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

A -- C-130 ENGINE INFRARED SUPPRESSION (EIRS) SOL USZA22-99-R-0022 POC Jacqueline C. Foreid (813)828-6877 WEB: SOAL Website, soal.socom.mil. E-MAIL: EIRS Contract Specialist, foreidj@socom.mil. The United States Special Operations Command (USSCOM) has a requirement for a C-130 Engine Infrared (IR) Signature Suppression System to provide Special Operations Forces (SOF) C-130 aircraft with improved IR signature reduction over existing systems at a lower cost of ownership. This IR suppression system will be used on AC-130H/U, MC-130E/H/P, and EC-130E aircraft. The key requirements for the Engine IR Suppression (EIRS) system are: (a) improved IR signature suppression levels over the current engine shield system (a.k.a. TUBS); (b) improved reliability and maintainability over existing systems to result in lower total cost of ownership; (c) minimal impact to aircraft performance and ability to accomplish SOF missions; (d) complete interchangeability between engine positions and identified aircraft types (variation acceptable in "Group A" mounting provisions). The solicitation will be executed in two phases, Development and Production. The program strategy for the development employs a two-contractor competition over an 18-month EMD phase, leading to a competitive down-select for the kit-proof and production EIRS systems. The Development Phase will have cost plus fixed fee contract line items and will require each contractor to produce a ship-set of production representative equipment for a competitive "fly-off" and their proposal for the production phase at the 15-month point. Delivery of the test hardware and the production proposal will be followed by a three-month flight test ("fly-off") phase leading to the down-select for kit-proof and production. The Production Phase will have firm fixed price contract line items for kit-proof systems, to include a minimum of 4 Group B (suppressors) ship-sets, 6 Group A ship-sets (as required), installation, and associated support and options for production systems, including up to 68 Group B (minimum of 46), 87 Group A, and initial support (including support equipment, technical manuals, training, and initial spares). The standard industrial classification is 3728 and the small business size standard is 1,000 employees. The Government may award multiple contracts for the R&D effort and reserves the right to make awards without discussion. The Department of Defense requires all contractors to be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) no later than May 31, 1998 to receive solicitations, contract awards or payments. USSOCOM intends to release the Request for Proposal (RFP) on the U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command Interagency Interactive Business Opportunities Page (IBOP) web-site on or about Jan 7, 2000. Proposals shall be due 45 days from the date the solicitation is issued. IBOP allows electronic transmittal of the solicitation from USSOCOM to industry, as well as electronic transmittal of offerors' proposals back to USSOCOM. All parties interested in doing business with USSOCOM are invited to access, operate, send and receive information from the IBOP at (http:/abop.monmouth.army.mil). Registration for a user ID and password will onlybe necessary when you are submitting the proposals to USSOCOM through the IBOP. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor this site for any subsequent information and amendments. This solicitation will be an unrestricted competitive procurement. All responsible sources may submit a proposal for consideration. Posted 11/09/99 (W-SN399448). (0313)

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