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Engineering Support/Software Sustainment


Georgia, United States
Government : Military
RFI
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Request for Information (RFI)

 

 

 

Electronic Attack Pods AN/ALQ-131, AN/ALQ-131A, and AN/ALQ-184 System Hardware and Software Sustainment

 

 

 

 

 

 

24 AUG 17




 


 


 


Contents

Purpose. 3

Brief Description. 4

Engineering Expertise and Skills Sought. 5

Contractor Capability Survey. 6

Part I Business Information. 6

Part II Capability Survey Questions and Requested Information. 7

General Capability Requested Information. 7

Engineering Requested Information. 7

Testing Requested Information. 8

Commerciality Requested Information. 8


 


 




Purpose

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Electronic Warfare and Avionics SPO, Electronic Warfare Program Office is seeking sources to determine the availability of capable contractors to provide specialized sustaining engineering services (SES) in support of AN/ALQ-131 and AN/ALQ-131A system sustainment and IV&V services for the AN/ALQ-184 Operational Flight Program.  A potential source shall possess the expertise and capability to step in with no loss of technical/engineering execution coverage, and no reduction in operational tempo, while performing all the required duties.


The effort will acquire specialized contractor sustaining engineering support for AN/ALQ-131 and AN/ALQ-131A system level deficiencies, supportability problems due to obsolescence, engineering laboratory test support, and investigations and analysis necessary to ensure availability and effectiveness of the AN/ALQ-131(V) System of Systems.  Subordinate to the work on system-level deficiencies, the effort will require resolution of obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing source (DMS) issues at the component or Shop Replaceable Unit (SRU) level as well as continued sustaining engineering support for the Electronic Warfare Avionics Integration Support Facility (EWAISF).


The effort will acquire specialized contractor sustaining engineering support for software sustainment of the AN/ALQ-131A, which includes software test, software studies and analyses, software engineering (including requirements definition and analysis, software design, coding, integration, testing and documentation), software support, test support, and system test and evaluation.  The objective is to provide routine, mission critical, and emergency software maintenance support for the AN/ALQ-131A. Tasks include software maintenance and deficiency analysis support for the following computer software configuration items: Digital Receiver Exciter (DRE) and Milli-Computer Replacement (MCR) Operational Flight Programs (OFPs), Mission Data File Generator (MDFG), firmware (Interface Module and DRE), AN/ALQ-131A Flight Data Recorder (FDR), AN/ALM-256A Intermediate Level Support Equipment (ILSE) software, and AN/ALQ-131A, AN/ALM-256A, and AN/ALQ-213 Software Simulation Tools.

This effort will also acquire specialized contractor IV&V support for software sustainment of the AN/ALQ-184(V) Electronic Attack (EA) pod Operational Flight Program (OFP) software.  The OFP is written in assembly language, C, and C++ running on IBM PowerPC microprocessors, Zilog Z8 microcomputers, Zilog Z8002 microprocessors, and a TI 320C31.  The required engineering support consists of performing AN/ALQ-184(V) OFP Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V), updating existing verification and validation tools, updating existing verification and validation tool documentation,   and updating software documentation.  This support applies to all parts of the OFP including the RePLACE® and IO1553 code modules.


 Note: THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide specialized AN/ALQ-131 and AN/ALQ-131A Sustaining Engineering Services and specialized AN/ALQ-184 OFP software sustainment through IV&V. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government.  The Air Force has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought.  All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.


 


 


 


Responses must be received no later than close of business 1 November 2017. 


Please send responses to barton.kirkpatrick.1@us.af.mil with copy to ronald.arbour.3@us.af.mil.


 


 


 


 

Brief Description
                                                                   

The primary mission of the AN/ALQ-131, -131A and -184 Electronic Attack Pods is to identify and counter increasingly complex, diverse enemy air defense systems.  The pods consist of a multitude of receiver, transmitter and signal processing sub-systems.  In addition, several support tools and specialized test and measurement equipment ((AN/ALM-256 and AN/ALM-256A ILSE) and AN/ALM-233 Automatic Support Equipment (ASE)) complete the overall system architectures. The AN/ALQ-131(V) and AN/ALQ-184(V) systems were first designed, developed, assembled and deployed in the mid-1970s with incremental hardware and data-flow upgrades since then.  Since the early 1990s the AN/ALQ-131(V) and AN/ALQ-184(V) have been the primary electronic attack defensive systems for the F-16 and A-10 combat aircraft.


