MACHRFI(13Nov06).doc

Request for Information (RFI) for a Modular Aircrew Common Helmet (MACH) system designed to replace all Department of Defense (DoD) Fixed wing and Rotary wing flight helmets. Responses to this RFI are due no later than 10 Jan 2007.

1.0 DESCRIPTION

The 77 Aeronautical Systems Group (77 AESG), is seeking feedback on the draft performance specification for the MACH system. The MACH is envisioned to be a common helmet solution, modular in design, thereby allowing for tailoring based upon mission requirements. Applicable NAICS is 541710.

Specifically, this RFI seeks the following information:

· Feasibility assessment and comment on Draft Performance Specification

· Approximate cost information (i.e. order of magnitude, ballpark estimate, etc.) for development and testing efforts needed to meet Draft Performance Specification requirements

· Schedule estimates (development, test, and production capacities)

· Comments on additional technical questions contained in section 3.0 of this RFI

· Ideas and suggestions that provide alternative approaches to designing, developing, acquiring, operating, and managing the MACH

· A brief description of your company's business size and business status (ie. small business, small disadvantaged business, woman-owned, HUBzone, veteran owned, service disabled veteran owned small business, and HBCU/MI);

· Whether you are interested as a prime or subcontractor and any anticipated teaming arrangements;

· For this type of work, whether the MACH Subcontracting Goals, calculated on the basis of total subcontracting dollars, are realistic:

If you don’t feel the above goals are appropriate, provide achievable goals with your supporting rationale. This information will be used to establish MACH Subcontracting Goals in the solicitation when, and if, released

2.0 PURPOSE

The purpose of this RFI is to open a dialogue with industry and other communities of interest, to ensure to the maximum extent possible that industry input and comments are given proper and due consideration in development of the MACH system. The RFI is also expected to help the 77 AESG to complete indicative costing of the MACH solution.

This RFI is for planning purposes only, and there is no intention to award any contract based on this RFI. The Government will not compensate any interested party, firm, or individual that may choose to provide a response to this RFI. An appropriate Request for Proposal (RFP) process will follow at the appropriate time, but is not necessarily linked directly to the questions and responses generated in this RFI.

3.0 CAPABILITIES SOUGHT

The topics for responses set out the information on concepts and designs that the 77 AESG is seeking in relation to the MACH approach and scope of this RFI. Generated requirements are listed in the referenced Draft Performance Specification document. Note that these requirements are in Draft form only; these capabilities are not necessarily guaranteed to be required in the final Performance Specification.

This section lists additional Government questions/comments on capabilities found in the Draft Performance Specification, or related questions to the MACH program. Industry should address the feasibility of the requirements in the Draft Performance Specification, answer questions about the specific requirements called out below, as well as respond to the informational questions with comments and potential solutions.

· Please address the requirements of section 3 in the Draft Performance Specification from a feasibility standpoint. Are these requirements able to be met with current technology, or would there have to be a significant development effort for some of the features we are seeking? If there are major development efforts, please note these and give approximate costs and schedules to achieve this development.

· What is the feasibility of meeting both rotary wing and fixed wing DoD requirements with a single helmet. (i.e. weight, penetration, impact, etc…) The purpose of this RFI is to gather information about those capabilities specified in the referenced Draft Performance Specification. To the extent simplifying assumptions are needed, respondents are encouraged to make and document such assumptions in their responses.

4.0 RESPONSE GUIDANCE

Respondents to this RFI should submit documents via email to all of the POCs listed in section 7.0 of this RFI. In the response, please reference specific sections in the Draft Performance Specification by number, with the comments and evaluation of that particular section following. In addition, please address the questions outside of the Draft Performance Specification in section 3.0 of this RFI, and provide responses following the analysis of the Draft Performance Specification. Submitted responses should be in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat format.

5.0 INFORMATION APPROACH

When the responses to this RFI are received, they will be evaluated and analyzed by the Government. The information received will be considered in the development of the next proposed design, and may serve as input to a business case.

Based on industry responses, 77 AESG intends to modify/update the Performance Specification document as necessary. In all cases pertaining to this RFI, the Government will take absolute care not to present information outside of the Government in a way that clearly identifies individual vendors or products.

6.0 DISCLAIMER

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only, and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. In accordance with FAR 15.210 (e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

7.0 CONTACT INFORMATION

Responses should include the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with us.

The following are the government Point of Contacts (POCs) for this RFI:

Richard Williams, Civ, PSK

Skylar E. Quinn, Capt, USAF

Contracting Officer

Program Manager 77 Aeronautical Systems Group

648 Aeronautical Systems Squadron Brooks City-Base TX 78235 richard.williams@brooks.af.mil skylar.quinn@brooks.af.mil Larry M. Isom, Capt, USAF

Angelica R. Armenta, Civ, PSK Lead Engineer

Contract Specialist 648 Aeronautical Systems Squadron

77 Aeronautical Systems Group larry.isom@brooks.af.mil angelica.armenta@brooks.af.mil *Please submit responses via e-mail in Microsoft Office or Adobe Acrobat format.