SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Area Chaff Dispenser
- Notice Date
- 6/29/2009
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Navy, Naval Air Systems Command, NAVAIR HQ, Building 2272, 47123 Buse Road Unit IPT, Patuxent River, Maryland, 20670, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20670
- Solicitation Number
- AREACHAFFFY09
- Archive Date
- 9/1/2009
- Point of Contact
- Robyn B Warner, Phone: (301) 757-7106, Michael D. Mumford, Phone: 301-757-7062
- E-Mail Address
-
robyn.warner@navy.mil, michael.mumford@navy.mil
(robyn.warner@navy.mil, michael.mumford@navy.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- 1.0 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this Sources Sought is to seek information on how an interested contractor could provide area chaff dispensing capability to carrier based aircraft. The results of this Sources Sought will be utilized to define Area Chaff Dispenser alternatives in support of POM-12 budget submission to initiate a Program of Record (POR). 2.0 DISCLAIMER THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) OR A PROMISE TO ISSUE A RFP IN THE FUTURE. FURTHER, THE NAVY IS NOT AT THIS TIME SEEKING PROPOSALS AND WILL NOT ACCEPT UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. THERE ARE NO FUNDS AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR THE PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. 3.0 REQUIRED CAPABILITIES 3.1 Background The ALE-43 chaff dispensing pod was originally developed for training purposes in the mid-1980s for use by the Fleet Electronic Warfare Support Group (FEWSG). Since then, an operational use for area chaff was realized. Presently, there is an insufficient quantity of ALE-43 pods in existence to support both the Navy and Marine Corps operations. The ALE-43 pods are over 20 years old and were not originally designed for carrier based operations. Some of the pods were structurally modified and carrier suited on the EA-6B; however, the Navy will be completely divested of the carrier based EA-6B by the end of FY 2012. The F/A-18C/D Hornet is also cleared to carry the ALE-43 but the flight envelope is limited and they do not currently have a flight clearance for carrier operations. Carriage of the ALE-43 on Super Hornet and Growler platforms (F/A-18E/F and EA-18G) is estimated to be an equivalent level of effort as a new production area chaff dispenser solution and would not alone solve availability needs. Combatant Commanders have recently emphasized their continued need for area chaff capability in operational scenarios. 3.2Program Objectives In order to make an informed acquisition decision regarding implementation of a dispensing capability for area chaff, a study of area chaff dispensing alternatives to meet an impending area chaff capability gap is being initiated. Potential alternatives should include, but are not limited to: •Integrate and carrier suit ALE-43 on F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler •Repackage ALE-43 components into an existing shape that is already certified to be carried by the Super Hornet/Growler, i.e. drop tank, etc •Develop new dispensing system into an existing shape that is already certified to be carried by the Super Hornet/Growler •Develop new dispensing system Alternatives provided will aid in development of a POM-12 budget submission to initiate a Program of Record (POR). Alternatives should: •Address fundamental ALE-43 shortfalls/performance requirements - Limited scalability, flexibility, supportability - Limited interoperability, availability •Implement mature technologies to reduce program risk •Invoke a modular, scalable, open system architecture to ensure future growth and platform adaptability •Be an effective, integrated, and affordable Area Chaff Dispensing system with a projected Initial Operational Capability (IOC) that would either prevent or diminish any capability gap realized due to the Navy’s EA-6B sundown plan 3.3 Potential Development Approach Responses should show the relevancy of the design solution in demonstrating technology maturity sufficient to enter Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) Phase by 2012. Interested contractors should show that they possess the in-house breadth of experience and expertise to not only design the Area Chaff Dispenser, but also implement follow-on phases of development such as EMD and Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP). In addition to concerns previously discussed, Area Chaff Dispenser design responses should address the following issues of design and programmatics: •Outline of schedule and tasks for Technology Development (TD), EMD and LRIP Phases with sufficient detail to conduct comparative analysis, include a listing assumptions and perceived levels of risk and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimates •Physical Description, including dimensions, and interfaces such as weight, size, aircraft mounting, power requirements and data exchanges •Method of improving operational flexibility through control and status exchange between the operator and the dispenser to include discussion of impacts to carriage aircraft Operational Flight Programs (OFP) or schemes for emulation of existing stores interfaces •Form factor of chaff rovings (including any deviations from RR-179/AL rovings) •Peculiar Support Equipment (PSE) requirements and impact to existing carrier outfitting •Ground Support Equipment (GSE) common fielded equipment utilized for dispenser handling, loading, testing, etc •Mission Planning tools to include any provisions for post-mission analysis •Design for carrier suitability including all aspects of Logistic Support associated with seaborne operations •Manpower and Facilities impacts where the design may add new skill sets or facilities required for support 4.0 NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) The applicable Product Service Code (PSC) is AC12 and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541712, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. The NAICS Code is matched to size standards that are expressed as revenue (in millions of dollars) for companies providing services or expressed in number of employees for companies engaged in manufacturing. The size standard is 1,500 employees. 5.0 SUBMISSION DETAILS Interested sources are requested to submit a technical capability paper to the point of contact below: Ms. Robyn Warner, Contract Specialist E-mail: robyn.warner@navy.mil Naval Air Systems Command Headquarters 47123 Buse Road, Bldg 2272, Suite 453 Patuxent River, MD 20670-1547 The paper should explain the qualifications and experience of the firm interested in performing the work and list points of contact with title, phone and email. A suggested paper length is ten (10) pages. The paper may be mailed via United States Postal Service or emailed. Responses should be submitted by 17 August 2009.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DON/NAVAIR/N00019/AREACHAFFFY09/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: TBD, TBD, United States
- Record
- SN01859872-W 20090701/090630000223-f73a785ffc0c603ade215b1f5c7b7deb (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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