THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS, AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.
ALL CAPABLE COMPANIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO RESPOND, REGARDLESS OF SIZE.
Introduction:
- The Department of the Navy, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), on behalf of Program Executive Office Tactical Aircraft Programs and Program Manager, Air (PMA-265), is conducting market research to identify interested and capable sources that may be able to support a potential future effort related to the AN/APX-111(V) Combined Interrogator-Transponder (CIT) Redesign. This notice is issued solely to conduct market research and for planning purposes only.
- The AN/APX-111(V) CIT provides Mark XIIB Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) interrogator functionality, supporting autonomous, beyond-visual-range positive identification and fratricide risk reduction for tactical aircraft operations. Its transponder function supports applicable civil and military air traffic control requirements. The current system relies on the KIV-78 cryptographic applique for secure Mode-5 capability. The existing Receiver-Transmitter configuration is affected by hardware Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) issues that threaten long-term readiness and sustainment.
- To address these issues, PMA-265 is assessing industry capability to support a redesign of the RT-1763/APX-111(V) Receiver-Transmitter and associated activities necessary to maintain operational relevance and support continued integration on F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft. The redesign is expected to include forward-compatible provisions for future cryptographic modernization, including accommodation of the KIV-78A effort and potential future KIV-78 variants compliant with newer security requirements. PMA-265 is responsible for the CIT Redesign effort. The contemplated redesign effort is expected to consider structural and interface provisions for future cryptographic updates, qualification, integration, testing, radio frequency spectrum certification, Department of Defense (DoD) Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System Identification Friend or Foe Mark XIIB System (AIMS) certification, Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) certification, and limited Operational Flight Program administrative updates, as applicable. The Government seeks information on industry capability to support a solution that sustains readiness, survivability, secure combat identification, and future compliance without creating a capability gap.
- The objective of this market research effort is to identify vendors with the technical capability, production capacity, certification experience, integration expertise, repair capability, and long-term sustainment capability to support a potential future effort for the AN/APX-111(V) CIT Redesign and lifecycle support, including Avionics Redesign, Form-Fit-Function-Interface (FFFI) replacement development, prototype and engineering services, qualification and certification, F/A-18E/F and EA-18G platform integration, new production, repair, spares, and sustainment through end of service life.
- The results of this Sources Sought RFI will be utilized to determine if the required product or service exists in the marketplace and if any Small Business (SB) Set-Aside opportunities exist. All SB Set-Asides for small business concerns will be considered per FAR 19.104-1(e).
Key Requirements and Recommendations for Interested Businesses:
- System for Award Management (SAM):
- To be eligible for government contracts, your business must be registered in the SAM database at https//:sam.gov/. You do not need to be registered to respond to this notice, but you will need to be registered if NAVAIR decides to request proposals and award a contract.
- Small Businesses (SB):
- To assist in our market research and determination of any applicable SB set asides for this effort, please address the following as appropriate:
- Identify your business’ CAGE code and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
- Identify if your business is considered small under the size standard associated with the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this effort.
- Identify your business’ socio-economic status (Please list all applicable designations and indicate which are officially SBA-certified: Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), HUBZone, Small Disadvantaged Business) SDB, 8(a)).
- Note: To be considered for a targeted socio-economic Small Business Set-Aside (HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, or 8(a)) as a Prime Contractor, your firm must possess an active Small Business Administration (SBA) official certification in the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) / SAM.gov. Self-certification is not sufficient for set-aside prime awards under these programs.
- Address if your SB is interested in participating as a prime or subcontractor.
- If your SB is interested in the prime contractor role:
- Identify anticipated teaming partners by name and their role in the overall acquisition (provide each partner’s CAGE Code, size and status of the partner, approximate workshare, and specific capabilities/solutions that partner brings to the acquisition, etc.).
- If your SB plans to utilize “similarly situated entities” to meet the Limitations on Subcontracting, identify the name & CAGE Code of the specific firm(s) you intend to partner/subcontract with to meet the requirements as well as their SB size status under the NAICS that you as the prime would assign for their workshare. Information regarding any planned similarly situated entity should be included in answering any questions outlined in this Sources Sought Notice (SS-N) in order to assist the Government’s capability determination.
- SB’s that have not worked with the U.S. government or NAVAIR before are encouraged to visit the NAVAIR Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) website at https://www.navair.navy.mil/osbp/.
- It is also recommended to review the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 19 Small Business and FAR Clause 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (https://www.acquisition.gov), which covers SB programs.
