Naval Air Warfare Center AD, Contracts Dept. Code 233, Bldg 129-2, Lakehurst, NJ 08733-5083.

17 -- EXPEDITIONARY AIRFIELD ARRESTING GEAR, M-31 SOL N68335-97-R-0277 DUE 070197 POC Dianne Mount, Contract Specialist, (732) 323-2903. This procurement is for research and development, prototyping, and manufacture of the M-31 Marine Corps Expeditionary Airfield arresting gear. The principal objective is to obtain a reliable, mobile arresting gear, installed in less than 4 hours by a crew of 16 Marines. The system must be transportable by military airlift transports and shall be adaptable to landing surfaces as narrow as 70 feet. The arresting gear shall be bidirectional. The M-31 Program will be conducted as a phased acquisition program: Phase I -- Development is for 3 systems (a unit on both sides of the runway together comprises one system) and technical data. The 3 prototypes will undergo extensive testing, using both deadloads and aircraft compatibility tests to ensure successful completion of OPEVAL. Delivery of units for testing required 28 months after contract award. Phase II -- Production includes up to 44 production units and interim spares, and is dependent upon successful completion of Phase I prior to beginning performance. ISO-9001 applies. Special quality assurance requirements include the following: close machining tolerances, casting/forging, hydrostatic, functional and environmental testing; penetrant inspection, radiographic inspection, heat treating, welding, plating, NBC compatible finishes/coating applications. The Government anticipates award of a combination Cost Plus Award Fee contract for the research and development phase and Fixed Price Incentive (Successive Targets) for the production phase. Cost, technical and schedule incentives will be provided. Offerors will propose in accordance with a share ratio to be provided in the solicitation or an alternate proposal will be considered. Award will be based on a Best Value evaluation with evaluation factors to include: Technical Capability, Logistics, Corporate Experience, Past Performance and Partnering. A complete listing of evaluation factors and significant subfactors, and their relative weights will be provided in the solicitation. The Government plans to form a cohesive partnership with the contractor and its subcontractors. The awardee can expect to attend a Joint Workshop as soon as practicable upon award and follow-up meetings at least quarterly or more often as needed, in a location to be mutually determined. Through the partnering agreement, constant communication and sharing of technical information is anticipated as the contracting parties share insight and integration of their respective roles to achieve the shared goal, an arresting gear system that will successfully meet all testing requirements imposed. The specification package for this procurement contains technical data subject to export controls. This information may only be released to individuals or enterprises that have been certified by the Defense Logistics Services Center (DLSC). Any request for the solicitation must be accompanied by DLSC certification unless a copy is already on file at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst. Non-conforming requests cannot be filled and will be discarded without action. The Navy will host a Pre-Proposal conference allowing offerors to provide input and have their questions answered. Requests to attend should be addressed to Dianne Mount at (732) 323-2093 or telefax to (732) 323-7440. Request copies in writing or by facsimile (732) 323-2165. See Numbered Note(s): 8. (0163)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0200 19970616\17-0005.SOL)