T-45C Mini Head-Up Display (HUD) System Obsolescence

Sources Sought for T-45C Mini Head-Up Display (HUD) System Obsolescence This Sources Sought is not a Request for Proposal. It is a market research tool being used to determine the adequacy of potential business sources, especially small business sources, prior to determining the method of acquisition and issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Government is not obligated to and will not pay for any information received from potential sources as a result of this announcement. Any information submitted by respondents to this technical description is strictly voluntary. Responses in any form are not offers and the Government is under no obligation to issue a solicitation or award a contract as a result of this announcement. The requested information is to assist the United States Navy in conducting Market Research of industry to determine potential business sources who have the assets, skills, experience, qualifications and knowledge required to support the below requirement. This requirement is subject to change and the information provided herein is for informational purposes only. The final requirement, if any, would be defined under a formal RFP and announced on FedBizOpps https://www.fbo.gov/. At this time, no official solicitation documents exist. This Sources Sought announcement is not a contract, a RFP, a promise to contract, or a commitment of any kind. The US Government will not assume liability for costs incurred by any offer or for travel expenses, presentations, marketing efforts or data related to any data offered for examination. Therefore, the cost of preparing information in response to this notice is not considered an allowable direct or indirect charge to the Government. Requirement: The Naval Undergraduate Flight Training Systems Program Office (PMA-273) has a requirement for integration and production of a new or updated HUD system (also referred to as the Pilots Display Unit (PDU)) for the T-45C aircraft. This requirement is driven by obsolescence in the currently installed HUD and the proposed cost to address the issues will possibly exceed the cost to replace the system. The purpose of this Sources Sought is to determine the availability and technical capability of vendors in the commercial sector, including small businesses having the capability to develop, integrate, and produce a HUD system to resolve the current HUD system obsolescence issues on T-45C aircraft which is projected to operate through CY 2035. The new HUD design must be compatible with the Mission Computer Alternative (MCA) currently being developed by PMA-209 for the T-45 aircraft. If a contract award is made, the selected vendor must be able to work with the MCA development contractor, PMA-273 and the Joint Software Support Activity (JSSA) at China Lake, California to define the HUD interfaces in the Technical Data Package (TDP) required for integration with the T-45 MCA. The HUD shall also have an interface defined in the TDP that enables the addition of a HUD camera for the T-45 platform. T-45C Background: The Navy Model T-45C Goshawk manufactured by The Boeing Company is a two (2) place, tandem seating, light weight, high performance, fully carrier-capable, digital cockpit version of the British Aerospace Hawk. It is powered by a single Rolls Royce F405-RR-401 turbofan engine, producing a sea level, installed, static thrust of 5,527 pounds. Primary DC power is provided by an engine driven 9 KW DC generator which supplies 28 volts to the 28 VDC Generator Bus. AC power is provided by two (2) static inverters which are connected in parallel supplying the AC buses. The inverters are powered from the 28 VDC Essential Services Bus and each supplies 115 volts, 400 Hz to the 115 VAC buses, and 26 volts, 400 Hz to the 26 VAC buses. Two (2) 24 VDC batteries provide power for the engine starting system and, in the event of generator failure, for services which are essential for the operation of the aircraft. The batteries are connected to the 28 VDC Essential Services Bus. External DC power may be connected and used for ground servicing and for charging the batteries. The HUD system consists of a self-contained display unit and two (2) Data Entry Panels (DEP); one (1) located in the FWD cockpit and the other in the AFT cockpit. The DEP provides on/off control of the HUD, control of display brightness and enables data to be entered into the Mission Display Processor (MDP), a combined Mission Processor and Display Processor. Operation of the complete system is controlled from the cockpit by way of switches and controls on the DEP and the Weapons Replaceable Assembly (WRA). The MDP is capable of repeating the HUD video on the Multi-Function Color Displays (MFCD) in both cockpits. The DEP, MFCD and MDP are not part of this Sources Sought for the HUD obsolescence requirement. The current HUD (Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Smiths Industries Aerospace (now GE Aviation Systems Ltd Cheltenham, England)), as installed in the T-45C aircraft, is a pressurized unit installed above the center instrument panel in the forward (FWD) cockpit. The unit is secured to the instrument panel by two (2) bolts which engage with nut plates built into the instrument panel; an index pin built into the HUD ensures correct location of the unit. The HUD is made up of a front housing assembly, a combiner assembly, optical assembly, an electronics circuit board, a cathode ray tube (CRT) assembly and a desiccator. The components of the HUD are enclosed by castings of irregular shape, tailor-made for the aircraft. The HUD presents data/symbology to assist student pilots in flying and weapons training. The function of the HUD is to display symbology from signals generated by the MDP. These are X and Y deflection current waveforms which drive the HUD CRT deflection yoke, and a bright-up signal which operates in conjunction with the output from the HUD solar cell and the brightness control located on the DEP. Typical HUD symbology in each sub-mode of each master mode of operation is generated based on selection of the weapons select switch which is a five-position, three-deck (A, B and C), rotary switch. The HUD does not have to have any specific master mode functionality as this is a function of the MDP. The HUD replacement effort shall require the Contractor to create and install an initial installation kit to modify a validation aircraft for flight worthiness and be in compliance with cybersecurity instructions and directives. It also requires the Contractor to create a second installation kit for a verification effort, including installation by the Navy. Finally, the Contractor shall build and deliver the remaining kits at a rate of up to five (5) kits per month for 46 months for a total of 230 kits. Contractor data provided to the Navy for compliance verification, approval and certification