Request for Interested Manufacturers: Radio Frequency Amplifier, AN/ALQ-172 Redesigned Line Replaceable Unit (LRU)-4 Countermeasures Transmitter, Redesigned LRU-8 Phased Array Antenna

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FBO Post Title: Request for Interested Manufacturers: Radio Frequency Amplifier, AN/ALQ-172 Redesigned Line Replaceable Unit (LRU)-4 Countermeasures Transmitter, Redesigned LRU-8 Phased Array Antenna

NSNs: P/Ns: Nouns: CAGE:

5895-01-266-3351 447577-1 RECEIVER GROUP 00752

5996-01-268-4644 439854-2 AMPLIFIER, RADIO FREQUENCY 00752

5985-01-268-4574 436981-1 SWITCH, RADIO FREQUENCY TRANSMISSION LINE 00752

5895-01-611-2754 2006769 FM COMBINER, BAND 6 82340

5895-01-611-6927 2006746 FM COMBINER, BAND 7 82340

5865-01-718-3672 2688804G002 COUNTERMEASURES TRANSMITTER 28527

TBD 2624708G007 PHASED ARRAY ANTENNA 28527

SUBJECT:

Market research is being conducted to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements for qualification and production of the Radio Frequency Amplifier, AN/ALQ-172 Redesigned LRU-4 Countermeasures Transmitter, and Redesigned LRU-8 Phased Array Antenna (L3Harris).

ITEM DESCRIPTION

The Radio Frequency (RF) Amplifier within the ALQ-161 Electronic Warfare System is a critical component designed to increase the power of incoming RF signals, enhancing the system’s ability to detect, analyze, and respond to enemy threats. This amplifier operates within a specific frequency range and is responsible for increasing the amplitude of weak RF signals, improving signal to noise ratios. This amplifier contributes to the systems sensitivity and range, allowing it to effectively identify and process electronic signals during flight.

The Receiver Group receives, processes, and analyzes incoming RF signals facilities across a wide frequency range. This data is then used by the ALQ-161 system to identify threats and activate appropriate countermeasures that is essential for maintaining the operational readiness and effectiveness of the ALQ-161 B-B1 system. This restores full EW capabilities to the aircraft, prevent the aircraft from being vulnerable to enemy radar systems, ensure mission success by providing critical electronic protection.

The Radio Frequency Transmission Line Switch is an item specifically designed for mechanically or electronically positioning one or more radio frequency transmission line sections so as to couple it or them to other sections in a radio frequency transmission line system. The switching function may be operated by a manual actuator, an electromechanical actuator or by means of an arrangement of semiconductors and passive circuit devices. Excludes RELAY, (as modified).

The FM combiner within the ALQ-161 Electronic Warfare System is an electronic device which mixes two or more input frequencies which are usually adjustable, combines them linearly in desired proportions to produce a common output signal which is a resultant of the input frequencies. Excludes items having integral oscillators.

The AN/ALQ-172 Redesigned LRU-4 Countermeasures Transmitter is a component of the AN/ALQ-172(V)2 Countermeasure Set (CMS). The Redesigned LRU-4 is a transmitter which provides high level amplification of Pulse Radar (PR), Pulse Doppler (PD) or Continuous Wave (CW) ECM signals and applies various modulations to the PD/CW signals. The Redesigned LRU-4 is also used to recover modulation characteristics of PD/CW signals.

The AN/ALQ-172 Redesigned LRU-8, the Antenna AS-4078/ALQ-172(V)2 provides the high band PAAS with electronically steerable antenna beam in the azimuth plane and a fixed antenna beam in the elevation plane. The high band PAAS consists of identical right and left antennas FWD and AFT, LRU-8R or LRU-8L, respectively. The configuration provides the aircraft with full azimuth hemispheric ECM coverage. The antenna consists of 16 circuit cards, a polarimeter, receive circulator assemblies, a dual circulator driver, BIT limiter, a down converter, and IF phase shifters.

IMPEDIMENT TO COMPETITION

The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for these items are L3Harris (CAGE 00752) and (CAGE82340). Both CAGEs are under L3Harris, just in different locations, and sole source to L3Harris. The Government does not own any data, drawings, schematics, or any other releasable technical data in support of this requirement. As a result, L3Harris and are the only known sources with adequate knowledge of the RF Amplifiers design and performance requirements. L3Harris and CTT are the only known manufacturers that own the required technical data and capabilities needed to produce this item and ensure compatibility of the asset with the ALQ-161.

The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for these items [CS1] is L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (CAGE 28527), which is the design contractor for the Redesign ALQ-172 suite of LRUs including the Redesign LRU-4 and LRU-8. Part of this Redesign LRU-4 and LRU-8 effort includes delivery of a complete Government owned production level data and test specification/software, however, this data is not currently available and approved for competitive release. This data is not expected to be delivered and approved by the Government until approximately April 2026. The LRU-4 and LRU-8 technical data can be used for future production buys and repair after final approvals and fielding.

The needed test equipment to sell off a production asset is also not readily available. The Enhanced Maintenance Test Set (EMTS) hot mock up and universal Versatile Depot Automatic Station (VDATS) tester are currently in use at L3Harris under contracts for block cycle software development, TPS software development, contracted Shop Replaceable Unit (SRU) level repair requirements, and contracted production LRU requirements for other Redesigned LRUs. This test equipment is expected to be required for follow on contract efforts regarding the block cycle, Optical Character Recognition (OCRs), Deficiency Reports (DRs), etc. And cannot be moved or furnished temporarily to another vendor.

Lastly, without the required data, knowledge, and test equipment to the system and its necessary system level solutions, vendors other than the OEM will not be able to integrate, test and deliver these units to the required production standard. Any further delay is not acceptable to meet the Government’s requirements for LRU production assets because of the current usage/demand rates and the low Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) of the legacy LRU-4 and LRU-8. As a result of the information herein, L3Harris Technologies, Inc. Is the only known source with adequate knowledge of the Redesigned LRU-4 and LRU-8 and its performance requirements, sufficient production level technical data, and necessary production level test equipment and capabilities needed to produce this item and ensure compatibility of the equipment at the ALQ-172 system level.

INTEREST

The DLA/AWB Contracting Office intends to award a sole source contract to L3Harris Technologies, Inc. for the manufacture of the Redesigned LRU-4, LRU-8 and Radio Frequency Amplifier in support of the AN/ALQ-172 and AN/ALQ-161 bomber programs. Other interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement no later than 2 Feb 2026 by emailing Todd.Stimus@us.af.mil and/or charles.duckworth.1@us.af.mil. The Government intends to procure these items using Other Than Full and Open Competition as prescribed by FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

DISCLAIMER

These sources sought synopsis 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.

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