Request for Information.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

APX-114 / APX-119 Identification of Friend or Foe (IFF) Systems

CAUTION: The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the data, expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements to repair the APX-114 system and repair and modify the APX-119 system. The National Stock Numbers (NSN), Part Numbers (PN), and Repair Method Code (RMC) / Repair Method Suffix Code (RMSC) for repairs are as follows:

Table 1: Repairs

Radio Freq Signal Generator Assembly

6625-01-679-6401

4079290-0502

4079120-0701

Radio Frequency Module

5841-01-679-6405

4085151-0501

4085140-0501

4083790-0501

In addition, there are modifications that may have to be performed to overcome obsolescence within the APX-119 system for several Radar Transponders. If a transponder arrives at the facility and it is found to have failed parts that are also obsolete, the transponder would need to be need to be modified in addition to repair; this modification would result in the transponder being modified to a new NSN/PN combination. The following table outlines the various “modification paths” that a transponder might take:

Table 2: Modifications

The technical data required to organically repair/modify or compete the repairs/modifications is not owned by the Government, and it is uneconomical to acquire the data by purchase or to reverse engineer the item. No samples are available for potential suppliers to evaluate.

Contractor shall furnish all material, support equipment, tools, test equipment, and services. The contractor is responsible for providing, maintaining, and calibrating all support equipment required at their facility or a subcontractor’s facility. Contractor furnished material or parts used for replacement shall equal or exceed the quality of the original material or parts.

Raytheon is the known sole source contractor for repair/modification of the APX-114 and APX-119 PNs listed in Tables 1 and 2. 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. The government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this survey.

FAR 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997) applies to this request for proposal:

(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this request or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as provided in subsection 31.205-18 Bid and Proposal (B&P) Costs, of Federal Acquisition Regulation

(b) Although "proposal" and "offeror" are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

(c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of market research in an effort to overcome barriers to competition.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. The document(s) below contain a description of the APX-114 and APX-119 systems repair/modification requirements and a Contractor Capability Survey. The Survey allows Contractors to provide their company’s capability.

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

a. Identify any areas of work that your organization believes should be broken out exclusively for Small Business.

3. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.

4. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to Chad Fowler, Logistics Management Specialist, 478-926-9452 or via email at chad.fowler.2@us.af.mil.

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the repair data, expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements to repair the APX-114 system and repair/modify the APX-119 system. The National Stock Numbers (NSN), Part Numbers (PN), and Repair Method Code (RMC) / Repair Method Suffix Code (RMSC) for repairs are as follows:

Table 1: Repairs

Radio Freq Signal Generator Assembly

6625-01-679-6401

4079290-0502

4079120-0701

Radio Frequency Module

5841-01-679-6405

4085151-0501

4085140-0501

4083790-0501

In addition, there are modifications that may have to be performed to overcome obsolescence within the APX-119 system for several Radar Transponders. If a transponder arrives at the facility and it is found to have failed parts that are also obsolete, the transponder would need to be need to be modified in addition to repair; this modification would result in the transponder being modified to a new NSN/PN combination. The following table outlines the various “modification paths” that a transponder might take:

Table 2: Modifications

The purpose of this effort is to repair assets for the APX-114 and repair/modify assets for the APX-119 systems. The purpose of the APX-114 and APX-119 systems is to provide identification of friend or foe capabilities in combat. The systems also provide Secondary Surveillance Radar in commercial airspace which gives air traffic controllers the ability to safely direct aircraft in close airspace.

The APX-114 system’s function is to give the aircraft it is installed on the ability to interrogate other aircraft in combat to determine if they are friendly. The APX-119 system’s function is to reply to interrogations from other friendly aircraft and ground stations through the use of a transponder. This reply allows the aircraft the APX-119 is installed on to be seen by friendly aircraft in combat and by air traffic controllers in civil airspace.

Raytheon is the OEM and the only approved company with the technical knowledge and complete data package that qualifies them capable of performing the services, both repair and modifications, sought in this contract for the APX-114 and APX-119 NSNs listed in Tables 1 and 2 above.

APX-114 and APX-119 systems must meet form, fit, function, and interface requirements. However, the Government does not own the data or the rights to the data needed to compete the repair/modification of these systems. It has been determined to be uneconomical to reverse engineer the data, qualify a new source, or buy the data and/or data rights. Raytheon is the only source of known repair for this system.

CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

APX-114 and APX-119 Systems

Part I. Business Information

Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

· Phone Number:

· E-mail Address:

· Web Page URL:

Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code:

NAICS Code: 811219 – Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance

· A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership).

Responses must be received no later than noon on July 10th, 2020. Responses must be sent electronically via AMRDEC SAFE (https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/safe/) to:

CHAD.FOWLER.2@US.AF.MIL

Questions relative to this market research should be addressed to Chad Fowler, Logistics Management Specialist, 478-926-9452 or via email at chad.fowler.2@us.af.mil.

Part II. Capability Survey Questions

A. General Capability Questions:

1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your facility and nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure.

2. Describe your company's past experience on previous projects similar in complexity to this requirement. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, and agency/organization supported.

3. Describe your company’s experience in repairing the APX-114 system and repairing/modifying the APX-119 system.

4. Describe your company's capabilities for generating, handling, processing and storing classified material and data.

5. What is your company’s current maximum capacity per month for this particular type of requirement? Provide information on any facility reserves you may possess to increase capacity in the event of an immediate need do to critical operational mission requirements.

B. Repair Questions:

1. Describe your capabilities and experience in repairing existing systems/equipment (hardware and software) to solve maintenance and support problems in the depot environment.

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

3. Discuss your process for addressing any fit, form, and or function issues that may arise out of this effort.

4. Describe your process for maintaining inventory records and reporting on hand/work-in-process balances and repair status to your customer.

5. How will your organization address the absence of drawings, specifications, technical data, test procedures, etc.

6. If the item cannot be repaired in total, state what your organization can repair.

C. Commerciality Questions:

1. Are there established catalog or market prices for our requirement?

2. If you offer this product and/or service to both U.S. Government and commercial sources, is the same workforce used for both the U.S. Government and general public?

3. Describe your standard warranty and return process for goods and services furnished to the government for items similar in nature to this requirement.