Request for Information (RFI):

ARC-190 High Frequency (HF) Radio

Replacement

The United States Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Life Cycle Management
Center (AFLCMC), Airborne Communication and Nuclear Command, Control and
Communications (NC3), AFLCMC/WNYBB, Robins Air Force Base, GA, is conducting market
research to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to provide market research
information on replacing the ARC-190 High Frequency (HF) radio currently flown on multiple
aircraft in the DoD inventory with a modernized wide-band HF radio.

This RFI is a follow-on to the 14 March 2018 Request for Information (RFI) titled, “RM18-
ARC-190_High_Frequency_Radio_Upgrade_or_Replacement”, to address gaps identified
in the 14 March RFI and request additional information to support AFLCMC market
research. This RFI is sent in anticipation of an industry day projected for fall 2018.
Questions A to D are repeated from 14 March 18 RFI. If you already responded to these
questions previously, you do not need to resubmit this portion of the RFI and can reference
your previous response.

NOTE: The industry day announcement will be provided only to respondees to this RFI.
Contractors/Institutions responding to this market research are placed on notice that participation
in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The
government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation
in this survey. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future
solicitation, if any is issued.

52.215-3 -- Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes

(a) The Government does not intend to pay for the information solicited except as an
allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal
costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(b) Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this Request for Information, your
response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

(c) This request for information is issued for the purpose of identifying and characterizing
advance technology and potential solutions that may provide an affordable modernization path
for HF ARC-190 radios for current and future military aircraft. A modernized or replacement
ARC-190 radio shall be compatible with:

(c.1) All existing fixed wing DoD aircraft that currently fly with an ARC-190

(c.2) Future conceptual fixed wing aircraft or other large aircraft platforms that may also
be facing obsolescence issues or modernization requirements

(End of Provision)
INSTRUCTIONS:

1. The document(s) below contain a description of the ARC-190 requirement and a

Contractor Capability Survey. The Survey enables Contractors to describe their company’s
capability. If you responded to the survey in the 14 March 18 RFI, you do not need to re-
accomplish this portion of the RFI.

2. If, after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in the market research, you
should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting these
requirements, within 30 days posting of this notice.

3. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research.
Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.

4. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to Courtney Yearwood,

(478) 222-5267 or email Courtney.Yearwood@us.af.mil
 Additional Information:
ARC-190 High Frequency (HF) Radio
Upgrade or Replacement

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION

Current Department of Defense (DoD) weapon systems are highly dependent on HF radios for
over the horizon, also known as beyond line of sight communications, specific to global
conventional and unconventional mission requirements. The DoD currently uses the ARC-190
radio for these missions on the following aircraft: B-1, B-52, C-130, C-17, C-5, E-4B, E-8, F-
15E, KC-10, KC-135. The ARC-190 is going out of production in 2019, has known
obsolescence issues and requires a fully certified, tested and integrated replacement radio. Fully
qualified production units need to begin installs no later than 2024.

The primary focus of this Request for Information (RFI) is to explore industry interest and
capability to design and demonstrate a prototype Wide-Band HF Radio (WBHFR) that can
replace the functionality of the ARC-190. Additionally, this prototype radio must demonstrate
incremental/spiral capabilities; these incremental capabilities would include enhancements and
enable future waveform development by third-party vendors, government laboratories or
Federally Funded Research and Development Corporations (FFRDCs).

Form and fit replacement and backward compatibility with existing aircraft systems and ARC-
190 group A equipment, connections, and antenna couplers is a desired goal to reduce integration
and installation costs. Significant Life Cycle Cost savings as a result of form and fit replacement
would allow consideration of higher development and procurement cost. Enabling commonality
by reducing multiple configurations across all AF airborne HF radios is also considered a
supporting goal.

The government is aggressively pursuing open, non-proprietary, standardized electrical &

physical interfaces, message sets, and message protocols for all subsystems and data buses used
in their airborne communications suites. The contractor is strongly advised to use modular open-
systems architecture and commercial off-the-shelf components that currently offer component
interface specifications available to the general public at no cost, and reduce or eliminate
proprietary interfaces, hardware and software.
Interested parties are to:

• Describe their proposed technology options for the replacement of the ARC-190 by either
modifying existing radio systems/product lines or providing entirely new systems

• Describe your proposed approach to reducing acquisition risk and schedule via prototype
demonstrations with future spiral developments

• Provide detailed development, production and sustainment cost and schedules

• Describe your modular open systems architecture approach

• Describe WBHFR system readiness via DoD Technology Readiness Level and
Manufacturing Readiness Level standards

• Describe technology similarity and synergy with commercial or other military systems
and aircraft

• Describe your concept for controlling the radio either from a remote control head or
integrated into the aircraft through existing aircraft multi-functional displays. There is
additional interest in ensuring if a new control head is necessary that it would have
universal functionality, enabling control of multiple radios from one controller if possible

