Department of the Air Force, ASC/GR, 2590 Loop Rd West, Bldg 558, WPAFB, Ohio 45433-7205

15 -- C-5A/B AIRCRAFT MODIFICATION PROGRAM POC Contact Mr John G. Meyer, Contracting Offier, (937) 255-7822, or Lt Col Fennell, C-5 Development System Manager, (937) 656-9475 E-MAIL: Contact Lt Col Rick Fennell, C-5 Development System Manager, fennelrl@c17.wpafb.af.mil. 17. This notice is to announce a request for information (RFI) from all potential prime contractors and their selected subcontractors/teaming arrangements for the acquisition of a modernized C-5 cockpit and automatic flight control system to include a comprehensive airborne communication, navigation, and surveillance upgrade to meet emerging civil aviation operational requirements worldwide (termed Global Air Traffic Management by the Air Force). This modernization effort contemplates the coverage of approximately 126 C-5 aircraft and will initially cover two parts. Part 1 replaces the existing Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) with an All-Weather Flight Control System (AWFCS). Part 2 incorporates the Global Air Traffic Management (GATM). Since many of these modernization efforts are related, it may be more advantageous to combine these two parts as one acquisition. Total subsystem performance and integration will be a critical aspect of this acquisition. We would also like to obtain information on acquiring a GATM-only solution as a stand-alone program, with emphasis on meeting the earliest feasible worldwide civil aviation schedule requirements for the various GATM elements. A Program Management Directive (PMD) for the AWFCS and associated funding has been approved. PMD and required funding for GATM has not been approved. The availability of Government Furnished Data (C-5 Aircraft Drawings, Technical Orders/other data) has not been determined. For purposes of this RFI, potential offerors will be responsible for obtaining all data as needed from the C-5 aircraft manufacturer without Government assistance. Response to this RFI is voluntary. This request is for planning purposes only, is not a request for proposal (RFP) and shall not be construed as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any part or all of the AWFCS/GATM or otherwise pay for the information requested and furnished. The information you provide may be used by the USAF to ascertain and develop technical and programmaticacquisition approaches and/or strategies. Data obtained from this request will be considered and may be used for advance planning, program phasing, and the definition of tailored technical requirements. As such, your inputs should not be restrictive or proprietary in any fashion. Although the identification of the contributing companies will not be divulged outside the Government, the Government reserves the right to use in whole or part any industry information received as a result of the RFI as part of a future acquisition strategy. Your participation in the RFI will not affect your company's position during any solicitation, nor will this RFI be used as a criteria for the prequalification of respondents for future solicitations. Based on responses received, respondents may be invited for on-site discussions. The C-5 Development System Office (DSO), on behalf of the C-5 Aircraft Directorate, is seeking an integrating contractor to replace the existing C-5 instruments and AFCS, to include engine and flight instruments and autopilot, autothrottle, Go-Around Attitude System, Stallimeter System, Active Lift Distribution Control System computers and associated components with a highly reliable commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) integrated electronic flight control system (AWFCS). The primary purpose of this overall modernization program is to improve operational as well as RM&A capabilities. In addition, the C-5 must maintain full worldwide civil interoperability and unhindered global access (GATM) in order to support the Air Force mission. Significant changes are being implemented in the civil air traffic environment which will require the above upgrades to the C-5's communications, navigation, and surveillance systems. These changes include (but are not limited to) Required Navigation Performance (RNP), Basic Area Navigation (BRNAV), Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS), Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), 8.33 kHz VHF upgradeable to Time Division Multiplex Access (TDMA), Protected mode ILS, ModeS, CNS/ATM Routing, Communication Management (FMS or CMU), Interphone, Communication and Controller/Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) which are compliant with the technical and functional standards specified (or anticipated to be specified) by the civil aviation community. Due to the changing nature of CNS/ATM requirements, system architectures must address growth, flexibility, and P3I, particularly with regard to Joint Precision Approach Landing System (JPALS), Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR), and Global Positioning System (GPS) III. More information about the AWFCS and GATM can be found at the C-5 PIXS site at http://www.pixs.wpafb.af.mil/pixs/pixslibr/C5Mods/C5Mods.asp. The USAF is tentatively considering a commercial contract award in FY98-4 with a follow-on production option. The installations should start in the FY 2000-2001 timeframe. The FAA/ICAO has established an incremental GATM implementation of: a. Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM)-'97 b. RNP-10/Protected ILS-'98 c. VHF-8.33-'99 d. TCAS/Mode S-'03 e. SATCOM/HF D/L-'03 f. RNP-4-'03 g. VHF TDMA/ATN/RNP-1-TBD. These implementation dates must be taken into consideration for your commercial/non-commercial design and schedule. Currently the C-5 meets the RVSM requirement. Protected ILS will be incorporated into this acquisition as a requirement. VHF 8.33 will be procured separately. A fourth (4th) generation Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) may also become part of this acquisition. Address, as a delta, how you would incorporate this capability. Request each potential offeror to provide no more that 25 pages of text explaining the following. Charts and graphs do not count against this page limit. Technical: 1. Provide a brief description of your proposed GATM-only system and an integrated AWFCS/GATM system(s), including cockpit configuration. The rationale for the combined program is to save the government money by procuring an integrated suite of instruments and components designed to function together and be installed at the same time. 2. Identify existing commercial/non-commercial equipment you could use and how it would have to be modified, if at all. 3. What commonality may exist between other aircraft in the Air Force inventory? 4. Provide any demonstrated R&M numbers. 5. What growth capability is provided for memory, throughput, physical space, cooling, etc. Management: 1. For the development effort, what current C-5 configuration data would you need to complete your technical design? 2. What developmental, kit-proof, and production (install) schedule would you propose for a modification to the entire C-5 fleet of 126 aircraft? Please break this data out for GATM alone and for a combined AWFCS/GATM program? 3. Provide a brief explanation of integrated avionics programs, commercial or military, your company has participated on (prime contractor/subcontractor/teaming arrangement). 4. How would you propose to test/certify your system? 5. What do you envision as the program risks (technical, cost, schedule) and associated rationale? How could they be minimized? 6. What acquisition strategy lends itself to this effort and why, i.e., one contract for system missionalization/design, integration and production for the total effort, separate AWFCS and GATM contracts with the government as the integrator, or contract award to two contractors teamed with one given the TSP/IR (total system performance integration responsibility). Give pros and cons. 7. Is this a feasible commercial acquisition? Logistics: 1. The Air Force is anticipating the use of two-levels of maintenance with organic at the O-level. What would be your proposed logistics support approach? 2. Explain your proposed warranty (equipment and data). 3. What support equipment and test equipment would have to be modified/updated to accommodate your selected components/system? 4. Would any unique support equipment or test equipment have to be procured? 5. What existing technical data/manuals would have to be updated/modified? Cost: 1. What is your Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) missionalization/developmental cost per unit or production kit unit costs and lead times? 2. What is your lowest economical order quantity and associated cost? 3. What is your steady state most economical order quantity and associated cost? 4. What are your install man-hours? An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from offerors or potential offerors during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the program director or contracting officer, but to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate Government personnel. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. Interested parties are invited to call the Ombudsman, Mr. Mike Coalson at (937) 255-9279, Ext. 232. The Ombudsman should only be contacted with issues or problems that have been previously brought to the attention of the contracting officer and could not be satisfactorily resolved at that level. Direct all questions concerning this RFI to Mr. John G. Meyer, Contracting Officer, ASC/GRK, Bldg. 558 room 016, 2590 Loop Rd. W., Wright-Patterson AFB OH 54533-7233, (937) 255-9300. Contractor capability response should be submitted to ASC/GRK no later than 20 working days from the date of this CBD notice. (0153)

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