FA8723-24-R-0006 T-REX Request for Information.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENT

FA8723-24-R-0006

5 JANUARY 2024

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION SYNOPSIS ONLY. THERE IS NO

SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION SYNOPSIS IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A

COMMITMENT BY THE AIR FORCE TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION OR

ULTIMATELY AWARD A CONTRACT. NEITHER UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS NOR

ANY OTHER KINDS OF OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE TO THIS

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION.

I. Synopsis:

Space Systems Command, Strategic Warning and Surveillance Systems Acquisition Delta is conducting research to identify contractors with the ability to produce and deploy Transitional Receiver Exciters (T-REX) at up to four Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR) sites and the UEWR System Integration Lab (SIL). The T-REX is a cabinet level Form, Fit, Function and Interface (F3I) replacement supporting Government requirements to eliminate obsolescence and provide long term sustainment (10 years minimum) support for UEWRs. The UEWR sensors are ground-based, computer-driven, phased array radars located at Beale Air Force Base, CA; Cape Cod Space Force Station (SFS), MA; Clear SFS, AK; Royal Air Force Fylingdales, United Kingdom; and Pituffik Space Base, Greenland. The SIL is located at Peterson Space Force Base, CO. All information contained in this Request for Information is preliminary, as well as subject to modification, and is in no way binding. The Government will not pay for any information submitted in response to this request. The information requested will be used solely within the United States Space Force to facilitate decision making and will not be disclosed outside of the Government. The determination of an acquisition/procurement strategy, based upon the comments submitted in response to this Request for Information, is solely within the discretion of the Government. This synopsis is open to all qualified prime contractors, regardless of size.

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is: 334511 – Radar systems and equipment manufacturing. If a potential offeror believes a different NAICS code is more applicable to this effort than the one noted here, an alternate NAICS and justification for its use should be noted in their response.

II. Scope of Work:

The Government is planning for a production and deployment effort of the T-REX system to 4 UEWR sites and the SIL in quantities as identified in Table 1 below. Each site has unique installation requirements that would need to be considered for the deployment phase of the effort.

The effort will be based on first articles currently in development by Georgia Technical Research Institute.

TABLE 1. T-REX Production Requirements by Site

UEWR Site T-REX Quantity RAF Fylingdales 4 Pituffik SB 3 Clear SFS 3 Beale AFB 3 SIL 2 or 3 TBD

The first article T-REX cabinets will be deployed to Cape Cod SFS and include all technical data required for production/manufacturing, acceptance testing and sustainment and will be sufficiently detailed to allow a third-party vendor to build and deploy T-REX cabinets. At RFP for this effort the Government will be able to provide a full Level III TDP to support production and deployment for use by potential cleared Department of Defense contractors. The general dimensions of the cabinet are 80” tall by 35” wide by 36” deep, comprised of commercial components (with limited modifications) and be Military Standards compliant.

Respondents should be cleared Department of Defense contractors with the ability to handle information to the “Secret” level. The contractor response will need to demonstrate their expertise and ability to “Build to print” supporting production of unique, technically complex components integrated into an electronics cabinet. This includes module assembly, loading software/firmware, component configuration, radio frequency (RF) tuning and quality assurance/controls to ensure consistent performance amongst all production cabinets. The vendor must also demonstrate the ability to deploy production T-REX systems to UEWR sites and SIL.

III. Information Sought:

Within the 15 pages specified by this Request for Information, qualified potential contractors are requested to provide the following information to meet the Request for Information objectives.

The Government requests industry feedback from potential contractors’ ability to a) review and produce/manufacture systems such as the T-REX given a robust Level III TDP; and b) deploy (install and test) that system to the sites shown in Table 1. Responses should demonstrate/describe vendor experience in production/manufacture for low volume, complex and unique Government requirements along with the capability to deploy systems meeting strict performance requirements.

IV. Questions:

In addition to the information requested above in response to this Request for Information, the Government is seeking responses to the questions below:

1. After review of the Request for Information, what, if any, additional technical data is required for the contractor to set up a limited quantity production/manufacturing process?

2. What is the contractor T-REX production and delivery capacity? Can it support production to deploy systems up to two sites annually? Describe any surge capacity?

3. Describe vendor familiarity with UEWRs or similar complex RF Government systems?

4. Describe the contractor’s ability to load and unit-test firmware and software?

5. What, if any, warranty period should be considered for production articles?

6. Does the contractor have an existing contract vehicle to fulfill the requirement? If so, please identify. If not, what contract type would the contractor recommend for a production and deployment effort?

7. Describe the contractor production Quality Management System?

8. Describe the contractor’s Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and/or inventory management system? Does the contractor have the capability to make components if suppliers are not available or if they can’t meet need dates?

9. Describe the contractors inventory management system?

10. Describe how the contractor monitors materiel obsolescence?

11. Describe the contractor’s relationship with suppliers, supplier selection process and frequency of contact with key suppliers?

12. Would the contractor require or desire a site visit in order to respond to a formal Request for Proposal (RFP)? If so, provide required lead time for a site visit in order to respond to a formal RFP?

13. Describe small business participation/partnering opportunities, if any.

V. Response Information:

Submit your responses via email in a PDF or an MS Office compatible electronic format with “REX Obsolescence Mitigation” in the subject line to Ben Shelley, Contracting Officer (benjamin.shelley.1@spaceforce.mil) with a courtesy copy to Alysha Makela, Contracting Officer (alysha.makela.1@spaceforce.mil).

Response information shall contain only ONE electronic file, no larger than 7 megabytes (MB) in size that contains the following:

1) Cover letter

2) Company name, mailing address/website, location of facilities, CAGE Code, NAICS number(s), business size and any eligibility under the U.S. Government socio-economic programs and preference, and point of contact to include telephone number(s) and email address. Specify if responding concern is a U.S. or foreign-owned firm.

3) Responses to the Request for Information in Section III and Questions in Section IV (no more than 15 pages, 11 point, Times New Roman font (no smaller than 10 point when embedded within graphics)

Multiple electronic submissions to avoid the 7 MB size limitation will not be allowed.

Any response submitted by contractors to this Request for Information constitutes consent for their submission to be reviewed by Government personnel, Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) employees and Advisory & Assistance Services (A&AS) contractor employees supporting SSC/SZQ, unless the respondent clearly objects in writing to the release of this information to FFRDC contractor employees and A&AS contractor employees supporting SSC/SZQ, in a cover letter accompanying your Request for Information Response Package.

The information received will assist in formulating an acquisition strategy decision.

Responses are due no later than 5 February 2024, 1000 Mountain Standard Time (MST), however, earlier submissions of responses are highly desirable. Responses received after this date and time may not be considered.

Address all contracting and acquisition strategy questions to the Contracting Officer:

Ben Shelley, email benjamin.shelley@spaceforce.mil.