Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) Phase in Support of the Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) Program

Correction - This action was originally publicized on 04 Nov 2013 in the Fed Biz Ops. The purpose of this modification is to add Defense Exportability Features (DEF) options for the Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) effort. The period of performance for the Base Effort and ten (10) options originally synopsized are updated to include the DEF options, to change the acquisition strategy to limited source competition, change Technical POCs, and revise email addresses for all POCs. All other information publicized in the original synopsis is unchanged.

Fourteen (14) options may be exercised if determined to be in the best interest of the Government, including: aircraft integration for follow-on army and other service platforms, A-Kit engineering and test support, Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP), procurement of Technical Data Package (TDP), NAVY Information Assurance (IA), NAVY B-Kit EMD development, and Classified Rotary Wing Defense Exportability Features (DEF) requirements. The first follow-on aircraft for integration will be the AH-64E. The Government does not guarantee the exercise of any option within the RFP or any resultant contract. If some or all of the Contract Options 1-14 are exercised, the period of performance may be extended by thirty-four (34) months.

The Government intends to release a DRAFT Request for Proposal (RFP) for the CIRCM EMD effort. To be eligible for contract award, offerors must have completed a successful Preliminary Design Review (PDR), demonstrating the CIRCM System Performance Requirements. The PDR must be held before, at a minimum, an authority delegated by a Component Acquisition Executive. The offeror must also provide a design which has attained Technology Readiness Level of at least 6, as determined by an independent review team and properly certified by, at a minimum, a Component Acquisition Executive delegated authority (e.g. DASA R&T for the Army). The only two known sources that meet the aforementioned criteria for participation in the limited source competition are: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integrations, 65 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, NH 03060 (CAGE 94117) and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Electronic Systems, Land and Self Protection Systems Division, 600 Hicks Road, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 (CAGE: 26916). All other identified responsible sources that meet the eligibility criteria stated above who submit a proposal shall be considered by this agency. The Government will not award a contract on the basis of the DRAFT RFP and no proposals will be accepted at this time. The Draft RFP shall be provided to any requesting potential offeror, and the Government will accept and respond to comments or questions regarding the DRAFT RFP. It is anticipated that this EMD effort will be awarded to a single contractor utilizing limited competition.

Security Classification Guidance should be directed to PM ASE, Mr. Ed Jernigan at (256) 842-7850, edward.m.jernigan.civ@mail.mil.

Contracting POCs are:
Ms. Eddie Whitfield (256) 955-6299, eddie.m.whitfield.civ@mail.mil
Ms. Heather Stiles (256) 842-8084, heather.t.stiles.civ@mail.mil

Technical POCs are:
Mr. Jason Matheney at (256) 842-4251, jason.l.matheney.civ@mail.mil
Mr. Clint Spratley at (256) 842-3344, clinton.e.spratley.civ@mail.mil

The Army Contracting Command-Redstone, on behalf of Project Manager - Aircraft Survivability Equipment; Product Manager - Countermeasures, intends to solicit a twenty-six (26) month Base Effort for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) program in furtherance of the laser based Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) system. Ten (10) options may be exercised if determined to be in the best interest of the Government, including: aircraft integration for follow-on army and other service platforms, A-Kit engineering and test support, Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP), procurement of Technical Data Package (TDP), NAVY Informational Assurance (IA) and NAVY B-Kit EMD development. The first follow-on aircraft for integration will be the AH-64E. The Government does not guarantee the exercise of any option within the RFP or any resultant contract. If some or all of the Contract Options 1-10 are exercised, the period of performance may be extended by twenty-one (21) months.

