Request for Information 26R5014 - Next Generation Audio Kit.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

AIR FORCE LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT CENTER

WRIGHT PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE

13 May 2026

FROM: AFLCMC/WISK

Special Warfare Contracting Office 1895 Fifth Street Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7200

SUBJECT: Request for Information (RFI) FA8629-26-R-5014 – Next Generation Audio Kit

NOTICE:

This Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS)/Request for Information (RFI) is issued for informational purposes and market research only; it does not constitute a solicitation. The Government will not reimburse any company or individual for any expenses associated with preparing/submitting information in response to this posting. The information provided may be used by the Government in developing its acquisition strategy, statement of work/statement of objectives, and/or performance specifications. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained within their response as instructed later in this posting.

BACKGROUND AND SCOPE:

The United States (US) Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance & Special Operations Forces (ISR & SOF) Directorate, Special Warfare (SW) Program Office (AFLCMC/WISN) and Contracting Office (AFLCMC/WISK) are conducting market research to identify possible sources that enhance communication and situational awareness for personnel during personnel recovery operations.

Currently, personnel face challenges in maintaining reliable, interoperable communication across various platforms (fixed-wing, rotary-wing, ground forces) and environments. Existing audio components (headsets, push-to-talks, and cabling) lack full functionality, hindering situational awareness, personnel accountability, and effective communication. This capability gap necessitates a small, lightweight portable, rugged, and configurable body-worn system that integrates existing dismounted radios, providing a robust communication suite for real-time information sharing and enhanced operator safety. Two different headsets, one for land and one for maritime, will be accepted but having one headset that fulfills both environmental requirements is ideal.

In land environment, the Next Generation Tactical Audio Component Kit (NGTACK) will be utilized to maintain constant communication with supporting aircraft (fixed and rotary-wing) and with other team members. The system will allow for real time dissemination of critical information, such as recovery target updates, environmental conditions, and potential threats during a personnel recovery mission.

In a maritime salt-water environment, the kit will provide waterproof and reliable communication, enabling Guardian Angel (GA) personnel to coordinate with maritime assets, and maintain contact with one another and isolated personnel. GA personnel will use this equipment during water operation in small boats with waves splashing and blowing sea water. When employing from rotary wing aircraft or fixed wing parachuting into saltwater, GA personnel will enter the water and submerge the NGTACK to depths of 2m and sustain this depth for less than 1 minute.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

(T = Threshold, O = Objective)

Key Performance Parameters (KPPs)

1. System KPPs

1.1 KPP: Interoperability

Entire system, consisting of a land kit (headset, push-to-talk, cabling, and accessories) and a maritime saltwater kit (headset, push-to-talk, cabling, and accessories) will be interoperable. The land kit headset must work with and connect to the maritime kit push-to-talk and maritime accessories. The maritime kit headset must work with and connect to the land kit push-to-talk and land accessories. (T=O)

1.2 KPP: Interoperability

The entire system, consisting of land kits and maritime kits must integrate with existing GA radios (AN/PRC-163/117G/167) 100% compatibility (T=O)

2. Land Environment Headset KPPs

2.1 KPP: Hearing Protection

Headset must provide ANSI S3.19-1974 Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of at least 20dB mean attenuation (T) 30dB (O)

2.2 KPP: Multi-Channel Capability

Ability to monitor and transmit on at least two separate radio channels simultaneously. (T) Four channels.

(O)

2.3 KPP: Durability

Meet relevant sections of MIL-STD-810G for temperature, humidity, dust, and shock. (T=O)

2.4 KPP: Environmental listening/situational awareness

Headset must utilize omni-directional high-fidelity speakers to replicate environmental sounds to provide the user with environmental listening capability while filtering harmful noises to constantly provide hearing protection. (T=O)

2.5 KPP: Water Resistance

Headset must be saltwater submersible at 2 meters for 30 mins (T), 2 meters for 2 hours. (O)

2.6 KPP: Short Range Communication

Audio component kit must possess a short-range, communication feature which does not utilize a transmission from the user’s radio, can be transmitted by either a hands-free voice activated switch (VOX) or push-to-talk, and can communicate at ranges of at least 10 meters (T) 15 meters (O).

3. Land Environment Dual-Communications Push-to-Talk Switches and Cabling KPPs

3.1 KPP: Dual-communications push-to-talk switch system

Switch must possess two communications ports that are capable for radios (PRC-163 and PRC-167 or PRC-117G) or aircraft ICS and must be compatible with a headset meeting KPPs identified in section 6.1 KPPs (T=O).

3.2 KPP: Dual-communications push-to-talk switch system

Switch system must have a water immersion rating of 2 meters for 2 hours (T=O).

3.3 KPP: Dual-Communications push-to-talk switch

Switch system must be capable of at least two channel push-to-talk functionality (T=O).

3.4 KPP: System Cabling

System must include a cable solution that connects to the PRC-163/167 19-pin communications 0port and provides output to the push-to-talk switch and to an End-User Device (EUD) (T=O)

3.5 KPP: System Cabling

System must include a cable solution that connects to and is compatible with both high and low impedance aircraft ICS systems (T=O).

