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Contract Opportunity

Post Title: Request for Interested Manufacturers AN/ALQ-172 MARS LRU-4 Countermeasures Transmitter, PN 2688804G002.

SUBJECT:

Market research is being conducted to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements for qualification and production of the AN/ALQ-172 Maintainability and Reliability System (MARS) LRU-4 Countermeasures Transmitter, NSN TBD, PN 2688804G002.

ITEM DESCRIPTION

The AN/ALQ-172 MARS LRU-4 Countermeasures Transmitter is a component of the AN/ALQ-172(V)2 Countermeasure Set (CMS). The MARS LRU-4 is a transmitter which provides high level amplification of Pulse Radar (PR), Pulse Doppler (PD) or Continuous Wave (CW) ECM signals and applies various modulations to the PD/CW signals. The MARS LRU-4 is also used to recover modulation characteristics of PD/CW signals.

Impediment to Competition:

The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for this item is L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (CAGE 28527), which is the design contractor for the MARS ALQ-172 suite of LRUs including the MARS LRU-4 which is the subject of this SSS. The Government does not currently possess the finalized MARS LRU-4 production-level data, test specification, or test software. Part of this MARS LRU-4 redesign effort includes delivery of a complete Government owned production level data and test specification/software; however, this data is not currently available and approved for competitive release. This data is not expected to be delivered and approved by the Government until approximately June 2024. The LRU-4 technical data can be used for future production and repair after final approvals and fielding.

The test equipment required to produce asset is also not currently available. The Enhanced Maintenance Test Set (EMTS) hot mockup and universal Versatile Depot Automatic Station (VDATS) tester are currently in use at L3Harris under contracts for block cycle software development, TPS software development, contracted Shop Replaceable Unit (SRU) level repair requirements, and contracted production LRU requirements for other MARS LRUs. This test equipment is anticipated as a requirement for follow on contract efforts of the block cycle, Optical Character Recognition (OCRs), Deficiency Reports (DRs). This test equipment cannot be moved or furnished temporarily to another vendor.

There are deficiency resolutions which were designed and tested during the redesign phase of this effort and are expected to be implemented during production. Without the required data, knowledge, and test equipment to the system and its necessary system level solutions, vendors other than the OEM will not be able to integrate, test and deliver these units to the required production standard. Any further delay is not acceptable to meet the Government’s requirements for LRU production assets because of the current usage/demand rates and the low Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) of the legacy LRU-4. As a result of the information herein, L3Harris Technologies, Inc. Is the only known source with adequate knowledge of the MARS LRU-4 and its performance requirements, sufficient production level technical data, and necessary production level test equipment and capabilities needed to produce this item and ensure compatibility of the equipment at the ALQ-172 system level.

INTEREST

The DLA/AWB Contracting Office intends to award a sole source contract to L3Harris Technologies, Inc. for the manufacture of the MARS LRU-4 in support of the B-52 AN/ALQ-172 bomber program. Other interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement no later than 16 Nov. 2023 by emailing Charles (Chaz) Duckworth charles.duckworth.1@us.af.mil and Jimmy Hicks at jimmy.hicks@us.af.mil. The Government intends to procure these items using Other Than Full and Open Competition as prescribed by FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

DISCLAIMER

This Sources Sought Synopsis 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.

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