Numerous obsolescence / systemic deficiencies exist across the AN/ALQ-131 system at the Line Replaceable Unit (LRU)-level owing to the age of the technology as well as the age of the industry which produced it.  These deficiencies must be continuously addressed. 


The AN/ALQ-13A program incorporates a permanent modification to the AN/ALQ-131.  The modification integrates a Digital Receiver/Exciter (DRE), which is a digital receiver and advanced techniques generator, and the radio frequency chain from the AN/ALQ-184, into an AN/ALQ-131 pod shell.  Anticipated operational and system deficiencies with new components, as well as AN/ALQ-131 and AN/ALQ-184 components reused or modified in the AN/ALQ-131A, will also have to be resolved.  To keep pace with the evolution of the electronic battlefield arena, and to correct software operational and system deficiencies, routine, mission critical, and emergency software maintenance support is required for the AN/ALQ-131A Computer Software Configuration Items (CSCIs).


Additionally, AN/ALQ-184 OFP documented deficiencies require review to determine validity and suitability and correction in the currently fielded software.  These corrections to the OFP require IV&V prior to final release of software.

Engineering Expertise and Skills Sought
Access to AN/ALQ-131 and AN/ALQ-131A Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Design Activity engineering design notes, proprietary system test notes and non-delivered engineering data to overcome government data shortages to facilitate in depth system level investigation and redesign activities.

 

20+ years (10 years current) of engineering/design expertise with all levels of AN/ALQ-131 system to include ALM-256 ILSE and all related support equipment.

 

Direct knowledge of current AN/ALQ-131 Sub assembly and component integration activities including qualification activities of new major component & manufacturers.

 

Direct knowledge of current AN/ALQ-131A OFPs to include the DRE and MCR and MDFG.

 

Direct knowledge of current AN/ALQ-131A OFP Computer Software Component (CSC) to CSC interfacing, OFP to CSCI to peripheral CSCI interfacing, OFP built-in-test, and memory utilization for OFP and mission data.

 

Direct knowledge of current AN/ALQ-184 OFP to include the Pod System Processor Program (PSPP) and Technique Generator Program (TGP).

 

Direct knowledge of current AN/ALQ-184 OFP CSC to CSC and OFP to CSCI to peripheral CSCI interfacing as well as OFP, built-in-test, and mission data memory utilization.

 

10+ years of direct hands on AN/ALQ-131 and ALM-256 maintenance experience including working knowledge of the Electronic Warfare Avionics Integrated Support Facility (EWAISF).

 

10+ years of direct hands on AN/ALQ-184 IV&V experience testing the OFP to include managing support tools as well as a working knowledge of the Electronic Warfare Avionics Integrated Support Facility (EWAISF).

 

Access to OEM research regarding proprietary ongoing tech-insertion efforts in support of FMS fleets from which the AF derives sustainability synergies in support of the AF fleet.

 

Access to the OEM CCB for continuous sustainment of the AN/ALQ-131 and AN/ALQ-131A drawing data base and publication of engineering changes to drawings being released to vendors by the OEM.

 

Access to the specially-designed OEM-owned near-field anechoic chamber for ongoing testing of ALQ-131 transmit and receive antenna assemblies and radomes.

 


Access to the OEM proprietary RePlace© software tools and engineering data used in the software testing and sustainment of the AN/ALQ-184 OFP.


Access to the OEM proprietary FDADTM software tool and engineering data used in the software testing and sustainment of the AN/ALQ-131A OFPs, MDFG, ILSE S/W and FDR.


Note:  Due to the high probability of task requiring access to OEM data, an Associate Contractor Agreement (ACA) Relationship is required.   Provide a copy of your current ACA with the OEM to obtain full access to the proprietary engineering data, drawings, and resources. If no ACA, in place provide copy of your OEM-signed letter of their intent to subcontract or sell all the above data/information/access.

Contractor Capability Survey
Part I Business Information

 


Provide the following business information for your company and for any teaming or joint venture partner.