3.6 KPP: System Cabling

System must include a cable solution that connects to a headset that meets all KPPs in section

6.2 (T=O).

3.7 KPP: System Cabling

System cabling must meet IP67 rating (T=O).

4. Land Environment Multi-Communications Push-to-Talk Switches and Cabling KPPs

4.1 KPP: Multi-communications push-to-talk switch system

Switch must possess two communications ports for radios (PRC-163 and PRC-167 or PRC-117G) and one communications port for aircraft ICS and must be compatible with a headset meeting KPPs identified in section 1 KPPs (T=O).

4.2 KPP: Multi-communications push-to-talk switch system

Switch system must have a water immersion rating of 10 meters for 2 hours (T=O).

4.3 KPP: Multi-Communications push-to-talk switch

Switch system must be capable of four channel push-to-talk functionality (T=O).

4.4 KPP: Multi-Communications push-to-talk switch

Switch system must be small enough form factor to fit on individual body armor/plate carrier (T=O).

4.5 KPP: System Cabling

System must include a cable solution that connects to the PRC-163/167 19-pin communications port and provides output to the push-to-talk switch and to an End-User Device (EUD) (T=O).

4.6 KPP: System Cabling

System must include a cable solution that connects to and is compatible with both high and low impedance aircraft ICS systems (T=O).

4.7 KPP: System Cabling

System must include a cable solution that connects to a headset that meets all KPPs in section 1 (T=O).

4.8 KPP: System Cabling

System cabling must meet IP67 rating (T=O).

5. Maritime Environment Headset KPPs

5.1 KPP: Hearing Protection

Headset must provide ANSI S3.19-1974 Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of at least 20dB mean attenuation (T) 30dB (O).

5.2 KPP: Multi-Channel Capability

Ability to monitor and transmit on at least two separate radio channels simultaneously (T) Four channels (O).

5.3 KPP: Durability

Meet relevant sections of MIL-STD-810G for temperature, humidity, dust, and shock (T=O).

5.4 KPP: Saltwater Resistance

Products are specifically designed to be resistant to corrosion and easy to maintain after use in saltwater environments (T=O).

5.5 KPP: Water Resistance

Headset must be salt-water immersion rated for 10 meters depth for 1 hour (T), up to 10 meters depth for 10 hours (O).

5.6 KPP: Maintenance

Maintenance for post saltwater immersion to prevent corrosion and maintain performance over time must not require disassembly of the headset, removal of any parts/ear cups, and must take less than 10 minutes, not including time required to let the headset air dry (T=O).

6. Maritime Environment Dual-Communications Push-to-Talk Switches and Cabling KPPs

6.1 KPP: Dual-communications push-to-talk switch system

Switch must possess two communications ports that are capable for radios (PRC-163 and PRC-167 or PRC-117G) or aircraft ICS and must be compatible with a headset meeting KPPs identified in section 1 KPPs (T=O).

6.2 KPP: Dual-communications push-to-talk switch system

Switch system must have a saltwater immersion rating of 10 meters for 2 hours (T=O).

6.3 KPP: Dual-Communications push-to-talk switch

Switch system must be capable of at least two channel push-to-talk functionality (T=O).

6.4 KPP: System Cabling

System must include a cable solution that connects to the PRC-163/167 19-pin communications 0port and

6.5 KPP: System Cabling

6.6 KPP: System Cabling

System must include a cable solution that connects to a headset that meets all KPPs in section 6.1 (T=O).

6.7 KPP: System Cabling

7. Maritime Environment Multi-Communications Push-to-Talk Switches and Cabling KPPs

7.1 KPP: Multi-communications push-to-talk switch system

Switch must possess two communications ports for radios (PRC-163 and PRC-167 or PRC-117G) and one communications port for aircraft ICS and must be compatible with a headset meeting KPPs identified in section 1 KPPs (T=O).

7.2 KPP: Multi-communications push-to-talk switch system

Switch system must have a saltwater immersion rating of 10 meters for 2 hours (T=O).

7.3 KPP: Multi-Communications push-to-talk switch

Switch system must be capable of four channel push-to-talk functionality (T=O).

7.4 KPP: Multi-Communications push-to-talk switch

Switch system must be small enough form factor to fit on individual body armor/plate carrier (T=O).

7.5 KPP: System Cabling

System must include a cable solution that connects to the PRC-163/167 19-pin communications 0port and

7.6 KPP: System Cabling

7.7 KPP: System Cabling

System must include a cable solution that connects to a headset that meets all KPPs in section 1 (T=O).

7.8 KPP: System Cabling

8. Key System Attributes (KSAs)

8.1. A single headset shall be capable of satisfying requirements for both land and maritime kit headset requirements (T=O).

8.2. A single push-to-talk / cabling solution shall be capable of satisfying requirements for both land and maritime kit requirements (T=O).

