Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Contracts Department, Building 129-2, Highway 547, Lakehurst, NJ 08733-5083

A -- ELECTRO-MAGNETIC AIRCRAFT LAUNCH SYSTEM INDUSTRY BRIEF SOL N68335-99-RFI-902 POC Barbara J. Petrzilka, (732) 323-2067 This is a Request for Information (RFI) and Notice of Conference. There is no solicitation available at this time. The Government will not pay for any information received in response to the RFI, nor will the Government compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing the information provided to the Government. The Naval Air Systems Command is seeking sources to design, develop, manufacture, integrate, test and support an Electro-Magnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). A description of the desired technical capabilities is synopsized below. Pursuant to this sources sought announcement, it is anticipated that the EMALS program will be conducted as a multi-phase acquisition program consisting of a Program Definition and Risk Reduction Phase (PDRR), followed by an Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase, followed by a Production Phase. It is anticipated that two PDRR contracts will be awarded. A formal down select process will be exercised at the end of the PDRR phase to select the EMD and production phase contractor. All prospective EMALS designs must be capable of launching present and future naval fixed wing aircraft from the deck of an aircraft carrier. Design goals for the program are: 30% reduction in manning, 20% reduction in life cycle cost, 20% improvement in operational availability, and up to a 50% reduction in installed size and weight when compared to the current steam catapults. The performance goals for the EMALS are:90,000,000 ft-lbs. of energy capability, an end speed range between 55 and 200 knots, a peak to mean acceleration of 1.05 for all aircraft launches (including light weight aircraft such as Unmanned Air Vehicles and Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles), and a cycle time of 45 seconds. The Navy defines the EMALS as consisting of four major subsystems: an energy storage subsystem, power conditioning subsystem, a launch engine, and a control system. For the EMALS program PDRR phase, the Navy requires the contractor to design and build a full scale, fully integrated, reduced length prototype system and demonstrate threshold performance levels by the end of FY-03. If key performance issues have been successfully addressed, the program will be considered for transition to EMD phase. During the EMD phase, the system will be fully militarized and subjected to extensive technical and operational testing at a land based test site. The EMD phase will begin in FY-04 and end in FY-09. Production contract award is anticipated in FY08 with catapult deliveries beginning in FY10. The initial production award is expected to consist of 4 production units and associated support for installation on the CVNX-1. The Navy will host an industry meeting on 2 March 1999 from 09:00 am to 03:00 pm to discuss EMALS program goals and technical requirements, present its proposed acquisition strategy, answer questions and discuss program options. The Navy is particularly interested in industry's recommendations with respect to risk reduction techniques and PDRR phase testing and facilities requirements. The meeting will be held the Auditorium of Building 226 at the Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Ave SW, Washington D.C., 20375-5320. IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE INDUSTRY BRIEF, PLEASE SUBMIT A VISIT REQUEST TO NAVAIR PMA 251C by facsimile (301-757-6800) or e-mail (BUSHWAYRR@NAVAIR.NAVY.MIL). Attendance is limited to U.S. citizens only. YOUR REQUEST MUST BE RECEIVED NOT LATER THAN 1200 ON 22 FEBRUARY 1999 TO OBTAIN ACCESS. Depending on the length of the comment cycle stemming from this advance notice, the formal RFP is expected to be issued April 1999. NAWCAD Lakehurst will synopsize any formal contract action in the CBD prior to its release. This notice is not a solicitation of offers and the Government is not liable for the costs for any activity associated with a response to this announcement or attendance at the industry brief. If you cannot attend the industry brief and wish to receive copies of provided materials, submit your request in writing to Ms. Barbara Petrzilka, Naval Air Warfare Center Aricraft Division (Code 252220B129-2), Highway 547, Lakehurst, New Jersey, 08733-5082, who may be reached at (908) 323-2067 or facsimile (732) 323-4822. Posted 02/09/99 (W-SN296624). (0040)

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