LARS Hardware Refresh
Open Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- FA8509-27-R-B005
- Agency
-
AFLCMC Robins AFB
Lifecycle Management Center, Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541330 Engineering Services
- PSC
- B541 Special Studies/Analysis- Defense
- Place of performance
- United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Lifecycle Management Center at Robins Air Force Base intends to issue a sole-source solicitation to Cubic Defense Application, Inc. for a three-year non-recurring engineering effort to refresh the Lightweight Airborne Recovery System (LARS) hardware on the HC-130J, with an expected solicitation release in October 2026. The authority is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) under FAR 6.302-1 (only one responsible source).
The refreshed LARS must maintain all current system capabilities—Terminal Area Communications (TAC), Terminal Area Guidance (TAG), and Combat Survivor Evader Locator/Next Generation Survival Radio (CSEL/NGSR) full compatibility—and project a minimum 10-year period of sustainability. The effort addresses end-of-life component obsolescence and includes design reviews, developmental and operational testing events, and production of up to five test articles to validate the refreshed configuration. The contract will deliver a Form, Fit, Function (FFF/F3) version applicable not only to the HC-130J but also to the USAF's MC-130J and HH-60W and the USN's MH-60S.
The period of performance spans one base year and two option years. Retrofit and fielding of the proved refreshed system will be addressed in a separate follow-on contract. Solicitation documents are available through SAM.gov. The pre-solicitation notice response deadline is October 21, 2026.
Notice text
The Government has a requirement to obtain a hardware refresh of the Lightweight Airborne Recovery System (LARS), formally identified as Personnel Locator System (PLS) v12 AN/ARS-6, on the HC-130J due to the existing system being end of life from widespread component obsolescence. Any refreshed LARS are required to maintain all current system capabilities and project a minimum 10-year period of sustainability. Such capabilities include Terminal Area Communications (TAC), Terminal Area Guidance (TAG), and Combat Survivor Evader Locator/Next Generation Survival Radio (CSEL/NGSR) full compatibility. In addition, the LARS hardware refresh shall produce a Form, Fit, Function (FFF/F3) version of the current system. The USAF's MC-130J, the USAF's HH-60W, and the USN's MH-60S will benefit from a FFF hardware refresh of LARS as well.
This effort will consist of the Non-recurring Engineering (NRE) required to produce a refreshed hardware configuration for LARS. This includes all necessary design reviews, developmental testing events, operational testing events, etc. It is also expected that up to five test articles will be required to fully prove out the refreshed LARS ability to fulfill the requirements described above. The effort associated with the retrofitting/fielding of the proved refreshed LARS will be a separate contract.
The resultant contract is planned to have a period of performance of three (3) years, consisting of one (1) base and two (2) option periods.
The Government intends to issue a Sole Source Solicitation to:
Cubic Defense Application, Inc.
9233 Balboa AVE
San Diego, CA 92123-1513
CAGE Code:87G32
Large Business
The authority for this requirement is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. Electronic procedures will be used for this solicitation. Request a copy of the solicitation from the following website: www.sam.gov. Approximate issue date of the solicitation is October 21, 2026. Approximate response date for receipt of proposal is November 20, 2026.
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