shall be leveraged to address Government Systems Engineering Processes and oversight activities. The Contractor shall be responsible for development and delivery of T-45C specification changes, source data for technical manual updates, system drawings, and supporting documentation required to support sustainment and military airworthiness of the aircraft. The Government does not own or have rights to all T-45C engineering drawings and/or specifications for the existing HUD. The interested party must be able to demonstrate its ability to obtain the required T-45 OEM TDP to perform this work. An update of the existing HUD system requires access to OEM drawings, computer software code, specifications and engineering data, or a mitigation strategy to provide a solution without such technical data. The OEM for the existing T-45 is the Boeing Corporation (Boeing) and BAE Systems. An interface control document (ICD) for the MDP which supplies video signals to the HUD can be provided, if requested. In your response, please address this requirement. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this requirement is 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment), which has a small business size of 1,250 employees. The Product Service Code is 1680, which is for Miscellaneous: Aircraft Accessories and Components, and the associated Object Class Code is 26.0, which is for Supplies and Materials. Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to respond; however, each respondent must clearly identify its business size in its capabilities statement. Please note that under a Small-Business Set-Aside, in accordance with FAR 52.219-14, the small business prime must perform at least 50% of the work themselves in terms of the cost of performance. It is requested that interested small and large businesses submit to the contracting office a capabilities statement package (no more than 20 pages size 8.5 x 11 inches in length, paginated, single-spaced, and 10-point font minimum). All responses shall include Company Name, Company Address, and at least two Points of Contact including name, phone number, fax number, and email address. The capabilities statement shall demonstrate the companys ability to perform the services as described in this synopsis. The capabilities statement shall address in detail, at a minimum, all items under Contractor Survey, Parts I, II and III. INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Below are the descriptions of the T-45C HUD system requirements survey. 2. If, after reviewing this document, you desire to participate in the market research, provide documentation that supports your company TMs capability in meeting these requirements. Failure to provide documentation may result in the U.S. Government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience/capability in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capability in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.). Additionally, please state in your submittal if you intend to submit as the prime Contractor or as a subcontractor (identify the prime Contractor with whom you will subcontract). Please include intentions for small business utilization if your company is not classified as a small business. 3. Both large and small businesses, pursuant to the size status for NAICS Code 333316 (1,250 employees) are encouraged to participate in this market research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are acceptable. 4. Questions relative to this Sources Sought should be addressed to Stephanie Gvozd, stephanie.gvozd@navy.mil. CONTRACTOR SURVEY: Part I: Business Information Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners: 1. Company/Institute Name: 2. Address: 3. Two Points of Contact: 4. CAGE Code: 5. Phone Number: 6. E-mail Address: 7. Web Page URL: 8. Size of business pursuant to NAICS Code: 333316. Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is: a. Small Business (Yes / No) b. Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No) c. Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No) d. Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (Yes / No) e. 8(a) Certified (Yes / No) f. HUBZone Certified (Yes / No) g. Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes / No) h. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes / No) i. System for Award Management Registration (formerly CCR) registered? (Yes / No) 9. A statement as to whether your company is domestically owned or foreign owned or foreign controlled (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership). Part II: General Capability Answers to the below inquiries will be evaluated to determine capability and the likelihood that requirements can be executed based on capability and the chosen approach of respondents. The evaluation will be assessed for risk and impact of cost, schedule and technical performance related matters that could occur depending on the management approach, current capability and needs to establish additional capability. It is preferable to the Government that similar responses to separate inquiries be identified by reference to areas within this market research response that the Contractor feels adequately address the inquiry. 1. Please describe your prior/current corporate experience and performance of requirements of this type, size, and complexity of effort within the last 5 years. For each such experience referenced, please provide contract number, organization supported, indication of whether performance was as a prime or subcontractor, contract value, Government point of contact, and a brief description of how the referenced contract relates to the requirements objectives. 2. Provide a summary of the companys capability to meet the requirements objectives and perform the efforts for a contract of this magnitude. This description shall demonstrate, through prior and/or current experience, an understanding of, at a minimum, the following: (a) Aircraft avionics system design, integration and testing, (b) integrated aircraft avionics system modification, (c) software development and modification, (d) Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) software level certification, (e) development, upgrading and fielding of modification installation kits, and (f) qualifying, testing, certifying aircraft, aircraft subsystems and components and the development. 3. Describe your Company profile to include major products/services, primary customer base, number of employees, annual revenue history, office location, Cage Code(s), statement regarding current Small Business Administration (SBA) business size and socio-economic classification under (i.e., small, Small-Disadvantaged, Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned, HUBZone, etc.), statement whether your interest in this effort is as a prime Offeror or to express interest regarding subcontracting possibilities, and contact information (telephone and email) for points of contact of those able to discuss the material submitted. A key factor in determining if an acquisition will be a Small Business Set-Aside is that two or more potential small business prime Contractors must be capable of performing at least 50 percent of the effort, as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting. If it is determined that a small business set-aside is appropriate and your company anticipates submitting a proposal as the prime Contractor for a small business set-aside, please provide specific details and rationale as to how compliance with FAR clause 52.219-14 would be achieved, including specific details regarding teaming arrangements, etc. If subcontracts are to be used, provide anticipated percentage of effort to be subcontracted and whether small or large businesses will be used. Teaming and/or subcontracting arrangements should be clearly delineated and previous experience in teaming must be provided. 4. Describe your capacity and facilities for this effort. Explain any element of this requirement (i.e., engineering, aircraft integration, technical data development, testing, etc.) that your company either doesn TMt have or that must be established to accomplish tasks that result from the requirements. 5. Is your company capable of performing at least 50% of the cost of manufacturing the supplies, not including the cost of materials (IAW FAR clause 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting) and do you intend to perform at least 50% of the work of the cost of manufacturing the supplies, not including the cost of materials as the prime offeror? 6. Does your company have the ability to begin performance thirty (30) days following a contract award? 7. Would your company be able to meet a production schedule of at least five (5) kits per month for 46 months? If not currently capable, please explain what you would do to meet that schedule. 8. Describe any limitations your company may have for responding to these requirements. Include limitations and courses of action necessary to overcome the limitation. Identify whether the limitation is based on cost, schedule or technical performance issues you feel should be considered. Part III: Technical Approach 1. Describe the ability of your company to provide HUD system capability for the T-45C aircraft. Since the Government does not own complete data rights to the aircraft design, describe how you will integrate the HUD system into the aircraft without Government-furnished technical data. If you will be partnering with another company, provide the company name and contact information for an individual knowledgeable about the teaming arrangement at that company. Did you coordinate with the company on this possible partnership and are they willing to be in the partnership? 2. Describe how the candidate architecture for the T-45C HUD system capability will incorporate growth for future requirements or technology insertion. 3. Provide literature (schematics, block diagrams or specifications) describing your technical approach to provide the given functionality within the current avionics hardware. 4. Describe your approach to incorporate and certify your proposed T-45C HUD system solution. 5. This effort will require compliance with AS9100C. What quality assurance processes and test qualification practices does your company employ? State whether your company is currently AS9100C certified or how your company will obtain this certification by the proposal due date. 6. Describe your hardware and software configuration control management program. 7. Provide an assessment of the reliability, maintainability and supportability of your approach. 8. Provide an assessment of the program technical, schedule, and cost risks. 9. Provide your technical data sharing methodology and process to allow for independent and/or a mixture of Government organic, Contractor, or Private-Public-Partnering repair and sustainability of components/systems addressed in your response. 10. Describe how your company would integrate HUD development with MCA development. If there is enough interest, the Government may hold an Industry Day to provide information to prospective respondents. In addition, based on the information you provide, the Government may request an on-site visit to further assess capabilities. Upon evaluation of capabilities statements, if it is determined that this requirement will be an unrestricted competition, the Government intends to evaluate the Small-Business responses and conduct further market research to identify subcontracting goals. The acquisition strategy has not yet been determined. Market research results will assist the Navy in determining whether this requirement will be a full and open, a small business set aside, or a sole source acquisition. Your Capabilities Statement shall be submitted by email and received no later than 4:00pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on TBD and shall reference T-45C Mini Head-Up Display (HUD) System Obsolescence on both the email and all enclosed documents to the Contract Specialist, Stephanie Gvozd, in either Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF), via email at stephanie.gvozd@navy.mil with a copy to David Kors at david.kors@navy.mil. Information and materials submitted in response to this request WILL NOT be returned. Classified material SHALL NOT be submitted. This request is for informational purposes only. All data received in response to this Sources Sought that is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary will be fully protected from any release outside the Government. The Government does not intend, nor is it under any obligation, to provide responses or comments on the submitted capability statement package. NOTE: Contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be eligible for award and payment from any DOD activity. Information on registration and annual confirmation requirements for SAM may be obtained by calling 866-606-8220, or by accessing the SAM website at https://www.sam.gov. Also, should the Government release an RFP for this effort, the successful offeror will be required to register for access to Wide Area Workflow (WAWF) for invoicing and payment by NAVAIR. Information on self-registration for WAWF can be obtained at https://wawf.eb.mil, additional support concerning WAWF can be accessed by calling the NAVY WAWF Assistance Line 866-618-5988. All questions regarding this Sources Sought notice must be submitted via email to Stephanie Gvozd at stephanie.gvozd@navy.mil with a copy to David Kors at david.kors@navy.mil. No questions will be accepted by phone. Government responses to submitted questions will be posted on FedBizOpps. The Government is not committed nor obligated to pay for the information provided, and no basis for claims against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought.