RFI for Product Group A Kitting.pdf

RFI for B-52 Cryptographic Modernization Program

Request For Information (RFI)

For

Producing (Manufacture and Assemble) and Delivering B-52H Cryptographic Modernization Production Kits

1.0 Description

The Government is conducting market research to identify companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements of a contract supporting the United States Air Force, at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. This Request for Information (RFI) is seeking additional technical, management, and production qualifications from the previous RFI (FA8628-23-R-0103) posted 19 April 2023 – 10 May 2023. Section 2 and 3 below is a summary of key items from the previous RFI; the focus of this RFI is Section 4. The market research from this RFI will help in determining the Government's Acquisition Strategy.

The B-52 program is seeking information on potential interested and qualified providers to produce (manufacture, acquire and/or assemble) and deliver B-52H Crypto Mod production kits.

The effort includes building to design attachment structures, electronic switching devices and wiring harnesses in accordance with design documents and the relevant MIL-STDs to support installation of Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) line replaceable units (LRU) for a communications system upgrade to the B-52 aircraft.

The B-52 Crypto Mod program is upgrading the B-52 bomber with new communication devices (ARC-210 Gen 6 radios, peripherals and ancillary equipment). These items are being installed and require attachment structures, electronic switching devices and wire harnesses. The Air Force will provide engineering drawings of these structures and electronic switches if this RFI progresses to the next step with a request for proposal.

Participation in this request is limited to DoD and U.S. DoD Contractors only. Small businesses are encouraged to participate in this RFI. All Respondents should strive to justify or give evidence of how they can meet the specific requirements and state if they have any concerns with the requirements.

2.0 Kit Production/Assembly Capabilities

The contractor must be capable of producing (manufacture, acquire and assemble) and delivering B-52H Crypto Mod production kits, to facilitate installation on the B-52H aircraft.

The contractor must show evidence of the management, manufacturing, acquisition, assembly and storage capacities to support the manufacture and/or acquisition of all the parts in the quantities necessary to meet the kit requirements for installation on 74 B-52H aircraft.

The contractor must be capable of manufacturing of structural components and wire harnesses per drawings or procuring the same from a qualified supplier. The harnesses required will include grouping and routing bundles with 28-volt DC power as well as 1553 V/W and RS-232 multiplex data bus systems and ethernet for use on the B-52 aircraft.

The contractor must have experience in producing parts based on ASME-quality engineering drawings. The Contractor must use and adhere to existing MIL-STD, ASME, IEEE SA and ISSO standards. Provide any evidence of using Joint Engineering Data Management Information and Control System (JEDMICS) to receive/access drawings.

In accordance with Part 45 of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Part 245 of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), the contractor must show the ability to initiate and maintain the internal controls and processes and procedures necessary to manage (account for, control, use, preserve, and protect) for effective and efficient control of high-value and controlled cryptographic items (CCI) of GFE in its possession. The contractor must give evidence of the ability to receive, store, protect and deliver the GFE and its supporting data for multiple kits at the same time.

3.0 Program Management

The contractor must provide evidence of Program Management and Systems Engineering Management support activities (i.e., schedule management, risk management, program tracking/reporting, configuration/data management, Supply Chain Risk management.)

The contractor must provide evidence of having a Counterfeit Prevention Plan (CPP). (SAE AS5553-Counterfeit Electronic Parts: Avoidance, Detection, Mitigation, and Disposition).

The contractor must provide evidence of experience with a proactive Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) management program addressing components from all levels of suppliers to forecast and address any parts supportability issues.

The contractor must show evidence of ability to manage and execute security controls to protect USAF Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

4.0 Technical Data

Technical Data that is provided from the Crypto Mod Program will contain references to contractor proprietary data markings, specifically BAC’s - Boeing Aircraft Commercial. Because of this, the government has identified a risk to third-party contractors being able to successfully manufacture, acquire and/or assemble Crypto Mod Production Kits.

