This Request for Information (RFI) is issued for informational and market research purposes only in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10. It does not constitute a solicitation, a Request for Proposal (RFP), or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. The Government will not reimburse any company or individual for expenses associated with preparing or submitting information in response to this RFI. The information provided may be used by the U.S. Air Force in developing its acquisition strategy, Statement of Work (SOW), and performance specifications. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition-sensitive information.
BACKGROUND AND SCOPE
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), MH-139A Program Office (AFLCMC/WIH), is conducting market research to identify sources capable of installing and integrating four (4) Joint First Aid Kits (JFAK) for the MH-139A aircraft. This effort is for a post-production retrofit and will not be cut into the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) production line.
The current layout for the singular MH-139A first aid kit is below the right Special Mission Aviator (SMA) sliding window. (See Figure 1- Location of FAA First-Aid Kit – attached.) The poly-white case first aid kit (P/N 24-FAA) is mounted on the wall beneath the window with Velcro. There is limited access to the first aid kit in this position. The supplies in the poly-white first aid kit do not suit the mission of MH-139.
Technical support is expected during the initial implementation and testing of the new configuration. Subject matter expert support is expected for a period after initial implementation and testing.
Key requirements for the modified system include:
- System to Use: USAF Panel Mounted Joint First Aid Kits (JFAK) (NSN 6545-01-659-8286)
- Capacity: Four (4)
- System Compatibility: Mounted in a fashion that keeps them secure during normal and emergency aircraft operations (including G-loads, vibration, emergency landings, etc.) and used without requiring any tools or special equipment to retrieve.
- Accessibility & Standardization: Mounting locations must be standardized and fixed across all cabin configurations to support crew muscle memory. To ensure accessibility during emergency egress or a rollover/crash scenario, kits must be distributed on opposite sides of the cabin (e.g., left and right, front and back) rather than clustered in a single location.
- Design Note: The Government prefers mounting locations high on the cabin fuselage to preserve floor space and avoid equipment interference; however, alternative locations that optimize safety, accessibility, and airworthiness are highly encouraged.
- Airworthiness: Able to maintain certifications with airworthiness (e.g., MIL-HDBK-516C, 14 CFR Part 29).
- Integration: The mounting mechanism must interface securely with the JFAK (e.g., via the bag's existing Lift-The-DOT fasteners, a quick-release bracket, holster, or similar solution). The installation must not impede crew duties, ingress, or egress from the aircraft.
- Support & Fit-Testing: Provide on-site technical and subject matter expert (SME) support during initial installation, testing, and a defined post-integration period. For fit-checks and evaluation, the Government will provide scheduled access to an MH-139A aircraft at a Government-designated facility (e.g., an operational Air Force Base). Vendors must provide their own JFAK units or accurate physical mock-ups for testing; no Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) will be provided.
- Certification: Ability to obtain an FAA-approved Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) and provide the complete engineering data package necessary to support a Government-issued USAF Military Flight Release (MFR) to support a military Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO) field retrofit.
- Certification Experience: Describe your company's process, timeline, and prior experience in obtaining FAA Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) and delivering engineering data packages to support military airworthiness approvals (such as USAF MFRs) for cabin interior or structural modifications.
- Risk Mitigation: Identify potential engineering or certification risks (e.g., structural load limits, flammability standards, cabin space constraints) associated with obtaining airworthiness approval for this installation and outline your recommended mitigation strategies.
INSTRUCTION TO POTENTIAL RESPONDENTS
Respondents are encouraged to provide comprehensive responses that demonstrate existing technology, qualifications, and experience. Please structure your response to address the following sections:
A. Company Information:
- Company Name, Address, CAGE Code, and Website URL.
- Point of Contact (Name, Title, Phone, Email).
- Business Size Status under NAICS Code 336413 (Aircraft Manufacturing), with a size standard of 1,500 employees. Please self-certify for all applicable categories:
- Small Business (Yes/No)
- Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) (Yes/No)
- HUBZone Certified (Yes/No)
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) (Yes/No)
- Company Ownership (Domestic or Foreign-owned).
- Interest as Prime Contractor or Subcontractor.
B. Technical Capability:
- Provide a detailed description of your proposed mounting solution(s) and locations. Include concept diagrams, illustrations, and preliminary specifications for the brackets/mounts.
- State whether your company possesses the necessary technical data for the MH-139A (based on the Leonardo AW-139 platform) to perform this modification.
- Detail your company's experience with similar modifications and airworthiness certifications on vertical lift aircraft.
- Outline your approach to system integration. Proposed solutions must be non-disruptive; they shall not displace existing aircraft subsystems (e.g., electrical, environmental, or utility systems) or require modifications, cutting, or redesign of the cabin's ballistic panels. Detail how the mounting hardware will interface with existing interior panels without degrading structural integrity or aircraft survivability.
C. Cost and Schedule:
- Provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate broken down into two parts:
- Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE): Design, integration, fit-testing, and STC certification and MFR data package support, to include TCTO and TO update documentation.
- Modification Kit/Installation: The per-aircraft cost for the physical Modification Kit and field installation. Note: Please provide pricing for the full requirement of four (4) kits per aircraft, but optionally include alternative pricing/feasibility for a partial installation of two (2) kits per aircraft.
- Provide an estimated timeline from contract award to the development, testing, and initial operational capability of the first retrofitted aircraft.
D. Small Business Utilization:
- For Small Businesses: Describe how you will comply with FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, if the requirement is set-aside.
- For Large Businesses: Provide a realistic small business utilization target as a percentage of total contract value and explain your rationale.
RESPONSES AND COMMUNICATIONS
- Responses shall not exceed 15 pages (single-sided, 12-point font).
- Mark all proprietary information clearly. Unmarked information will be considered publicly releasable. Be advised that government-contracted support personnel may handle submissions under non-disclosure agreements.
- Prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov.