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Contract Opportunity

Request For Information (RFI) #2 Regarding the Missile Transporter (MT)

AGENCY/ORGANIZATION:

Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC), Minuteman III Systems Directorate (MMIIISD), ACAT III Branch (NMAB)

WEAPON SYSTEM:

Minuteman III (MMIII) Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)

PROGRAM:

Missile Transporter Acquisition Program (MTAP)

BACKGROUND:

The Air Force’s (AF) fleet of MTs must support the MMIII LGM30G ICBM until the end of its operational life. However, the existing challenge of parts obsolescence poses a significant obstacle to providing seamless support. Additionally, a scarcity of spare parts, some entirely unobtainable, coupled with substantial engineering updates required by the Technical Data Package (TDP), further complicates the situation. Given these considerations, the AF aims to address identified obsolescence, update the TDP, and ultimately execute a comprehensive fleet-wide MT replacement. Current information shows that a fleet-wide replacement will require the procurement of 1-2 MT Tractors and 1-2 MT Trailers during the Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development (EMD) phase.1 During Production, the AF expects to procure 8-9 MT Tractors and 13-14 MT Trailers.2

1 If the AF funds one MT Tractor and one MT Trailer during EMD, it will procure 9 MT Tractors and 14 MT Trailers during production. If the AF chooses to fund two MT Tractors and two MT Trailers during EMD, it will procure 8 MT Tractors and 13 MT Trailers during production.

2 Taking into account both EMD and Production phases, the Air Force must procure a total of 10 MT Tractors and 15 MT Trailers in order to meet projected requirements.

RFI PURPOSE:

This RFI provides notice that the MTAP is currently evaluating the availability and manufacturability of the container wall used in the MT Trailer’s construction. The current MT Trailer utilizes a nonmetallic honeycomb core, bonded with aluminum plates, to provide the MT with increased, necessary structural rigidity. The increased rigidity is needed to account for multiple cuts made to the MT Trailer’s container wall used to provide exterior access to Carriage tiedowns and to provide lateral rigidity when both the fore and aft doors are open. The MT container walls are described in drawings 63983-41001 through 63983-41008 (See Supporting Documentation Request at the end of this RFI).

MT DESCRIPTION:

Tractor:

The MT Truck Tractor is used to tow the MT Semi-trailer in the road transport of a payload consisting of a Minuteman LGM30G Booster in the roll transfer configuration. The MT Tractor positions the MT Semi-trailer in preparation for roll transfer of the payload.

Trailer:

In roll transfer mode, the MT Semi-trailer is connected via bridge rail to the Missile Storage Bunker and Transporter Erector. During road transport, roll transfer, or storage modes, the MT Semi-trailer's sub-systems operate under its own power or under facility power. An MT Truck Tractor and a MT Semi-trailer when coupled together constitute a complete Missile Transporter.

RESPONSES:

Responses should be limited to 10 pages with sufficient information to substantiate that respondents can successfully perform all requirements. Interested parties should make an earnest effort to ensure that responses to the Government’s questions are complete, thorough, and clear. (Please see the RFI question set). The Government will consider responses to one or all purposes depending on company’s capability.

NOTICE:

This communication serves as an RFI intended solely for gathering information for strategic planning and is not to be construed as a solicitation. The issuance of this RFI and responses thereto do not imply a commitment to release a solicitation. A determination by the Government not to compete any or all portions of the work discussed in this RFI rests solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government will not pay for time, effort, materials, or any other costs that arise as a consequence of responding or providing information related to this RFI.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT:

The distribution of any specifications and/or drawings is limited to contractors with a DD 2345 certified by the Defense Logistics Information Service, Joint Certification Program (1-877-352-2255) and who have a legitimate business purpose. As such, specifications and drawings related to the MT and this RFI cannot be provided to a contractor without a certification. Contractors who would like to become certified can find the form and instructions at: https://public.logisticsinformationservice.dla.mil/PublicHome/jcp/default.aspx.

Interested parties are advised that certification of a DD Form 2345 may take time, so completion and submission of that form as soon as possible is highly recommended.

This RFI is issued solely for informational and planning purposes. No funds are available to fund the information requested. The information in this notice is current as of the publication date but is subject to change and is not binding to the Government. Oral submissions of information are not acceptable. Please e-mail your response advising if the requirements stated above can be met to the following address: daniel.scheer@us.af.mil

Submit the following information:

- Company Name and Address - Cage Code

- Unique Identifier - Company business size by NAIC code

- Small Business Type (s), if applicable - Point of Contact for questions and/or clarification - Telephone Number, fax number, and email address - Web Page URL - Teaming Partners (if applicable)

- Provide a response, including any recommendations and/or comments

QUESTIONS:

1a. Indicate your capability to produce or acquire the following materials used in the creation of the MT container wall (reference notes on drawing 63983-41001):

• 5052-H36 Aluminum Alloy Sheet, per ASTM B209

• Structural Film Adhesive per ASTM E865

• Adhesive Primer ASTM E866 (ASTM E1826 is identified as an alternative in some parts of ASTM E874)

• Core Splice Adhesive per ASTM E990

• Nonmetallic Honeycomb Core, Type V, per ASTM E1091

1b. If you intend to produce some or all the material yourself, please indicate your capability to perform the qualification and conformance inspection requirements in the applicable ASTM standards.

1c. If you intend to purchase the container walls, in whole or in part, indicate the availability of suppliers capable of producing the material.

1d. If utilization of a subcontractor is anticipated by the offeror, list at least on subcontractor related to the construction or procurement of the MT container wall.

2a. Indicate your capability to produce the MT side panels in accordance with ASTM E874 (reference note 8a on drawing 63983-41001).

2b. Does the respondent have adequate availability and capability within their own facility to comply with ASTM E874 Section 5, including cleanroom facilities as described in Section 5.1?

2c. Does the respondent’s current quality assurance validation and verification methodologies comply with Section 10?

2d. Alternatively, please indicate if you would intend to subcontract side panel fabrication to a separate supplier.

i. If you intend to subcontract the side panels, please indicate the current availability of suppliers capable of producing the MT Side Panels.

ii. Specifically name at least one potential supplier you would consider subcontracting the panels to.

3a. Please indicate if you would recommend manufacturing the MT side panels using the same existing design, or if you would recommend developing a new design for the MT side panels.

Note: Be certain to consider the MT requirements when considering alternate materials and designs for the MT. Specifically, note the structural requirements (3.2.1.2), physical characteristics (3.2.2), reliability (3.2.3), environmental conditions (3.2.5) to ensure the MT continues to meet necessary performance requirements.

3b. Please indicate any added benefits you perceive in using the existing side wall design for a new MT procurement.

3c. Please indicate any added benefits you perceive in pursuing new designs and/or materials in the side wall design for a new MT procurement.

3d. Please indicate any added risks you perceive in using the existing side wall design for a new MT procurement.

3e. Please indicate any added risks you perceive in pursuing new designs and/or materials in the side wall design for a new MT procurement.

**Due to the controlled nature of supporting documentation, a request for said documentation is required.

Supporting Documentation:

-Missile Transporter Semitrailer Drawing Package Review

-Prime item Development Specification For Semitrailer, Guided Missile Main Assemblage (2 Docs)

-Drawings (Full Package)

Please provide your organization's SAM.Gov cage code and current security clearance level in an email. Requests are to be sent to Dan Scheer (PCO) at daniel.scheer@us.af.mil. All supporting documentation will then be sent via DOD SAFE to your organization's main point of contact.

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