Mini-MUTES Transmitter RFI.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS (SSS)/ REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Mini-MUTES Transmitter Engineering and Obsolescence Study

19 May 2026

1. SYNOPSIS

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), WNRC Directorate, Hill Air Force Base (HAFB), Utah is conducting market research seeking vendor interest for performing a comprehensive engineering study on the AN/MST-T1(V) Miniature Multiple Threat Emitter System (Mini-MUTES) transmitters.

This is a Request For Information (RFI) only. This RFI is issued solely for market research purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Air Force (AF) is not seeking proposals, nor will it accept unsolicited proposals at this time.

Respondents are advised that the United States Government will not pay for any 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 RFP, if any is issued. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor the Government’s point of entry (www.sam.gov) for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

2. PURPOSE

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential industry sources capable of performing a comprehensive engineering study on the AN/MST-T1(V) Miniature Multiple Threat Emitter System (Mini-MUTES) transmitters. The Mini-MUTES is a critical asset for aircrew survivability training, simulating contested threat environments. As an aging system with components dating back to the 1980s, the Mini-MUTES is facing challenges related to hardware and electronics obsolescence.

The system is experiencing sustainment challenges due to extensive Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS). Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for many of these components are no longer in business, and the specialized engineering knowledge required to maintain them is fading. This has led to increased Depot repair cycle times and a shrinking supply of viable replacement parts, directly impacting the availability of the Mini-MUTES for pilot survivability training.

http://www.sam.gov/

The objective of this RFI is to identify sources capable of performing a study to identify all obsolescent parts within the transmitters and associated components (e.g., magnetrons, power supplies, circuit cards) and to provide a detailed path forward to refurbish or replace them. The desired end-state is a foundational analysis that will define the scope, cost, technical requirements, and timeline for an eventual modernization project to ensure system sustainment out to 2045.

3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The Period of Performance is projected to be one (1) year and is anticipated to begin no later than XX 2026.

4. ANTICIPATED CONTRACT ELEMENTS

The contract type has yet to be determined. However, it is anticipated that it will include a contract type mix of Firm Fixed Price (FFP) and Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF). There will be labor Contract Line-Item Numbers (CLINs), data deliverable CLINs. Other Direct Costs (ODCs) are anticipated.

5. SCOPE/REQUIREMENTS

Interested vendors are requested to provide a white paper or capability statement addressing their ability to conduct a comprehensive engineering study. The study should provide a detailed analysis and a recommended path forward to mitigate the effects of obsolescence in the Mini-MUTES transmitters.

Please address the following in your response:

1. Corporate Experience and Capabilities:

• Describe your company’s experience with analyzing, reverse-engineering, or modernizing legacy military Radio Frequency

(RF) and transmitter systems. Please provide specific examples of similar projects, including contract numbers, a brief description of the work, and agency points of contact.

• Describe your company’s capabilities and facilities for testing and analyzing high-power RF components, including transmitters, waveguides, and antennas.

• Provide details on your company's experience in DMSMS analysis and obsolescence mitigation planning.

2. Technical Approach:

• Describe your proposed approach for conducting the engineering study. Include the methodologies you would use to identify obsolete components, assess system health, and develop recommendations.

• What key analyses or trade studies do you believe are necessary to provide a comprehensive path forward (e.g., Repair vs.

Replace, Form-Fit-Function vs. New Design, COTS solutions)?

• How would you approach defining the requirements for new or refurbished transmitters to ensure they meet or exceed the performance of the legacy systems while being sustainable for the future?

3. Study Deliverables & Data Rights:

• Based on the RFI's purpose, what specific data, analysis, and recommendations would you include in the final study report to ensure the Government receives an actionable and comprehensive study?

• Describe your process for developing a Technical Data Package (TDP). Please include your company’s policy on providing TDPs to the Government and the data rights you typically provide.

4. Cost and Schedule Estimates:

• Provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate for the proposed solution. This ROM is for budgetary and planning purposes only.

5. Additional Information:

• What are the top three to five risks you foresee in accomplishing this study?

• Discuss any documents or data from the Government you would require to complete this study and briefly explain their purpose.

• Provide other relevant topics, concerns, or information not addressed in this posting.

6. ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI), as defined and discussed in FAR 9.5, Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest, is a concern in all acquisitions across the Department of Defense. Early involvement with our industry partners is a key element of the OCI process, and it is critical for the Government to be able to identify any potential OCI issues as early as possible for acquisition.

This would allow ample time to address and evaluate any potential OCI issues, if required, prior to contract award with minimal impact to critical acquisition schedules.

Interested Offerors are requested to evaluate any potential OCI issues regarding this requirement for modernized UMTE transmitters, and the contractor is encouraged to identify any OCI issues, as stated in FAR 9.5 to the Contracting Officer (CO). This will assist the CO in determining if the contractor will need to submit an OCI Mitigation Plan for any solicitation that might result from this notice.

7. ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION REQUESTED

The Contractor's RFI response shall be:

• Page Limit: 10 pages or less (cover page is not included in page count)

• Format: Submissions must be provided in PDF

• Font: One (1)-inch margins; Times New Roman 12 font

• Classifications: All responses must be UNCLASSIFIED. If proprietary data is included, it must be clearly marked

Provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners.

• Company Name

• Address

• Point of Contact

• CAGE Code

• Phone Number

• E-mail Address

• Web Page Address

• Central Contractor Registration (CCR) (Yes/No)

• Specify whether your company is a U.S. or foreign-owned firm

• North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS Code)

- Recommend Note: All interested contractors must be registered in SAM to be eligible for award of Government contracts. The Government reserves the right to consider a small business set-aside based upon responses hereto for any subsequent action.

Due Date: Responses should be submitted electronically to the Contracting Officer, Heather Ball, heather.ball@us.af.mil by 3 July 2026. Late responses may not be reviewed.

8. SUBMISSIONS/QUESTIONS

If submitting company proprietary information or competition sensitive information, please make sure it is CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information to the maximum extent possible. All segregated proprietary information will be protected by the Government.

• What is your experience in providing the capability to accomplish the objective/requirements listed above? Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, agency/organization supported, and individual points of contact (Contracting Officers or Program Managers).

• How would the prime contractor account for government furnished property (GFP) in the possession of the prime, and all sub-contractors, in accordance with the Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness (FIAR) program?

• Does your company currently have any teaming agreements in place that will allow for successfully meeting the Government's requirements? In addition, please identify the roles associated with the teaming arrangement.

• Discuss any documents or data you will require to complete the objectives listed above, and briefly explain their purpose.

• What are the top five risks you see in accomplishing this effort?

• Provide a description of similar services offered to the Government and to commercial customers for the past three years.

• How long would it take you to submit a proposal?

• Provide other relevant topics, concerns, or information not addressed in this posting.

9. DISCLAIMER

THIS IS AN RFI ONLY. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The AF has not made a commitment to procure any of the items or services discussed above, and release of this RFI should not be mailto:heather.ball@us.af.mil construed as such a commitment or as an authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Any questions should be directed to the Contracting Officer as identified above.