RFI for AWACS DRAGON Spares Procurement

Request for Information for

AWACS Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) Replacement of Avionics for Global Operations and Navigation

(DRAGON)

Spares Procurement

E-3 Operational Capabilities Branch AFLCMC/WIWM

3 Eglin St.

Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2100

Program Manager: 1st Lt Jacob Miller Contracting Officer: Ms. Olivia Rogers

1. Description

This is a Request for Information (RFI) as defined in FAR 15.201(e). This RFI is issued in order to identify qualified sources for the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) Replacement of Avionics for Global Operations and Navigation (DRAGON) procurement of spares. In accordance with (IA W) FAR 52.215- 3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes, this RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Air Force is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs included in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a

solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Government Point of Entry

website. It is the responsibility of the potential respondents to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

1. Background

The E-3 AWACS, operated by the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker AFB, OK provides the Combat Air Forces with airborne systems and personnel for theater surveillance, warning and control of strategic, tactical and special mission forces. The AWACS DRAGON program replaces aging, predominantly analog, non- sustainable equipment with modern, digital avionics systems that provide for future growth and enhanced operation, safety and reliability while reducing life cycle costs. Overall, this program uses a systems approach to aid pilot awareness and alleviate task saturation in high technology flight and combat environments. The requirement to reduce aircraft separation and implement other Air Traffic Management (ATM) procedures, while maintaining or improving safety standards, is met by using available aviation technology currently used in commercial and military aircraft.

Essential technology elements of the new Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) environment are satellite-based navigation, increased use of data links for pilot/controller communication, and improved surveillance to enhance flight deck situational awareness. For the E-3 AWACS aircraft to operate in this new environment, replacement of 1970s vintage analog flight deck equipment with currently available modern digital avionics is required.

DRAGON also replaces existing E-3 AWACS avionics with commercial off the shelf (COTS) avionics to maintain mission readiness being affected by significant Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) impacts and to reduce life-cycle costs by addressing the most significant existing DMSMS issues.

DRAGON is currently in Full Rate Production and planning for sustainment.

1. Description of Requirements

The Contractor shall procure spares for USAF DRAGON aircraft.

All parts will be ordered by the Contractor upon contract award.  The delivery of all parts shall be received by the Government on or before expected lead times. Procurement of spares for AWACS aircraft includes requirements for packaging and handling, shipping and receiving, transportation of all materials, parts, components, and assemblies are utilized in the performance of this contract.

The period of Performance for this contract is defined as Contract Award through final receipt and US Government acceptance of all spares with a signed DD250.

The Contractor shall procure spare parts and deliver them within the equipment supply chain management of DRAGON and in accordance with DoDI 4140.01 and AFI 23-101.

In order for the contractor to perform and meet the objectives identified in this SOW, the US Government will provide applicable documentation to the Contractor.

The Contractor shall maintain a Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) approved purchasing system to accomplish the procurement of components and services including performing supplier selection and management, issuing purchase contracts, procuring parts. The Contractor shall provide the Government a status report upon request to include parts procurement, shipping status of parts, date shipped, expected arrival date, tracking number, description of contents, NSN/PN, size/cube, weight, etc.

1. Spares

The Contractor shall order spare parts listed in the table directly below upon contract award.

Nomenclature

Part Number

National Stock Number

Quantity

PANEL ASSY, AHRS Maintenance

204-45211-5

5826-01-661-5211

2

Audio Control Unit

56682202AA

NCZ138947

2

Radio Frequency Tuner

204-45211-8

5821-01-661-5793

2

PANEL ASSY, RADIO CONTROL

204-45211-3

5826-01-671-9797

2

Integrated Standby Display

56682204AB

56682204AB

10

1. Responses

Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper in Microsoft Word for Office 2010 compatible format. Responses are due no later than 15 days from the publication date of this RFI. Responses shall be UNCLASSIFIED and submitted via e-mail only to the Contracting Officer, Ms. Olivia Rogers, olivia.rogers.3@us.af.mil, and the Contracts Manager, Mr. Christopher Kearney,  christopher.kearney@us.af.mil. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. Please be advised that submissions will not be returned.

Section I of the white paper shall provide administrative information and shall be limited to no more than 5 pages. Section I shall include the following as a minimum:

Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact.

A statement that the respondent will or will not allow the Government to release its proprietary data to Government support contractors employed by companies listed in paragraph 9 below. ln the absence of this statement, the Government will assume that the respondent agrees to the release of its submission to Government support contractors.

Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)- certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334419 - Other Electronic Component Manufacturing. Please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 19 for additional detailed information on Small Business Size Standard.

The facility security clearance of the respondent.

Section 2 of the white paper will address how the Contractor will meet the requirements described in Paragraph 3.0, along with any other information deemed pertinent to providing this support. Also include all assumptions and risks factored into the response. Section 2 shall be limited to no more than 5 pages.

Section 3 of the white paper will include a cost estimate or rough order of magnitude of services provided based on the expected requirements of Paragraph 3.0 of this RFI. Include all assumptions factored into the response. Section 3 of the white paper shall be limited to no more than 5 pages.

Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS), Specialized Cost Services (SCS) and Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) contractors will be reviewing data submitted in response to this RFI. The primary companies providing technical and management support are Odyssey Systems, Sumaria Systems, Tecolote Research Inc. and the MITRE Corp. Employees of these respective companies have standard Non-Disclosure Agreements available to the Government contracting offices.

1. Industry Discussions

AWACS representatives may or may not choose to meet with potential respondents. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements.

1. Questions

Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contracting Officer, Ms. Olivia Rogers,  olivia.rogers.3@us.af.mil, and the Contracts Manager, Mr. Christopher Kearney,  christopher.kearney@us.af.mil. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered by e-mail; accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 15 days of the publication date of this RFI will be answered.

1. Summary

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION NOR IS IT AUTHORIZATION TO INCUR COST FOR WHICH REIMBURSEMENT WOULD BE REQUIRED OR SOUGHT. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI AND RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE ARE NOT OFFERS AND CANNOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO FORM A BINDING CONTRACT. ALL SUBMISSIONS BECOME GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AND WILL NOT BE RETURNED.