This notice constitutes a Request for Information (RFI). THERE IS NO REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS PLANNED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS RFI. This RFI is listed on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOps) website at https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=c82439499909c8702e505892b23ecb37&_cview=1. All public-releasable, unclassified documentation associated with this RFI (e.g. Information Day information) will be posted at the above website. 1. The Naval Air Systems Command’s Air Warfare Analysis Branch (AIR-4.10), acting at the direction of the Chief of Naval Operations’ Air Warfare Director (N88), is seeking technical and program-related information useful for the execution of the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) Analysis of Alternatives (AoA). Details regarding the content of information sought are provided herein. Sources interested in responding to this RFI are encouraged to participate in an Information Day meeting, the details of which are provided below. In lieu of a formal response submission, respondents to this RFI are asked to provide an oral presentation of their response to the AoA Leadership Integrated Program Team (LIPT). To be most useful, briefings must occur June 23rd 2009. Individual briefings must not exceed 2 hours in duration. The information regarding the briefing location is also provided below. The AoA LIPT and subordinate AoA Working IPTs may submit questions to RFI respondents and conduct follow-up discussion in order to seek clarification of submitted information or gain additional input. In order to gain information most useful to the AoA, the Navy will provide Government Furnished Information (GFI) concerning NGJ technical and program-related information. This GFI is identified in Section 4. In order to receive GFI, interested sources must submit a request via email to the RFI Technical Point of Contact (TPOC), identified in Section 10. Response briefings provided should be classified no higher than SECRET/NO FOREIGN. For response briefings classified at higher levels, please contact Mr. Ray Coutley, AoA Study Director, 301-342-6040,
[email protected]. No contract or funded tasking will be awarded from this announcement. Information herein is based on the best information available at the time of publication, is subject to revision, and is not binding upon the government. The Government WILL NOT PAY for any information received in response to this RFI nor will the government compensate respondents for any cost incurred in developing information for, participating in meetings with or engaging in discussion with the government. 2. Information Day Meeting: An Information Day to assist interested sources in the development of RFI responses will be held on Friday, June 5th 2009 at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL), located at 11100 Johns Hopkins Road in Laurel, Maryland 20723. Meeting participants must report to the Building 7 lobby by 9:15am. The meeting will begin at 9:30am Eastern Time and complete no later than 2:00pm. Due to space constraints, vendors are limited to 3 individuals per team. Portions of the meeting will be conducted at the SECRET classification level. Personnel attending the meeting must possess and provide verification of the appropriate security clearance. The Administrative Point of Contact (POC) for this meeting is Mr. Chris Powers, 240-228-1507,
[email protected]. Please pass security clearances electronically using JPAS SMO Code 888984, and send an email to Mr. Powers at
[email protected] with attendee roster information (names, organization name & address, email addresses and phone numbers). Additional JHU/APL visitor information is available at http://www.jhuapl.edu/newscenter/visitor/default.asp. 3. RFI Response Briefing Meeting: RFI response briefings shall be given on June 23rd 2009 (and potentially June 24th) at Dynamic Analytics and Test (DA&T), 2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 625 Arlington, VA 22201-3063. Due to space constraints, vendors are limited to 4 individuals per team. Interested RFI respondents must contact the RFI TPOC to schedule their time slot (up to 2 hours). Please be prepared to provide a primary, secondary and tertiary preference for a time slot. Portions of the meeting will be conducted at the SECRET classification level. Personnel attending the meeting must possess and provide verification of the appropriate security clearance. The Administrative Point of Contact (POC) for this meeting is Ms. Stacey Fahed, 703-351-0088,
[email protected]. Please send Ms. Fahed an email containing attendee roster information (names, organization name & address, email addresses and phone numbers). The Security POC for this meeting is Ms. Angela Lawson, 703-351-0088,
