Sources Sought/RFI - AFLCMC/ESAN FMS Brazil Radar Modernization

This is a combined Sources Sought/Request for Information (RFI) notice. Any information submitted by respondents to this request is strictly voluntary. All information received from this Sources Sought/RFI notice will be used for planning and market research purposes only. The United States (U.S.) Government will treat your response to this Sources Sought/RFI notice as information. The information provided may be used by the Air Force to develop an acquisition strategy, statement of work (SOW), statement of objectives (SOO), and performance work statement (PWS) and associated specifications. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this Sources Sought/RFI notice; all costs associated with responding to this Sources Sought/RFI notice will be solely at the interested parties’ expense. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. 

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to provide feedback with respect to any information submitted. To the maximum extent possible, please submit non-proprietary information. Any proprietary information submitted should be identified as such and will be handled accordingly and protected from disclosure. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. The Government shall not be liable for damages related to proprietary information that is not properly identified. 

Any submissions in response to this Sources Sought/RFI constitutes consent for that submission to be reviewed by Government personnel and Advisory & Assistance Services (A&AS) Contractor employees supporting AFLCMC/ES. The responses may be forwarded to other Government entities in consideration for applicability to other programs. All Government and Department of War (DoW) contractor personnel reviewing Sources Sought/RFI responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information. All members of the Government and contractor team will be reminded of their obligation to protect such information to the maximum extent permitted or required by the Economic Espionage Act, 18 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1831 et seq., and other applicable statutes or regulations. In addition, Government members will be reminded of their obligation to afford protection under the Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. 1905.   

1.0 Introduction 

The Aerospace Management Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Branch (AFLCMC/ESAN) is seeking market information to identify highly mobile, production-ready, commercial solutions to support the modernization of Ground Control Approach (GCA) and Precision Approach Radar (PAR) systems capabilities in support of the Brazilian Air Force and potentially other FMS partner nations. 

2.0 Objective 

The primary objective of this Sources Sought/RFI notice is to identify new systems to replace existing L3Harris GCA-2000 and PAR-2000 systems to improve the Brazilian Air Force’s ability to support radar surveillance and precision landing operations.   

Based on the review of responses to this Sources Sought/RFI notice, the Government may elect to release a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) at a future date. The Period of Performance (PoP) for any subsequent contract effort will remain variable and dependent upon the maturity and deployment timelines of the offered solutions. Under any future resultant contract, the prime contractor will be required to execute a comprehensive modernization effort, to include the delivery of all required radar equipment, provision of initial spares, and the execution of all necessary site modifications and system integration. 

3.0 Desired Capabilities  

The below capabilities integrate specific parameters required by the Brazilian Air Force. 

3.1 General   

System must demonstrate the capability to achieve full flight inspection certification (FAA/ICAO standards) for both Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) and Precision Approach Radar (PAR) functions. 

3.2 Transportation 

       a. Threshold (T): Setup within 8 hours by 4 personnel. Transportable by KC-390 aircraft.

       b. Objective (O): Setup within 4 hours by 2 personnel. Roll-on/Roll-off capable on KC-390 with zero major disassembly. 

3.3 Equipment Specifics 

3.3.1 Surveillance 

       a. Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) Range & Altitude 

           Threshold (T): Minimum range of 30 NM. Altitude coverage up to 10,000 ft AGL. 

           Objective (O): Minimum range of 60 NM. Altitude coverage up to 18,000 ft AGL. 

       b. PSR Probability of Detection 

          (T): 80% or higher. 

          (O): 90% or higher for a 2m2 target. 

      c. Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) Range & Altitude 

          (T): Minimum range of 60 NM and altitude coverage up to 18,000 ft AGL. 

          (O): Range of 100 NM and altitude coverage up to 35,000 ft AGL. 

     d. SSR Modes & Capability 

         (T): Must support ATCRBS, Modes 3/A, C, S, and ADS-B. 

         (O): Full support for all Threshold modes plus native cryptographic integration for secure military Mode 5 

     e. SSR Probability of Detection (Pd) 

         (T): 90% or higher. 

         (O): 95% or higher. 

3.3.2 Precision Landing 

     a. PAR Coverage & Switch Time 

        (T): Service up to 6 runways, switchable within 60 seconds. 

        (O): Service > 6 runways, switchable in under 30 seconds. 

     b. PAR Instrumented Range 

        (T): Reliable azimuth/elevation tracking and detection out to a minimum range of 10 NM. 

        (O): Reliable azimuth/elevation tracking and detection out to 20 NM or greater. 

     c. PAR Target Capacity 

        (T): Track up to 50 aircraft in azimuth and 22 aircraft in elevation. 

        (O): Track over 100 combined aircraft simultaneously. 

     d. PAR Detection Probability (2m² target) 

        (T): 90% probability at 10 NM. 

        (O): 95% probability at 15 NM in rain and 20 NM in clear weather. 

     e. PAR Resolution 

        (T): Range: 400 ft, Azimuth: 1.2 degrees, Elevation: 0.6 degrees (all with greater than or equal to 80% probability). 

        (O): Margins improved by 20% over threshold values. 

     f. PAR Accuracy 

        (T): Range: less than or equal to ±100 ft (or 2%). Azimuth: less than or equal to ±30 ft. Elevation: less than or equal ±20 ft. 

        (O): Margins improved by 20% over threshold values. 

3.3.3 Communications 

Data Interoperability 

(T=O): Output standard ASTERIX Eurocontrol data format for all surveillance outputs. 