INSTRUCTION TO POTENTIAL RESPONDENTS:

Interested parties who desire to participate in this SSS/RFI are encouraged to submit responses that demonstrate they presently have the technology and qualifications to provide the system described above.

Responses shall also include the following information:

a. Respondent Data:

Company/Institute Name Address

Point of Contact (to include phone number and email address) CAGE Code Web Page URL

b. Pursuant to NAICS Code 334220, Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing, state whether the company is:

(1) Small Business (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified

(2) Women-Owned Small Business (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified

(3) Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified

(4) HUBZone Certified (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified

(5) Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified

(6) Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified

(7) 8(a) Certified (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified

(8) SBA Certification Date: SBA Graduation Date:

State whether the company is domestically or foreign-owned (if foreign, indicate the country of ownership).

State whether the respondent is interested in being a prime or subcontractor for this requirement.

c. Describe the capability of your product or products and provide product information and specifications. Additionally, describe the capability of your product(s) to meet the desired performance requirements listed below. If you are proposing development to integrate existing or new subsystems, clearly describe your approach.

d. Responses may include but are not limited to:

(1) Pictures

(2) Training videos

(3) Architecture views

(4) Drawings

(5) Associations or connectivity with other end items/systems

(6) Test results to support meeting threshold and objective requirements

(7) Ability to deliver within 12 to 18 months after receipt of order

e. Rough cost estimate (i.e. rough order of magnitude (ROM)) based on an optimum or varied pricing quantities (this is for Government budget planning purposes and will not be considered a bid or binding in any manner). If development and/or integration is required to meet the system requirements, the Government also needs an estimate of the development cost based on complexity (for planning purposes only) to include PHS&T, such as warranties, portable storage, special tooling required, and training.

f. Indicate whether the company is currently performing this type of work/whether the capability can be obtained under an existing Government contract. Provide the contract number(s) and Government points of contact accordingly.

g. Indicate whether the company currently provides this type of work as a commercial solution. In this instance, “commercial item” means an item that is of a type customarily used by the general public or non-Governmental entities for purposes other than Governmental purposes. Please indicate if this item has been sold, leased, or licensed to the general public; or has been offered for sale, lease, or license to the general public. Indicate whether all materials used are in compliance with the Buy American Act or Berry Amendment (10 U.S.C. 2533a), as applicable.

h. Please include product warranty terms as applicable, along with any warranty limitations. If product warranty terms are not applicable, please include N/A.

i. Include any spare parts that would potentially be included.

j. Provide the details of training including process and cost.

k. Describe any possible product improvements that could be made or are planned for the future for the solution.

l. Describe any risks associated with the fulfillment of this projected requirement. This can include technical or schedule risks associated with development, key performance parameters, etc.

m. Please provide specific details and rationale as to how compliance with FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, and FAR 52.219-33, Non-Manufacturer Rule, would be achieved in the event the Government sets this requirement aside for small business. Include specific details regarding teaming arrangements, etc. If subcontracts are to be used, provide the anticipated percentage of effort to be subcontracted and whether small or large businesses, including foreign, will be used. If this effort is not set-aside for small business, small business utilization will be considered. Large and small businesses should provide a reasonable expectation for small business utilization as a percent of total contract value as well as supporting rationale for the recommended percentage.

RESPONSES, COMMUNICATIONS, AND ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:

a. The Government may contact respondents to obtain additional information or clarification in order to fully understand a company's response. This may include discussions, site visits, demonstrations, etc. to further the Government's understanding of a proposed solution, as well as a company's understanding of the Government's requirements.

b. Responses shall not exceed 15 pages (including cover page). Include technical and descriptive text and photographs/illustrations to provide sufficient detail. The submitted documentation becomes the property of the United States Government and will not be returned.

c. Respondents shall clearly mark proprietary data with the appropriate markings. Any proprietary information received in response to this request will be properly protected from any unauthorized disclosure. Any material that is not marked will be considered publicly-releasable.

d. Government-contracted contractor support personnel may handle proprietary data submitted in response to this RFI. These support personnel will have signed the same Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) as Government personnel.

e. If you are currently providing your proposed capability on an existing Government contract, please identify the contract and a Government POC.

f. Broad industry participation for this RFI is encouraged. U.S. and non-U.S. firms are permitted to respond.

g. Please note that prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DOD contract; the NAICS code for this requirement, if applicable to the company’s capabilities, should be included in the company’s NAICS code listing in SAM. To learn more about this SAM requirement and how to register, please visit the SAM website at: https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM

h. Responses are due electronically by 12:00PM Eastern time on 29 May 2026 via email to:

Jamie Sclafani Grace Chard

AFLCMC/WISK AFLCMC/WISN

Contracting Officer Program Manager Jamie.sclafani@us.af.mil grace.chard@us.af.mil

i. This notice may be updated as additional information becomes available. Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by email to the Contracting Officer identified above, with the other individuals identified above copied as a courtesy.

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only to identify potential sources for the solution. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Government has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as creating such a commitment or as an authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought.

mailto:Jamie.sclafani@us.af.mil mailto:grace.chard@us.af.mil