Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Multiple Award Contract (MAC) in support of the E-6B Mercury Aircraft.

DESCRIPTION

The Airborne Strategic Command, Control, and Communications (ASC3) Program Office (PMA-271) is conducting market research for a competitive Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Multiple Award Contract (MAC) in support of the E-6B Mercury Aircraft.

The anticipated Request for Proposal release is First Quarter FY2026.

The anticipated IDIQ MAC award is First Quarter FY2027.

The anticipated ordering period is 10 Years.

The results of this Sources Sought will be utilized to determine the interest, availability and technical capability of both large and small businesses (including the following subsets: Small Disadvantaged Businesses, HUBZone Firms, Certified 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, and Woman Owned Small Business) to provide the required products and/or services. As such, all eligible Small Businesses, to include those with any socio-economic status, are encouraged to respond.

The execution of efforts under this MAC will be competitively awarded Delivery and Task Orders. The efforts herein may include Contractor owned, Government owned, or a combination of two and will be specified at the Delivery or Task Order level.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

The IDIQ MAC scope will include products and services such as, but not limited to, engineering, test, facilities, Integrated Product Support (IPS), product design, development, maintenance, integration, and logistics support services, to support the acquisition and sustainment for the life cycle of the E-6B, and its systems, System of Systems (SoS), sub-systems, and Support Equipment (SE).  The IDIQ MAC scope will support the Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO), Airborne Command Post (ABNCP), Presidential National Voice Conferencing (PNVC), and Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) missions, plus their replacements, on the E-6B.

The scope of work for Delivery and Task Orders issued under the IDIQ MAC are anticipated to include, but are not limited to, the following Functional Areas:

1. Mission Communications Systems and Integration

Mission Communications Systems are integrated into the E-6B and provide its users with data and voice connectivity to other aircraft, ground-based installations, and surface vessels.  Capabilities include Line of Sight Radio in multiple bands/frequencies, Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Communications, Satellite Communications (SATCOM), and their integration into E-6B and its systems.  Systems in this functional area will need to interface with and provide data and/or voice communications to support the systems that provide the TACAMO, ABNCP, PNVC, and ALCS missions, and their replacements.  Delivery Orders and Task Orders (DOs/TOs) within this Functional Area are expected to include Mission Communications Systems research, development, technical studies, cybersecurity, design and prototyping, delivery of build-to-print Technical Data Packages (TDPs) suitable for follow-on competition, production, modification, integration, maintenance, and test. 

2. Mission Systems Architecture Design, Development, and Integration

Mission Systems Architecture provides the Airborne Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure and the integration of the various aircraft avionics, Broadband Capabilities, and Mission Communications Systems to support the E-6B Operational Mission.  In addition, the Very Low Frequency (VLF) transmit and receive system provides a vital component of the E-6B Operational Mission to communicate with critical components of the Nuclear enterprise.  Components and systems within this functional area with need to Interface with and support the systems that provide the TACAMO, ABNCP, PNVC, and ALCS Missions, and their replacements.  DO/TOs within this Functional Area are expected to include Mission Systems Architecture research, development, technical studies, cybersecurity, design and prototyping, delivery of build-to-print Technical Data Packages (TDPs) suitable for follow-on competition, production, modification, integration, maintenance, and test.

3. Air Vehicle Maintenance, Modification, and Support

This Functional Area supports the sustainment and modifications to the E-6B Air Vehicle.  The maintenance, modification, and improvement of the E-6B Avionics, Flight Deck, and Aircraft Power, and any related systems, subsystems, and components is required to ensure the viability of the aging E-6B airframe.  DO/TOs within this Functional Area are expected to include Air Vehicle Systems and Subsystems research, development, technical studies, cybersecurity, design and prototyping, delivery of build-to-print Technical Data Packages (TDPs) suitable for follow-on competition, production, modification, integration, maintenance, and test.

4. Systems Engineering

This Functional Area supports Systems Engineering analysis, reviews, white-paper creation, and studies to support all aspects of the operation and upkeep of the E-6B and all its systems and subsystems, as well as potential new capabilities and directed system integration.  This support includes Mass Properties, Weight and Balance, System Safety Engineering, Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), system integration design, system specification creation and modification, and system operation analysis.  DOs/TOs within this Functional Area are expected to include analyses, studies, white papers, and support of Systems Engineering Technical Review (SETR) events,

5. Software Design, Development, and Integration

This Functional Area supports Software Development activities in support of Aircraft Infrastructure, Mission Systems and Mission Communications Systems, Ground Infrastructure and Lab setup and integration, and the Sustainment and Support System (SASS).  DOs/TOs within this Functional Area are expected to include software requirements definition and derivation, design, development, test, integration, documentation, delivery, deployment, and maintenance of software components and systems.