ATC Positions, Display, & Automation 

(T): Two (2) ATC positions. Explain and provide detailed documentation of the proposed  

     a. ATC automation/display system. 

        (O): Fully modular system expandable up to six (6) ATC positions. 

ATC Radio Communications 

(T): Each ATC position must have UHF/VHF transmit/receive capability and the ability to simultaneously monitor UHF/VHF Guard frequencies. 

(O): Fully integrated voice switch system with secure, encrypted transmit/receive capability. 

3.3.4 System Reliability & Redundancy 

(T=O): Backup PSR transmitter or redundancy in the system is required. Backup power (UPS) is required. Mean Time Between Critical Failure (MTBCF) > 2,000 hours. 

3.3.5 Maintainability (MTTR) 

(T): Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) < 30 minutes. 

(O): Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) < 15 minutes. 

3.3.6 System Operational Certifications 

Identify whether or not the system has any/all of six (6) certifications for operations in both CONUS and OCONUS: Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mark XII System (AIMS); Cybersecurity; Interoperability and Supportability (I&S); National Airspace System (NAS); Spectrum; and Transportability (air, ground and sea). 

3.3.7  Ancillary & Support Equipment Requirements 

(T): Identify all generators, environmental control unit (ECU), hardware/software, and ancillary equipment requirements necessary to support standalone system operations. 

(O): Offer integrated, self-contained auxiliary systems that minimize external logistics footprint and setup time. 

3.4 Maintenance Capabilities 

       a. Operator and maintenance technical manuals/data provided. 

       b. No more than four quantity maintenance personnel to set up and maintain desired.

       c. Mean Time Between Critical Failure (MTBCF) 2000 hours desired. 

       d. Mean Time Between Failures (MBTF) 250 hours desired. 

       e. Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) less than 30 minutes desired. 

       f. Long term sustainment and supportability.  

       g. Maintenance training course. 

3.5 Delivery and Support 

       a. Worldwide contract logistics support is highly desired. 

       b. Identify size, weight and power constraints including any unique requirements to support a rapid deployment in potentially austere climate conditions. 

       c. Identify depot and sustainment mechanisms currently in place. 

4.0 Questions 

Please answer the questions below. For any yes/no answers, please describe, to the extent possible, how you perform the activity and/or service in question. 

4.1 Company Information & Status 

Interested potential sources shall respond by identifying: 

       a. Interest in this effort. 

       b. Small business status; including small, small-disadvantaged, women-owned, Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) and/or service-disabled veteran and covering all socio-economic programs. 

4.2 Capabilities 

Interested potential sources should identify their capabilities and recent experience (within the last 5 years) in providing navigational aids (NAVAIDS) systems and services similar to the capabilities listed in this Sources Sought/RFI notice.  Responses should address existing solutions that provide the capabilities described. If your existing solution does not currently meet all of the desired capabilities outlined in Section 3.0, describe your capability to modify or adapt the system to fully satisfy the Governments’ requirements.  

4.3 Training Experience 

Describe your experience in training personnel of varying skill levels in the use, mastery, and maintenance of the provided solutions. 

4.4 Sustainment Experience 

Describe your experience with solutions that successfully support the sustainment of Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) or similar equipment operations.  

4.5 Past Performance Details 

In delineating previous experience, identify the complexity, scope, dollar value, start and end dates of the effort, customer point of contact. Relate scope of these past efforts to the requirements identified above and describe breadth of experience in delivering similar systems. Identify if the past effort has been part of an FMS project.  

4.6 Cost & Schedule Estimates 

In addition to detailing how the proposed solution meets all performance requirements, please provide a response to the following questions: 

      a. What is the estimated total cost of the proposed solution, broken down by estimated unit production cost and any required Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE)? 

       b. What is your production capacity and estimated timeline/delivery schedule from contract award date to full delivery and satisfaction of all performance requirements? 

       c. Are systems meeting the capabilities delineated above currently fielded (Y/N?). If not, what is your estimated schedule to complete development and/or any modifications to deliver fully operational system—to include any required government testing--within 12 months of contract date? 

       d. Identify long lead items. 

       e. Identify any contractual vehicles available for potential use by this Agency to procure systems; include contract number, period of performance and point of contact. 

5.0 Submission Instructions 

Please submit responses to this Sources Sought/RFI notice via e-mail to the Contracting Officer, Contract Specialist and Program Manager below, no later than 08 October 2026. Responses shall not exceed 20 single spaced, 8.5.x11 inch, single sided pages in length, and shall be an UNCLASSIFIED PDF. Sources Sought/RFI responses should address the systems’ ability to meet the requirements outlined in Section 3 and answer all capability assessment questions in Attachment A. The font shall be 12pt Times New Roman.  

Ms. Kelsey Ribeiro, Contracting Officer, Email: Kelsey.Ribeiro@us.af.mil 

Ms. Marilyn Hockersmith, Contract Specialist, Email: marilyn.hockersmith.1@us.af.mil 

Ms. Cynthia Canavan, Program Manager, Email: Cynthia.Canavan.1@us.af.mil 

The information should also include the following business contact information in a cover letter: 

• Company Name and Address  

• Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code 

• Point of Contact (POC) name for further clarification or questions 

• POC Telephone Number 

• POC Email Address 

Please refer any questions regarding this Sources Sought/RFI notice to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. 

This Sources Sought/RFI notice is issued solely for informational purposes.  It does not constitute an RFP or a promise to issue an RFP in the future.  This Sources Sought/RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service in any manner.  Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this Sources Sought/RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested parties’ expense.  Not responding to this Sources Sought/RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued.