MH-139 Lithium-Ion Battery Replacement

NOTICE

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 Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Lithium-ion battery system and complete integration kit for the MH-139A aircraft.

Currently, the MH-139A has legacy Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad) batteries installed which are susceptible to rapid charge loss during cold weather operations. The aircraft routinely operates in extreme cold temperatures requiring multiple battery-only engine starts.

Additionally, the current Ni-Cad batteries require removal from the aircraft for charging and there is no approved method of charging them from an external source while installed on the aircraft.

The objective is to replace the current Ni-Cad batteries with a Lithium-ion battery system to eliminate cold-weather limitations, reduce overall aircraft weight, decrease engine wear, and eliminate the need for off-aircraft battery conditioning rooms.

Key requirements for the modified system include:

• Performance: Provide cleaner, more consistent power with a higher sustained voltage (e.g., 26.4 VDC) for faster, cooler turbine starts.


• Cold Weather Capability: System must operate in extreme cold climates and allow 10-minute starts from a -40°C (-40°F) cold soak. Exposure temperature limits of -40°C to 80°C (-40°F to 176°F).


• Weight Reduction: The proposed solution must provide significant weight savings, targeting approximately 50% lighter than the current Ni-Cad batteries.


• Maintenance: Little to no required maintenance (on-condition only). No battery conditioning room should be required. Expected 8-year average life span.


• Safety & Certification: Must meet high safety standards (e.g., thermal runaway containment).


• Integration Kit: A complete integration kit is required, including Main and Aux batteries, a mounting system, wire harness, and panel-mounted annunciator (standalone or EICAS integrated, NVIS compatible).


• STC Approval: The ability to obtain or already possess an FAA-approved Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the AW139/MH-139 platform.

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:

• Provide a detailed description of your proposed Lithium-ion battery solution and integration kit. Include battery chemistry (e.g., NanoPhosphate), specifications, and safety certifications (e.g., DO-311A).


• Detail cold-weather performance metrics, including built-in heating capabilities and cold-soak start times.


• Describe your approach to integrating the system, including annunciator setup and health monitoring (SoC/SoH).


• Detail your company's process, timeline, and prior experience in obtaining FAA-approved STCs for military or civil helicopter modifications.


• Identify potential challenges or risks associated with obtaining an FAA-approved STC for the AW139/MH-139 platform and provide recommended mitigation strategies.

Cost and Schedule:

• Provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate for the battery hardware (Main/Aux), integration kit, and any non-recurring engineering effort. This is for budgetary purposes only.


• Provide an estimated timeline for STC approval, delivery, and initial operational capability.

SMALLL BUSINESS UTILIZATION

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  • 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 10 pages (single-sided, 12-point font).
  
  
  • Submit responses electronically by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on 10 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.