6. Systems Security Engineering

This Functional Area supports Cybersecurity, Anti-Tamper (AT) and Cryptographic Encryption analysis, studies, and products to support the secure and reliable operation of the E-6B and its connectivity to other systems.  DOs/TOs within this Functional Area are expected to include Cybersecurity analysis, studies, cross-domain solutions (CDS), data, and support of the Risk Management Framework (RMF) submissions by the government, and any follow-on or similar systems, to support Interim Authority to Test (IATT) and Authority to Operate (ATO) for the E-6B and any of it systems, subsystems, ground components, and Labs.  DOs/TOs within this Functional Area are also expected to include analyses, studies, data, and other needs defined by the government in support of Systems Security Engineering, AT, and Cryptographic Encryption.

7. Sustainment and Product Support

Logistics and Sustainment Activities consist of providing services that are required for optimal performance of the E-6B and related components throughout the program lifecycle. Logistics and Sustainment activities may include Contractor Logistics Support (CLS), life cycle sustainment, supply support, depot-level support, Organization-Level Maintenance, Intermediate Field-Level Maintenance, repair and refurbishment, alteration installation, logistics and sustainment analyses, maintenance planning, management, and services, packaging, handling, storage, and transportation (PHS&T), training and training support, Operation and Operator Training Curriculum Development, obsolescence management, Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) support, inventory and sparing management, documenting technical data/red-lines for data/ documents/drawings updates, part and system identification, labeling, and marking, developing test plans, performance testing, system operational testing, test instrument installation and removal, user familiarization, configuration audits, material delivery/validation, support equipment, providing support to operational fleet assets, facilities and infrastructure support, sparing, and disposition of materials. Logistics and Sustainment activities may include cross-domain solutions also applicable to unmanned air vehicles or unmanned underwater vehicles. DO/TOs within this Functional Area are expected to include Logistics and Sustainment research, technical studies, and support services.

ELIGIBILITY

The Product Service Codes (PSC) for these requirements are anticipated to include, but are not limited to:

7A20 -IT And Telecom - Application Development Software (Perpetual License Software)

7J20 - IT And Telecom - Security and Compliance Products (Hardware and Perpetual License Software)

5831 - Intercommunication And Public Address Systems, Airborne

5826 - Radio Navigation Equipment, Airborne

5841 - Radar Equipment, Airborne

R425 - Support- Professional: Engineering/Technical

R499 - Support- Professional: Other

R706 – Logistics Support Services

R699 – Support – Administrative: Other

R799 - Support- Management: Other

AC11 - National Defense R&D Services; Department of Defense - Military; Basic Research

AC12 - National Defense R&D Services; Department of Defense - Military; Applied Research

AC13 - National Defense R&D Services; Department of Defense - Military; Experimental Development

6910 - Training Aids

1560 - Airframe Structural Components

1620 - Aircraft Landing Gear Components

1630 - Aircraft Wheel and Brake Systems

1730 - Aircraft Ground Servicing Equipment

1710 - Aircraft Landing Equipment

5342 - Hardware, Weapon System

C219 – Architect and Engineering – General: Other

5963 – Electronic Modules

AC31 - National Defense R&D Services; Defense-Related Activities; Basic Research

AC32 - National Defense R&D Services; Defense-Related Activities; Applied Research

AC33 - National Defense R&D Services; Defense-Related Activities; Experimental Development

J015 - Maint/Repair/Rebuild of Equipment- Aircraft and Airframe Structural Components

J016 - Maint/Repair/Rebuild of Equipment- Aircraft Components and Accessories

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes are anticipated to include, but are not limited to: 

336411 - Aircraft Manufacturing

336413 - Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing

488190 - Other Support Activities for Air Transportation

541330 (Exception 1) Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons

334111 - Electronic Computer Manufacturing

513210 - Software Publishers

541611 - Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

334112 - Computer Storage Device Manufacturing

541618 - Other Management Consulting Services

541715 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

334511 - Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

334220 - Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing

Please note that under a Small Business Set-Aside, the small business prime must perform at least 50% of the work to be performed in accordance with FAR 19.505.

DISCLAIMER

THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.  THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.  IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT.  RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.  NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. 

SUBMISSION DETAILS

It is requested that all interested businesses complete the Sources Sought Response defined in Attachment 1, in MS Word format (MS 365 compatible). All responses must be unclassified. If the response provided contains proprietary information, it must be marked accordingly. Submitted data will not be returned to the responders.

Interested vendors are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Sources Sought Notice. PMA-271 will not pay for information received in response to this Sources Sought Notice.

Do not submit pricing information in response to this Sources Sought Notice.

The Sources Sought Response shall be electronically submitted to Randy Putnam at randolph.a.putnam.civ@us.navy.mil and Lisa Troccoli at lisa.j.troccoli.civ@us.navy.mil in accordance with the response date identified within this posting. Questions or comments regarding this notice may be addressed to Randy Putnam at randolph.a.putnam.civ@us.navy.mil.