisions to the requirements and scope are anticipated during the conduct of the acquisition strategy development phases.

Requirement Definition

AC/MC/HC-130J

Hardware/Software Development, Integration, Verification, Certification, Production, And Install Support

Design and development (hardware and software) Integration (hardware and software) Verification (i.e., System Integration Laboratory, ground, and/or flight test) Certification (e.g., airworthiness, cybersecurity, AIMS, etc.)

Production (pre-production and Low-Rate Initial production (LRIP)/Full-Rate

Production (FRP) Install (to include technical documentation)

AC/MC/HC-130J

Sustaining Engineering Support

Design, development, verification, and mitigation of field reported issues or engineering assistance requests (e.g., Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS), Deficiency Reports (DR), other field deficiencies, etc.)

Identification, review, assessment, and resolution of deficiencies throughout weapon system's life cycle

Spans engineering, logistics investigations, and analyses to ensure continued operation and maintenance of system with managed risk

Table 1. Market Research Requirements.

AC/MC/HC-130J

Technical Documentation Support

Development, update, and validation of engineering data, technical orders, technical manuals, training materials, and/or Time Compliance Technical Orders (TCTO)

Delivery of products per Data Item Description-compliant formats and consistent with overarching Data Management Strategy

AC/MC/HC-130J Crisis Management Support

Technical support for WIS/WIU Crisis Management Team actions Engineering and logistics support for Class A-C mishaps Engineering and logistics analyses for CONUS and OCONUS aircraft emergencies and flight worthiness determinations

AC/MC/HC-130J Study Support

Execution of engineering analyses and delivery technical study products for Government-directed requirements

Development and delivery of responses to technical questions concerning the A/H/MC-130J configurations and impacts of proposed changes to related hardware/software product baselines

Execution and delivery of investigative and root cause analyses, and recommended corrective actions for DRs and/or Product Quality DRs

AC/MC/HC-130J

Sustainment Support

Conduct analyses and planning in support of modifications to ensure application of relevant Product Support Elements to ensure cost-effective, post-fielding supportability

Development, validation, production, and sustainment of a supportable Product Support Package to maintain and sustain the system in field in most cost-effective manner

Analysis and mitigation of field-identified supportability issues to return an aircraft or fleet to full mission capable status

Maintenance of baseline of technical documentation necessary to maintain and operate all fleets at CONUS and OCONUS locations

AC/MC/HC-130J

Certification Support

Development, validation, and delivery of technical artifacts in support of airworthiness, cybersecurity, AIMS, or related, contracted requirements

Technical support for Government-led certification actions

AC/MC/HC-130J De-Mil Support

Development and delivery or analyses (to include cost and schedule) to remove Government property from active inventories

Technical and programmatic support to Government actions to execute De-Mil requirements

Although subject to change, the Government anticipates a contract award in Fiscal Year 2026.

The supporting acquisition strategy is in flux and will be informed by the results of market research and other internal analyses. At this time, the Government is not prepared to confirm the releasability of a Technical Data Package (TDP) to support the requirements in Table 1. This RFI has been designed to elicit industry feedback on the scope of a TDP (e.g., engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, technical manuals, illustrated parts breakdowns, etc.) required to accomplish the specified requirements. Your responses will support the acquisition strategy development.

NOTICE TO INDUSTRY

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. This is not a request for a quote, request for proposals, or an invitation to bid, nor is this to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will not reimburse or pay for any information submitted in response to this SSS or any follow-up information requests. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All costs associated with responding to this SSS will be solely at the responding party’s expense.

Responses and/or questions related to this SSS must NOT contain proprietary or classified information.

• The Government does not intend to award a contract based on this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

• The Government is still determining the acquisition strategy at this time. Market research results will assist the Government in determining whether-or-not this requirement will include a small business set-aside acquisition. In this instance, FAR 52.219-14, Limitation on Subcontracting, will apply.

• Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this RFI, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

• This solicitation is issued for the purpose of market research and to overcome barriers to competition.

INSTRUCTIONS

• If, after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in the market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability to meet the Table 1 requirements. 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 to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.).

• As applicable, identify any areas of work that your organization believes should be broken out exclusively for Small Business.

• Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research.

Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.

• Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to the WIS Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO).

SECTION 1: RESPONDENT INFORMATION

Each company response should include the following information:

a. Company/Institute name:

b. Address:

c. Point of Contact:

d. CAGE Code:

e. DUNS Number:

f. Phone Number:

g. E-mail Address:

h. Web page URL:

All interested contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DoD contract. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes for this requirement are 336411 and 541611. Based on the NAICS Code, state whether your company qualifies as a:

a. Small Business (Yes/No):

Number of Employees:

Dollar Amount:

b. Women-Owned Small Business (Yes/No):

c. Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (Yes/No):

d. 8(a) Certified (Yes/No):

If yes, SBA Certification Date:

SBA Graduation Date:

e. HUB Zone Certified (Yes/No):

f. Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes/No):

g. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes/No):

h. System for Award Management (SAM) (Yes/No):

i. Statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign owned, please indicate country of ownership).

SECTION 2: SYNOPSIS QUESTIONS

1. How many years of fixed wing capability upgrade/modification experience (spanning design, integration, pre-production kit builds/Trial Kit Installations (TKI), and verification) do you have while under contract to the DoD? If one or more years, briefly describe the scope of your related DoD contract support. (Please limit to 500 words) None Less than 1 year 1-5 6-10 11-16 17-21 22 or more

2. How many years of experience do you have supporting hardware/software capability upgrades and production/install requirements in support of AC/HC/MC-130J requirements?

