AN/ALQ-161A Electronic Countermeasures System Parts

The Department of the Air Force, through the 408th Supply Chain Management Squadron (SCMS), is seeking sources for repair or replacement of 30 electronic modules integral to the AN/ALQ-161A Electronic Countermeasures System. This Sources Sought notice represents early market research to identify capable vendors before formal solicitation and addresses a critical gap created by the loss of repair support from the incumbent vendor that has serviced these modules since 2002. The modules, originally designed and produced in the early 1980s, contain proprietary manufacturing data and intellectual property held by original equipment manufacturers. Key challenges include component obsolescence, discontinued technology support from external suppliers, and a significant decline in repair success rates from over 90% to 48% as of the notice date. While the notice does not specify formal evaluation criteria, response deadlines, or proposal submission dates, it indicates that the Air Force is actively researching market capabilities and may consider complete redesign of modules using modern, available components as a potential long-term solution.

There is no set-aside designation associated with this procurement. The incumbent vendor, which maintained repair operations since 2002 through subcontracting arrangements with original equipment manufacturers and specialized suppliers, declined to renew the service contract and cited inability to perform repairs independently due to lack of manufacturing documentation and component unavailability. The notice does not specify an award value or budget range. The requirement encompasses 30 distinct electronic modules including amplifiers, controllers, assemblies, and RF components, with projected annual requirements spanning fiscal years 2026 through 2030, though many modules show zero requirements across the five-year period while others maintain consistent demand levels ranging up to approximately 9.48 units annually. The detailed parts list includes National Stock Numbers, part numbers, and component descriptions for each module, providing vendors with specific technical specifications for responding to the market research inquiry.