The CIRCM system provides force protection to rotary-wing, tilt-rotor and fixed wing aircraft from infrared (IR) guided missiles. The CIRCM is the next generation light weight, laser-based IRCM component that will interface with both the Army's Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) and the Navy's Joint and Allied Threat Awareness System (JATAS). The Government intends to release a DRAFT Request for Proposal (RFP) for the CIRCM EMD effort. The Government will not award a contract on the basis of this DRAFT RFP and no proposals will be accepted at this time. Comments or questions will be accepted and responded to. It is anticipated that this EMD effort will be awarded to a single contractor utilizing full and open competition. Source selection procedures contained the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Subpart 15.3, shall be utilized to select the successful offeror after release of the formal RFP. Contractors pursuing award of a Government contract must be registered in System for Award Management (SAM) prior to being awarded a DoD contract. To be eligible for contract award, offerors must have completed a successful Preliminary Design Review meeting CIRCM System Performance Requirements held before, at a minimum, an authority delegated by a Component Acquisition Executive. The offeror must also provide a design which has attained Technology Readiness Level of at least 6, executed by an independent review team and properly certified by, at a minimum, a Component Acquisition Executive delegated authority (e.g. DASA R&T for the Army). This effort requires access to classified information. Participation by contractors, subcontractors or vendors with Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) to work on the CIRCM program is permitted; provided however, that such participation shall be in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations and policies regarding access to U.S. Government information--specifically the National Disclosure Policy, Annex A. A hybrid Firm Fixed Price/Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (with Technical Performance Incentives) contract is being contemplated. The applicable NAICS Code is 541712.

The requirement for the EMD effort includes design, development, fabrication, integration and test of the B-Kit for the CIRCM System. In addition to designing, developing, integrating and testing platform installation kits (A-Kit) for the US Army UH-60M helicopters, the effort will include all engineering and materiel required for the CIRCM System and initial manufacturing capability. The EMD phase will focus on meeting performance requirements and designing for producibility. The Technical risk moving forward into the EMD Phase is driven by the ability of the CIRCM system to meet the CIRCM System Performance Specification (SPS) (A-Kit and B-Kit combined) weight requirements (120 pounds for small aircraft and 155 pounds for large aircraft) and the Probability of Countermeasure (Pcm) which is a classified Key Performance Parameter. The Government intends to include Technical Performance Incentives in areas that will be identified in the DRAFT RFP, the final RFP, or both. The intent of the EMD phase is to integrate a system for multiple rotary and small fixed wing aircraft and demonstrate manufacturing readiness. During the EMD phase the contractor must deliver eight (8) CIRCM A-Kits and twenty-one (21) CIRCM B-Kit Ship Sets. The first three (3) CIRCM A-Kits must be delivered no later than eight (8) months after contract award and the last five (5) must be delivered no later than eighteen (18) months after contract award. The first three (3) CIRCM B-Kit Ship Sets must be delivered no later than eight (8) months after contract award; the following six (6) must be delivered no later than eleven (11) months after contract award; the next five (5) must be delivered no later than twelve (12) months after contract award; the next one (1) must be delivered no later than thirteen (13) months after contract award; and the last six (6) CIRCM B-Kit Ship Sets must be delivered no earlier than eighteen (18) months after contract award.

The US Army intends to release the DRAFT RFP within approximately three weeks of this synopsis. Interested parties should monitor the Army Single Face of Industry (ASFI) Acquisition Business Opportunities Web Site on the AMCOM Contracting Center Public Web Site for release of the DRAFT RFP and the formal RFP. No telephone requests for the DRAFT RFP or formal RFP will be accepted. If you are unable to access the ASFI Web Site, you may fax your request to 256-842-8029, ATTN: CCAM-OS-S, Eddie M. Whitfield or you may send your request by email. There are no plans to conduct an Industry Day for this requirement.

Respondents should identify their company's name, address, CAGE Code, and whether they are a large or small business. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or sensitive information contained in their response. Security Classification Guidance should be directed to PM ASE, Mr. Ed Jernigan at (256) 842-7850, edward.jernigan@us.army.mil.

Contracting POCs are:
Ms. Eddie Whitfield (256) 955-6299, eddie.whitfield@us.army.mil
Ms. Heather Stiles (256) 842-8084, heather.stiles2@us.army.mil

Technical POCs are:
Mr. Barry Price at (256) 313-0629, barry.price@us.army.mil
Mr. Jason Matheney at (256) 842-4251, jason.matheney@us.army.mil