H-1 FUEL CELL TOOLING

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. THIS RFI IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES – IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) OR A PROMISE TO ISSUE A RFP IN THE FUTURE. THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION DOES NOT COMMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. FURTHER, THE NAVY IS NOT AT THIS TIME SEEKING PROPOSALS AND WILL NOT ACCEPT UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS. RESPONDENTS ARE ADVISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY INFORMATION OR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INCURRED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI. ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH RESPONDING TO THIS RFI WILL BE SOLELY AT THE EXPENSE OF THE INTERESTED PARTY. NOT RESPONDING TO THIS RFI DOES NOT PRECLUDE PARTICIPATION IN ANY FUTURE RFP, IF ISSUED. IF A SOLICITATION IS RELEASED, IT WILL BE SYNOPSIZED ON THE BETA.SAM WEBSITE. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE POTENTIAL OFFEROR(S) TO MONITOR THIS WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THIS REQUIREMENT. INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND IN NO WAY BINDS THE GOVERNMENT TO SOLICIT OR AWARD A CONTRACT.

1.0 DESCRIPTION.

• The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in support of the H-1 Program Office (PMA-276) may issue a new Firm Fixed Price contract for the procurement Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) to create and manufacture AH-1Z and UH-1Y Fuel Cell tooling required to manufacture current approved Fuel Cells as described below in support of the U.S. Marine Corps H-1 Helicopter Program. The government does not have the rights to release the proprietary information related to existing molds, form jigs, or templates required to compete this effort.

2.0 PURPOSE

• The contractor will engineer and create the tooling required to manufacture the current USMC AH-1Z and UH-1Y Fuel Cells. Tooling required includes H-1 specific 3-D Modeling, form jigs, and build and form templates. The contractor will also deliver the drawings and associated documents created while engineering the aforementioned tooling.


• The contractor will perform acceptance level testing in accordance with a Government Approved Test Plan

• The contractor will deliver the documentation in accordance with MIL-STD-31000B and Aeronautical Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Y14.100, Y14.24, Y14.34, Y14.35, Y14.41 and the Technical Data Package Option Selection Worksheet

• The contractor will provide Program Management, Logistics Management, Configuration Management, Engineering, and deliver financial/technical/administrative reporting

3.0 REQUESTED INFORMATION

Responsible sources may submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) and a concept summary, which contains a detailed description of the effort(s) described in paragraph 2.0 written from a system solution perspective and outlines development concepts that ensures maximum utilization of infrastructure and platform integration elements that already exist. Prospective offerors should explain how they are able to work with the Government and the component and aircraft manufacturers to integrate the aforementioned efforts into the H-1 program. Provide a teaming agreement signed by the Fuel Cell OEM and aircraft OEM indicating partnership, or a subcontracting relationship, to obtain the necessary technical data for the proposed effort including licenses and software. Demonstrate that your company currently possesses or has authorized access to the necessary technical data, or has a viable plan to obtain, generate, or otherwise secure authorized access to the necessary technical data, and that it will be maintained throughout the duration of the effort being solicited. Highlight unique data generation techniques used by your company, and areas where the effort can be performed without technical data provided by the Government or OEM. Demonstrate examples where your company has generated similar technical data to modify aircraft of this type and scale.

Each concept summary should address how the proposed efforts meet the following requirements:

1. Description of the specific effort described in paragraph 2.0 with a listing of applicable FAR/DFARS clauses


2. In addition, the interested party must have or had a working or subcontracting relationship with the Fuel Cell OEM {AMFUEL American Fuel Cell & Coated Fabrics Co.} and Bell Textron Inc. {Bell}, Fort Worth, TX. The government does not have the rights to release existing proprietary data or information to contractors.

4.0 RESPONSES

Data Markings: In order to complete its review, NAVAIR must be able to share an interested respondent's information both within the Government and with covered Government support contractors as defined in DFARS clause 252.227-7013 RIGHTS IN TECHNICAL DATA-OTHER THAN COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (MAR 2023). Any responses marked in a manner that will not permit such review may be returned without being assessed or considered. All submissions (both the Letter in Intent (LOI) and the full response) must include a statement which clearly allows for the information to be disclosed with covered Government support contractors.

The Government will not reimburse any costs incurred to prepare responses to this notice.

International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). If the respondent is a foreign concern or if a US respondent has a team member or partner who is a foreign entity, adherence to all lTAR regulations is required.

In order to receive classified information pertinent to this RFI, responding parties must submit an unclassified Letter of Intent (LOI), not to exceed twenty single-spaced pages, to LCDR Maria Warner (maria.e.warner2.mil@us.navy.mil) no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) 03/11/2025. The LOI shall include the following information to verify credentials (do not submit classified information):

1. An UNCLASSIFIED description of the specific effort solution


2. CAGE code and Classified mailing Address


3. POC the receive additional information or clarification


4. POC to permit NAVAIR to obtain additional data to support analysis


5. Describe your company's ability to manage and secure up to SECRET information.

Full response submissions to the above request must be received no later than 5:00 PM EST 03/11/2025 to LCDR Maria Warner (maria.e.warner2.mil@us.navy.mil). It is requested that the responses have a page limit of 20 pages and must be in English.

Unclassified questions regarding this RFI can be directed to LCDR Maria Warner (maria.e.warner2.mil@us.navy.mil).