HQ Electronic Systems Center, Directorate of Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWK), 3 Eglin Street, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2115

58 -- AWACS IDENTIFICATION FRIEND OR FOE IMPROVEMENT (IFF) PROGRAM - PRODUCTION POC Ms. Katherine A. Morris, Contracting Officer, ESC/AWK, 617-377-8357. The United States Air Force, Electronic Systems Center (ESC) intends to solicit a proposal and issue a sole source contract to Boeing Defense and Space group, Electronic System Division, Seattle, WA, for the completion of the IFF Improvement Program to include unit refurbishment, production, interim contractor support, and peculiar support equipment changes. Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) affected include the IFF Receiver/Transmitter (R/T) and Radar Target Data Processor (RTDP). Authorization for this action is contained in 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). The purpose of this project is to complete the E-3 IFF Production Program by accomplishing those tasks necessary to fabricate and insert improved IFF R/Ts and RTDPs into the field. These LRUs must be form, fit and function compatible with the existing E-3 APX-103 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Interrogator R/T and RTDP. Delivery of the first fully flight qualified production article must be in August 1996 with deliveries monthly thereafter. Design and initial demonstration of the improvements--reduced IFF jitter and mode/code garble--are being accomplished under a separate design and demonstration effort which is still ongoing. The RTDP commands the R/T to broadcast an interrogation, processes IFF replies received by the R/T, and reports these targets to the E-3 system computer. The IFF is a mission critical system. Each U.S. E-3 is equipped with one processor, one spare set of processor cards, and two Receiver/Transmitters. The US E-3 currently contains many aging avionics and mission equipment systems that are integrated together through various proprietary interfaces. The Contractor must possess this interface data and be able to accommodate these interfaces while making improvements to the US E-3 IFF system. The Contractor must already possess the US E-3 technical data as the Government can not provide much of it. This data needs to include both the existing and planned configuration data as all improvements made to the US E-3 IFF system must be compatible with both the existing US E-3 configuration and the post Radar System Improvement Pogram (RSIP) and Block 30/35 configurations. The US E-3 electromagnetic environment is extremely complicated due to the high power surveillance radar, numerous radios, multiple radio frequency (RF) emitters, and various other electronic equipment. The Contractor must ensure that improvements made to the IFF system are compatible with all other E-3 mission systems and existing capabilities are not disturbed. The prospective Contractor must either have access to the Avionics Integration Laboratory (AIL) and IFF Replay Laboratory at The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA, or have similar US E-3 specific facilities available for this effort. The Contractor must perform regression and compatibility testing in an AWACS system setting such as the Avionics Integration Laboratory (AIL) and then perform flight testing on a US E-3 aircraft (either an operational 552 ACW aircraft or Test System 3 (TS-3) depending on the availability). TS-3 is currently on bailment to The Boeing Company for other AWACS work and is expected to continue to be so. To meet mission scheduling requirements, the contractor will be required to demonstrate a form, fit, improved function prototype capability by Aug 96. The deliverable must be a form, fit, improved function change to the APX-103 which can be installed via Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO) action on the flight-line, avoiding lengthy depot retrofit procedures. Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) will be provided to the Contractor. Prior to the improvement, the GFE will be tested and repaired as required. The GFE will be improved by the replacement of Shop Replaceable Units (SRUs). The complete improved items will be acceptance tested and returned to the supply system. Prior to the depot becoming organic, improved items which fail will be repaired by the contractor. In order for the depot to become organic, the contractor must modify support equipment to accommodate the improved items. Responders must certify that their development and laboratory facilities are cleared to DoD SECRET level. Responses must not exceed fifteen (15) pages in length. Responders should also indicate whether they qualify as a small or small disadvantaged firm. Despite the Air Force's intent to solicit only Boeing, any firm that believes it can meet the above requirements should respond to the above address in writing within fifteen (15) days of this notice. Indicate interest as the prime contrator or subcontractor. See Numbered Note(s): 22. (0356)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0117 19951226\58-0007.SOL)