Expeditionary Airfield (EAF) CAT I IFR/VFR Approach Lighting System

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. It is not a Request for Proposal, a Request for Quotation, an Invitation for Bids, a solicitation, or an indication that the PMA-251 Program Office or NAVAIR will contract for the items contained in this RFI.  This RFI is for information and planning purposes only. This notice is part of Government Market Research, a process for obtaining the latest information on the 'art of the possible' from industry with respect to their current and near-term abilities. It shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to award a contract as a result of this request for information.

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, NJ has a requirement for the production and engineering support of the Expeditionary Airfield (EAF) CAT I IFR/VFR Approach Lighting System developed under contract N68335-18-C-0573 to fulfill the United States Marine Corps (USMC) requirement.  Combined with the appropriate Air Traffic Control Services, a Category I (CAT I) Precision Instrumented Flight Rules (IFR) /Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Airfield Lighting System will allow the Marines to operate in Visual Flight Rules and CAT I Instrumented Flight Rules meteorological conditions. Additionally, the system provides compatibility with all AN/AVS-9 (Class B and C) Night Vision Device (NVD) systems. 

The System will be based on the Technical Data package developed under contract N68335-18-C-0573.  The proposed solution will be comprised of a Constant Current Regulator (CCR), a Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights (MALSR) and a Runway End Identifier Light System (REIL). The CCR will interface with an external USMC Mobile Electric Power (MEP) generator set or other comparable external power source.  The MALSR is comprised of a MALSR Sequenced Flasher Lights (SFL), MASLR Steady Burning Lights (SBL), and MALSR Threshold Lights.  The Constant Current Regulator will power and control the attached approach lighting fixtures over single conductor cables, utilizing the proprietary protocol developed under contract N68335-18-C-0573 by Hughey & Philips DME (formerly Astronics DME).  H&P DME retains the data rights related to this system and is the only known contractor that can provide this requirement.  Other Commercial Lighting Manufacturers would not be able to replicate the necessary power and control protocol due to their proprietary nature.

Companies interested in producing the above referenced equipment are asked to respond to this RFI with a brief summary of their knowledge, capabilities and experience in the areas of commercial or expeditionary airfield lighting.

NAWCADLKE will not pay respondents for any information generated for or provided in response to this RFI.  Submit your response in a Microsoft® Word or compatible format document in no more than twenty single-sided, single-spaced pages, 12-point, Times New Roman font, using a minimum of one-inch margins. Responses to this RFI are requested by 4:00 PM on 10 January 2010.  Responses should cite RFI number N68335-20-RFI-0109 and be addressed to the attention of Ms. Melissa Bucci, melissa.bucci@navy.mil. 

Respondents are notified that a formal solicitation MAY NOT necessarily result from this RFI.  The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this request, nor will the Government compensate any respondent for any costs incurred in developing the information provided to the Government.  The Government will not release any information marked with a Proprietary legend, received in response to this RFI, to any firms, agencies, or individuals outside of the Government without written permission in accordance with the legend.

The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a competitive contract.