Sources Sought Notice.docx

SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT

AFLCMC/ESGK-R is seeking sources for the S-Band Radio Frequency Calibration Backplane Assemblies (RFCBA) Qualification and Production effort (P/Ns: B5088485-1 and B5088485-2)

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS: AFLCMC/ESGK-R Strategic Ground Sensors 750 Third Street, B350 Robins AFB, GA 31098

INTRODUCTION:

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT to acquire two S-Band Radio Frequency Calibration Backplane Assemblies (RFCBA). The Government anticipates an acquisition strategy of full and open competition on SAM.gov for this requirement and resulting solicitation, however, the acquisition strategy has not been fully formed and defined. In accordance with RFO Part 10, Market Research, AFLCMC/ESGS is seeking information for potential sources for a RFCBA.

Security Requirements: The level of security clearance and amount of foreign participation in this requirement has not been determined; however, the Contractor should anticipate working with teams consisting of military, civilian, national partners, and contract personnel from various services and agencies.

Anticipated CLIN Structure: The Government is contemplating the use of a contract with CLINS to include Firm Fixed Price, however, the acquisition strategy has not been fully formed or defined.

The RFP release date is not yet known nor can be estimated. Interested parties are encouraged to monitor all postings.

1.1 SOURCES SOUGHT INFORMATION:

1.2 DISCLAIMER: THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP), REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ) OR AN INVITATION FOR BID (IFB). IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 15.201(e), THIS NOTICE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. THE GOVERNMENT MAY USE THE INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE IN DETERMINING ITS ACQUISITION APPROACH. THE ISSUANCE OF THIS NOTICE DOES NOT RESTRICT THE GOVERNMENT ACQUISTION APPROACH.

1.3 REQUIRED CAPABILITIES: The scope of this effort encompasses the development, production, delivery, installation, and testing for an aggregate total of up to six (6) of each configuration of the RFCBAs. Quantities listed herein are estimates, and not yet a firm requirement.

This acquisition requires an FFF replacement. The development effort anticipates a first-article RFCBA to be tested at the manufacturer’s facility, provided to the USG, and installed/tested potentially by the Contractor on a 27-meter radar at an OCONUS operational site. Upon successful 30-day testing, subsequent production will commence.

1.4 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

RFCBA TOP-LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

The following baseline requirements are subject to change upon definitization of the acquisition strategy:

1.5 NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CODE. (NAICS): The anticipated NAICS Code is 334418; the corresponding Small Business size standard in 1,350 Employees. If the NAICS Code or Small Business size standard appears to be incorrect, please suggest alternative NAICS Code and Small Business size for consideration.

1.6 OMBUDSMAN – DAFFARS 5352.201-9101 (JUL 2023):

(a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the interested party to another official who can resolve the concern.

(b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions).

(c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, the interested party may contact the ombudsman. Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/FLDCOM/DRU ombudsman level, may be brought by the interested party for further consideration to the Department of the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256-2431.

(d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.

(e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the contracting officer.

(End of Clause)

1.7 SUBMISSION DETAILS: Vendors interested in responding to this announcement should submit unclassified technical capabilities statement via email NLT, 22 August 2026, to the Contracting Officers Brandon Jones (brandon.jones.96@us.af.mil) and Jessica Roberts (jessica.roberts.21@us.af.mil) . NO PHONE CALLS OR FAXES WILL BE ACCEPTED. CLASSIFIED information will NOT be accepted. The Government will not award a contract solely based on this Sources Sought, nor will it reimburse the contractor for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice. Responses shall be limited to 30 pages. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. It is the submitter’s sole responsibility to verify the e-file was received and can be viewed.

All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All Government and contractor personnel reviewing sources sought responses will have signed non- disclosure agreement and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described in 41 USC 423. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.

1.8 RESPONSES SHALL INCLUDE:

a) Business name and address;

b) Name of company representative and their business title;

c) Business Size and Type of Small Business (if applicable);

d) Cage Code;

e) DUNS Number;

f) Capabilities statement package (no more than 30 pages) demonstrating ability to perform in accordance with paragraphs above.

g) Provide any anticipated teaming arrangements or information regarding your plans to use a joint venture. Any response involving teaming arrangements should delineate between the work that could be accomplished by the prime and the work that could be accomplished by the teaming partner(s).

h) Additionally, provide a description of similar services offered to the Government or to commercial customers within the past three years.

i) Provide suggested contract types (i.e. firm-fixed price, cost-plus fixed fee, cost- reimbursement, etc.) best suited for these services.

j) Provide suggested contract line-item number (CLIN) arrangements best suited for these services.

k) Provide other suggestions to ensure this contract requirement and contents are best suited for these services.

l) Identify any major performance, schedule, or cost risk anticipated at this time.

1.9 QUESTIONS: Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by email to the Contracting POCs stated in Para 1.6 above. Questions are to be submitted NLT 15 August 2026. Verbal, phone or fax questions will NOT be accepted. Answers to questions will be posted on SAM.gov website. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information.

1.10 SUMMARY: THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT to identify potential contractors that can provide S-Band Radio Frequency Calibration Backplane Assemblies (B5088485-1 and B5088485-2). The information provided in this announcement is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The DAF has not made a commitment to procure any of the supplies/services discussed and release of this Sources Sought should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.