HQ ESC, Directorate of Airborne Warning and Control Systems, Contracting Division (AWK), 3 Eglin St. Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2115

B -- AWACS/CFM-56 RE-ENGINEERING STUDY & MODIFICATION OF TEST AIRCRAFT POC Timothy M. Frank, Contract Specialist, 617-377-5732; Katherine A. Morris, Contracting Officer, 617-377-8357. The United States Air Force Electronic Systems Center (ESC) intends to solicit a proposal and issue a sole source contract to The Boeing Company, Defense and Space Group, Seattle, WA to serve as the contractor and integrator for the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Re-Engining Study effort to determine the best way to retrofit the current US AWACS fleet with CFM-56 Engines and cockpit instrumentation. Selected recommendations from this study will then be implemented to retrofit and conduct required qualification testing on a Government AWACS test aircraft. Authorization to do so is contained in 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). The study portion of this project is to evaluate and integrate existing engineering and design efforts (used for mounting CFM-56 engines on other 707-type airframes) into a non-development effort to re-engine the US AWACS fleet with CFM-56 engines including thrust reversers. Upon determining that a specific option, which determines engine or airframe configuration, is technically feasible and recommended, the contractor will lay out a program plan for accomplishing the option and develop a cost estimate for each option. Once the study portion is done and the Air Force selects the required options, a second contract action will be implemented to perform the following actions: develop and produce one set of the modification kits to install the new engines on the US AWACS airframe, select Glass Cockpit hardware for use on the E-3, develop the software for the Glass Cockpit to display complete CFM-56 engine performance data, current AWACS navigation and flight situation indications, and complete displays from the GPS embedded in an Inertial Navigation System (GINS) being installed on US AWACS, conduct a trial installation on the designated AWACS test aircraft, conduct any ground and flight qualification testing using the AWACS test aircraft, conduct a configuration audit and provide an Engineering Change Proposal for the System and MS&ISS specifications, provide drawings for new and modified parts, provide logistics recommendations for supporting re-engined AWACS aircraft, and provide a TCTO with installation instructions to modify all US AWACS aircraft. The Contractor must have detailed technical and configuration knowledge of the US, Saudi, ROK, and UK AWACS systems, including the platform and its various subsystems. This knowledge must include: (1) a detailed understanding of the system's operation and performance, (2) a detailed understanding of the system software (AOCP), (3) a detailed understanding of the physical and functional configuration of TS-3, (4) intimate familiarity with the aerodynamics of the platform, and the ability to assess impacts to those aerodynamics, (5) intimate familiarity with the MMI issues related to integrating a subsystem onto the E-3, and (6) sufficient technical understanding of the system as to allow the contractor to perform mechanical, electrical, aerodynamic, and operational analyses regarding the installation of the CFM-56 engines onto TS-3 while maintaining the system's current mission system capabilities and mission requirements. The Contractor must provide a laboratory capable of simulating the subsystems on TS-3 and of demonstrating that the installation performs as expected so as to minimize the risk to TS-3's operating capabilities. The demonstration will have to include interface hardware & software and subsystem interoperability demonstrations. Following installation on TS-3, the Contractor will support flight demonstrations and perform both operational and technical assessments of the impacts of the Glass Cockpit system to the AWACS. Despite the Air Force's intent to solicit only Boeing, any firm that believes it can meet the above functions should respond to the above address in writing within fifteen (15) days of this notice. Indicate interest as the prime contractor or subcontractor. See Numbered Note(s): 22. (0109)

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