RFI_Repair of Avionics Components_TH-1H_SAM Posting.pdf

Request For Information (RFI) for the Repair of Avionics Components Applicable to the TH-1H Helicopter

NSNs Part Number Noun RMC/RMSC Codes

5821-01-474-2547HL 153-040047-01 Cobham Tuner, Radio Frequency 3/Z

5821-01-474-2548HL 31300-0201-1200 Cobham Control, Radio Set 3/Z

5821-01-474-2550HL 400-015525-0501 Cobham Transceiver 3/Z

5821-01-552-8993HL 400-015525-0101 Cobham Receiver, Radio 3/Z

5826-01-552-8996HL 400-047552-0100 Chelton Control, Direction 3/Z

5826-01-553-2003HL 066-1105-00 Cobham Receiver, Radio Navigation 3/Z

5895-20-004-4014HL

(Sub-NSN to -8789) N301A-067 National Airborne Technologies (NAT)

Audio Controller 3/Z

5831-20-008-8789HL

(New Master NSN) N301A-201 Intercommunication Control 3/Z

6340-01-553-3324HL 611 NAT Alarm-Monitor 3/Z

CAUTION:

The Government is conducting a market survey to identify potential sources that possess the required repair data, capabilities, experience, and legal authority to repair the above avionics components, which are applicable to the TH-1H Helicopter. The level of security clearance and amount of foreign participation in this requirement has not been determined.

All these items listed above have undergone a screening analysis and have been designated with a Repair Method Code / Repair Method Suffix Code (RMC/RMSC) of “3/Z”. The designation of “RMC: 3” indicates that this part is to be repaired for the second or subsequent time directly from the actual manufacturer. “RMSC: Z” indicates that (1) these parts are commercial non-developmental off-the-shelf items, and (2) commercial item descriptions, commercial vendor catalog or price lists, or commercial manuals assigned a technical manual number apply.

This avionics package consists of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) items. The manufacturers of the items listed, which are all used on the TH-1H Helicopter, are Chelton Avionics, Inc., Northern Airborne Technology Ltd. (NAT), and Cobham Aerospace Communications according to the System for Award Management (SAM) website. The Government does not own the technical data required to either organically repair or qualify alternate repair sources. All respondents must have existing access and proprietary authority to the OEM technical data for the repair of this part.

The 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.

Contractors/Institutions responding to this market survey are placed on notice that participation in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information provided except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and Proposal Costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. Your response will not be used by the government as a proposal. This RFI is issued for the purpose of identifying any additional potential repair sources capable of repairing the assets listed above.

INSTRUCTIONS:

The document below contains a description of the avionics components and a Contractor Capability Survey. The Survey allows Contractors to provide their company’s capability.

1. 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 to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.).

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

3. Questions related to this market survey should be addressed to the Procuring Contracting

Officer, Leigh Ann Taylor via email: leigh.taylor.3@us.af.mil and Contracting Officer, Shawna Barrett, shawna.barrett.1@us.af.mil.

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION:

The Government is conducting a market survey to identify potential sources that possess the expertise, capabilities, experience, and legal authority to repair these avionics components listed near the top of this RFI.

This requirement is for repair services. The Government’s repair services strategy is to establish a five(5)-year contract (basic plus four(4) ordering periods) and will span from FY26 through FY31. The projected quantities will be Best Estimated Quantities (BEQ) based on historical repair activity on previous repair contracts and operational usage data.

The Government’s needs for these repair services are required to support the training mission of the USAF TH-1H helicopter. This aircraft is a refurbished Bell UH-1H helicopter with an installed Huey II kit, which includes a more powerful engine, new dynamic components, a new nose and tail boom. The cockpit and mission equipment upgrades include a digital cockpit, and crashworthy seats. These modifications transformed a legacy aircraft into a state-of-the-art training platform compatible with future operational aircraft. The TH-1H's advanced electronics provides expanded training opportunities and improved operational capabilities by upgrading the engine, transmission, and rotor system. It has multi-function displays allowing for future upgrades and provides new aircrews with a seamless transition from the TH-1H to a follow-on mailto:leigh.taylor.3@us.af.mil mailto:shawna.barrett.1@us.af.mil rotary wing aircraft such as the HH-60G Pave Hawk, CV-22, and future Combat Search and Rescue-X helicopters.

The avionics package consists of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) items. The proprietary owner of the items listed, which are all used on the TH-1H Helicopter, is Chelton Avionics, Inc.

(CAGE 1WZE2).

NOTE: The following illustrations and narratives will give a basic description of the avionics components at the center of this requirement.

Cobham Radio Frequency (RF) Tuner, FC-5000, 153-040047-01 This component is used in the Wulfsberg Flexcomm II/RT-5000 Wideband Radio. The Flexcomm II Radio supports all channel frequencies from 29.7 MHz to 960 MHz, including Associated Police Communications Officers (APCO) P-25 compliant digital, analog, trunking and encryption standards for rotor and fixed wing aircraft used by law enforcement, fire control, medical evacuation, search and rescue, oil exploration, electronic news gathering and military applications. Cobham’s RF Tuner is used to match the fixed impedance of the Flexcomm Transceiver with the mismatched load impedance of the AT-5000 antenna.

Cobham Control, Radio Set, C-5000 Communication Management Controller (CMC), 31300-0201-1200 This is a microprocessor-based control head that controls the RT-5000 Transceiver. It is located on the center console and has a 2-line display with 20 characters per line. The C-5000 can control two radios and has a Night Vision compatible display.

