Added: Apr 24, 2008 10:17 am
The U.S. Air Force Air Armament Center s 685th Armament Systems Squadron is interested in obtaining information from the global armament and munitions industry on viable ammunition that potentially meets requirements specified in this special announcement.
The US Government intends to apply for approval of a Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) project (www.acq.osd.mil/sts/fct) to evaluate proposed medium caliber ammunition. The 685th Armament Systems Squadron requests assistance in identifying potential 25mm x137 ammunition for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter gun system in all combat environments.
The F-35 is a joint USAF/USN/USMC and US-Partner developmental aircraft program in SDD with a projected USAF Initial Operational Capability of 2013. Over the next 20+ years, the F-35 will replace the USAF F-16 and A-10 and become the primary frontline fighter aircraft for the USAF. The USAF variant F-35/A is armed with the GAU-22A which is a 25mm 4-barrel gun system and ammunition handling system, and will begin on aircraft gun firing in 2011. This gun system is currently in development by Lockheed Martin.
None of the existing 25mm combat ammunition within the DoD inventory (PGU-20/25/32) can achieve the USAF required lethality. Recent training and combat experiences validate the importance of supporting gun systems and their ammunition for effective support for ground forces. Additionally, the F-35/A gun system requirements include an air-to-air lethality capability. Due to the limited available ammunition storage capacity on the F-35, ammunition with a multi-role dual-purpose projectile design must be employed to meet lethality requirements.
This Request for Information is limited to those requirements specifically provided in the first attachment to this synopsis under the same FEDBIZOPS tracking number as (Attachment 1).
Proposed test articles shall include only those mature enough to enter service in the very near term. As such, the proposed ammunition must have demonstrated a Technology Readiness Level 7.
Note: Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are a systematic metric/measurement system that supports assessments of the maturity of a particular technology and the consistent comparison of maturity between different types of technology. TRL-7 specifically is defined as a prototype near or at planned operational capability. TRL-7 represents a major step up from testing in a high fidelity laboratory environment or in simulated operational environment. TRL-7 requires the demonstration of an actual system prototype in an operational environment, such as in an aircraft.
It is requested that responses include rough order of magnitude unit prices for initial testing and then possible follow-on procurement.
Responses to this RFI require the use of a Template (provided in attachment 2) also posted under this synopsis tracking number. Each response shall not exceed ten pages, by expanding blocks of the attached template to provide the details of each response. The attached template is compulsory for a submission to be considered responsive. Vendor responses must be received at the: Air Armament Center, 207 West D Avenue, Suite 301, Bldg-349, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6088 (Mail Stop: 685ARSS/RFI)
Offerors responding to this RFI are requested to send an e-mail to below listed POCs to advise us you are actively working a response. Responses to this market survey are due on or before June, 13 2008.
Data submissions are to be submitted via Email attachment for unclassified data using MS Word 2003 format or via authorized delivery means for classified data under DOD security procedures. Mark all proprietary information as For Official Government Use Only .
This request for information is intended to obtain information to quickly acquire F-35 required ammunition, minimize development and testing resources at a significant avoidance of Life Cycle Cost. This solicitation is for information purposes only. This announcement must not be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor shall any information submitted by industry constitute an offer that could be accepted by the Government to create a binding contract. The Government does not intend to award a contract based solely upon this Request for Information or otherwise pay for the information solicited.
Original Point of Contact
Stephen Lambeth, 207 West D Ave, Building 11, Suite 300, Program Manager, Phone (850) 883-3269, Fax (781) 823-5805, Email: stephen.lambeth@eglin.af.mil
SIPRNet: stephen.lambeth@afmc.af.smil.mil
Grisselle C Nusimow 687ARSS, 207 West D Ave, Building 349, Room 4700, Contracting Officer, Email: grisselle.nusimow@eglin.af.mil
Added: May 15, 2008 11:42 am
1. This is Amendment 0001 to synopsis AAC685ARSS080424 for DUAL PURPOSE AMMUNITION FOR THE F-35 AIRCRAFT GUN SYSTEM (GAU-22A). The purpose of this amendment is to amend the original synopsis with additional information. The planned scope of effort for this Air Force procurement is upon a successful Foreign Comparative Test evaluation in early FY11, the 25mm x137 Frangible Armor Piercing (FAP) combat round will become a qualified round for the GAU-22A/U gun system. To integrate this combat round onto the F-35 during the F-35's SDD program, our budget submission will be made during the Air Combat Command (ACC) POM12 build using the Program Element (PE) 27142. Funding for this round will include funds for testing of the rounds on aircraft test (F-35), additional funds for a medium caliber SPO, and specific round lethality assessment.
2. ACC plans to budget the following increments for on aircraft testing 130K rounds delivery through FY13.
3. Upon successful on aircraft testing of this round, ACC is additionally planning to fund support for War Readiness Materials (WRM) inventory and for minimal annual training use. WRM requirements will be determined by the MAJCOMs' planning factors. Based upon existing requirements, it is expected that the WRM requirement over a period of 10 years is an expected outlay of $125M.
4. Closing date remains unchanged from 13 June 2008. Closing time 4:00 pm Central remains unchanged.
Added: May 19, 2008 3:04 pm
1. This is Amendment 0002 to synopsis AAC685ARSS080424 for DUAL PURPOSE AMMUNITION FOR THE F-35 AIRCRAFT GUN SYSTEM (GAU-22A). The purpose of this amendment is to amend the original synopsis and subsequent Amendment 0001 with clarification to previously posted information. Delete the following text from Amendment 0001 referencing Frangible Armor Piercing (FAP)
2. Closing date remains unchanged from 13 June 2008. Closing time 4:00 pm Central remains unchanged.
