Reliability and maintainability (r&m) engineering support for helicopter

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

RELIABILITY AND MAINTAINABILITY (R&M) ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR HELICOPTER DIVISION WEAPON SYSTEMS

Below is the general information and instructions, however the full RFI document is attached.

This effort is for an 8a setaside. However, responses from disadvantaged small businesses not certified as 8a participants are encouraged to respond and will be considered on a case by case basis in accordance with current FAR regulations.

Requirements

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the facilities, expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements to complete R&M related tasks for helicopter platforms TH-1H, UH-1N, HH-60W and MH-139. These services include, but are not limited to, conducting root cause analysis of in-service failures, developing and updating preventative maintenance procedures, recommending design modifications to improve reliability, and providing on-site technical assistance to maintenance crews, etc.

Government furnished equipment will be provided as outlined in individual task orders as necessary.  The Contractor is responsible for providing, maintaining, and calibrating all support equipment required at their facility or a subcontractor’s facility. Contractor furnished material or parts used for replacement shall equal or exceed the quality of the original material or parts.

Contractors/Institutions responding to this market research are placed on notice that participation in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The Government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this survey.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. This effort is for an 8a setaside. However, responses from disadvantaged small businesses not certified as 8a participants are encouraged to respond and will be considered on a case by case basis in accordance with current FAR regulations.
2. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to the Program Manager (PM), Contract Specialist (CS), and Contracting Officer (CO).

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the

facilities, expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements to complete R&M related tasks for helicopter platforms TH-1H, UH-1N, HH-60W and MH-139.

This requirement is for engineering support services.  Our strategy is a for five to ten-year cost plus fixed-fee contract (basic plus four to nine option years) and will potentially continue through FY37.

Contractor’s facility must be located in the local area of Robins Air Force Base due to the need for frequent face to face reviews and collaborative efforts. The local facility must at a minimum accommodate the program management and technical writer personnel. Manufacturing and engineering labs can be located elsewhere if necessary.

When tasked by the Government, the Contractor shall perform analyses and/or services which include but are not limited to engineering research, rapid solutions, prototypes, integration and technical support services required to isolate and analyze system deficiencies, identification of appropriate solutions and production of all engineering data required to implement the improvements to prevent an adverse impact to rotary-wing aircraft reliability and maintainability. The tasking will be submitted via an Engineering Support Task Request (ESTR) form.

Examples of tasks that will be required on this contract include, but are not limited to:

• Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) and Age Exploration (AE) program sustainment tasks such as maintenance data trend analysis, failure mode and effects analysis updates, preventative maintenance package task updates, AE candidate follow-up and updating existing RCM databases
• Targeted Analyses which would include failure analysis, follow- up analysis, and independent technical reviews
• The contractor shall provide engineering and technical expertise in support of avionics systems, aircraft structures, mechanical systems and support equipment as it applies to reliability and maintainability
• Development of technical procedures and technical data updates
• Supportability analyses
• Conduct research related to supportability improvement
• conduct research and analysis for rotary-wingHelicopter Division aircraft repairable items to correct asset shortfalls and maintain designated asset supply levels
• fabricate or procure hardware or software to be utilized in modifications/upgrades as required by individual ESTRs
• accomplish data mining/trend identification tasks
• integrate new technologies into current system architectures to enhance reliability and maintainability as specified
• provide engineering support to resolve electrical, avionics and EMI/EMC deficiencies on rotary-wing aircraft
• In the cases of EMC/EMI compatibility or where proposed mechanical or electrical solutions do not comply with form, fit, function, and interface requirements, the contractor shall analyze the test plan(s) and other existing TDPs that define the platforms to ensure possible deficiencies are detected and resolved
• provide hazard identification through safety analysis conducted on system/subsystem modifications, engineering change proposals, mishap data and deficiency reports
• provide engineering support to isolate and analyze aircraft functional system deficiencies, identify appropriate solutions and produce all engineering data required to implement the improvements to prevent an adverse impact to rotary-wing aircraft reliability and maintainability
• rapid response to field locations for “no notice” deficiency, grounded aircraft and mishap support
• assist in maintaining configuration management for rotary-wing weapon systems
• perform R&M evaluation and insertion of new technology into existing helicopter systems for modernization to improve performance, reliability, maintainability, and survivability of weapon systems, subsystems, and the support equipment
• develop and provide prototypes, pre-production items, or one-time production items in quantities as specified in the ESTR to allow for testing by both the contractor and Government.  The contractor shall provide prototypes, pre-production units, or one-time production units, conduct tests and evaluate the item(s) against specified requirements, and deliver an industry-validated technical documentation package
• modification/changes/updates to engineering drawing packages, technical orders (TO), Flight Manuals and time compliance technical orders (TCTO)
• provide engineering and technical installation services to support trial install/kit proof activities as they apply to reliability and maintainability
• investigate failure modes for low Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) components and develop/recommend solutions to improve MTBF via component redesign, material changes and/or maintenance practice changes

POCs for this RFI are:

• Michelle Privette, Program Manager (michelle.privette@us.af.mil)
• Phillip Russell, Contracting Officer (phillip.russell.9@us.af.mil)
• Brent Talbert, Contract Specialist (brent.talbert@us.af.mil)

RFI responses are due 4 November 2026, 5:00pm EST