ACARS Messaging Support
Closed Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- FA460025Q0004
- Agency
- Air Combat Command Air Force, Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- Total Small Business
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 517410 Satellite Telecommunications
- Place of performance
- Offutt AFB, Nebraska 68113, United States
- Points of contact
-
- Ryan Devincent ryan.devincent@us.af.mil (402) 294-3272
- Casey Hupton casey.hupton.1@us.af.mil (402) 232-1475
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of the Air Force Air Combat Command is seeking a contractor to provide ACARS Messaging Support for E-4B aircraft, focusing on a ground host processor (GHP) system capable of receiving, processing, and transmitting digital datalink messages via VHF radio or satellite transmissions. The solicitation requires the offeror to develop a GHP that is accessible to all E-4B aircraft, available at all times, and customizable to respond to unique aircraft messages while interfacing with the ForeFlight mission planning system. The contractor must also propose a solution for customized aircraft flight following capabilities. Potential vendors must submit their responses by December 13, 2024, with questions due by November 18, 2024, and answers to be provided by November 20, 2024. While specific evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed in the solicitation documents, the technical requirements suggest a focus on system compatibility, reliability, and customization capabilities.
The contract is set aside for total small business participation, specifically within the Satellite Telecommunications (NAICS 517410) category, with a small business size standard of $41.5 million. The place of performance will be Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, with a base year contract and four potential one-year option periods, effectively creating a potential five-year service arrangement. The contract will utilize a firm fixed price structure, and while specific award values are not disclosed, the technical complexity suggests a significant investment in advanced communication infrastructure. The contract aims to enhance aircraft operational effectiveness by providing a robust digital messaging and flight tracking system that supports E-4B aircraft communications and mission planning requirements. The solicitation indicates the system must accommodate multiple user access, with specific technical requirements for message routing and processing through industry-standard communication nodes.
Notice text
4 versions
Update #4 · Latest ·
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:
- Provide a GHP accessible to all E-4B aircraft.
- Make the GHP available at all times (customer acknowledges the GHP may incur brief outages for scheduled or unscheduled maintenance).
- Provide a GHP that is customizable to respond to messages unique to E-4B aircraft.
- Provide a GHP able to interface with customer’s aviation mission planning system (customer’s current mission planning system is ForeFlight).
Questions will be due by 18 November 2024 and answers will be sent by 20 November.
Responses to this solicitation are due on 02 December 2024.
* A Technical Discussion teams meeting will be held on 22 November at 1000 CDT. To join, please email the Primary POC for this notice and he will forward you the calendar invite. If your company would like to add more people to the meeting, please feel free to send them the calendar invite.
** Questions and Answers have been posted
Update #3 ·
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:
- Provide a GHP accessible to all E-4B aircraft.
- Make the GHP available at all times (customer acknowledges the GHP may incur brief outages for scheduled or unscheduled maintenance).
- Provide a GHP that is customizable to respond to messages unique to E-4B aircraft.
- Provide a GHP able to interface with customer’s aviation mission planning system (customer’s current mission planning system is ForeFlight).
Questions will be due by 18 November 2024 and answers will be sent by 20 November.
Responses to this solicitation are due on 02 December 2024.
* A Technical Discussion teams meeting will be held on 22 November at 1000 CDT. To join, please email the Primary POC for this notice and he will forward you the calendar invite. If your company would like to add more people to the meeting, please feel free to send them the calendar invite.
** An additional Technical Discussion teams meeting will be held on TBD. An additional amendment will be made to ad the date and time of this meeting. To join, please email the Primary POC for this notice and he will forward you the calendar invite. If your company would like to add more people to the meeting, please feel free to send them the calendar invite
Update #2 ·
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:
- Provide a GHP accessible to all E-4B aircraft.
- Make the GHP available at all times (customer acknowledges the GHP may incur brief outages for scheduled or unscheduled maintenance).
- Provide a GHP that is customizable to respond to messages unique to E-4B aircraft.
- Provide a GHP able to interface with customer’s aviation mission planning system (customer’s current mission planning system is ForeFlight).
Questions will be due by 18 November 2024 and answers will be sent by 20 November.
Responses to this solicitation are due on 02 December 2024.
* A Technical Discussion teams meeting will be held on 22 November at 1000 CDT. To join, please email the Primary POC for this notice and he will forward you the calendar invite. If your company would like to add more people to the meeting, please feel free to send them the calendar invite.
Update #1 ·
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:
- Provide a GHP accessible to all E-4B aircraft.
- Make the GHP available at all times (customer acknowledges the GHP may incur brief outages for scheduled or unscheduled maintenance).
- Provide a GHP that is customizable to respond to messages unique to E-4B aircraft.
- Provide a GHP able to interface with customer’s aviation mission planning system (customer’s current mission planning system is ForeFlight).
Questions will be due by 18 November 2024 and answers will be sent by 20 November.
Responses to this solicitation are due on 02 December 2024.
Attachments
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Question and answers sheet for Solicitation FA460025Q0004.docx | DOCX document | |
| Amendment 02 FA460025Q00040002 SF 30.pdf | ||
| Solicitation Amendment 01 FA460025Q00040001.pdf | ||
| Statement of Work (SOW) 8 July 2024.docx | DOCX document | |
| Solicitation - FA460025Q0004.pdf |
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