If one or more years, briefly describe the scope of your related DoD contract support. (Please limit to 500 words) None Less than 1 year 1-5 6-10 11-16 17-21 22 or more

3. Is your fixed wing experience limited to the design and verification of federated or integrated capability upgrades/modifications or both?

Federated Integrated Both

4. Based on the response(s) to Question #1, how many years of your DoD–related experience were accomplished as a prime contractor?

None Less than 1 year 1-5 6-10 11-16 17-21 22 or more

5. How many years of your DoD–related capability upgrade/modification experience involved the design, integration, pre-production kit development/TKI, and verification of both hardware and software elements?

None Less than 1 year 1-5 6-10 11-16 17-21 22 or more

6. Do you currently own and maintain a System Integration Laboratory (SIL) capable of verifying the functional baseline (to a specification) reflecting the candidates in Table 1?

Yes No

7. How many years of modification kit production and installation experience is specific to fixed wing aircraft while under contract to the DoD? Please list contract numbers below.

None Less than 1 year 1-5 6-10 11-16 17-21 22 or more

8. Based on the response to Question #1 and for your last two applicable DoD contracts, what was the maximum number of modification kits that you produced in a year?

None 1-5 6-10 11-16 17-21 22 or more

9. How many modification kit installations have you completed on DoD fixed wing aircraft, per a Time Compliance Technical Order, in the last five years?

None 1-10 11-30 31-50 51-70 71 or more

10. Do you currently own/maintain a facility capable of supporting interior & exterior (i.e., on available ramp space) modification-related installs on an AC/HC/MC-130J aircraft?

Yes (If “Yes,” please identify (in the block below) the maximum number of aircraft that can be inducted inside the facility at one time) (Please limit to 500 words) No

11. Based on your responses to Questions #1-9, what do you foresee as the top three challenges to on-time completion of capability upgrade/modification, and production/install task support based on the requirements documented in Table 1? (Please limit to 500 words)

12. In support of the development of a modification or production cut-in, do you have experience with the development, maintenance, and delivery of a TDP to DoD contract specifications? If “yes,” provide a description of your most recent experience under DoD contract. (Please limit to 500 words) Yes No

13. Based on the requirements represented in Table 1, which of the following TDP components would you require to complete related development, integration, verification, production and sustainment requirements? (MARK AS MANY AS APPLICABLE) Interface control documents Wiring diagrams System/subsystem specifications Special tooling design data Software documentation Level III drawings (or equivalent) Others (please specify below) (Please limit to 500 words)

14. What do you foresee as the top three challenges to planning and response to CONUS and OCONUS AC/HC/MC-130J crisis management issues impacting the AC/HC/MC-130J fleets? (Please limit to 500 words)

None Less than 1 year 1-5 6-10 11-16 17-21 22 or more

16. How many years of sustaining engineering support (e.g., engineering/logistics analyses, reliability/maintainability analyses and/or redesigns, service life analyses and fix implementations) have you provided for DoD aircraft (general) and AC/HC/MC-130J aircraft (particular)?

None Less than 1 year 1-5 6-10 11-16 17-21 22 or more

17. How many years of software sustainment support (e.g., diagnostics, coding, verification, and integration) have you provided for DoD aircraft (general) and AC/HC/MC-130J aircraft (particular)?

None Less than 1 year 1-5 6-10 11-16 17-21 22 or more

18. Describe your configuration management processes and how you identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems?

15. How many years of fixed wing sustainment experience (per the provisions of AFI 63- 101/20-1) and across applicable Product Support Elements do you have in support of C- 130J-class aircraft?

19. Describe your company’s experience in repairing stock listed Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) within the make up the Integrated Vehicle Health Management System.

20. Based on your responses to Questions #15-19, what do you foresee as the top three challenges to on-time execution and response to CONUS and OCONUS AC/HC/MC-130J field sustainment issues? (Please limit to 500 words)

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

22. Based on your responses to the Small Business questions in Section 1, if subcontracts are to be used, please provide an anticipated percentage of effort to be subcontracted and whether small- or-large businesses will be used. Please provide a brief explanation of your teaming and/or subcontracting arrangements and/or previous experience in teaming. (Please limit to 500 words)

23. Based on your responses to this synopsis, would you intend to bid on the proposed contract based on the requirements described if it was competed?

Yes No

If “Yes,” please provide the contract numbers for the Government vehicles under which you are executing for this type of work. (Please limit to 500 words)

24. Do you have experience applying Digital Materiel Management (DMM) principles to the design integration and verification of an aircraft modification?

Yes No

If “Yes,” please provide the contract numbers for the Government vehicles under which you executed this type of work. (Please limit to 500 words)

GENERAL GUIDANCE

Please provide your SSS responses to angela.knell.1@us.af.mil by 12:00pm EST on 21 April 2025. Title e-mail responses in the subject line as follows: New WIS/ WIU Support Contract

Respondents should not include any proprietary or classified information. The Government is not liable for, or suffer any consequential damages, for any mis-identified proprietary information.

The Government will answer responses to questions from interested parties promptly and will post on the sam.gov website, unless the answer addresses a question specific to a company or that company’s response. The AFLCMC/WIS Points of Contact for this SSS are as follows:

Mr. Daniel Harkins, WIS Contracting Buyer Email: daniel.harkins@us.af.mil

Ms. Nichole Knell, WIS Contracting Officer Email: angela.knell.1@us.af.mil

Contracting Office Address:

AFLCMC/WISK

Bldg. 46 1895 Fifth Street Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433

The Government will answer all written questions by posting answers to this sam.gov website, except as provided above. The Government reserves the right to not address questions received after 21 April 2025.

mailto:ian.macdonald.6@us.af.mil mailto:ian.macdonald.6@us.af.mil