United States Special Operations Command, Directorate of Procurement (SOAC-KB), 2418 Florida Keys Ave., MacDill AFB, FL 33621-5316

A -- C130 ENGINE INFRARED SUPPRESSOR POC Jacqueline C. Foreid, Contract Specialist, (813)840-5450, FAX (813)840-5481 E-MAIL: US Special Operations Command Contracting Office, foreidj@soac.hqsocom.mil. The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has a requirement for a C-130 Engine Infrared Suppressor that will provide Special Operations Forces (SOF) C-130 aircraft with an IR signature reduction to improve aircraft survivability. The suppressor will replace the engine shields on the AC-130H/U aircraft and be a standard system for the AC-130H/U, MC-130E/H, EC-130E, and MC-130P. The Suppressor will be a semi-permanent installation, removal being primarily for servicing, allowing the aircraft to perform all required missions with the suppressors installed. The new infrared suppressor system will: (a) Conceal the engine hot metal components and cool the engine exhaust gases/plume; (b) Not increase drag to a point where mission capabilities are questioned; (c) Reduce the IR signature in bands I, II, and IV by eighty percent at takeoff, cruise, and military power settings;(d) Assure engine power loss is less than one percent for takeoff, cruise, and military power settings;(e) Assure system weight for a single suppresser and mounting hardware is less than 200 pounds;(f) Be easily installed and removed without the use of special tools, equipment, or hardware and provide access for entire exhaust train inspections;(g) Be installed or removed within 30 minutes per suppressor;(h) Universally fit all engine positions on all SOF C-130 aircraft equipped with attached fittings. If required, attach (hard) points will be built into the wing dry bay and not interfere with the fuel tanks. Also, the attach points should not interfere with the jacking point on the lower wing surface. The jack points should be accessible with the suppressor installed. The installation will allow access to engine tailpipes for frequently required exhaust train inspections. USSOCOM intends to award a maximum of two, cost-plus-fixed fee contracts for the RDT&E and prototype effort. The formal source selection process will be used for this action. The awardees will go through a testing and evaluation process. Upon completion of an initial test phase, a down selection will be made for the completion of the EMD effort. Subsequent to the satisfactory completion of all EMD tasks, the fixed-price production option will be exercised. It will include the production, installation, and initial sustainment. Up to three years of options shall accommodate the procurement for approximately 93 aircraft plus spares. USSOCOM intends to release the draft Statement of Objectives and draft specifications for this requirement via the SOCOM website www.soac.hqsocom.mil on or about 26 Sep 97. Industry comments are solicited on these two documents no later than 15 Oct 97. Comments can be emailed to andersod@soac.hqsocom.mil. SOCOM's intention is to release a solicitation via the website by the latter part of Oct 97. The solicitation will only be distributed via the Internet website. This procurement is unrestricted and all responsible sources solicited may submit a proposal which will be considered. Any questions regarding the solicitation may be submitted to the following internet email address: foreidj@soac.hqsocom.mil. (0266)

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