M1A2S Radio Communications

The Army Contracting Command - Warren (ACC-WRN), in cooperation with the Army TACOM - Saudi Arabia Management Office (SAMO), is issuing this Sources Sought Notice as a means of conducting market research for a potential procurement of Panther V Radio Systems. The combat vehicle radio system will be incorporated into the future upgrade of 133 M1A2S combat vehicles supporting the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) and the Foreign Military Sales program between the U.S. and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

ACC-WRN intends to solicit a sole source, firm fixed price, contract under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements) for the procurement of Panther V Radio systems. The Panther V was identified by KSA as the radio system of choice during the initial design and development of the Saudi version of the Abrams M1A2 combat vehicle, the M1A2S. Successive production contracts totaling 369 M1A2S vehicles included the purchase and integration of Panther radio systems. The Panther system was incorporated into the M1A2S Technical Data Package.

This Sources Sought Notice is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or an obligation on the part of ACC-WRN or SAMO. The intent of this Sources Sought Notice is to identify qualified vendors that have the knowledge and ability to deliver Panther V Radio system without a Government-provided Technical Data Package and limited Government technical direction. The vendor must be able to supply an estimated quantity of 232 Panther V Radio systems with deliveries beginning approximately May 2019.

Although the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source, Advanced Electronics Company, Ltd (Cage Code SE455), under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement which will be considered by the agency for future procurement planning. The capability statement shall be emailed to kelly.a.starr4.civ@mail.mil. Responses to this notice must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., May 18, 2017, local time, Warren, MI.

The Panther V Radio system includes the following list of items:
a. Panther Radio - AEC 331 (with encryption) (1 each), Part Number 100-100010-102
b. Antenna Kit - Base + Elements (2 each), Part Number 900-003299
c. Radio Mounting Plate Assembly (2 each), Part Number 900-10011
d. Quick Release Mounting Bars (2 each), Part Number 900-100013
e. Cable, RF Wiring Harness (1 each), Part Number 700-003780-0400-00
f. Cable, RF Wiring Harness (1 each), Part Number 700-003781-0520-00
g. Cable, Radio to Loudspeaker (1 each), Part Number 700-003779-0150-D
h. Loudspeaker Amplifier Unit (1 each), Part Number MA 4988B-TA
i. Operator Card (English) (1 each), Part Number A8258 E/AEC
j. User Handbook (English) (1 each), Part Number A8067 E/AEC
k. Operator Card (Arabic) (1 each), Part Number A8258 A/AEC
l. User Handbook (Arabic) (1 each), Part Number A8067 A/AEC

The NAICS code for this acquisition is 334290

The Panther Radio system was integrated into the M1A2S design upon request of the RSLF and sole source note under FMS Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) SR-B-VTC. The manufacturer for the M1A2S, General Dynamics Land Systems, acted upon the request and incorporated the Panther system into the Prime Item Specification and Technical Data Package for the M1A2S vehicle. The Panther system has been tested and approved to meet the M1A2S Prime Item Specification. The following are provided as technical criteria for the M1A2S Radio System:
a. Prime Item Specification No. SC-KS 10010, Rev. B, dated 16 Dec 2013
b. Drawing 12521463. M1A2S Communication System, 8 Apr 2010, Rev - 0
c. Drawing 12523027, Harness Assembly 1W330, 24 Feb 2010, Rev - 0
d. Panther V Features
    1. General
        i. Analog and Digital Communication
       ii. ECCM and Encryption 
    2. Radio Modes
        i. Fixed Clear
       ii. Fixed Secure
      iii. Fixed Clear Channel Scanning
      iv. Free Channel Search
    3. User Services
        i. Selcall
       ii. Over the Air Rekey
      iii. Authentication
       iv. Multiple Simultaneous Access
        v. Built in Test
       vi. PC Remote Control
      vii. Operational Applications
    4. Parameters
        i. Frequency Range 30 MHz to 107.975 MHz
       ii. Number of Channels 3120
      iii. Number of Pre-Set Channels 8
       iv. Channel Spacing 25 KHz
        v. Traffic Modes Analogue voice 300 Hz - 3 kHz, Analogue data 30 baud to 115 to 115 kbits/sec
       vi. Power Output 100 mW (Low), 5 W (Med), 50 W/16 W (High)
      vii. Supply Voltage 10 V - 32 V d.c.
     viii. Antenna 1.2 m or 2.4 m whip
       ix. Working Temperature -40 ° F to 140 ° F
    5. Physical Specifications
        i. Radio Transceiver - Height 3.54 in. (90 mm), Width 9.05 in. (230 mm), Depth 8.07 in. (205 mm).
       ii. Mounting Plate. - Height 1.47 in. (37.4 mm), Width 8.86 in. (225.2 mm), Depth 12.04 in.(306 mm).
      iii. Quick Release Mounting Bars; Height 0.55 in. (14 mm), Width 1.15 in. (29.4 mm), Depth 10.11 in. (257 mm).
       iv. Loudspeaker Amplifier Unit; Height 5 in. (127 mm), Width 4.72 in. (120 mm), Depth 2.75 in. (70 mm).
    6. Compatibility
        i. SOTAS M2 Intercom System
       ii. Connectors
           a. B2: PATT 105 10-02P Bayonet Shell size 10, 2 pin contacts / Amphenol 62 GB Series MIL-C-26482 or equivalent
           b. FC2: Hermaphroditic Duplex miniature (HDM) series 072-RZ
           c. PP14: CMA 14 contact push-pull chassis socket / CLO Electronique CMA017x14Y1, or equivalent
           d. TNC: Industry standard threaded coax female

Instructions to Potential Respondents:
Companies that desire to participate in this MARKET RESEARCH are encouraged to submit a response which supports the company's claim that it presently has the technology, qualifications, experience, and capabilities to provide that satisfy agency requirements as described above. The response should discuss the company's ability to adapt and/or provide existing technologies that have the required capabilities.
Interested companies are requested to provide the following information:

1. Contractor:
    a. Name of Company:
    b. Mailing Address:
    c. Business DUNS number, CAGE code and/or tax ID number:
    d. Business Size Status and Eligibility under U.S. Government socio-economic programs and preference:
    e. Size of Business according to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 334290:
    f. Other suggested NAICS codes for this program and your size classification based on these codes:

2. Personnel Responding to Questionnaire:
    a. Name:
    b. Title:
    c. Company Responsibility/Position:
    d. Telephone/Fax Numbers:
    e. Email address:

3. A brief summary (no more than two pages) of your company's experience and past performance within the last 3 years as it relates to the manufacturing of this requirement.
    a. Each company experience (Government or commercial) should include:
        (1) Name of the product or project
        (2) Brief description of the product or project
        (3) The relevance of the contract/project to the requirements in this notice

4. A brief summary of your company's ability to obtain the drawings and the parts needed to manufacture the M1A2S Radio systems.

5. A brief description of your company's ability to test and integrate a Radio system that is compatible with the M1A2S TDP and existing fleet of M1A2S vehicles.

6. A brief description of anticipated lead time and capacity to manufacture a quantity of 133 units.

7. Please specify the estimated time for delivery after receipt of order.

Your interest in this response is appreciated. Interested vendors should provide information regarding this announcement to:

Kelly Starr

Contract Specialist
Army Contracting Command- Warren
kelly.a.starr4.civ@mail.mil