• Discuss aircraft integration (i.e. Group A/B hardware, software, flight test) and crew
system challenges, performance enhancements/synergies and financial impacts associated
with form and fit requirements as well as backwards compatibility with current ARC-190
interfaces

• Provide information that demonstrates knowledge of and experience with airborne HF

radios, and aircraft avionics integration, hardware and software requirements

• Provide information that describes demonstrated experience in the design, engineering,

and production capability of military avionics and communications/radio systems

• Address potential solutions that incorporate non-proprietary interfaces and message sets
between system modules

The intent of this RFI is to request documentation from Industry for archives and to inform future
acquisition strategy development. The government will evaluate provided information to
ascertain potential market capacity to: 1) Provide common modernized airborne HF radio
solutions consistent with those described in this notice and otherwise anticipated; 2) Estimate
potential acquisition program development and production costs and schedules; and 3) Inform
potential acquisition and contracting strategies.

THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AT THIS TIME. Contractors/Institutions responding to this

market research are placed on notice that participation in this survey is voluntary and may not
ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The government will not
reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this survey. Not
responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if any is issued.
Responses to this RFI are requested within 30 days of the posting of this notice.

BASED ON THE RESPONSES TO THIS MARKET RESEARCH, THIS REQUIREMENT

MAY BE SET-ASIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, PROCURED THROUGH FULL AND
OPEN COMPETITION, AWARDED SOLE SOURCE TO ONE OR MORE SELECTED
CONTRACTOR(S), OR NO AWARD MAY BE MADE. Telephone inquiries will not be
accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies
regarding their submissions

SPECIAL NOTICE Respondent’s attention is directed to the fact that contractor consultants and
advisors to the Government will review and provide support during review and evaluation of
submittals. When appropriate, non-government advisors may be used to objectively review a
particular functional area and provide comments and recommendations to the Government. All
advisors shall comply with procurement integrity laws and shall sign Non-Disclosure and Rules
of Conduct/Conflict of Interest statements. The Government shall take into consideration
requirements for avoiding conflicts of interest and ensure advisors comply with safeguarding
proprietary data. Submissions in response to this RFI constitute approval to release the submittal
to necessary Government Support Contractors.
Prototyping Questions:

1. Describe the proposed WBHFR capabilities and specified values associated with those listed
capabilities (from the provided capabilities table below) that could be prototyped in a
government lab within 12 months?

WBHFR Capabilities
Peak Envelope Power
Auto Power adjustment
Total Wide-Band High Frequency Radio Bandwidth
Wideband mode bandwidth
Analog Voice capable of transmitting BLOS voice communications and Emergency Action
Messages
Digital Voice -- Mixed-Excitation Linear Prediction Enhanced (MELPe) and associated rates
Upper Sideband (USB); Lower Sideband (LSB); Selective Calling (SELCAL); Amplitude
Modulation Equivalent (AME); Continuous Wave (CW) All Modulation modes
Emission control (EMCON) mode
Anti-Jam Capability, Electronic Counter- Countermeasures (ECCM)
User selectable and adjustable squelch settings
Automatic Squelch Adjustment
Plain Text Data Mode (HFDL) and available Information Exchanges
Time to transfer 1MB file
Link 16 TDL messaging capability
Real-time Full Motion Video capability
Web-enabled application capabilities such as email, MIRC chat, etc.
Encryption Capabilities and modes
Automatic Link Establishment capabilities and associated modes (2G, 3G, 4G)
ALE frequency Groups banks and channels
Spectrum awareness "scanning" capability using a secondary receiver
Dynamic spectrum awareness "Stare" capability using a secondary receiver
Timing accuracy independent of GPS
Automatic Adaptive Link Management capabilities
Spread Spectrum low probability of intercept/low probability of detection (LPI/LPD)
Modulation Capabilities
Form, Fit with ARC-190 and capable of integration with existing aircraft antenna via existing
coupler or F3 coupler (Control-manual, RS-232, 1553B, Ethernet)
Control via existing aircraft controls (OFP or stand-alone remote control heads)
Non-simultaneous operation of 2 HF radio systems from a single coupler and antenna
Simultaneous operations of 2 HF radio systems from a single coupler and antenna
Synchronous serial interface and USB 2.0 interface
 2. For each capability that cannot be prototyped within 12 months:

a. Could the capability be added at a later date via field upgrade (i.e. software
update, card change, etc.)?
b. Would adding the capability at a later date require hardware
modification/addition?
c. How long would it take to prototype the new capabilities in a government lab?

3. How long would it take to develop a flyable prototype for the 12-month and beyond 12-
month prototypes?

4. What technical risks would the initial prototype address?

5. How do you recommend evaluating an open system architecture in the prototype?

6. What is the optimum full rate production rate and time to ramp up to full rate production
for the prototypes that can be produced within 12 months?

7. Are there any long lead items required to support a full rate production?

8. How much more time and certification is required to take your prototype to a fully
qualified radio?

9. Describe the hardware and software sustainment options for a fully qualified radio based
on your prototype

10. List hardware and software data rights associated with your prototype and limitations
associated with providing unlimited data rights to the government if your prototype is
taken into production.

