Aeronautical Systems Center, ASC/WMAK, 102 West D Avenue, Suite 300, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6808

15 -- SUB SCALE AERIAL TARGET POC Capt Jim Reynolds, Program Manager, 850-882-9307, Ext 5123; Mr. Andrew Jacobs, Contract Specialist, 850-882-2456, Ext 5096 The Aeronautical Systems Center Armament Product Support Group, Directorate of Aerial Targets (ASC/WMA) plans to award a production contract for approximately 50 -- 100 sub scale aerial targets (SSAT) capable of carrying existing heavy weight electronic countermeasures (ECM) systems. The SSAT is to satisfy a near term short fall in targets that can carry the heavy weight ECM pods and other countermeasures systems. This notice is a market survey to determine potential sources for a low risk non-developmental item (NDI) SSAT with performance characteristics and delivery schedule specified below. This is not a RFP or IFB. Presently, the Air Force 475 Weapons Evaluation Group (WEG), Tyndall AFB, FL operates the MQM-107 and BQM-34 sub scale aerial targets (SSAT) to satisfy air-to-air missile test and evaluation requirements. The Air Force requires the use of countermeasures systems on 50% of SSAT presentations. The present inventory of BQM-34's supports this capability. The inventory of Air Force BQM-34's will deplete in FY00. The Air Force intends to maintain its SSAT ECM capability in the near term, FY00-02 time frame. Requirements that must be satisfied for the near term SSAT capability addressed by this sources sought synopsis include the following: a. Non-Developmental Item (NDI). The SSAT must be a low risk NDI target with proven airframe, components, and engine. The SSAT must be compatible with the Gulf Range Drone Control System (GRDCS) and capable of operating within the 475 WEG, Tyndall AFB drone operating, maintenance, launch, and recovery infrastructure; b. Performance Parameters. (1) Payloads: Specific payloads which the target must be compatible with include, but are not limited to, the Midi-Pod with ULQ-21 ECM components, the APC-4 and AZC-1 IR Augmentation pods, and the ALE-44 chaff/flare dispensers. (2) Target Flight Performance: The target must meet or exceed all of the following flight performance requirements when flying with the baseline operational payload configuration. The baseline operational payload configuration is defined as two 150 lb. Midi pods with ULQ-21 ECM components and two ALE-44 chaff/flare dispensers. The target shall operate within an altitude range of 1000 ft AGL to 45,000 ft MSL. The target shall have a speed range of 250 knots to .85 Mach in level flight. The target shall be capable of performing a 6G, constant speed, 360 degree turn at or below 20,000 ft MSL while losing no more than 1500 ft of altitude. (3) Command and Control: The target shall be compatible with the Gulf Range Drone Control System (GRDCS). The target shall be equipped with a 3-axis digital autopilot with the capability for future expansion through software upgrades. (4) Vector Scoring: The targets shall be delivered equipped with the AN/DPQ-9 Vector Doppler Scoring System (VDOPS), or a vector scoring system of equivalent performance that operates within the current scoring infrastructure at the 475WEG, Tyndall AFB, FL; c. Production Delivery. Production deliveries of SSATs are required to start NLT February 2000. Contract performance is anticipated to begin in the November-December 1998 time frame. Potential offerors/sources must submit an unclassified statement of capability (SOC) for consideration by the Government to be received NLT 8 May 1998. The SOC (limited to 30 pages, 8 by 11 and 12 pt font) should address the specific requirements listed above, the NDI nature and performance specification of the candidate SSAT, the compatibility of SSAT support equipment and procedures with the current drone O&M support structure at Tyndall AFB, the production capability and status of the production line, and the test data that substantiates the candidate SSAT performance capabilities to meet each requirement in this synopsis. Submit your SOC (3 paper copies plus electronic media) to Mr. Andrew Jacobs, ASC/WMAK, 102 West D Avenue, Suite 300, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6808. After the SOCs have been screened, any draft or final solicitation will be issued to prospective sources who, in the sole judgment of the purchasing activity, have the capability to successfully produce a NDI SSAT that meets the performance and schedule requirements specified by this synopsis. This is not a request for proposal and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. Procurement is contingent upon receipt of funds. Funding anticipated is approximately $18 -- $27 million of production dollars and no (zero) development dollars. J85 GFE engines can be made available. Responding firms must have a secret level security clearance and must be export control certified in accordance with DoD 5230.25. Export control certification may be obtained through the Defense Logistics Services Center (DLSC), Battle Creek, MI, 49016-3412, telephone 1-800-352-3572. Any hardware or services that the Government may elect to procure as a result of responses to this inquiry will be announced separately. It is not the intent of the Government to obtain proprietary information; however, interested firms should understand that material presented in response to this inquiry may be used by the Government to help formulate requirements documents and specifications. Program management and technical questions may be addressed to Capt Jim Reynolds, Program Manager (850) 882-9307 extension 5123, and for contracting questions, Mr. Andrew Jacobs, (850) 882-9307 extension 5096. Collect calls will not be accepted. Col Jeffrey L. Upp, AFDTC/IG, is the ombudsman for this prospective requirement and can address concerns from offerors or potential offerors. The ombudsman does not diminish the authority of the program director or contracting officer, but communicates contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel. When requested, the ombudsman shall 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 may contact Col Upp if necessary at 850-882-5966/5967. (0100)

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