[email protected]. Please pass security clearances electronically using JPAS SMO Code 1MMS34 and upon completion, provide an e-mail acknowledging passed clearances to the DA&T FSO, Ms. Angela Lawson with cc: to Ms. Stacey Fahed. Additional DA&T visitor information is available at http://www.dat-inc.com/dat.contactus.html. 4. Government Furnished Information (GFI): Available GFI is identified below. GFI will be provided to Department of Defense (DoD) agencies and U.S. DoD contractors only. A request to receive GFI must be submitted via email to the RFI TPOC identified in Section 10. Sources requesting GFI will be required to submit CAGE codes for U.S. DoD contractor verification purposes. Title Date F-35 Program Overview and Capabilities Briefing 16 Apr 09 (UNCLASSIFIED) Next Generation Jammer F-35 Air Vehicle Integration 05 Apr 09 Data (UNCLASSIFIED) F-35 CV Next Generation Jammer Available Volume 04 Jun 08 Approximation (UNCLASSIFIED) 5. Background: The NGJ system is intended to replace the capability currently enabled by the ALQ-99 jamming pods, providing a significant enhancement to the EA-18G’s EA capabilities at a reduced operations and sustainment cost. First identified in the 2002 AEA System of Systems (SoS) AoA, there is a compelling need, founded in both capability and sustainability to move beyond the ALQ-99. This need was recently re-validated in the Joint AEA (JAEA) Study, conducted by the Office of Secretary of Defense Program, Analysis and Evaluation [OSD (PA&E)]. In January 2009, the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L) approved the NGJ AoA Analysis Plan, which formally began the AoA. This 15-month study is intended to serve as an aid to decision makers in the areas of acquisition strategy, budget strategy, and requirements generation. Further, the analysis information will be used to inform Program Objective Memorandum (POM-12) decisions for NGJ. On January 15th 2009, the AoA LIPT posted its initial RFI seeking information from industry, academia and government agencies pertaining to NGJ System Concepts (SC) and other pertinent technical and program related information. This initial RFI remains posted at the Federal Business Opportunities web site location identified above. Across the months of February and March 2009, the AoA LIPT received information in the form of briefings from the initial RFI respondents and utilized that information, as well as information derived from other sources, to develop sixteen (16) non-proprietary NGJ SCs suitable for integration on the EA-18G and representative of all three AoA Alternative Categories described in Section 6. At the time of this initial round of the RFI and subsequent SC development, the AoA LIPT lacked sufficient information relating to the F-35. Consequently, respondents to the initial RFI could not adequately address this element of the AoA, nor could the AoA LIPT sufficiently develop NGJ SCs applicable to the F-35. Since this time, the AoA LIPT, the Services and the F-35 Joint Program Office have developed sufficient information to remedy this situation, and through this RFI, will now initiate a process to develop NGJ SCs suitable for the F-35. As opposed to being a stand-alone process, all NGJ SCs and related information developed thus far for EA-18G will be considered. 6. AoA Guidance: Information below provides a summary of key information contained within the approved AoA Guidance. More complete AoA Guidance was provided in the NGJ AoA Directives Extracts Document, issued as GFI at the time of the initial RFI posting. In accordance with Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff instructions; the USN completed a NGJ Functional Solutions Analysis (FSA) to illustrate how the NGJ system can provide a solution to current and projected EA-18G/ALQ-99 program of record gaps in war fighting capability. The FSA concluded that no non-materiel solutions to the acknowledged EA-18G/ALQ-99 gaps exist. The materiel solutions explored in the FSA show the NGJ system provides increased war fighting capabilities over the ALQ-99 on the EA-18G. The FSA cost estimates for NGJ found the potential program to be an Acquisition Category (ACAT) ID level program. An AoA is required to determine courses of action to correct current and projected gaps in ALQ-99 capability and supportability. The scope of the NGJ AoA will include analysis of the ALQ-99 TJS baseline and potential NGJ candidates to be initially integrated onto the EA-18G and potentially the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. When employed against a target set that includes conventional and irregular warfare radar and communications systems, NGJ-equipped aircraft are expected to have the same, or better, level of airborne electronic attack capability as an EA-6B ICAP3 aircraft, operating the ALQ-99 and ALQ-218 systems. NGJ should provide improved Reliability, Maintainability and Availability (RMA) over that of the ALQ-99. All NGJ alternatives will be assessed as candidates for use by the EA-18G and F-35. There are three alternative categories for the NGJ AoA. They are as follows: Alternative Category 1: Incremental modernization of the current ALQ-99 TJS sub-system, starting with the oldest and/or most critical bands (such as Bands 4 and 5/6). Alternative Category 2: Fielding of a new jamming system that draws on technology at technology readiness level (TRL) 5 or 6. Concepts within this alternative should incorporate commercial off-the-shelf technology as feasible. Alternative Category 3: Exploration of the costs and benefits of a new jamming system based on a lower initial TRL. Concepts within this alternative should initially address the core component requirement currently filled by the ALQ-99. However, it should use technologies that could be adapted for future jamming systems that address all AEA system of systems mission areas. 