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 providing a significant upgrade to the current MH-139A Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) system.
The objective of this effort is to upgrade the Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) capability and add cabin displays, allowing Special Mission Aviators (SMAs) to operate the system and coordinate imagery directly with security forces.
The Government considers a depot-level payload upgrade to the existing FLIR Star SAFIRE 380HDc as a known baseline solution. However, the Government is open to equivalent commercial/military EO/IR turrets that meet the payload requirements, fit within the existing structural mounts, and can be integrated via a USAF Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO).
Key requirements for the upgraded system include:
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- Enhanced Imaging: The system must provide high-fidelity imaging to identify obscured targets and view objects through haze, dust, smoke, and fog. This includes:
- Color low-light, high-definition optical camera.
- Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) camera meeting a minimum resolution of 640x480.
- Short Wave IR (SWIR) camera for adverse conditions.
- Targeting and Designation:
- Laser Illuminator and Laser Pointer.
- Laser Range Finder (LRF) (with defined class, effective range, and accuracy).
- Moving Target Indicator (MTI) to detect and mark small pixel changes consistent with concealed threats.
- Avionics Integration:
- Capability to mark points of interest from the EO/IR sensor and seamlessly create waypoints in the aircraft's navigation system.
- Cabin Integration:
- Additional display(s) in the cabin area to allow SMAs to operate the EO/IR system and coordinate imagery with security forces.
- Airworthiness & Safety:
- The vendor must provide the necessary engineering data package to support a USAF Military Flight Release (MFR) and DoD Laser Safety Review Board (LSRB) approval.
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:
- 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.
- Technical Capability:
- System Specifications & Hardware
- Provide a detailed description of your proposed EO/IR system upgrade (whether upgrading the OEM FLIR baseline or proposing an equivalent turret) and the SMA cabin integration kit.
- Describe the size, weight, power, and cooling (SWaP-C) impacts of adding the upgraded turret and cabin displays to the aircraft.
- Provide detailed dimensional drawings of the turret in both stowed and active positions.
- State the system's full Field of Regard (FOR) in both elevation and azimuth.
- Detail the resolution of the day (EO), mid-wave infrared (MWIR), and Short Wave IR (SWIR) sensors. Confirm whether the MWIR sensor meets the 640x480 resolution minimum.
- Confirm the presence and specifications (class, maximum effective range, and accuracy) of the Laser Range Finder (LRF), Laser Illuminator, and Laser Pointer.
- Describe the full magnification capabilities, detailing the continuous optical/digital zoom range for each sensor.
- Performance & Target Tracking
- Provide Johnson Criteria-based performance modeling data (or similar) that substantiates the system's ability to:
- Detect a grouped eight-man element at 2000 meters.
- Detect a light vehicle/SUV at 2000 meters.
- Discern weapons (1-2 meter length) on a grouped element at 2000 meters.
- Describe the system's Moving Target Indicator (MTI) capabilities and automatic/manual target tracking. Detail the robustness of the auto-tracker against clutter, temporary obstruction, and target maneuvers.
- Integration, Interfaces & Displays
- Controls: Describe the control interface options available. Critically, explain how the system handles command inputs and slewing hand-offs between the cockpit (Pilot/Copilot) and the cabin displays (Special Mission Aviators).
- Avionics Integration: Integrating waypoints into the navigation system requires interfacing with the MH-139A Operational Flight Program (OFP). Describe your strategy for accessing required proprietary design data from the Prime (Boeing), either via established Associate Contractor Agreements (ACAs) or required Government Furnished Information (GFI).
- Video & Symbology: Explain the video output formats/standards used. Describe how aircraft attitude and position data are used to display imagery referenced to the aircraft centerline and waterline, including any available symbology overlays.
- Data Rights & Airworthiness
- Describe your process and prior experience in delivering engineering data packages to support military airworthiness approvals and DoD Laser Safety Review Board (LSRB) certifications.
- Cost and Schedule:
- Provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate broken down into two parts:
- Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE): Hardware design, OFP software integration, MFR/LSRB certification data support, and technical manual/IETM updates.
- Modification Kit & Field Installation: The per-aircraft cost to procure the physical hardware (upgraded turret/displays) and perform the retrofit installation.
- Provide an estimated timeline from contract award to the development, testing, and initial operational capability of the first modified aircraft.
- 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
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- Responses shall not exceed 15 pages (single-sided, 12-point font).
- Submit responses electronically by 3:00 PM Eastern Time on 24 July 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.