•·         Company/Institute Name:

•·         Address:

•·         Point of Contact:

•·         CAGE Code:

•·         Phone Number:

•·         E-mail Address:

•·         Web Page URL:

•·         Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code:  541330

 

Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

•·         Small Business                                                 (Yes / No)

•·         Woman Owned Small Business                                   (Yes / No)

•·         Small Disadvantaged Business                         (Yes / No)

•·         8(a) Certified                                                   (Yes / No)

•·         HUBZone Certified                                         (Yes / No)

•·         Veteran Owned Small Business                                   (Yes / No)

•·         Service Disabled Veteran Small Business        (Yes / No)

•·         Central Contractor Registration (CCR).                        (Yes / No)

 

•·         A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership).


 





 

Part II Capability Survey Questions and Requested Information
General Capability Requested Information

 

Describe briefly the capabilities of your facility and the nature of the goods and/or services that relates to Engineering Services expertise listed in this RFI.  Include a description of your staff composition and management structure.

 

Describe your company's past experience on EW integration projects.  Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, agency/organization supported, and individual point of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager).

 

Describe your company's capabilities for generating, handling, processing and storing classified material and data. 

 

Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating technical data, engineering drawings and manuals.  Identify what software programs are utilized to generate these data products and what formats are available for delivered items.

 

Describe your configuration management processes and how you identify and resolve issues with software development, requirements traceability, parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing source's problems.  What are the particulars of the licenses involved with any software tool used?

 

Describe your process for maintaining inventory records and reporting on hand/in work balances and status to your customer.


 

Engineering Requested Information
 

Describe your immediate capabilities and experience with AN/ALQ-131, AN/ALQ-131A and AN/ALQ-184 Electronic Attack Pods.

 

Describe your immediate capabilities and experience with ALM-256 and AN/ALM-256A ILSE and included support equipment.

 

Describe your immediate capabilities and experience with the AN/ALQ-131A DRE and MCR OFPs, MDFG, firmware (Interface Module and DRE), AN/ALQ-131A FDR, and AN/ALM-256A ILSE software, to include FDAD and AN/ALQ-131A, AN/ALM-256A, and AN/ALQ-213 Software Simulation Tools.

 

Describe your immediate capabilities and experience with the AN/ALQ-184 OFP software to include use of the RePLACE® system, PSPP, TGP, CSCs and CSCIs.

 

Describe your immediate capabilities and experience with AN/ALQ-131 and ALM-256 system maintenance.

 

Describe your immediate capabilities and experience with AN/ALQ-131A and ALM-256A system maintenance.

 

Describe your immediate capabilities and experience with AN/ALQ-131A system knowledge to include digital architecture, RF architecture, and mission data.

 

Describe your immediate capabilities and experience with AN/ALQ-184 system knowledge to include digital architecture, RF architecture, mission data, and HATCHECK.

 

Describe your immediate capabilities and experience in modifying/interpreting SCGs, ICDs, IDDs, and SVDs of complex EW systems.

 

Describe your immediate capabilities and experience in modifying/interpreting interface capabilities of AN/ALQ-131 and AN/ALQ-131A sub-systems.

 

Describe your immediate capabilities and experience operating, diagnosing, troubleshooting,   repairing and sustaining the systems listed above.

Testing Requested Information
 

Describe your immediate capabilities and experience with writing, performing, and executing Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) and Functional Qualification Training (FQT).

 

Describe your immediate capabilities and experience with writing, performing, and executing aircraft ground checkouts, flight test, and flight demos.

 

Describe your immediate capabilities and experience with test equipment, routine lab testing, and regression testing.

 


Describe your capabilities and/or experience with development of and obtaining government approval for test plans and reports.

Commerciality Requested Information
 

If you offer this product and/or service to both U.S. Government and commercial sources, is the same workforce used for both the U.S. Government and general public?

Describe your standard warranty and return process for goods and services furnished to the government for items similar in nature to this requirement.

How long has your company been in business and how many employees does your company have?

How do you support your product after it has been sold and delivered to the customer (i.e., resolving problems, design practices which avoid obsolescence, developing manual updates)?

Do you feel that your company would be able to provide firm-fixed prices for this effort for a period of 3- 5 years?

Describe how you would fill any short term emergency (urgent software updates) needs the government may have.


What are the quality assurances or testing processes your company utilizes in its design, manufacturing, and inspection practices, such as ISO 9001, AWS, ANSI?


Ronald P. Arbour, Contract Manager, Phone 4789267192, Email Ronald.arbour.3@us.af.mil - Barton T Kirkpatrick, Contract Specialist, Phone 14783276322, Email barton.kirkpatrick@robins.af.mil

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