- Partnership and Feedback:
- NAVAIR encourages all interested companies to respond. Market research and industry feedback are essential to the acquisition process and assist the Government’s capability determination.
- The information you provide will be used for internal decision-making at NAVAIR and may be shared within the Government support team for market research purposes.
- Confidentiality:
- It is your responsibility to ensure that you are not violating any confidentiality agreements by providing the requested information. Proprietary Information, if any, should be clearly marked. The Government will use reasonable efforts to protect properly marked Proprietary Information in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Submission Details:
Capability Statement Requirements:
Your business' response must be a comprehensive package that demonstrates your ability to provide the requested AN/APX-111(V) CIT Redesign and Lifecycle support. Responses should be specific, practical, and tailored to the contemplated effort. Marketing materials alone are not sufficient. The Government requests that respondents clearly identify which portions of the effort they are capable of performing directly and which portions would require subcontractors, teammates, or Government support.
Responses should, at a minimum, include the following:
- Business name, CAGE code, and UEI
- Business size and socioeconomic status
- OEM status
- Place(s) of Performance, manufacturing location(s), and repair location(s) (if different)
- Facility clearance level, if any
- Primary technical Point(s) Of Contact (POC)
- Major teammates or subcontractors
- Active corporate quality management system certifications and relevant technical process standards
- Technical capability summary
- Relevant experience and past performance summary
- Production capability summary
- Repair capability summary
- Certification and integration experience summary
- Technical data/intellectual property position
- Cybersecurity/export control posture
- Schedule assumptions
- Major risks and mitigation approach
- Recommended acquisition approach
- SB participation or teaming concept
Formatting and General Guidelines:
Requirement & Specifications
Page Limit: 10 pages maximum, excluding a cover page and administrative identifiers. The Government may disregard submissions that materially exceed the page limitation.
Font Size: 12-point for narrative text, 8-point for schematics and data sheets.
Spacing: 1.5 spacing for narrative pages.
Language: All documents and correspondence must be in English.
File Format: PDF format. No other formats will be accepted. All documents must be searchable.
Core Task: Your documentation should be in bullet format to directly address the questions outlined in "THE DETAILS" section. It is recommended that each bullet reference the original SS-N question number and have a descriptive bullet title.
THE DETAILS:
Interested vendors are requested to address the following questions. in sufficient detail to permit the Government to assess capability and relevance:
1. Corporate Experience and Past Performance:
Detail your experience in Avionics Redesign, specifically with IFF/CIT systems (such as the AN/APX-111(V)) or analogous airborne mission systems. Specify your industry role (e.g., OEM, subsystem supplier, system integrator).
2. FFFI Replacement Experience and Lifecycle Capability:
Detail your experience delivering Form-Fit-Function-Interface (FFFI) replacements for obsolete airborne electronics. Outline your full lifecycle capabilities, including development, qualification, integration, production, repair, spares, and long-term sustainment.
3. Technical Approach and Data Requirements:
Outline your proposed technical approach (existing, modified, or new design). Identify any required technical data, drawings, software, or Government Furnished Information (GFI), and state your proposed data rights for newly developed data or software.
Additionally, detail your strategy for implementing a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) that utilizes non-proprietary, open-standard interfaces to prevent vendor lock-in, and define the data rights associated with these interfaces.
4. Security and Cryptographic Integration:
Detail your experience with secure design principles and cryptographic device integration. Describe how you will handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and classified data, accommodate future crypto modernization, and state your current facility clearance level.
5. Certification, Qualification and Platform Integration:
Summarize your experience with relevant certifications (DoD AIMS, CNS/ATM, spectrum), environmental/Electromagnetic Interference (EMI qualification, and tactical aircraft platform integration—specifically F/A-18E/F, EA-18G, or analogous platforms.
6. Quality Management:
Provide a summary of your active corporate Quality Management System (QMS) certifications and technical process standards relevant to the system's design, build, and sustainment phases.
7. Production, Repair and Supply:
Detail your production readiness, manufacturing capacity and repair capabilities. Provide estimated lead times for key milestones (e.g., prototype delivery, production startup) and identify major supply chain risks, including DMSMS management, along with your mitigation strategies.
8. Cybersecurity and Export Control:
Describe your cybersecurity posture, including any Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) status, and your International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)/Export Administration Regulations (EAR) export compliance framework.
9. Acquisition Strategy and Small Business Teaming:
Recommend an acquisition approach and contract structure for this effort. Identify potential opportunities for SB participation or teaming arrangements.
