U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Acquisition Center, Bldg 4488, Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898-5280

A -- ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING DEVELOPMENT (EMD) PHASE OF THE RAH-66 COMANCHE HELICOPTER PROGRAM. THE PROPOSED EMD CONTRACT WILL COMPLETE DESIGN AND TESTING EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT THE WEAPON SYSTEM MEETS COST AND PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS AND IS READY TO ENTER FULL RATE PRODUCTION. POC Cathy Harkey, Contract Specialist, AMSAM-AC-AV-C, (256)313-4358; Samuel B. Huffstetler, Contracting Officer, AMSAM-AC-AV-C, (256)313-4329 E-MAIL: click here to contact the contracting officer via, huffstetlers@comanche.redstone.army.mil. AMCOM proposes the issuance of a change order against contract DAAJ09-91-C-A004, for the submission of a proposal for the follow-on Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase for the RAH-66 Comanche helicopter. The active Comanche Dem/Val contract DAAJ09-91-C-A004 is currently with The Boeing Sikorsky Comanche Team (A Joint Venture), the developer of the Comanche System. Boeing Sikorsky Comanche Team is the only responsible source that has the unique technical expertise and corporate knowledge that will satisfy the agency requirements; therefore, this acquisition is being procured under the authority 10 U.S.C. 2304 (1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1. The Government will specify for the EMD proposal to include of all supplies, services, materials, facilities, equipment, data, and management required to complete the follow-on EMD phase for the RAH-66 Comanche helicopter. The RAH-66 Comanche is a lightweight, twin engine, advanced technology helicopter that will replace the current light fleet of tactically obsolete OH-58 and AH-1 helicopters for the primary missions of armed reconnaissance and attack, with an embedded air combat capability. The proposed EMD contract will follow the Milestone II decision planned for March 2000, and will continue development and testing of two existing prototype aircraft; and the design, manufacture, and assembly of fourteen additional Pre-Production Prototype (PPP) configured aircraft. Design and development of the Comanche Radar and the armed reconnaissance/light attack Mission Equipment Package (MEP) will be completed during EMD, augmented by computer aided three-dimensional interactive application for design, MANPRINT, documentation, tooling, and manufacturing efforts. For the PPP aircraft, the contractor will provide in-house manufacturing sustaining support, manufacturing labor and material necessary for assembly, and acceptance testing. The PPP aircraft shall be fully capable of meeting the requirements of the Production Weapons System Specification (PWSS) and shall represent the production aircraft configuration. Testing for complete qualification of the Comanche aircraft system shall be conducted under the EMD contract. Qualification will consist of analysis, component test, subsystem test, and aircraft level testing. Four pre-production prototype aircraft (#3-6) (one with Fire Control Radar (FCR)) will undergo a limited user test in FY 2005. Component, subsystem and flight-testing for evaluation and design prove-out will be included in this phase. Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (IOT&E) will be accomplished on aircraft #7-14. Companies interested in participation as subcontractors should contact Boeing Sikorsky Program Management Office, Attention: Mr. Sandy Black, International Plaza II, Suite 645, Philadelphia, PA 19113. Mr. Black may also be reach by telephone at (610) 632-1039. Posted 02/09/99 (W-SN296694). (0040)

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