Air Force posts sources sought notice for Global Hawk communication system modernization

On August 1, the U.S. Air Force issued a sources sought synopsis for the Global Hawk Communication System Modernization program. Capability packages are due no later than 5:00pm EST on August 31.

This Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) is issued by the Air Force Global Hawk (GH) Program Office in order to assist the GH Communication System Modernization Program (CSMP) team, hereafter SPO, to establish an acquisition strategy. Based on the responses to this sources sought synopsis, a Request for Proposal is anticipated to be released in the second quarter of FY17.  The period of performance is anticipated to be up to three years.  The SPO is seeking potential candidates to replace End of Life equipment and modernize the Aircraft Integrated Communications Suite (AICS) and the Ground Integrated Communications Suite (GICS) hosted in GH aircraft and ground platforms.

The Global Hawk system is a high altitude, long endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) with integrated sensor systems and Ground Segments (GS) that provide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to joint warfighters. Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (NGSC), Rancho Bernardo, CA, is currently the prime contractor for the development, manufacture, modernization and sustainment of the GH system.

This SSS is being published for market research purposes only.  The Government will neither award a contract solely on the basis of this synopsis nor will it reimburse the contractor for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice.  If the Government decides to award a contract for this or a related effort, a solicitation will be separately published and posted on the FedBizOpps website.  There is no solicitation available at this time.  Requests for solicitation will receive no response.  This synopsis does not constitute a Request for Quotation, Request for Proposal (RFP) or an Invitation for Bid (IFB), nor does this issuance direct or restrict the Government’s current or any required future acquisition approach in meeting Global Hawk requirements.

CSMP, projected to be an ACAT II program, is a non-recurring engineering and modernization effort which will replace the aging, unsupportable legacy communication system currently operating in GH air vehicles and ground segments. CSMP scope includes procurement of Commercial off the Shelf (COTS)/Non-Development Items (NDI) along with the design, development, and testing required to field a complete communications solution for both air vehicles and ground segments. CSMP scope will span from development and test through the completion of Operational Test & Evaluation to fielding on all air vehicles and at all main operating bases and forward operating locations.  CSMP will require extensive hardware and software modifications on board the aircraft and ground segments.  CSMP must integrate with capability deliveries fielded in the Ground Segment Modernization Program (GSMP). CSMP will also enhance GSMP by providing modernized communications systems which can support multiple building based cockpits. CSMP will allow both the ground segment equipment and air vehicle to become more maintainable and interoperable by using Open Mission System (OMS) standards.  It is envisioned that OMS will provide a more maintainable and supportable system, including sufficient technical data to enable plug and talk upgrades.  When finished with development, a full complement of testing will be conducted to ensure the system performs as designed and is fully compliant with current mandates and interoperability and capability requirements.

Full information is available here.

Source: FedBizOpps