10. Schedule Estimates:
Provide estimated lead times and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) schedules for engineering startup, prototype/test article delivery, qualification, integration support, low-rate production, repair startup, and spares availability.
11. Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) Monitoring:
Describe your proactive approach in the identification and management of DMSMS materials, and/or parts.
Administration:
Submission and Acknowledgment
- Submission Deadline: All "Capability Statements" must be emailed to the Government Contracts POCs by 02 October 2026, 5:00 P.M.EST]. Subject Line: “Sources Sought Response – AN/APX-111(V) CIT Redesign – [Business Name]”. It is recommended that your business provides two (2) primary POCs with their full contact information to include; Name, Position, Phone Number, Email Address, and Website details. However, please ensure that at least one (1) POC information submitted includes full contact information.
- Acknowledgment of Receipt: The Government POC will formally acknowledge all responses within four (4) working days after the submission period ends.
- Respondent's Responsibility: It is the responsibility of the responding business to ensure they have received this email acknowledgment. If no acknowledgment is received, the business must follow up. You may be required to provide proof of submission. All documents must be received as one group. Multiple emails may not be considered.
- Potential Delays: Be aware that Navy Internet Technology firewalls can occasionally cause significant delays in the delivery of emails, sometimes up to 72 hours or more. Plan accordingly and submit your Capability Statement as early as possible.
- Proof of Submission: If requested, you may need to provide proof that you submitted your Capability Statement on time. This proof must clearly show:
-
- Date and time of submission.
- That attachments were included and the names of those attachments.
- The number of attachments.
- The attachment types and sizes. An email that doesn't clearly indicate attachments may not be considered sufficient proof.
DoD SAFE for Sensitive Information:
Due to the potential sensitivity of the information in Capability Statements, responding businesses can request a DoD SAFE (Secure Access File Exchange) link for submission.
- Requesting a Link: A DoD SAFE link is not provided automatically and must be requested by the business; be sure to include the title of this SS-N in your request. Note that DoD SAFE links are only valid for a certain number of days. Refer to the website for details at https://safe.apps.mil.
- Using DoD SAFE:
- It is the business’ responsibility to follow DoD SAFE instructions and to ensure the submission does not exceed the site's size limits for a single submission.
- You must send the DoD Safe documents to the Government POCs listed below.
- If you encrypt your submission, you must email the password to the Government POCs.
- You should receive a "pick-up notice" from DoD SAFE, and you will be notified by email when your documents have been received within four (4) working days after the submission period ends.
- Do not add extra layers of protection to your documents when using DoD SAFE.
- Potential Delays: Be aware that Navy Internet Technology firewalls can occasionally cause significant delays in the delivery of DoD SAFE links, sometimes up to 72 hours or more. Plan accordingly and submit your Capability Statement as early as possible.
- File Deletion: All files uploaded to DoD SAFE are automatically deleted after a maximum of seven calendar days . As DoD Safe is outside of the control of NAVAIR, it is recommended that you confirm the deletion time.
Important Exclusions:
- Late Submissions: Late documentation will not be considered. All parts of a multi-document Capability Statement must be submitted together.
- Corporate Websites: The Government WILL NOT retrieve a Capability Statement from a business corporate website. The responding business is solely responsible for preparing and submitting the Capability Statement according to the outlined instructions.
Government POCs:
Respondents shall submit questions regarding the content of this SS-N to the required responses to the Contract Specialist listed below.
Contracting Office / Contract Specialist: Cassaundra Somerville, Contract Specialist, Email: cassaundra.e.somerville.civ@us.navy.mil, Phone: (771) 237-1732
Contracting Officer:
Ryan Bodine, Contracting Officer, Email: ryan.k.bodine.civ@us.navy.mil, Phone: (771) 237-1399
Program Office Technical POC:
Ebony Casley, NAV/ID IPTL, Email: ebony.e.casley.civ@us.navy.mil, Phone: (240) 587-2637
Closing Statement:
The Government appreciates industry’s interest in supporting Naval Aviation readiness and future capability planning. Information received in response to this notice will be used to support market research, acquisition planning, and assessment of available industrial capability. This notice is issued for market research purposes only and shall not be construed as a commitment or as an obligation on the part of the Government to issue a solicitation, award a contractual agreement, or be responsible for any monies expended by any interested parties in support of the effort mentioned above.
The Government is interested in receiving vendors’ commercial published price lists for items they believe meet the need in this RFI. The Government is also interested in lead-time and current stock level.