Cobham Transceiver, 400-015525-0501 This is a Very High Frequency (VHF) Amplitude Modulation (AM) Transceiver that operates over

117.975 to 137 MHz at 15 Watts (W) with a 121.5 MHz Guard Receiver. The Cobham radios are tactical and enable users to talk on law enforcement, military, medical, marine, Search and Rescue and Public Service frequencies. FAA has provided Canyon AeroConnect (formerly known as Cobham) with Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) Certification for this Transceiver.

Cobham Receiver, Radio, 400-015525-0101 This is a VHF Frequency Modulation (FM) Transceiver that operates over 29.7 to 88 MHz at 10W. This Radio is also PMA certified.

Cobham Receiver, Radio Navigation, 066-1105-00 This is a Chelton Automatic Direction Finder (ADF). It is designed to provide ADF navigation reception from non-directional beacons and commercial AM broadcast stations. Through microprocessor-controlled signal processing and a self-calibration routine, the ADF system ensures the accuracy of the displayed information. It is FAA certified to Technical Standard Order (TSO) C-41d.

Chelton Control, Direction, 400-047552-0100 This component is also shown in the picture above, and it controls the ADF Receiver. The unit on the TH- 1H is night-vision compatible, includes a volume control, and a 28V backlight. It is FAA certified to TSO C-113.

NAT Audio Controller, N301A-067 This is an Audio Controller that is compatible with military and civilian aviation headsets. The N301A controls the audio from multiple receivers and allows transmission of the mic audio to a selected transmitter. Intercom operation is also provided. It is FAA certified to TSO C-50c.

NAT Alarm Monitor, 611 This is a multi-channel digital storage/playback unit designed to provide supplemental warning tones and/or voice messages to the cockpit and cabin. It is also FAA certified to TSO C-50c, Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) DO-214 and RTCA DO-160C. [No photo illustration provided.]

As stated previously, these components have been designated with the Repair Method Code (RMC)/Repair Method Suffix Code (RMSC) listed below:

RMC “3”: Repair, for the second or subsequent time, directly from the actual manufacturer (or proprietary owner).

RMSC “Z”: These parts are categorized as commercial non-developmental off-the-shelf items.

Commercial item descriptions, commercial vendor catalog or price lists or commercial manuals assigned a technical manual number apply.

CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY:

Part I. Business Information

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

• Company/Institute Name:

• Address:

• Point of Contact:

• CAGE Code:

• Phone Number:

• E-mail Address:

• Web Page URL:

• Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 334511

Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

• Small Business (Yes / No)

• Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

• Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No)

• 8(a) Certified (Yes / No)

• HUBZone Certified (Yes / No)

• Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

• Service Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No)

• Central Contractor Registration (CCR). (Yes / No)

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

Part II. Capability Survey Questions

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, agency/organization supported, and individual point of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager).

3. Describe your company’s experience in repairing the Part Numbers/NSNs listed above.

4. Do you have experience with generating and/or handling classified data that pertains to the manufacture and/or repair of material (or end-items) owned by the government? Yes / No

5. Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating technical data, engineering drawings, and manuals. What software programs are utilized to generate these data products? What formats are available/provided for delivered items?

6. What is your company’s current maximum repair capacity per month? Provide information on any facility reserves you may possess to increase repair capacity in the event of an immediate need (i.e. surge) in demand due to critical operational mission requirements.

7. What quality assurance processes and test qualification practices does your company employ?

Provide a description of your quality program (ISO 9001, AS9100, etc.). Provide a detailed quality plan implementing AS9100 (or equivalent).

8. Is your company experiencing any constraints, both technical and/or regulatory, due to the

COVID-19 virus and/or previously mandated vaccinations? If so, please explain.

Repair Questions:

1. Describe your capabilities and experience in modifying existing systems/equipment

(hardware and software) to solve maintenance and support problems in the depot environment.

2. Describe your capabilities and experience in developing/modifying repair or maintenance procedures. Include associated upgrade of technical orders and preparation of new technical orders.

3. Demonstrate your ability and experience in repair of the same or similar components, which are currently in use on commercial or military helicopters by providing the following information on the same or similar items:

a) Contract Number

b) Procuring Agency

c) Contract Value

d) Number of assets shipped

4. Provide your commercial manual(s) or Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) and your rights to these manuals and/or ATP used in the depot level repair and functional check of these or similar assets for Government Engineer review.

5. Describe your capabilities and experience in test, evaluation, repair, and maintenance procedures.

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

7. Discuss your process for addressing any form, fit, and/or function issues that may arise due to this effort.

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

9. Include a detailed listing of facilities and equipment, including quantities, required to satisfy the requirements of this effort.

10. Provide an outline of the proposed process, including inspections.

11. State the type of test procedures anticipated for this effort.

12. State the type of inspection processes anticipated for this effort. (ex. NDI/T, Destructive testing/inspection, etc.)

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

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

15. State any technology insertion ideas for the item that would be suitable for this effort.

16. Discuss any reverse-engineering or item replacement opportunities that may be present.

Commerciality Questions:

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

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? Are the same (or similar) terms and conditions offered to both customers for a requirement such as this one? Briefly describe any differences.

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

Written responses and/or questions related to this RFI/market research should be address to the Government Program Manager, Micah F. Tapp, no later than close of business on via phone (478-926-5967) or email: micah.tapp.2@us.af.mil.

Written responses and/or questions related to this market survey should be addressed to the Procuring Contracting Officer, Leigh Ann Taylor: leigh.taylor.3@us.af.mil and Contracting Officer, Shawna Barrett, shawna.barrett.1@us.af.mil ,via email, no later than close of business on 20 October 2025.

mailto:micah.tapp.2@us.af.mil mailto:leigh.taylor.3@us.af.mil mailto:shawna.barrett.1@us.af.mil