Request for Information (RFI) Anti-Jam Antenna.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

NAICIS 334220

Small Business Size Standard 1,250 Employees

This is a RFI for market research purposes issued by the C/KC‐135 Contracting Branch, AFLCMC/WLT at Tinker Air Force Base (TAFB). The United States Air Force (USAF) is requesting information pertaining GPS Anti‐Jam resistant Antenna for the KC‐135 aircraft.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this RFI is to solicit industry options and possible solutions for providing a resilient GPS Anti‐Jam resistant Antenna that meets congressional mandates.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY:

This RFI is issued solely for informational and planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation (Request for Proposal or Request for Quotations) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. As stipulated in FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not considered offers, shall not be used as a proposal, and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, we are not seeking proposals at this time. Responders are advised that the 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 responding party’s expense.

The Government requests that non‐proprietary information be submitted in response to this RFI.

However, should proprietary information be submitted, it should be marked “PROPRIETARY”, and will be handled accordingly. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Proprietary information or trade secrets should be clearly identified.

BACKGROUND

This antenna modification is required to ensure the freedom of operation for the KC‐135 for future operations in contested operational environments.

Traditional GPS antennas are susceptible to a number of jamming threats. The current tanker force would be able to operate closer to the operation with improved antennas. The standoff distance of tankers to an operation is directly related to the effectiveness of supported assets. Therefore, it is paramount that this equipment is procured for continued reliable and effective tanker support.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The requirements listed below are viewed to be an integral part of any technical solution proposed in response to this RFI. All improvements, deviations, and modifications of these requirements should maintain the intent of the original requirement.

Proposed solution or system shall:

1) Have no impact to the KC‐135 aircraft’s primary mission of refueling other aircraft or secondary missions (i.e. cargo).

2) Operate with minimal integration to the current aircraft’s avionics suite (current EGIs).

3) Demonstrate the ability to integrate into KC‐135 avionics. Note: Integration will be accomplished with Collins Aerospace.

4) If applicable, the system LRUs should be capable of software upgrade by USAF technicians without requiring peculiar support equipment. Include details of required support equipment if applicable.

Describe how your proposed solution meets the following criteria:

1) Is your proposed antenna electronics compatible with current KC‐135 EGIs (PN:

34209200‐R0H4‐001, 34200600‐30H4) and with future M‐Code system requirements?

2) Describe the jam resistant capabilities of your proposed solution (ie. Anti‐spoof, beam steering, signal Db levels, etc.). Keep responses unclassified. If a classified response is required coordinate with POCs below.

3) Describe the physical and electronic characteristics (to include power requirements) of your proposed antenna/AE suite solution. Provide details of compatibility of your antenna electronics box with other antennas.

POWER INTERFACE REQUIREMENTS:

The KC‐135 has three‐phase electrical power of 115/200 VAC at 400‐Hz, single‐phase 28 VAC, limited 28 VDC in addition a 1KVA Copilot Instrument Power System (CIPS) with an output of 115/200 VAC at 400Hz and 28VDC and (2) batteries, the main and auxiliary batteries rated at 24 volts, 35 amp‐hours. The respondent’s solution should try to utilize AC power as much as possible.

TECHNICAL APPROACH:

Please provide a brief, high‐level technical description of the proposed system. Ideally, the technical approach should include a scenario illustrating the use of the proposed system within the concept of operations described in the background section of this RFI. If applicable, pictures of the system are encouraged. Briefly address any potential risks. Briefly summarize how personnel would operate and maintain the system to include the on and off aircraft maintenance concept. Describe any training that would be required to operate and maintain the proposed system.

COMPATIBILITY

Respondents should indicate whether any of the components proposed for their system are currently utilized or exist within commercial aviation or the US Government; please specify the using organization, airframe type, national stock number (NSN), and/or part number as applicable. Describe any compatibility limitations between these components. Respondents should indicate the type and level of interoperability testing performed on their system (if any).

QUALIFICATION TESTING

State the type and level of qualification testing that has been performed on the system; such as ‐ MIL‐STD‐810, MIL‐STD‐704, MIL‐STD‐461, MIL‐STD‐3023 and DO‐160. Specific areas of concern include:

Power Quality

EMI/EMC

Explosion Proofness Magnetic Effect Vibration Temperature Pressure Shock Humidity Crash Safety Waterproofness Sand and Dust Compass Installation Electrostatic Discharge Lightning Induced Transient Susceptibility Nuclear Hardness Spectrum Certification

AVAILABILITY

Provide availability information for the proposed system. Give information detailing the availability of the proposed system, i.e. system is available immediately? If systems are not available provide best availability estimates for the system(s). Based on this information, respondents should provide a tentative schedule estimate based on months to perform the steps required to achieve Milestone C approval as defined by 10 USC § 2366(e)(8).

PAST PERFORMANCE

Briefly explain any previous work you have done or are doing for government/civilian customers similar to what this RFI addresses. Describe the experience your company has working with other DoD platforms. Provide specifics on other DoD weapon systems using your proposed solution to include government POCs.

RESPONSE

Services to include research and development, technology insertions, system integrations, installation, fabrication/prototyping, testing/certification, aircraft ground/flight testing support, logistic support services, and engineering support. Respondents may use or propose commercial products or existing government inventories to provide the best value solution using best processes and practices to reduce cost and schedule and performance risk and to promote future competition for design upgrade and operational support costs.

The USAF to consider planning, program phasing and tailored technical requirements may use the information provided. Respondent’s inputs should not be restrictive or proprietary if possible. Although the identification of contributing companies will not be divulged outside the Government, the Government reserves the right to use in whole or part any industry information that is received as a result of this RFI. Respondent’s participation in the RFI will not affect their company’s position during any solicitation, nor will this RFI be used as criteria for the prequalification of respondents for future solicitations.

Through this RFI the USAF is soliciting information on mature or emerging technologies which could be used to meet the requirements stated. This RFI is an expression of interest only and does not obligate the USAF to pay any proposal preparation and prototype costs or to award any contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions. Respondents are advised that only an Air Force Contracting Officer is legally authorized to commit the Government to the obligation of funds.

BUDGET PLANNING ESTIMATE

Proprietary cost information may be provided in a separate document appropriately marked from the response as described above. Respondents should provide cost estimates categorized as follows:

1. Non‐recurring engineering (to include engineering design, testing, technical manuals, operator and maintenance training as required to adapt their solution to the KC‐135 aircraft).

2. Per unit cost of group‐A

3. Per unit cost of group‐B

4. Projected hours required for group‐A and group‐B installation

5. Projected schedule for trial installation on 2 aircraft

Note

If quantity discounts are available, please indicate discounted per unit costs and recommended quantity levels.

Contracting Office Address:

AFLCMC/WLTK

3001 Staff Dr. STE 2AE1

Tinker AFB OK 73145‐3020

Primary Point of Contact:

KC‐135 Contracting Branch

AFLCMC/WLTK

Ms. Diana Kennedy KENNEDY, DIANA R CIV USAF AFMC AFLCMC/WLTK diana.kennedy@us.af.mil

Ms. Samantha Lay LAY, SAMANTHA N CIV USAF AFMC AFLCMC/WLTK samantha.lay@us.af.mil

Mr. Darin Romain ROMAIN, DARIN M CIV USAF AFMC AFLCMC/WLTMC darin.romain.2@us.af.mil

Ms. Deborah Harrigan HARRIGAN, DEBORAH I CIV USAF AFMC AFLCMC/WLDW deborah.harrigan@us.af.mil