.... The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to deliver the required capabilities to recapitalize the VC-25A Presidential fleet. Responses to this survey will be used to influence the program’s acquisition strategy. Responses should include sufficient detail to enable the Government to adequately assess your interest and capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.).
The VC-25A Presidential fleet represents the only passenger carrying 747-200 aircraft in the United States. The aircraft will reach their planned 30 year service life in 2017. Due to this, it is becoming increasingly more expensive to maintain these aircraft. Increased heavy maintenance and parts obsolescence costs require the Air Force to begin planning for the VC-25A fleet replacement. Analysis has shown that it is cost beneficial to replace the VC-25A aircraft and operate a new and more efficient aircraft.
The Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization (PAR) program will replace this aging fleet with new commercial derivative aircraft projected for delivery not earlier than 2021. The PAR aircraft will be uniquely configured to meet the requirements for the President of the United States to execute Constitutional roles of Commander of the Armed Forces, Head of State, and Chief Executive worldwide while airborne. Aircraft modifications could include interior access provisions, enhanced electrical power generation, provisions for self-sufficient baggage loading and passenger boarding, secure and non-secure passenger communications, information systems, interior work and rest environment. An open systems architecture design approach for any structural and system modifications to the basic aircraft is desired.
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Specifically, the Government is interested in the following information:
a. The Government is interested in a four engine wide body commercial aircraft platform to meet the PAR electrical power, passenger load, and safety/range requirements. What four engine commercial aircraft would your company plan to modify to meet the PAR requirements? Additionally, would your company require the Government to provide your recommended commercial aircraft platform, or would your company be able to acquire/provide the aircraft?
b. How would your company provide/acquire the associated engineering data required to support modification? What is your experience in acquiring aircraft, data, and completing modifications?
c. How would your company utilize an open systems architecture approach to support modifications to the aircraft? What is your experience in using open systems architecture?
d. What experience does your company have in developing, integrating, and obtaining Information Assurance certification for line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight communications systems, capable of both secure and non-secure data, voice, and video on an aircraft?
e. What experience does your company have in developing FAA accepted maintenance plans? How would your company integrate the maintenance plans for the modifications with the basic aircraft maintenance plan?
f. Does your company possess FAA Organizational Designation Authority (ODA) capability? ....