7. RFI Response Input to AoA: The Navy requests from interested sources information that supports the development of NGJ SCs that fit within the AoA Alternative Categories and are suitable for use on the F-35. Multiple SCs may be submitted for each alternative category, or sources can limit information to only one concept for one alternative. For each SC, technical and program-related information is desired that addresses each of the following areas: a. Identification of the AoA Alternative Category which the SC addresses. b. The platform or platforms (F-35, EA-18G) to which the SC applies. c. Descriptions of the SC that illustrates its major sub-systems, the SC’s size, weight and prime power demands, and its installation on the platform(s). Information explaining how the SC addresses needs for modular and open architecture is desired. d. Identification of an existing NGJ SC, developed under either the AoA or NGJ Technology Maturation (TechMat) Trade Study contracts, to which this SC most closely matches. e. Identification of unique aspects of the SC that are directly linked to the F-35 AEA CONOPs, including discussion of inherent (i.e. without NGJ) F-35 EW capabilities and their impact on NGJ SC requirements. Discussion of Own-ship and off-board interoperability and EW Battle Management opportunities are also desired. f. The technical aspects of the platform integration for the SC, including its interfaces with other systems (weapons systems, controls/displays, etc) on the platform and any projected platform modifications. Interfaces with and required modifications to existing ES/ESM receivers & radar systems should be described, as should impacts to platform performance (e.g. range, ceiling, on-station time, signature). If the SC involves the use and integration of new hardware/software with a portion of the ALQ-99 (e.g. Low Band Pod containing Low Band Transmitters and Universal Exciter Upgrade), a description of such and identification of associated issues is desired. g. An assessment of unique and common programmatic and technical attributes between the SC and its comparable SC(s) for the EA-18G, including the degree of hardware/software commonality, technology differences, development timelines, etc. h. Identification and discussion of unique (not common with an EA-18G NGJ SC) component and sub-system technologies required to develop the SC, their current TRL, the time lines required to achieve TRL 7. i. An assessment of the time required to develop and field the SC, including a projected Initial Operational Capability year in which a single F-35 squadron could be operationally deployed. In addition to this assessment, provide an estimated schedule of major events and milestones for the SC. j. An assessment of technical, schedule and cost risks envisioned for the SC and recommendations for mitigation of risks assessed as moderate or high. k. Describe any opportunities for which an NGJ SC might fulfill an F-35 warfighting need outside of AEA missions. The government desires submitted responses to be formatted in a manner suitable for oral presentation that organizes information to follow paragraphs a) through k) immediately above. The presentation may be classified up to the SECRET/NOFORN classification level. The title page of the presentation should identify the name and address of the source and a primary and secondary POC (including name, phone number and email address). Use of Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Project) and Adobe products is required. The government requests one paper copy and two electronic copies of the presentation materials. 8. Proprietary/Limited Distribution Information Markings: It is incumbent upon sources providing a presentation in response to this RFI to identify all data contained within that is proprietary and/or has limited distribution requirements. 9. General Information: The cost of preparation of a response to this RFI and any costs related to RFI briefings, meetings, and answering government-posed questions are not considered allowable direct charges to any other contract or tasking. RFI response presentations will not be returned. Interested sources are advised that the employees of commercial firms under contract to the Government will serve as technical reviewers of information provided in the response briefing to this RFI. By submission of a response, a source gives the Government permission to release proprietary information to employees of those organizations listed below. Employees of these organizations that participate in the NGJ AoA are required to sign and submit Non-Disclosure Agreements. • Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), Laurel MD • MANTECH, Lexington Park MD • Dynamics Analytics and Test (DA&T), Arlington VA • Systems Planning and Analysis (SPA), Alexandria VA • ARES Government Services, Arlington VA • ARINC, Annapolis MD • L-3 Services Inc. of Lexington Park MD • Ball Consulting, Lexington Park MD • MacAuley Brown, Dayton OH Beyond the above commercial firms, the Government will not release any marked Proprietary information, received in response to this RFI, to any firm, agency, or individual outside the Government. 10. RFI Technical POC (TPOC): Name: Mr. Tom Dalheim Title: NGJ AoA Technical IPT Leader Phone: 812-854-4886 Email:
[email protected]