HQ Electronic Systems Center, JTIDS Contracting Division (TGK), 175 Vandenberg Drive, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2138

58 -- JOINT TACTICAL INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (JTIDS) CLASS 2/2H TERMINALS AND RELATED ITEMS POC Mr. Paul Canham, Contracting Officer, 617-377-9317; Mr. Joseph Buzzell, Contract Negotiator, 617-377-9302. Electronic Systems Center announces a requirement for the production of Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) terminals, spares and the performance of ancillary tasks to be procured during the fiscal years 1997-1999. The Best Estimated Quantity (BEQ) of terminals to be procured is approximately 79. The JTIDS is an advanced radio system that provides information distribution, position location, and identification capabilities in an integrated form for application to military operations. These capabilities result from the ability of the system to distribute information at high rates, encrypted in such a way as to provide security and with sufficient jam resistance to yield high reliability communications in a hostile electromagnetic environment. The JTIDS provides a capability to interconnect multiple sources and users of information. It provides surface and airborne elements with both a position location capability within a common position reference grid and an intrinsic identification capability through the dissemination of secure position and identity information. These capabilities are derived from the JTIDS nodeless structure, cryptographic capability, time division multiple access architecture, pseudorandom data coding, frequency-hopping, spread spectrum, and multiple net features. The history of the JTIDS programs is as follows: Following a January 1981 Milestone II review (DSARC IIA), the Air Force awarded a firm-fixed priced Full Scale Development (FSD) contract to the Kearfott Division of the Singer Company (now General Electric Co. - Marconi Electronic Systems Corp. (GEC)) with Rockwell International, Collins Avionics and Communication Division (CACD) as the subcontracted follower for the design, development, and test of the JTIDS Class 2 terminal for Air Force and Army applications. Full Scale Development terminals were purchased and delivered to support F-15 and Army ground unit integration and developmental and initial operational test and evaluation (DT&E/IOT&E). This contract also required Singer to develop CACD as a second source under a leader/follower arrangement. As part of this arrangement, CACD designed and fabricated the receiver/transmitter. In December 1985, the Air Force awarded Singer (again with CACD as a follower) a follow-on contract for the development of the Army's 2M terminal, as well as the development of a 1000-watt high powered amplifier (HPA) for the Class 2H configuration. CACD was the primary designer of the HPA. In addition, this contract provided for the development of other Class 2 terminal variants, as well as the development of upgrades to the basic Class 2 terminal. These terminals have been allocated for service in terminal and platform integration testing, service operational testing, and multi-service operational testing. In March 1990, the Air Force awarded two Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot 1 contracts: one (1) contract was awarded to GEC for Air Force production terminals and spares, and Navy EMD terminals, the other contract was awarded to CACD for Air Force production terminals and spares. In July 1991, the Air Force continued the dual source program by awarding two LRIP Lot 2 contracts: the GEC contract, for Navy production terminals and spares, the CACD contract for Navy production terminals, Air Force Class 2H (AWACS) production terminals, United Kingdom production terminals, and associated spares for the three services. In September 1992, the Air Force awarded two LRIP Lot 3 contracts: the GEC contract, for Navy production terminals, spares, and CSSA tasks for the Air Force, the CACD contract, for Navy production terminals, and associated spares. In September 1993, the Air Force awarded two LRIP Lot 4 contracts: the GEC contract, for Navy Class 2H (E-2C) production terminals and spares, and Air Force Class 2 (MCE) production terminals, the CACD contract, for Navy production terminals, Air Force Class 2H (AWACS) production terminals, Air Force Class 2 (JSTARS) production terminals, 68030 CPU sets for Navy platforms, and spare sets for Navy platforms. In October 1994, the Air Force awarded one LRIP Lot 5 contract to GEC for Air Force Class 2 and 2H (JSTARS, AWACS, and MCE) production terminals. In March 1995, the Air Force awarded two Full Rate Production contracts (with options for additional terminals): the GEC contract, for Class 2 and 2H production terminals for the Air Force (MCE), Navy, (E-2C, Submarine) and USMC (TAOM) platforms, and the CACD contract, for Class 2 and 2H production terminals for the Air Force (E-8 (JSTARS)), Navy (Shipboard), French Navy (Shipboard) and Italian Navy (Shipboard) platforms. In December 1995, the Air Force modified each of these contracts to incorporate options for requirements for fiscal year 1996 as follows: for the GEC contract, for Class 2 and 2H production terminals for the Air Force (F-15, ABCCC), USMC (TAOM), Navy (E-2C, Submarine), Japanese MCE, and French Navy (E-2C) platforms, and for the CACD contract, for Class 2 and 2H production terminals for the Air Force (E-8 JSTARS, E-3 AWACS, Air Intelligence Agency), Navy (Shipboard), Japanese AEGIS (Shipboard) and Italian Navy (Shipboard) platforms. In April 1996, GEC and CACD jointly requested that the Air Force consider a teaming approach, in the form of a Limited Liability Company comprised of both GEC and CACD, for requirements to be procured in fiscal years 1997 through 1999. This approach has been considered by the Air Force, and it has been determined that an evaluation of a proposal by the Limited Liability Company will be included in the acquisition strategy for the award of a contract for these requirements. On the basis of the above history of the program, the Electronic Systems Center intends to issue Requests For Proposals to only GEC, CACD and the aforementioned Limited Liability Company. The statutory authority to do so is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) which states the following: ''When the supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source, or, from DOD, NASA and the Coast Guard, from only one or a limited number of responsible sources, and no other supplies or services will satisfy the requirements, full and open competition need not be provided for.'' However, if a firm believes it can meet the JTIDS requirements, then submit a qualification package not to exceed fifteen (15) pages that clearly indicates your: (a) Experience in developing and producing systems that provide information distribution, position location, and identification capabilities. In particular it must address the ability to meet the capabilities as derived from the JTIDS nodeless structure, cryptographic capability, time division multiple access architecture, pseudorandom data coding, frequency-hopping, spread spectrum, and multiple net features. The firm must also prove the capability to provide detailed data packages inclusive of Level 3 drawings, cost reports, etc., (b) Production capabilities sufficient to provide a cost effective production program, (c) Capability in meeting delivery schedule beginning eighteen (18) months after contract award for a period up to thirty-six (36) consecutive months thereafter. Delivery quantities per month may range from a total of one (1) to twelve (12) terminals. (d) Capability and experience in managing and operating a logistics repair facility capable of repairing all delivered hardware within a forty-five (45) day turnaround time. Note that complete data packages to permit full and open competition are not available. Sources are required to furnish customer information used to identify relevant experience to include: (1) Contract number(s), (2) Contract name(s), (3) Contract value(s), (4) Performance period(s), and (5) Point(s) of contact (with phone numbers) for both potential Prime contractors and subcontractors. Please submit this qualification package no later than fifteen (15) days from the date of this CBD publication. The Government's intent is to include past performance in the evaluation of proposals for contract award. An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from offerors or potential offerors during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the program director or contracting officer, but to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate Government personnel. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. Interested parties are invited to call Dr. Philip P. Panzarella at (617) 377-5527. The Ombudsman should only be contacted with issues or problems that have been previously been brought to the attention of the program manager and/or the contracting officer and could not be satisfactorily resolved at that level. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only, does not constitute a solicitation, and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government. Two copies of your qualification information package are required. The Government will solicit those firms meeting the screening criteria in this synopsis. Sources deemed qualified will receive an RFP. Any firm judged not qualified will be provided a copy of the solicitation on request and any proposal that a firm might submit will be evaluated without prejudice. All responses will be reviewed/evaluated and respondents will be notified of the results. Please address any questions to Mr. Joseph J. Buzzell at 617/377-9302 or Mr. Paul E. Canham at 617/377-9217. See Numbered Note(s): 25. (0267)

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