Offerors will need access to Boeing proprietary data. In response to a future RFP, the Government anticipates potential offerors will need to demonstrate they have access to that data at the time of initial proposal submission. For Boeing proprietary data access inquiries, please contact Brian Carpenter at brian.carpenter@boeing.com and BoeingMilitarySpaceIP@exchange.boeing.com.

Describe your companies’ ability, experience, and current agreements in place for access to BACs or similar propriety data.

Describe your company’s experience or ability to reverse engineer existing Technical Orders and/or drawings in the absence of referenced proprietary data. Describe your company’s experience or ability to map proprietary data to appropriate MIL Standards, if applicable, in the context of manufacturing/installation/quality processes.

5.0 Submission Information

Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with formal UNCLASSIFIED responses to the tasks below, as well as describing your capabilities to address the above tasks and provide highlights of successful experience on government or commercial contracts. Failure to provide documentation may result in the U.S. Government being unable to adequately assess capabilities. Marketing material is considered an insufficient response.

• A short abstract and short descriptions/bullet list to explain capabilities described above. Highlight experience with fixed wing military aircraft, specifically any experience with the B-52.

• Please provide the following business information for your company:

o Company Name:

o Address:

o CAGE Code/DUNS:

o Point of Contact:

o Phone Number:

o E-mail Address:

o Web Page URL:

o Facility Security Clearance

Is your company classified as a small business, small-disadvantaged business (SDB), women-owned small business (WOSB), economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB), 8(a)-certified business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB), veteran-owned small business (VOSB) or an Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small business?

Is your company AS9100 A/B/C/D certified, please provide evidence and brief description of related programs audited for certification.

State if you intend to submit as the Project Level Performer (PLP) or as a subcontractor (identify the PLP with whom you will be a subcontractor).

A statement as to whether your company is domestically owned or foreign owned or foreign controlled (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership). Also, identify if you plan to propose the use of any foreign owned or foreign controlled subcontractors/vendor; and, if so, identify the country of ownership

Highlight your company’s ability to utilize variable pricing and variable quantities.

Please limit your response to twenty (20) pages max. Anything beyond the max. limit will not be considered.

Responses are due by April 19th, 2024, 5:00 PM EST.

PDF must be sent to our POC, identified below.

Please provide your response electronically on no more than twenty (20) single-sided, single-spaced pages using 12-point, Times New Roman font, and minimum one-inch margins, in Microsoft® Word or compatible format. All responses will be unclassified and reviewed to ensure consideration of operational sensitivities.

NOTE: This is a Request for Information (RFI) only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that will result in procurement action in the matter. This RFI is issued as part of market research. This is not a Sources Sought Synopsis, a Request for Whitepaper (RFWP) or a Request for Project Proposal (RFPP). It is not a promise to issue a RFWP or RFPP and/or to award an agreement for a prototype project as a result of this RFI. The Government will not pay respondents for 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 RFWP or RFPP, if any are issued. The Government reserves the right to contact the submitting parties, on an as-required basis, for further clarification on material provided.

6.0 Points of Contact

Potential sources are requested to provide detailed information demonstrating how their capabilities meet the required criteria identified above. Responses shall be provided as unclassified email attachments. No telephone responses will be accepted. All information provided will be adequately protected. Any proprietary information must be identified. The Government reserves the right to request further clarification or request presentations to enhance its understanding of the respondent’s submittal. Submit electronic responses and questions to Ms. Lauren VanHook at lauren.vanhook@us.af.mil and Mr. Cody Chesher at cody.chesher@us.af.mil. Responses must be received no later than April 19th, 2024, 5:00 PM EST.

Primary Point of Contact:

Lauren VanHook Contracting Officer Lauren.vanhook@us.af.mil

7.0 Administration:

All electronic submissions and/or questions must include the above Project Number and Project Title in the subject line.

Questions can be directed to the identified POCs.

USG is not responsible for undelivered documents. Contractors are responsible to confirm receipt by contacting USG POCs.

If additional information is needed, please reach out directly to the above points of contact.

Field Cod