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*RFI Update: This is an update to notice number N00019-RFI-ALE47, dated 07 Oct 2020, to notify industry that the Government has reconsidered the acquisition strategy for the ALE-47 Upgrade. The Govern... *RFI Update: This is an update to notice number N00019-RFI-ALE47, dated 07 Oct 2020, to notify industry that the Government has reconsidered the acquisition strategy for the ALE-47 Upgrade. The Government now intends to utilize the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) process through the Naval Aviation Systems Consortium (NASC). All interested parties are advised to join the consortium through the following website: www.nascsolutions.org. No further action will be taken regarding any capabilities statement submissions in response to this RFI, as this effort is being re-directed to the NASC. All future communications regarding this requirement will be made via NASC. MARKET SURVEY - REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: The Naval Air Systems Command is issuing this amended Request for Information (RFI) for additional industry consideration of a previous market survey to obtain technical and program related information useful to support a material solution analysis and acquisition strategy refinement for an enhanced countermeasures dispensing capability for the AN/ALE-47 utilizing square countermeasure expendables on all USN/USMC tactical, assault and support aircraft. The Government seeks information on concepts for an AN/ALE-47 upgrade and the maturity of associated technologies with an objective of the maximum hardware commonality possible across all targeted aircraft. The information will be used for initial planning and cost estimation for the upgrade program and for potential design approaches. Potential development and delivery schedules are critical to this information gathering, as a rapid acquisition strategy will likely be employed. AN/ALE-47 upgrade areas of interest include the Sequencer, Dispenser Housing, associated Magazines and the A-Kit between the Sequencer/Dispenser to be implemented as a single retrofit modification approach to meet the below specific considerations. An associated O-Level Support Equipment solution for this new configuration/capability is also desired. A primary interest area is a reduction in system weight growth compatible with all targeted aircraft. Government Furnished Information (GFI): The current AN/ALE-47 Technical Data Package (TDP), AN/ALE-47 System Specification and AN/ALM-290 O-Level Support Equipment TDP contain information that may be useful to potential RFI Respondents and will be available to all Respondents in accordance with the documentation distribution statements. No additional GFI will be provided. RFI Response Content: The Government requests information to support the development of an upgrade to the AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS) for all USN/USMC tactical, assault and support aircraft with F/A-18E/F/G and MH-60R/S as initial priority aircraft. The Government desires information to execute a single phase upgrade focusing on the ability to support a minimum of 48 1”x1”x8.1” square expendables per dispenser with significant interest in novel approaches, manufacturing technologies and modern materials which can reduce overall system weight. In addition to the standard Navy dispenser configuration, application of this upgrade will also need to consider adaption of new functionality into USAF dispenser/magazine assemblies, these assemblies will remain limited to 30 1”x1”x8.1” expendables. While the initial Government interest is associated with 1”x1”x8.1” expendables, consideration of configurations, which can interface, with multiple magazine/expendable configurations are desired. The Government requests design considerations with attention on maximizing commonality, maintainability and reliability to include the hardware to expendable interface where long-term functionality in an exposed naval environment will be experienced. Approaches should enable the rapid fielding of an ALE-47 upgrade, which provides the required minimum 48 expendable capacity and includes necessary technology to communicate with and supply power to expendables and advanced payloads. As stated above, the Government is interested in approaches to reduction in system weight growth, as well as ease of maintainability and high reliability considering the desire for advanced technology improvements. This solution will be required to interface with the current ALE-47 Programmer to Sequencer A-Kit with Programmer OFP modifications allowed for functionality with the expanded Sequencer capability. In addition, the requested responses should address hardware solutions that can interface with a future ALE-47 Programmer via Ethernet or other high-speed communication links for high-speed communications between the ALE-47 Programmer and Sequencer functions. Specific information sought is identified in subparagraphs (a) through (m) below. RFI responses need not address all of the content areas identified and may be limited to a specific relevant technology or capability. The following requirements establish objective levels of performance for the upgraded AN/ALE-47 system. a. Performance Requirements: The upgraded AN/ALE-47 system shall meet the current AN/ALE-47 System Specification as well as the new capabilities of interest identified in this RFI. b. Expendable Capacity Requirements: The upgraded AN/ALE-47 system shall be capable of carrying and firing a minimum of forty-eight (48) 1”x1”x8.1” countermeasure expendables per dispenser with configurations capable of accepting magazines meeting other DoD expendable form factors such as 2”x1”x8.1” and 2”x2.5”x8.1” devices. c. Interface Requirements: The upgraded AN/ALE-47 dispenser/magazine solution shall be compatible with the CCU-145/A Impulse Cartridge and the anticipated AN/ALE-47 Sequencer solution. Approach may consider changes to the AN/ALE-47 Programmer OFP interfacing with the new Sequencer functionality. d. Hardware A-kit Requirements: The Government’s objective is that no aircraft Mission Computer modifications shall be required to integrate with the upgraded AN/ALE-47 dispenser system on the aircraft. However, the available trade space to achieve this modification capability includes ALE-47 system hardware including the Sequencer, Dispenser Housing, Magazine and the A-Kit between the