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Request for Information (RFI): CH-53K™ Engine Inlet System Improvements 1.0 Introduction The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Program Executive Office (PEO) Assault (A), H-53 Joint Program Office (... Request for Information (RFI): CH-53K™ Engine Inlet System Improvements 1.0 Introduction The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Program Executive Office (PEO) Assault (A), H-53 Joint Program Office (PMA-261) is seeking information from industry on potential cost effective solutions for an improved engine inlet system to increase particle separation efficiency and improve engine Time-On-Wing (TOW), particularly in austere/desert environments on CH-53K aircraft. 2.0 Disclaimer THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). THIS RFI IS ISSUED AS MARKET RESEARCH SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES – IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) OR A PROMISE TO ISSUE AN RFP IN THE FUTURE. THIS RFI DOES NOT COMMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BELOW IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE FINAL REQUIREMENT WILL BE DEFINED UNDER A FORMAL RFP. FURTHER, THE NAVY IS NOT AT THIS TIME SEEKING PROPOSALS AND WILL NOT ACCEPT UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS. RESPONDENTS ARE ADVISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY INFORMATION OR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INCURRED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI NOTICE. ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH RESPONDING TO THIS RFI WILL BE SOLELY AT THE EXPENSE OF THE INTERESTED PARTY. NOT RESPONDING TO THIS RFI DOES NOT PRECLUDE PARTICIPATION IN ANY FUTURE RFP, IF ISSUED. IF A SOLICITATION IS RELEASED, IT WILL BE SYNOPSIZED ON THE FEDERAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES (FBO) WEBSITE. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE POTENTIAL OFFERORS TO MONITOR THIS WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THIS REQUIREMENT. 3.0 Background As the CH-53K operational testing in austere/desert environments has progressed, there have been impacts to the reliability and maintainability of the aircraft precipitating the need for a new engine inlet system to limit the amount of dust and sand ingested. The CH-53K engine inlet system must function both as a combined inlet and particle separator. The engine inlet system must provide clean airflow compatible with the CH-53K engine requirements for operability and performance throughout the flight envelope. The CH-53K engine inlet system design shall be safe, reliable, cost effective, and sustainable. Development concepts should outline an approach that ensures maximum utilization of infrastructure and platform integration elements that already exist. CH-53K and King Stallion are trademarks of the Department of the Navy 4.0 General System Requirements The CH-53K engine inlet system shall bring air from subsonic freestream conditions to the conditions required at the entrance of the engine compressor with minimum total pressure loss. System shall be nacelle and/or engine mounted, maintaining specified engine airflow requirements across the full operational envelope without negative functional or physical interference with other aircraft subsystems or the environment. Inlet maximum total install weight shall be optimized such that the system is weight neutral or a minimal increase over the currently installed system. Inlet also shall provide ice protection for sustained operation in icing conditions. The inlet shall provide a particle separation efficiency of no less than 96% by mass for a specified sand size distribution with ambient mass concentrations up to 3000 mg/m3 at the nacelle inlet. 5.0 Eligibility The applicable NAICS code is 336412 with a Small Business Size standard of 1,500 employees. The Product Service Code (PSC) is 1520. Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to respond; however, each respondent must clearly identify their business size (see paragraph 5.0). 6.0 Requested Information Interested parties must submit a response which includes the following information to verify credentials (do not submit classified information): A general UNCLASSIFIED description of respondent’s engine inlet system solution CAGE code and Classified mailing address Point of Contact (POC) cleared to receive classified information with either a Social Security Number of a Common Access Code (CAC) Electronic Data Interchange Personal Identifier (EDIPI) number POC to receive additional unclassified information or clarification POC to permit NAVAIR to obtain additional data to support analysis POC for NDAs Blank copies of Respondent’s NDA to giver to a NDA Negotiation POC if that is so desired (see Section 5.0 Data Markings for more details). Describe your company’s ability to manage and secure classified information up to the SECRET level. The Government expects to receive responses from interested and capable sources in the form of capability summary papers containing a description of the technical data defining the proposed concepts. Prospective offerors must be able to work with the Government and the aircraft manufacturer to integrate the proposed solution into the H-53 program. The capability summary paper shall be written from a system solution perspective showing how the concept and development methodology could satisfy the engine inlet system requirements. Delivery of a new engine inlet system flight test prototype (threshold) or production level flight worthy assembly (goal) must take place no later than Calendar Year 2023. This initiative requires each respondent to work with the Government and aircraft/engine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). The capability summary shall address how the proposed solution meets the following engine inlet system requirements: Description of the proposed engine inlet system solution End product physical and performance technical data Requirements compliance verification matrix Reliability and Maintainability characteristics Integration/Interface methodology Technology insertion opportunities An assessment of the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the proposed product to include key subsystems and a description of the Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL). Options for life-cycle sustainment support utilizing existing commercial and/or Government (Department of Defense (DOD)) infrastructure Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Costs for design, development and kit Notional Integrated Master Schedule (IMS). 7.0 Responses Data Markings. In order to complete its review, NAVAIR must be able to share a respondent’s information within the Government and with covered Government support contractors as defined in DFARS clause 252.227-7013 Rights in Technical Data—Noncommercial Items (FEB 2014). Any responses marked in a manner that will not permit such review may be returned without being assessed or considered. All submissions must include a statement which clearly allows for the information to be disclosed with covered Government support contractors as defined in DFARS clause 252.227-7013 Rights in Technical Data-Noncommercial Items (FEB 2014). International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). If the respondent is a foreign concern or if a US respondent has a team member or partner who is a foreign entity, adherence to all ITAR regulations is required. Full response submissions. Full response submission to the above requested supporting unclassified data must be submitted to Ms. Kym Leyva (kimberly.r.leyva.civ@us.navy.mil) no later than 5:00PM EDT on 21 July 2021. Provide full unclassified response via electronic submission that is Microsoft Office 2010 compatible. It is requested that the response, regardless of its classification level have a page limit of 75 pages and must be in English. Classified information or material SHALL NOT be submitted. 8.0 Summary THIS RFI 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.