Statement of Work (SOW) 8 July 2024.docx

Performance Work Statement (PWS) E-4B ACARS Support Through Ground Host Processor (GHP) and Flight Following Capability Background E-4B aircraft are equipped with a digital datalink system designed to support short messages between aircraft and ground stations via VHF radio or satellite transmissions. This system is often referred to as ACARS (Aircraft Communications, Addressing and Reporting System). The system requires a ground host processor (GHP) capable of receiving and decoding messages coming from the aircraft, forwarding or otherwise processing the message, and, if necessary, processing a reply back to the aircraft. This digital datalink system is designed to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and safety of aircrew ground and flight operations. Additionally, the customer is requesting the offeror propose a solution for customized aircraft flight following.

GHP Requirements The offeror shall:

1) Provide a GHP accessible to all E-4B aircraft.

2) Make the GHP available at all times (customer acknowledges the GHP may incur brief outages for scheduled or unscheduled maintenance).

3) Provide a GHP that is customizable to respond to messages unique to E-4B aircraft.

4) Provide a GHP able to interface with customer’s aviation mission planning system (customer’s current mission planning system is ForeFlight).

The following is a list of customized ACTIONS and RESPONSES required to be handled by the GHP:

ACTION: An E-4B flight plan is created on the mission planning system and forwarded to the GHP.

RESPONSE: The GHP stores the flight plan on the server awaiting an uplink request from an E-4B.

ACTION: An E-4B requests a previously stored flight plan from the GHP.

RESPONSE: The GHP processes and uplinks the flight plan in format compatible with the E-4B Flight Management System (FMS).

ACTION: An E-4B requests winds and temperatures for a route of flight already loaded in the FMS for up to 4 different altitudes or flight levels.

RESPONSE: The GHP processes and uplinks winds and temperatures for the altitudes or flight levels presented in the request. GHP will use winds and temperatures from the current weather.

ACTION: An E-4B requests winds and temperatures for a flight plan stored on the GHP without specifying an altitude or flight level.

RESPONSE: The GHP processes and uplinks winds and temperatures for the route at a default of FL300. GHP will use winds and temperatures from current/forecast weather based on flight plan ETAs.

ACTION: An E-4B requests winds and temperatures for a flight plan stored on the GHP, specifying up to 4 different altitudes or flight levels.

RESPONSE: The GHP processes and uplinks winds and temperatures for the altitudes or flight levels presented in the request. GHP will use winds and temperatures from current/forecast weather based on flight plan ETAs.

ACTION: An E-4B requests TAFs/METARs/NOTAMs for a single or multiple airfields. The request can be made to send the data to either the FMS or to the aircraft printer.

RESPONSE: The GHP processes and uplinks the requested weather and/or NOTAMS, sending to either the FMS or aircraft printer, as requested.

ACTION: An E-4B downlinks a free text ACARS message intended for delivery to a predetermined set of E-mail addresses and/or cell phone numbers.

RESPONSE: The GHP forwards the free text message to the designated E-mail addresses and/or cell phone numbers.

ACTION: An E-4B downlinks a free text ACARS message intended for delivery to another E-4B.

RESPONSE: The GHP forwards the free text message to the designated E-4B.

ACTION: An E-4B ground operator sends a message to the GHP for an ON-DEMAND Position Report.

RESPONSE: The GHP uplinks a REQ POS message and sends the response back to the E-4B ground operator via the GHP.

Flight Following Requirements The offeror shall:

1) Establish an internet-based flight following capability with the following characteristics:

· Two (2) licenses for a commercial flight operations management tool to be used primarily to provide the customer a proactive flight following capability.

· Capacity for up to 10 different user log-ins, with acknowledgement that only 2 can be logged in at any given time.

· Users (up to 2 at a time) able to access application via Microsoft Windows or iOS platforms.

· Examples of desired features: global data feeds, third-party data integration, proactive route analytics, weather overlay options, flight planning system integration, graphical/map/background image overlays, record/playback functionality, shape file support, and technical support.

· GHP able to trigger customized data integration via an aircraft “OFF REPORT.”

· GHP able to initiate automatic aircraft position reporting over flight plan waypoints (stored in the server) and/or at intervals of approximately 5 minutes. The GHP integrates these positions in the designated flight following application.