11. This radio must be qualified to various standards to ensure the radio is airworthy and
capable of world-wide military operations in multiple environments; therefore, the
following list is provided as reference to the standards that cover the various modes and
capabilities of the WBHFR. Responders should address any issues with their ability to
comply with these standards:

Standards compliance for future airborne HF system capabilities:

MIL-STD 188-141D “Interoperability and Performance Standards for Medium and High
Frequency Radio Systems,” 22 Dec 17
 MIL-STD 188-141D: Single Sideband (SSB)1, Independent Sideband (ISB), Continuous
Wave (CW)
 MIL-STD 188-141D Appendix A: Automatic Link Establishment (2G ALE) 1
 MIL-STD 188-141D Appendix B: Linking Protection (for 2G ALE) 1
  MIL-STD 188-141D Appendix C, Section 5.1: 3rd Generation HF Link Automation -
Fast Link Set Up (FLSU) Protocol
 MIL-STD 188-141D Appendix G: Wideband Automatic Link Establishment (4G ALE) 2
 MIL-STD 188-141D Appendix H: HALFLOOP Algorithm (Linking protection for 4G
ALE)

MIL-STD 188-110D “Interoperability and Performance Standards for Data Modems,” 29

Dec 17
 MIL-STD 188-110D Section 5.1: Programmable FSK
 MIL-STD 188-110D Section 5.3.2: Serial Tone Mode
 MIL-STD 188-110D Appendix C: Data Waveform
 MIL-STD 188-110D Appendix D: Wideband HF Data Waveform (3 kHz to 48 kHz)
 MIL-STD 188-110D Appendix F: HF Data Modems for dual ISB Systems

Other Standards
 STANAG 4285: 1200 / 2400 / 3600 bps Single Tone Modems for HF Radio Links
 STANAG 4415: Robust 75 bps for severely degraded channels
 STANAG 4591: MELPe Vocodor (Digital Voice)
 STANAG 5066: Profile for HF Radio Data Communication
 STANAG 5522: Datalink capability for Link 22
 ARINC 635 / 753: HF Data Link (HFDL) 1
 ARINC 714: Selective Calling (SELCAL) 1

Notes:
1. Current ARC-190 system capability
2. Will include both MIL-STD 188-141D Appendices A and C standards as described above
 CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

Part I. Business Information

Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any
teaming or joint venture partners:

• Company/Institute Name:
• Address:
• Point of Contact:
• CAGE Code:
• Phone Number:
• E-mail Address:
• Web Page URL:
• Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code:
NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services, Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military
Weapons

Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

• Small Business (Yes / No)

• Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No)
• Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No)
• 8(a) Certified (Yes / No)
• HUBZone Certified (Yes / No)
• Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No)
• Service Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No)
• System for Award Management (SAM) (Yes / No)

Responses must be received no later than close of business 30 days from release of this RFI.
Responses must be sent electronically via AMRDEC SAFE (https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/safe/)
to:

• Randy Miller (randy.miller.22@us.af.mil)

• Courtney Yearwood (courtney.yearwood@us.af.mil)
• Paula Tarnawsky (paula.tarnawsky@us.af.mil)

Questions relative to this market research should be addressed to Randy Miller, (478) 926-5871,
or email randy.miller.22@us.af.mil.
Part II. Capability Survey Questions

Note: Questions A to D are repeated from the previous RFI dated 14 Mar 2018. If you
already responded to the survey in the previous RFI you do not need to re-accomplish this
portion of the RFI.

A. General Capability Questions:

1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your facility and nature of the goods and/or services you
provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure.

2. Describe your company's past experience on previous projects similar in complexity to this
requirement. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of
performance, agency/organization supported, and individual point of contact (Contracting
Officer or Program Manager).

B. Commerciality Questions:

1. Is there established catalog or market prices for our requirement?

2. If you offer this product and/or service to both U.S. Government and commercial sources, is
the same workforce used for both the U.S. Government and general public?

3. Is our requirement offered to both under similar terms and conditions? Briefly describe any
differences.

4. Describe your standard warranty and return process for goods and services furnished to the
government for items similar in nature to this requirement.

C. Manufacturing Questions:

1. Describe your capabilities and experience with production of HF Radio hardware,

components or technology elements

2. Describe your capabilities and experience in design & engineering of production processes
D. Engineering Services Questions (Engineering, advisory & assistance services, contractor
logistic support, and other services not listed)

1. Describe your experience with continued comprehensive Engineering Service Support of

fielded and in production HF Radios to include the following:

a. Engineering Services support both hardware and box level

b. Engineering Services to address such things as: DMSMS, Box and Aircraft level
OSS&E, aircraft interfaces and cyber threats

2. Describe your capability to perform Engineering Design, Development and Test Capability
enabling full development, integration, test and production of military-grade aircraft radio
systems.