RFI - FA8650-21-S-5005 - ACT MCM.pdf

RFI – FA8650-21-S-5005

Arrays at Commercial Timescales (ACT) Module Manufacturing Scale Up Request for Information (RFI)

FA8650-21-S-5005

1) Contracting Office Address

Department of the Air Force Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Wright Research Site, AFRL/RXKMT (Attn: Mark Wade & Michael Wafzig) Area B, Bldg. 45, 2130 Eighth Street Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7541

2) Background Information

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only, as defined in FAR 15.201 (e), to obtain information about capabilities and other market information for planning purposes. This RFI is seeking information specifically related to the development of increases in the manufacturability of Arrays at Commercial Timescales (ACT) modules.

This RFI is not a request for competitive proposals; therefore, responses to this notice are not considered offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responses should include information identifying whether the responder’s firm is a small or large business. The size standard is 500 employees. The NAICS code for this potential effort is 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).

Companies that respond will not be paid for the information submitted. No telephone calls will be accepted regarding a bid package or solicitation. All information received shall be safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure. Please do not submit any classified information.

3) General Intent

The Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Electronics and Sensors Branch (AFRL/RXME) located at Wright-Patterson AFB (WPAFB) is in the planning stage for a manufacturing technology effort addressing the major cost drivers of Arrays at Commercial Timescales (ACT) transceiver multi-chip modules. The effort is focused on reducing cost and increasing manufacturability in these modules to help ensure transition of the technology. The effort will provide unbiased Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) of new and advanced manufacturing techniques, processes, and equipment and shall be responsive to the needs of United States Air Force programs.

4) Statement of Need

AFRL/RXME has a need to provide cost savings and increases in manufacturability to Arrays at Commercial Timescales (ACT) high density build up (HDBU) laminate based multi-chip modules. There has been an identified need for this technology and this manufacturing technology effort will address those needs. Some of the major items needed include:

1. Addressing supply chain and the industrial base

2. Areas to increase manufacturability

3. Areas to decrease cost

4. Ways to automate production and testing of modules

Due to the nature of this work being related to manufacturing technology, the effort is intended to be conducted at the UNCLASSIFIED level.

5) Program Information and Information Requested

Based on the information presented above, interested parties should provide a statement of interest on company letterhead and include the following information:

1. Plan or strategy to meet the items identified in the Statement of Need section;

2. Time phased development plan (schedule);

3. Rough order magnitude cost estimate correlated to schedule;

4. Identification of major components required for implementation;

5. Premises and assumptions;

6. Expected parameters and expected outcomes to include the following:

a) Manufacturability increase objectives

b) Areas of concern in the supply chain and ways of addressing them

c) Cost reduction objectives

d) Automation and how it is expected to benefit manufacturability.

7. Risk assessment in proposed technologies and methods including previous design and manufacturing experience in ACT modules.

6) Disclaimer

There is no guarantee that any submission in response to this RFI will result in a Government program. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation.

Responders to this RFI will have no competitive advantage in receiving any awards related to the submitted topic area. The information submitted in response to this RFI may be used to help the Government further define its requirements.

If the Government develops a program that addresses any submitted or similar topic, the resulting procurement will address technology and business specific requirements as defined by the Government to achieve the required objectives.

7) Required Responses

Responses to this RFI are limited to 10 pages with one inch margins using standard letter-size 8 ½” x 11” paper. The page count includes any title page, but does not include a copies of relevant certifications. Font must be 10-point or larger.

Endorsements from elected officials at the federal, state, and/or local levels are NOT acceptable in the response.

8) Request for Clarification

A responder may request clarifications, in writing, from the Contracting Office for any aspect of this RFI that is unclear, by sending an email to all of the following:

Primary POC, Mark Wade, mark.wade.1@us.af.mil, Contracting Officer Secondary POC, Mike Wafzig, michael.wafzig@us.af.mil, Section Chief Technical POC, Johnathan Cullum, johnathan.cullum@us.af.mil, Program

Manager Any requests for clarification must be received no later than seven (7) business days prior to the close of the RFI in order to receive a timely response.

9) Submission of Documentation

Responses to the RFI are due to the Contracting Office by 23 November 2020.

Responders shall provide one (1) electronic copy (in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat) of their response via DoD SAFE (https://safe.apps.mil/). This is coordinated through the contracting points of contact listed below.

Please send both POC’s an email to obtain a DoD SAFE Drop Off request in order to submit your response. Do NOT submit classified data with your response.

Primary POC, Mark Wade, mark.wade.1@us.af.mil, Contracting Officer Secondary POC, Mike Wafzig, michael.wafzig@us.af.mil, Section Chief

10) Additional Information

All responsible sources may submit information that shall be considered by the agency. If late information is received, it may be considered, depending on agency time constraints. All routine communications regarding the announcement should be directed to the contractual point of contact listed above. The Government may or may not use any responses to this RFI as a basis for a subsequent project.

Any projects developed from the RFI responses may be the subject of a subsequent acquisition; any such subsequent acquisition will be posted on the System for Award Management website (beta.SAM.gov). Responses to this RFI will not be returned.

The Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received, or provide feedback to the respondents with respect to any of the information submitted under this RFI. No requests for a bid package or solicitation will be accepted; a bid package or solicitation does not exist at this time. In order to protect the integrity of any possible future acquisition, no additional information will be provided and no appointments for presentations will be made in reference to this

RFI.

11) Support Contractors

Only government employees will review submitted capability statements. Offerors are advised that employees of commercial firms under contract to the Government may be used to administratively process submissions and perform other administrative duties requiring access to other contractor’s proprietary information.

These support contractors include nondisclosure agreements prohibiting their contractor employees from disclosing any information submitted by other contractors or using such information for any purpose other than that for which it was furnished.

12) Submission Checklist

Maximum 10 pages, including any title page 8 ½” x 11” paper One inch margins At least 10-point font Unclassified IF APPLICABLE, clearly indicate the appropriate distribution statement (B, C, D, etc.), For Official Use Only (FOUO), or ITAR-restricted No marketing information, commercial documentation, or product literature No endorsements from elected officials at the federal, state, and/or local level Due Date: 23 November 2020