Sequencer and Dispenser. e. Hardware Trades: The upgraded AN/ALE-47 dispenser solution must attach to the aircraft in the current eight AN/ALE-47 D-66 Dispenser Housing attachment points (as described in the TDP), and the proposed improvement must integrate with the current ALE-47 Programmer. Standard USAF 30 expendable dispenser configuration will be a future upgrade consideration. The Government is interested in information that addresses trades and concerns toward achieving size, weight, prime power, while meeting environmental qualification objectives. f. Technology Maturity: Technologies should demonstrate system maturity in a relevant environment to allow for program entry into the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase. Alternative requirements may also be proposed to mitigate obsolescence, improve readiness, maintain/improve safety and Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) compatibility. The Respondents should provide sufficient analysis to justify the associated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the components and technologies offered for consideration. g. Performance vs. Schedule Trades: The Government is interested in strategies that can deliver improved capabilities and also seeks information on performance trades that may allow delivery of improved capabilities in a compressed timeline with a reduced cost that achieves the Government requirements. h. Leveraging of Existing System Integration and Technology: The Government encourages industry to identify existing systems or subsystems from other programs that may be leveraged so long as industry can show how it will reduce costs, schedule, and/or risks to the program. The Respondent should identify any modifications necessary for the re-use and those areas in which the re-use will benefit the Government, such as, but not limited to, production economies of scale, maintenance and sparing commonality. i. Product Support: The Respondent should identify the potential impacts that the proposed product or technology may have on existing support equipment, maintainer skill sets, and long-term support at all three levels of maintenance. The Government also seeks improvements in the current product support strategy and O-level support equipment in order to increase readiness and reduce support costs. The Respondent shall include any impacts that concepts may have on tactical, carrier-based operations. j. Reliability and Maintainability (R&M): The Government also seeks information on system reliability and maintainability improvements. k. Specific Production Capability and Capacity: The Government seeks estimated production capability (estimated lead-time (months ARO)) and capacity (quantity/month) for any proposed solution. l. Environmental Qualification: The Government is requesting information regarding environmental qualification data for any proposed solution, including but not limited to analyses, studies, demonstrations or operational reliability data relative to any proposed electronics which would be exposed to extreme impulse, shock or vibration which may reduce reliability of such electronic circuitry. m. Technical Data Package: The Government’s objective for sustainment of the AN/ALE-47 upgrade program is to establish an organic support capability for all new/upgraded hardware and software. In order to assess this objective the Government is requesting information regarding the ability to procure Government data rights for the proposed solution. Note: The highlights regarding the the additional / new informaiton being requested are the following: Single retrofit effort of Sequencer/Dispenser/Magazine Focus on reduction in system weight growth Consideration of use of upgraded Sequencer functionality with existing D-49 USAF dispenser configuration Programmer Operational Flight Program changes are acceptable Ability of new hardware solution to interface with a future ALE-47 Programmer via a high speed communication link Specific production capability and capacity Any environmental qualification data related to proposed solution Availability of Technical Data Package for Government Use RFI Responses: Please respond to this RFI by the closing date specified above. Responses should be sent via email or regular mail. Receipt will be acknowledged by the Government, but the submissions will not be returned. Use of Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Project) or Adobe products is required. Mailing addresses for the RFI responses are provided at the end of this announcement. Responses are only being accepted at the unclassified level. Responses are limited to no more than 50 pages. Document Markings: It is incumbent upon sources providing responses to this RFI to accurately mark all data with all appropriate data rights, distribution and classification markings. Interested Respondents are advised that the employees of commercial firms under contract to the Government may serve as technical reviewers of information provided in response to this RFI. By submission of a response, a source gives the Government permission to release the entire response (inclusive of proprietary/classified information) to employees of these organizations. All employees of these organizations that will have access to RFI response data will have signed Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in place prior to accessing the data. Beyond the above commercial firms, the Government will not release any data received in response to this RFI, for which it has less than Government Purpose Data Rights, to any firm, agency, or individual outside the Government. Disclaimer: This RFI DOES NOT constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Quote (RFQ), or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and it should not be construed as a commitment of any kind by the Government to issue a formal solicitation or ultimately award a contract. An RFP is anticipated in mid-FY21. The U.S. Government is in no way liable to pay for or reimburse any Respondents or entities that respond to this announcement. Additionally, any costs incurred by interested Respondents in response to this announcement will NOT be reimbursed and are NOT considered allowable direct charges to other contracts or tasking. RFI Response Mailing Addresses: Elizabeth Lamb: elizabeth.lamb@navy.mil OR Naval Air Systems Command Attn: Elizabeth Lamb 47123 Buse Road, Bldg 2272 Suite 453 Patuxent River, MD 20670