Electronic Systems Center, Communications and Airspace Management Systems (ESC/TGK), 11 Eglin Street, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2120

58 -- JOINT TACTICAL INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (JTIDS) CLASS 2M TERMINAL FULL RATE RODUCTION SOL F19628-96-0065 POC Paul E. Canham, Contracting Officer, 617-377-9317; Gabriel M. Groves, 617-377-9301. HQ Electronic Systems Center intends to issue Request for Proposal (RFP) to General Electric Company - Marconi Electronic Systems Corporation for the Joint Tactical Information Distribution Systems (JTIDS) Class 2M Full Rate Production (FRP). The JTIDS Class 2M terminal acquisition is designed to provide real time, secure communications to Army command and control systems which have a high data capacity requirement. These capabilities result from the system's ability to distribute information at high data rates, encrypted and transmitted to provide secure, jam resistant, highly reliable communications in hostile electromagnetic environments. The primary application of JTIDS in the Army will be in the Forward Area Air Defense(FAAD), the Theater High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD), and Patriot weapons sytems. Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) a solicitation will be issued to GEC, 164 Totowa Road, Wayne NJ, 07474-0975. The JTIDS Class 2M FRP contract will procure up to forty-five (45) JTIDS Class 2M terminals, as well as spares, data, and installation support/engineering services. The period of performance for this effort is forty (40) months after contract award. On the basis of previous history of the program, the Electronic Systems Center intends to issue Request for Proposal F19628-96-R-0065 for the build and integration of the JTIDS Class 2M FRP terminal to GEC-Marconi Systems. This is a follow-on production acquisition for specialized equipment developed by GEC for the Government. The Government does not have detailed design information to make available which would permit any other source to produce the items and no contractor other than GEC is capable of providing qualified hardware in time to meet the Government's schedule. The statutory authority to do so is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) which states ''only a limited number of responsible sources and no other supplies or services will satisfy the requirements.'' The RFP is anticipated to be released approximately 25 October 1996. Contract award is planned for 23 March 1997. Delivery of the terminals is scheduled to commence twenty-four (24) months after contract award and be completed sixteen (16) months later. Any subcontractors interested in this effort should contact the sole source contractor directly. Information can be obtained from the Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) Paul E. Canham at (617)377-9317. See Numbered Note(s): 22, 26. (0288)

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