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 designing, integrating, and testing a Color Weather Radar (CWR) with ground mapping capabilities for the MH-139A aircraft.
The MH-139A operates in locations where extreme, sudden, and un-forecasted weather (including thunderstorms, hail, and snow) are common. The aircraft is regularly flown in low-visibility and marginal weather to support the nuclear security mission. The current lightning detection system is considered a secondary tool and is insufficient as a primary means of weather avoidance. The objective is to install a CWR with ground mapping to allow for continued mission execution in deteriorating weather, ensuring the MH-139A can meet mission requirements to execute operations immediately upon notification.
Key requirements for the system include:
- System Functionality: The system must be a Color Weather Radar (CWR) with ground mapping capabilities.
- System Compatibility: Maintain full functionality of existing aircraft subsystems. The solution should feature an integrated, real-time display in the cockpit.
- Airworthiness: The system must be capable of obtaining an FAA-approved Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the modification. All components must meet or exceed relevant military and civil airworthiness standards.
- Technology Readiness: The proposed solution should be commercially available or within the military supply system, non-developmental, rapidly acquirable, and have a proven record of use in DoD and/or civil aviation. Respondents shall explicitly state whether their proposed solution is currently or has previously been integrated on the AW-139 or any of its variants. If so, provide details of that integration, including the specific variant, the certifying authority (e.g., Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)), and the year of certification.
- Support: Provide on-site technical support during initial installation and testing, followed by subject matter expert support for a defined post-integration period.
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:
- State if your proposed solution has already been integrated and certified on an AW-139 variant, or if it represents a new integration. If already integrated, provide the specific aircraft variant and certification basis (e.g., FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)). If new, outline your approach to obtaining an FAA-approved STC for the MH-139A.
- Provide a detailed weight breakdown of all installed components (including antenna, rack, wiring, and Line Replaceable Units (LRUs)). Detail how the system meets the estimated 20 lbs. constraint and address how its impact on the aircraft's gross weight and center of gravity would be managed.
- Provide a detailed description of your proposed CWR solution(s). Include concept diagrams, illustrations, and preliminary specifications.
- 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 avionics integrations on vertical lift aircraft, particularly the AW-139 or its variants.
- Outline your approach to system integration and obtaining an FAA-approved STC. Describe your process, timeline, and prior experience.
- Identify potential challenges or risks associated with this project and provide recommended mitigation strategies.
- Describe any planned or potential product improvements for your proposed system.
- Provide a detailed solution for an existing or similar AW-139 structure helicopter that has never had a CWR that won't have the antenna bracket, cables, power supplies, LRUs (transmitter/receiver/processor), rack, waveguide or all parts necessary to install on a platform that doesn't have an existing radar system
C. Cost and Schedule:
- Provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate for a non-recurring engineering effort (design, integration, testing) and for production/installation on a per-aircraft basis. This is for budgetary purposes only.
- Provide an estimated timeline for the development, testing, and initial operational capability of the first modified 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).
- Submit responses electronically by 3:00 PM Eastern Time on 2 May 2026.
- 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.
