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

16 -- KC-135 AIRCRAFT ALTITUDE ALERTER ACQUISITION SOL F33657-98-R-0014 DUE 022798 POC Mr Bill Oswald, Contracting Officer, (937) 255-1572 E-MAIL: contracting officer, oswaldbe@c17.wpafb.af.mil. 17. The KC-135R Development System Office is surveying the market to identify potential sources and to determine the availability of commercial solutions to modify seven currently in service KC-135R aircraft. These modifications include extensive interior, communications, and aircraft system upgrades necessary to support the war-fighting Commanders-in-Chiefs (CINCs) and their staffs. The primary purpose of this modernization program is to improve the operational utility of current CINC support aircraft. Currently, CINC CENTCOM, SOUTHCOM, EUCOM, PACOM and STRATCOM aircraft suffer numerous operational restrictions and have high operating maintenance and support costs. In addition, lack of RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minima), NAV Safety and Stage III noise compliance on the existing aircraft are major impediments to worldwide CINC air travel. Specific capabilities required include the following: No significant degradation to current performance capabilities of the KC-135R; 6600 NM unrefueled range; seating for 36 passengers and crew; separate CINC compartment with separate staff work area, both with over-head storage preferred; adequate electrical power; lavatories; galley; potable water; emergency oxygen and cargo storage in sufficient quantities to support the crew and passengers for missions of up to 18-hour durations. The baseline aircraft will be a KC-135R equipped with Pacer CRAG Block 20 and RVSM modifications. Mission Communications System (MCS) -- CINC aircraft must be equipped with a modern MCS capable of providing worldwide secure and nonsecure voice and data communications interoperable with associated ground and airborne communication networks. Simultaneous operation of command and mission communications during ground and flight operations (except refueling/air refueling), is required. Modifications will not degrade or interfere with other aircraft systems. Mission communications must be interoperable with NCA, Department of Defense, MYSTIC STAR, and must support CINC command centers. Backwards compatibility must be maintained. Communications equipment must be capable of being secured with appropriate cryptographic devices (KY, STU-III, KG, etc.). The MCS shall have sufficient growth capability to accommodate new requirements and improved technology as changes occur. We anticipate that a firm-fixed price supply contract using FAR Part 12 commercial procedures with fully funded annual production options will be issued. Therefore the use of commercial items is anticipated for appropriate interior modifications, communication, and aircraft system upgrades. The use of used equipment, if refurbished and reprocurable, is acceptable. This program will retire the existing CINC support aircraft from the Air Force inventory and replace them with dual role KC-135R tankers. Interested contractors are requested to submit the following information as it pertains to their experience in modifying aircraft as described above: 1. Company name, address, point of contract, telephone number and e-mail address. 2. Discussions of specific instances (program value, schedule) where the contractor has experience in modifying heavy aircraft (commercial or military) such as the KC-135R as contemplated in this program. 3. Comments related to the plausibility of using FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items, for this acquisition. 4. Evidence of capability to manage a military modification program of this magnitude. 5. Evidence of required security clearances and secured area necessary to perform the modifications. We anticipate the first aircraft modification completed, tested, and delivered to the user by 12 months after contract award. However, a Program Management Directive (PMD) and required funding for the CINC KC-135R Aircraft Modification program have not yet been approved. Therefore this notice is for planning purposes only. This notice 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 KC-135R modifications 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 programmatic acquisition 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. Identification of the contributing companies will not be divulged outside the Government. However, the Government reserves the right to use, in whole or part, any industry information received as a result of the RFI responses as part of a future acquisition strategy. Information you provide will not be used as a criteria for the prequalification of respondents for future solicitations. More information about the KC-135R CINC Aircraft Modification program (including the Operational Requirements Document (ORD)) can be found at the KC-135 PIXS site at http://www.pixs.wpafb.af.mil/pixs/pixslibr/cincam. The Government will use this site as its primary means of communicating with industry. We have posted additional technical, cost, logistics, and contractual questions on this site and we solicit your comments by 5 Jan 98 to these question which will help us plan the acquisition. The Government plans to host a series of Industry Days or site visits the first of which we are planning the week of December 15, 1997. Details will be provided to all potential contractors via this Internet site. FOR PLANNING PURPOSES: The Government anticipates the draft RFP to be available on this site by March 1998. Mr. Michael S. Coalson has been appointed as Ombudsman to hear concerns from offerors, or potential offerors, during the proposal development. The purpose of the Ombudsman is to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel. Existence of an Ombudsman does not diminish the authority of the program director or the contracting officer. Accordingly, the Ombudsman does not participate in the preparation of solicitations, the evaluation of proposals or the source selection process and, therefore, for routine matters on individual solicitations, please contact Mr. Bill Oswald, Contracting Officer at (937)255-1572 or LtCol Kim High at (937)255-6606, ASC/GRR, 2590 Loop Road West., Room 210, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7233. When requested the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. Should you desire to contact the Ombudsman, Mr. Coalson can be reached at (937) 255-5535, extension 232. All responsible sources may submit a response. Industry responses to this notice should be submitted to ASC/GRR no later than 14 days from the date of this CBD notice.***** (0051)

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